Ongoing Accessible Spaces For All: Improving Accessibility of Tourism for Persons with Disabilities in Central Europe
About the project
The objective of the CE-Spaces4All project (also known as the Accessible Spaces for All project) is to improve governance and cooperation of multi-level cross-sectoral stakeholders for better territorial planning and implementation of accessible tourism for persons with disabilities in rural border regions in Central Europe. It will be achieved by a participatory co-creation and capacity-raising process, connecting persons with disabilities, public authorities and tourism stakeholders in joint planning and development of solutions for improving accessibility of tourism for persons with disabilities.
Accessible tourism and travel of persons with disabilities are hampered by a lack of proper regional territorial planning, especially in poorly connected rural regions lacking transport, health, social and other services. The 3 project pilot regions Slovenia-Croatia-Hungary, Austria-Czech Republic, and Poland recognise the potential of accessible tourism.
The following obstacles to good governance for accessible tourism will be addressed:
- lack of awareness, capacity and cooperation of multi-level cross-sectoral stakeholders for territorial planning of accessible tourism for persons with disabilities;
- lack of involvement of persons with disabilities in planning processes;
- lack of reliable, up-to-date, and standardised data for evidence-based development of accessible tourism and development strategies;
- lack of reliable, to-date information and services for persons with disabilities for independent tourism and travel.
Funder
Funded by the European Regional Development Fund – Interreg Central Europe as a part of Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE 2021-2027 programme.
Timeframe
36 months – from 01 March 2023 to 28 February 2026.
Budget
2,65 mil EURO overall project budget (80% of the budget is funded by ERDF).
Partners
- Geodetic Institute of Slovenia (coordinator)
- European Disability Forum (EDF)
- National Council of Disability Organizations of Slovenia
- Development Centre Murska Sobota
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
- Weinviertel Tourismus GmbH
- Tourist Board of Medimurje County
- Public Institution for the Development of Međimurje County REDEA
- Czech Environmental Information Agency
- Czech paraplegic association
- Zala County Self-Government
- Rzeszow Regional Development Agency
Website
Project news, outcomes and deliverables
In this section, you will be able to find the latest news about the project activities and outputs.
News
We’re compiling good practices on accessible tourism and would love to hear from you as a person with disabilities about your travel experiences and preferences. Insights gathered will shape accessible tourism services and tools in rural areas in Central Europe and contribute to the output of the project. Please do not hesitate to send your ideas to An-Sofie Leenknecht @ansofie.leenknecht@edf-feph.org. It is very valuable!
EDF is organising workshops for the project partners on good practices and learnings in accessible tourism for all persons with disabilities. These workshops will take place in April 2024. We will share the materials here at the end of April.
The next project meeting will take place on 22-23 May 2024 in Znojmo, Czech Republic.
Resources
- Training 1. Accessibility
- Training 2. ABC of disability and accessibility
- Training 3. Accessible Events and Communication
- Training 4. Accessible tourism – the EU perspective
Toolkits
- 1-Toolkit-How-to-make-Accessible-Word-Documents
- 2-Toolkit-How-to-make-Accessible-PowerPoints
- 3-Toolkit-How-to-make-Accessible-Social-Media
- 4-Toolkit-How-to-make-Accessible-Meetings
- 5-Toolkit-How-to-make-Accessible-Videos
- 6-Toolkit-How-to-make-Accessible-websites
Social media
- Instagram: @ce_spaces4all
- Facebook: CESpaces4All
- Linkedin: ce-spaces4all
- Youtube: @CE-Spaces4All
Further information and contact
An-Sofie Leenknecht – Human Rights Coordinator
Email: ansofie.leenknecht@edf-feph.org