Czech Republic opens for accessibility?

Worskhop „Accessible Tourism in Central and Eastern Europe“ENAT Congress 200930 September, Vienna, AUSTRIA

Ms. Jana SzczukováMs. Ilona OstruszkováKAZUIST, 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 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

Moravian-Silesian Region for all

(9/2008 – 5/2009)

ATHENA(6/2009 – 5/2011)

ESF

CLIENTS WITH

SPECIAL NEEDS /

DISABLED PEOPLE

Mobility impairedVisually impairedHearing impaired

TOURIST SERVICE

PROVIDERS

InformationTransport

Buildings (hotels&restaurants)Atractions

ARCHITECTONIC OBSTACLES

(DESIGN)

SERVICES

PEOPLE (HR)

„Beskydy for All“• Pilot in the Czech Republic • 100% funding - ESF and state /

regional budget• information system

www.jedemetaky.cz/eng– (accessibility criteria, self-assessment

with ex-post verification, “Barrier-Free” mark, > 20 certified facilities in the region, training, rising awareness, etc.)

“Moravian Silesian region for All”

„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 !