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.
Czech Republic opens for
accessibility?
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
A challenge …
• 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
CLIENTS
WITH
SPECIAL
NEEDS /
DISABLED
PEOPLE
Moravian-Silesian
Region for all
(9/2008 – 5/2009)
TOURIST
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
ATHENA
(6/2009 –
5/2011)
ESF
ARCHITECTONIC
OBSTACLES
(DESIGN)
SERVICES
PEOPLE (HR)
Mobility impaired
Visually impaired
Hearing impaired
Information
Transport
Buildings (hotels&restaurants)
Atractions
„Beskydy for All“
• Pilot in the Czech Republic
• 100% funding - ESF and state /
regional budget
• information system
www.jedemetaky.cz/eng
– (accessibility criteria, selfassessment with 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 awareness
among the target groups by TN 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 and ENAT
• human resources development – motivation of
beneficiaries to share experience
Our AT projects - lookout
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 AT
among 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
Thank you for your attention !