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Join us at Destinations for All 2014, Montreal 19-22 Oct 2014

Hyperlinked Logo of Destinations for All, Montreal 19-22 October 2014. The link will take you to the Home Page of teh Conference Website

You are coordially invited for the 1st ever World Summit Destinations for All. The issue of accessible tourism has never been more relevant: 15% of the world’s population faces some degree of limited physical mobility, and with a greater aging demographic, this number will only increase. It is time to think of tourism no longer solely as a luxury, but as a need that is shared by everyone. By making tourism accessible to all, destinations are also:

  • Responding to the reality of an aging population
  • Providing a more inclusive focus on all customer requirements
  • Winning the loyalty of  travellers
  • Distinguishing themselves from the competition
  • Contributing to their destinations’ civic pride

The World Summit Destinations for All promises to take the current dialogue on accessible tourism to a new and exciting level. By bringing together key players in tourism, culture, and transportation, the Summit aims to identify and implement the necessary measures to establish international tourism that is inclusive and accessible.

Organized by Kéroul, Québec’s leading authority on accessible tourism, and supported by numerous prestigious international organizations, the World Summit Destinations for All promises to chart a new and exciting course towards universal accessible tourism.

Svayam – National Centre for Inclusive Environments, Delhi, India proudly supports this event. We hope you join us on the journey.

Help us spread the word by being an Ambassador Ambassador Kit – Destinations for All 2014.

To keep updated, watch out the Press Release Page of the Conference Website.

See you Montréal October 19-22, 2014!

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Accessible Beach Wheelchairs in Sao Paulo

Dear colleagues,

Here is some enchanting news from Sao Paulo to expand accessibility to beaches for persons with disabilities. These wheelchairs do not sink into the sand and float in the sea, thus provide a safe and convenient option to wheelchair users to enjoy the beach like their non-disabled counterparts!

The Secretariat of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed an agreement with the coastal cities of Sao Paulo to expand the program accessible beach, special wheelchairs that allow disabled and elderly bathing in the sea.

The formalization of the agreement, involving the municipalities of Guaruja, Iguape, Canaanite, Mongaguá, Itanagar, São Sebastião and Ubatuba, will be this Thursday (29).

Arnaldo Klajn / PMSS
Wheelchair users in amphibious beach in San Sebastian
Wheelchair users in the beach in San Sebastian

The program was launched by the state government in February last year, in Santos and Praia Grande Ilhabela. They were then covered Guaruja, Bertioga and San Sebastian.

It provides for the delivery of amphibious wheelchairs that do not sink into the sand and float in the sea – is a necessary companion to help you.

The chairs are installed at public beaches.To use, the poor need to present it and the companion document, and sign a liability waiver. Monitors are responsible for transferring the disabled person’s own chair to the amphibious and accompany him on the beach.

The government’s promise was to deliver one thousand chairs by 2010, to be distributed to all state beaches. The final number was not disclosed.

The criteria for choosing the beaches are the presence of accessibility issues such as ramps, tactile floor, specific places, accessible restrooms and lifeguard stations.

 

Note: This the English translation of the news items. Look at the original Post in Portughese at link: http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/1027200-cadeira-de-rodas-que-entra-no-mar-chega-a-mais-5-cidades-de-sp.shtml