AISM & ”EUROPE WITHOUT BARRIERS”

Accommodation – Restaurant – Training – Research & Analysis Consulting – Destination Management – Project Design – Tour Operating – MICE Marco Pizzio - AISM

1 AISM Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society

 Since 1968: Non-Profit Association  Medical Scientific Research  Social Services, Assistance and Support  Network of 160 Operating Groups in 17 Italian Regions  10.000 Volunteers  Reference for 68.000 people with MS and their families  6 rehabilitation centers  Advocacy & Empowerment of people with disabilities  Since 2000 involved in Accessible Tourism EUROPE WITHOUT BARRIERS

2 AISM Accessible Tourism Activities

 NETWORK OF ACCESSIBLE PROPERTIES “LIKE HOME” IN ITALY • I Girasoli - Lucignano, (AR) • Casa Letizia - Auronzo di Cadore (BL) • Villa Matteucci - Porretta Terme (BO) • Casa Pitecusa - Ischia (NA)

 PROJECT DESIGN • EWB “Europe Without Barriers” • Ideal Tour

www.europewithoutbarriers.eu  TRAINING (internal, external starting 2016) www.likehome.it www.igirasoli.ar.it  TOUR OPERATOR / EWB - EUROPE WITHOUT BARRIERS • Travel Agency specialized in Accessible Tourism incoming/outgoing • MICE: Event Organization with focus on accessibility

 ADVOCACY & EMPOWERMENT (rights of people with disabilities - UNCRPD)

3 Chain of Accessibility in Tourism & EWB

ARRIVAL • Trasportation shuttle services in central Italy to Tuscany • Accommodation Like Home network of accessible properties • Restaurant within the “I Girasoli” in Tuscany • Visits/Attractions • Food & Wine Activities implemented within the new • Museums EWB Tour Operator nationally and • Excursions internationally • Shopping DEPARTURE

4 EWB – Europe Without Barriers www.europewithoutbarriers.eu

Project co-financed by the European Commission

 “Europe Without Barriers” pilot tour • new accessible itineraries • implement a methodology for accessibility verification with a Team of Experts • destinations: Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto); Slovenia; Croatia; Austria; Germany

 Participation to Fairs: TTG Rimini 2015; ITB Berlin 2016

 Conference in Tuscany on March 2016 (training and information)

 Implementation of further Accessible Itineraries in Spain, Liguria (Italy), French Riviera, Poland

5 Itineraries for All

 Tuscany for All (8 days): Lucignano, Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, shopping at “Valdichiana Outlet”, Pienza  Europe for All (15 days): Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany  Tuscany & Umbria for All (6 days): Arezzo, Lucignano, Siena, Florence, Perugia, Assisi  Slovenia & Croatia for All (6 days): Catez Spa, Ljubljana, Postojna Caves, Zagreb  Dolomites for All (4 days): Auronzo di Cadore, Three Peaks of Lavaredo, Misurina Lake  Lake Constance & Neuschwanstein Castle for All (4 days): Viktorsberg, Lake Constance (Bregenz, Mainau Island), Neuschwanstein Castle  Liguria and French Riviera for All  Barcelona for All  Warsaw for All

6 Lessons Learnt

KEYWORDS Training – Information – Methodology

 Training and “personal touch” are in some cases more effective and supportive than tearing down physical barriers. • Unexpected accessibility thank to good approach Vs Expected accessibility disappointed  Information (qualitative & quantitative) about accessibility is essential to provide a good experience > Accessible to Whom?  Accessible trips requires good organization and forecasting a large spectrum of issues. A tested Methodology is needed.  Declaration of accessibility are often related only to people on a wheelchair. Often insufficient indications for visually impaired and deaf people. In need for more audio guides, tactile maps, free wi-fi to give the opportunity to download necessary information.

7 SAVE the DATE

« Accessible Tourism: Opportunity for All » 21 –22 March 2016 Rosini Theatre - Lucignano (Tuscany) - Italy

“Europe Without Barriers” invites you to attend the Conference www.europewithoutbarriers.eu/en/events/ewbconference/

Project co-financed by the European Commission

8 Thank You!

Marco Pizzio [email protected]

Europe Without Barriers Tel: + 39 010 /2713823 Fax: + 39 010 /2713205 E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.europewithoutbarriers.eu www.italiasenzabarriere.it www.likehome.it www.igirasoli.ar.it

www.facebook.com/europewithoutbarriers www.facebook.com/senzabarriere www.facebook.com/IGirasoliLucignano

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