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Czech Republic opens for accessibility ?. Worskhop „ Accessible Tourism in Central and Eastern Europe “ ENAT Congress 2009 30 September , Vienna , AUSTRIA Ms . Jana Szczuková Ms . Ilona Ostruszková KAZUIST, spol. s r.o. Who we are …. KAZUIST, spol. s r.o.
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CzechRepublicopensforaccessibility? Worskhop „AccessibleTourism in CentralandEasternEurope“ ENAT Congress 2009 30 September, Vienna, AUSTRIA Ms. Jana Szczuková Ms. Ilona Ostruszková KAZUIST, spol. s r.o.
Who we are … KAZUIST, spol. s r.o. • micro, private, profit organisation, established in 1991 • since 1992 Regional consulting and information Centre • staff - mostly consultants and project managers/coordinators
What we do … • project activities: • self-employment / entrepreneurship support (Start-Business-Centres network) • social economy • accessible tourism • consultancy service and guidance especially for SMEs and start-ups • training service and tutoring programmes –unemployed and other disadvantaged groups
Where we are … • Moravian-Silesian region • at the Polish and Slovak borders but far from Prague... • heavy industry tradition, • attractive tourism spot
Why accessible tourism … An inspiration … • Italy (2002-2005) An opportunity … • CIP EQUAL , round 2, 2005 - 2008, ESF Achallenge … • brand new topic – no information, no awareness / huge target group • Our field of activity - self-employment, social integration + Beskydy mountains
Our progress … • from pioneer to the leader • since 2005 an initiator of the topic in CZ • since 2007 a main promoter on behalf of National Disability Council • from the region to the world • Central European Group for Integration of Handicapped (2009) – a leader of Working group for AT • ENAT member (2009) –transfer of experience and inspiration (from) abroad
Our AT projects Beskydy for all (8/2005 -8/2008) ESF Moravian-Silesian Region for all (9/2008 – 5/2009) ATHENA (6/2009 – 5/2011) ESF TOURIST SERVICE PROVIDERS CLIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS / DISABLED PEOPLE ARCHITECTONIC OBSTACLES (DESIGN) SERVICES Information Transport Buildings (hotels&restaurants) Atractions PEOPLE (HR) Mobility impaired Visuallyimpaired Hearingimpaired
„Beskydy for All“ • Pilot in the Czech Republic • 100% funding- ESF and state / regional budget • information system www.jedemetaky.cz/eng • (accessibility criteria, self-assessmentwith ex-post verification, “Barrier-Free” mark, > 20 certified facilities in the region, training, rising awareness, etc.)
“Moravian Silesian region for All” • 100% funding- regional budget • subsequent project, 2008 – 2009 • enlarging of the database + transport accessibility
„Accessible Tourism – Humans, Education, New Approaches“ – ATHENA: • Promotion of AT into practice; rising awarenessamong the target groups byTN experience • TN activities (exchange of experience, monitoring and comparison of existing tools – information systems, etc.) • National activities (info pooling and sharing, development of methodology for creation of national IS, AT brochure, comopendium of good practices etc.) • partnership with Czech National Disability Council, TRIANON and TRIANON ČECHY andENAT • human resources development – motivation of beneficiaries to share experience
Our AT projects - lookout ATHENA Accessible Tourism for Europe (ATE) Road to understanding Accessible tourism (KLACR) Beskydy for All
AT in the Czech Republic – STRENGTHS and OPPORTUNITIES: • basic know-how • enthusiasm • good practice : • ATIS tourist agency (Holiday with wheelchair), • CarClub – specific transport service, • Prague Airport – unique navigation system for visually impaired, • Town of Český Krumlov: Days without barriers, barrier-free tours, specific map …
AT in the Czech Republic – STRENGTHS and OPPORTUNITIES: • networking:engagement of target groups; Middle European Group for Integration of Disabled, Group for standards in urban construction, etc. • transnational and cross-border cooperation (ENAT, CE Group (PL/SK/CZ), Tourism for All (UK)) • funding opportunities from EU up to 2013 (HRD, regional tourism infrastructure), transnational and cross-border cooperation + national programmes (Ministry of Local Development) • institutional framework (National Disability Council, CzechTourism etc.)
AT in the Czech Republic – PROBLEMS and THREATS: • lack of sufficient promotion and information / awareness about ATamong general public, policymakers and businesses • lack of motivation in business - no relevant marketing survey, • lack of / insufficient legal binding • Lack of unification (standardization)
AT in the Czech Republic – PROBLEMS and THREATS: • lack of complexity • Oversimplification: accessible = good for wheelchair users • Incomplete information and service • Mostly local / regional initiatives • complicated support • Hard-to-fit programmes • Limited financial support • Lack of competences and competence development programmes for staff
AT in the Czech Republic – PROBLEMS and THREATS: • Advantage today … requirement tomorrow … • Necessary actions: • Improving accessibility of information • Education and competence development • Effective stakeholders motivation • Effective lessons (good practice) learning • Improving financial sustainability