- Softwareupdate on IBFT.at - PLEASE READ! (2006-04-21 15:44:54)
A big softwareupdate has been performed on IBFT.at - a few changes are:
- Further designs and font-sizes
- Possibility to change own account-data
- News entries with a maximum age of 24 hours are marked "new"
- Improved seach form
- The graphical region selection no longer uses the Flash-plugin
- Multiple pictures can be added on a single entry
- And, most important: An English version
If you have any problems with the new version or questions please mail us at mailto:webmaster@ibft.at
- Guided tour through the Egypt Collection on the 27.4.2006 for visually impaired and blind art lovers. (2006-04-21 20:51:53)
In the series "participating accessibly" on
* Saturday, 1. April 2006, at 15.00 o´clock a GUIDED TOUR through the special exhibition for deaf people takes place:
"Augenblicke" masterpieces of european portrait painting from the 16.-19 century
from the stock-collection.
For deaf people free entrance to the special exhibition
"Augenblicke" on Saturday, 1.April 2006.
- Themed park "Accessible life" on the Reha Life (Vienna) (2006-04-28 00:27:22)
In the themed park "Tourism barrierfree" travel organisers, Hotels, tourism regions and providers of leisure possibilities and tourism organisations have the possibility to present their offers to people with disability and people with restricted mobility.
On the 21.6.2006, 14:15h - 15:00h:
Meaning and Economical Efficiency of the Accessible Tourism and Presentation of the Database IBFT" (Infoplatform for Accessible Tourism in Austria).
Information to Reha Life:
http://www.rehalife.at/ - Report from the international tourism exchange in Berlin (2006-05-04 19:06:57)
- not only touristic issues: first activity day of accessible building in Carinthia. (2006-05-16 17:32:22)
On the 18.05.2006 the first carinthian activity-day about building accessibly takes place in the autArKademie Brückl.
More info under:
http://www.autark.co.at/
- Short report from the Symposium "Strategies and Implementation of the Accessible Tourism in Europe" (2006-05-21 13:08:03)
On 18.5.2006 the Symposium „Strategies and Implementation of Accessible Tourism in Europe“ took place in Stadl/Mur.
After the welcome speech by
Mr. GR Wolfgang Schlick and introducing words by the representative of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour,
Mr. Mag.Dr.Marcus Strasser, Vice-Manager of the Tourism Service point , three speakers from Germany (
Mrs.DI Kerstin Tangermann from Brandenburg,
Mr.DI Ernst Birnmeyer from Bavaria und
Mr. Stefan Herzog from Rheinhessen), Italy (
Mr.Mag.Günther A. Ennemoser) and Switzerland (
Mr. Markus Rocca) reported about experiences of implementation of the accessible tourism. Interesting were the different accesses to this topic: from creating a new touristic region to the development of a new project done by a self-help-group. Before lunch
Mr.Freddy Wascher, manager of the „Murtal Holiday Region“, talked about the efforts of the region to develop towards accessibility.
The afternoon offered a short presentation of the project "IBFT-Infoplatform of Accessible Tourism" by the project leader,
Mrs.Dr.in Angelika Laburda as also interesting discussions with the main-speakers of the morning and with
Mr. Leo Pürrer, president of the disability self-help-group- Hartberg,
Mrs. Mag.a Britta Wagner und
Mr. Mag. Daniele Marano from the Community for the blind and visually impaired in Austria as also with
Mrs. Mag.a Ursula Heinemann from the ÖHTB (Austrian Relief Organisation for people who are Deafblind and people with significant Vision and Hearing Impairments).
The reactions from participants and speakers to this symposium were very positive and encourage us to continue our work.
A big thank you to the management and the team of the Nursing Hotel Weideröschen for the excellent organisation and the nice taking care of the guests.
Soon, the symposium papers will be available to download from this Site, the papers will be also available as Audio-CD.
from the left to the right: Fr.Dr.in Laburda, Mr. Wascher, Mr.DI Birnmeyer, Mr. Herzog, Mr. Pürrer, Mr. Rocca, Mr.Mag.a Wagner, Mr.Mag. Ennemoser, Mrs.Mag.a Heinemann, Mrs.DI Tangermann, Mr.Mag. Marano | 
View to the participants |
Two of the working groups in the afternoon | 
A bunch of flowers for the Hotel Manager, Mrs.Mag.a Virag Hodor von Mr. Peter Heinemann (ÖHTB). |
To enlarge click on foto
- Photo gallery of the Symposium. (2006-05-25 13:57:20)
- Event of the Apostolate for the Blind: Hiking-Week " Hiking into the extended EU", 26th of August until the 2nd of September. (2006-05-31 13:44:07)
Hiking week "Hiking into the extended EU", 26th of August until the 2nd of September: with Max Roßbacher and Prof. Franz Wolkinger.
Starting from the Bildungshaus Retzhof near Leibnitz, the bordering areas to Styria, Southern Burgenland, Slovenia and Carinthia will be visited.
Registration with Max Roßbacher to Max Roßbacher, Gerhart Hauptmann Gasse 3,
8042 Graz, Tel. 0316-47 52 92.
- "Parents-Children-CAMP for deaf parents/children" from the 19th to the 27th of August 2006 (BIZEPS-announcement). (2006-06-01 15:04:13)
BIZEPS-Announcement:
http://www.bizeps.or.at/news.php?nr=6890
Visualbrain offers in Lower Austria a social camp-programme for deaf parents with child and deaf children with parents.
From the 19th to the 27th of August this "Parents-Child-CAMP" organised by visualbrain for families with a deaf member takes place in Krumau/Lower Austria.
More infos in internet or under
camp@visualbrain.net or Fax: +43 664 / 4372067
Deadline of registration is the 14th of July 2006. Limited number of places.
- More about us-IBFT (2006-06-01 16:34:58)
- 1st regional Workshop on Accessibility and Tourism, 29-30 September 2006, Crete. (2006-06-01 16:39:43)
1st Regional Workshop (SE Europe, Mediterranean) for the accessibility of the built environment and the urban space Accessibility and Tourism
more information:
http://emttu.org/en/news.html
- The complete symposium materials are ready to download (2006-06-06 23:03:48)
All presentations and lectures, the conference binder and a summary of the syposium "Strategies and Implementation of the Accessible Tourism in Europe" on the 18th of May 2006 are ready for downloading
.
- european disability forum: no more discrimination against disabled air passengers (2006-06-10 17:19:33)
Landmark EU Regulation adopted this morning by Transport Ministers about to stop daily discrimination against disabled air passengers
******
Brussels, 9 June 2006 - "Europe's efforts to eliminate borders and to facilitate the free movement of its citizens is most of the times a far reality for disabled people. People with disabilities and their families are daily stopped from travelling due to arbitrary reasons or the specific policy of an air carrier. The Regulation adopted today will change the lives of people with disabilities and it is a long-waited step in our combat against discrimination," said the President of the European Disability Forum, Yannis Vardakastanis.
Until this day, no European binding legislation existed in Europe to protect disabled people from discrimination when travelling by air. A person could be refused boarding or assistance on the ground of disability and some air companies had even established a quota system defining a maximum of disabled passengers per plane, regardless the type of disability.
"The air industry has been very reluctant to have binding legislation protecting the rights of disabled air passengers. With the new regulation they will have to realize that, in addition to a basic question of fundamental rights, there is also a business opportunity for them", said the leader of the disability movement, Vardakastanis.
The new Regulation adopted today by the European Ministers of Transport will prohibit denied boarding or booking on the ground of disability. Disabled passengers should receive seamless assistance at no additional charge, a responsibility that lies within the hand of the managing body of the airport. An important measure will also be the disability equality training for all staff dealing with the travelling public.
Despite the lobbying efforts of the European Disability Forum, the regulation still allows a possibility to deny boarding of disabled people for "safety reasons", which are not yet clearly defined. Although these safety reasons must be properly justified, if they are defined at Member State level they could become a barrier for disabled passengers "Safety criteria must be harmonized at international or EU level; otherwise a disabled person could be allowed to travel from one country to another, but not to return home, as a different legislation would be applied. Having harmonized criteria also makes it easier for disabled people to be aware of their rights and makes the whole system more transparent for everybody", stressed EDF President.
The right not to be denied boarding or booking will be applicable by the summer of 2007. The entire regulation will be totally effective a year later and directly applicable to European airports and airlines.
For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel office: (+ 32 2) 282 46 04; E-mail:
communication@edf-feph.org - Nova Rock - 15.-17.6. Pannonia Fields II, Nickelsdorf (Bgld) - also for mobility restricted guests (2006-06-12 20:18:45)
Guns 'n Roses, Metallica, Placebo ...also for wheelchair users:
Disabled and wheelchair camping area: it is situated in the caravan-camping area, located as close as possible to the entrances. It will be tried to design this terrain as comfortable as possible. Of course there will be toilet facilities available.
In case you come with the car or you will be taken to the area you can park here. For access, please do not forget the disability-ID.
This information comes from:
http://www.novarock.at/index.php?novafaq - Theme park "Accessible life" on the Reha Life (Vienna) (2006-06-18 19:37:35)
In the theme park "Tourism barrierfree" travel organisers, Hotels, tourism regions and providers of leisure possibilities and tourism organisations have the possibility to present their offers to people with disability and people with restricted mobility.
On the 21.6.2006, 14:15 - 15:00:
Meaning and Economical Efficiency of the Accessible Tourism and Presentation of the Database IBFT" (Infoplatform for Accessible Tourism in Austria).
Information to Reha Life:
http://www.rehalife.at/ - ÖBB: Holiday Special for mobility restricted young people (2006-07-11 17:22:28)
PRESS INFORMATION
ÖBB: Holiday Special for mobility restricted young people
Holders of a VORTEILScard Spezial or a VORTEILScard Blind, being under 26, can also use the ÖBB-Summer ticket.
It is the fast seller of this summer: the ÖBB-Summer ticket, with which teenagers under 19 years for € 19 and young adults up to 26 years for € 49 can travel the whole summer for a sensational low price in all Austria. This summer hit is with immediate effect also available for mobility restricted young people.
„We care specially for mobility restricted passengers. That is why it is possible to purchase with your VORTEILScard up to the completed 26th year of life a ÖBB-Summer ticket“, explains DI Dr. Stefan Wehinger, director of the management board of the BBPersonenverkehr AG.
The ÖBB-Summer ticket in detail:
With the ÖBB-Summer ticket, holders of a VORTEILScard<26 can travel in all Austria to a low fix-priced with the train, from the 1th of July to the 9th of September (Mo – Fr valid from 8:00 o´clock, Saturday-, Sunday- and on public holidays all day). The ticket is valid for all trains of the ÖBB on local and inter urban rail services in the 2nd class and costs for teenagers under 19 years € 19 and for young adults under 26 years € 49. The ÖBB-Summer ticket is available at the ticket office, on the Internet under
www.oebb.at, at the ticket machine with a special button as well as in all Penny stores in Austria.
The VORTEILScard Spezial – to be on the move despite restricted mobility.
The ÖBB offers for people with restricted mobility the VORTEILScard Spezial. This card costs € 19,90 and offers up to 50 percent reduction in all ÖBB trains on travels in Austria, up to 25 percent reduction on travels abroad as well as many other privileges.
The VORTEILScard Blind is available for visually impaired or blind people, it costs € 18,90.
Information:
Katharina Gürtler
Pressesprecherin ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG
ÖBB-Holding AG
Konzernkommunikation
Tel. 01/93000-44275
Mail:
katharina.guertler@oebb.at
- The first Easier Learning Hikingpath of Tyrol © (2006-06-26 15:50:10)
On the idyllic lake of Bergssteiner, a theme path is in the process of being created, which takes care of an improvement of the quality of life in the areas of learning and concentration ability. An old common place says “you learn all your life�. But, learning is not always a bed of roses, especially if someone lives in a stress-ridden environment. More and more children suffer from learning disabilities caused by lack of concentration, lack of movement and other reasons.
Lifelong learning is not only hip for children but also for adults and it is a valuable instrument for the improvement of the quality of life.
Therefore science has recognised Brain Gym – learning gymnastic as ideal training. In order that learning can proceed free of stress and natural, certain muscle and movement reflexes have to funtion in body and brain.
Brain Gym is learning gymnastic, because it activates the natural work movements, which we need for learning and it reestablish the natural joy of learning.
The tourism board Alpbachtal + Tiroler Seenland has developed this unique project under the lead-management by the kinesiologist and learning advisor Herbert Handler from Kundl. Around the lake of Berglsteiner situated above from Kramsach/ Breitenbach, are wall charts with exercises and brain-teaser fixed, which establish a relationship to thinking, moving and learning.
A brochure explains the exercises during the tour and serves at home for repetition. On the one hand are the wall charts in combination with the folder self-explanatory, on the other hand the learning adivisor Herbert Handler is available as a trainer on request.
It takes about 2 hours for the approx. 2 km long Easier Learning Hiking Path, according to the appropriate performance of the exercises. You can find optimal conditions, because of the calm and isolated location of the lake of Berglsteiner. Directly on the lake is also situated the inn of the same name with a beautiful sun terrace, which invites you after the practical exercises.
Press contact:
Tourismusverband Alpbachtal & Tiroler Seenland
Zentrum 1, A-6233 Kramsach
Tel. +43 (0)5336 600 600
Fax +43 (0)5336 600 698
info@alpbachtal-seenland.at
www.alpbachtal-seenland.at
- Meadow tours: Hands can also see the Hidden, 10th of September 2006 (2006-06-30 12:42:21)
Exploring with the sense of touch, the sense of hearing, the sense of smell and the sense of taste the variety of the meadow-landscape. A hiking tour which offers especially visually impaired and blind people the possibility to make new experiences in and with the nature.
Service:
Christian Diry
Dates:
Sunday, 10th of September 2006, 13.45
Info:
Haslau, Haltestelle S-Bahn
ca. 3,5 hours
max. 15 persons
Personal Assistants for support are welcome.
Adults € 10,50
Children, young people from von 6 to 19 years, students, trainees € 7,50
http://www.donauauen.at
- New infos on IBFT: planning aids and guides (2006-06-30 15:38:46)
The area “literature and materials� has been newly structured. You can find now
planning aids and guidesextra and in "
Reports and researches" subcategories are already available:
*European documents
*Reports and documentations from IBFT-events
*Documentations, researches and theses
*Specialist books
*Websites about model projects
*Magazine-articles, presentations, others
- Although not from Austria, but very interesting - report in the travel magazine Grenzenlos:"Accessible diving" (2006-07-03 15:20:36)
- IBFT at the IKT-Forum in Linz on the 10th of July 2006 (2006-07-07 13:23:25)
The IKT-Forum takes place from the 10th of July – 11 of July 2006, in course of the ICCHP-Conference at the Johannes Kepler University Linz.
On the 10th of July between 15:30 and 16:45 the project leader Dr. Angelika Laburda gives a lecture about the project IBFT (Infoplatform for Accessible Tourism).
The main focus themes of the IKT-Forum cover:
State-of-the-Art and newest developments in the area of IKT for people with disabilities
IKT for disabilities in the area of mobility, cognition, vision, hearing, communication, vital functions etc.
IKT implementation in practice in education, occupation, family, everyday life, medicine, rehabilitation etc.
Lectures to topics such as accessible web design, accessible tourism, Easy-To-Read, etc.
Workshops to current topics asffor example accessible web design, Easy-To-Read, supported communication etc.
Product- and service presentations from companies, associations, institutions, organisations, and further service providers in the form of an accompanying exhibition.
Further information:
http://www.ki-i.at/IKTforum/programme.html
- National park Danube-Meadow-Hiking on the 30.9.2006, Community for the blind and visually impaired in Austria (2006-07-14 08:01:34)
from "Unser Schaffen" of the Community for the blind and
visually impaired in Austria:
Meeting point Vienna:9:30, U1 Praterstern, intermediate level (Ströck),
Trip continues with S-Bahn
Meeting point Haslau: 10:38, Haslau at the platform
Walking time approx. 2,5 hours
Price: Euro 9,50 (from 15 persons)
Fare: Euro 3,40
Info and registration: Edith Loibl, 0699/112 32 961
- Vienna-Rathausplatz: Film festival takes place (BIZEPS-News) (2006-07-19 20:15:21)
Many measures for people with disabilities are available at this year’s film festival, illustrates the "stadt wien marketing" and explains: "Ca. 300 seats will be equipped with induction loops , so also for people with hearing disabilities can be guarantee
- Report in the Bavarian Television about disabled suitable holiday offers in the Fränkischen Seenland- (as supplement to the symposium in Stadl) (2006-08-01 10:47:36)
Press release:
TV reportage about disabled accessible holiday offers in the Bavarian Television.
On Friday, the 4th of August, from 19.00 o’clock on the 3rd channel of the Bavarian TV as part of the programme “Unser Land� (from 19.00) a reportage about disability-friendly leisure-time area, as it succeeded in the common effort not only to identify accessible accommodation, but also to offer information about suitable leisure-time activities, services or accessible restaurants. People with restricted mobeenland and Bernhard Endres from Gündersbach.
The TV-Team was accompanying guest-families where one member for example is a wheelchair user or groups with people with disabilities while doing their holiday activities in the lake-land. Apart from discussions with the facility providers and holidaymakers with disabilities about their experiences the film also shows disabled suitable accommodations as well as leisure-time and sight seeing possibilities, as for example the swimming pool wheelchair ramp on the Kleinen Brombachsee, archery or a canoe trip for wheelchair users on the Altmühl.
Broadcast will be repeated on:
• Saturday, 05.August, 11.05 (3rd programme Bayerisches Fernsehen)
• Saturday, 05.August, 16.30 (BR alpha)
- Thesis on the subject Travel behaviour of wheelchair users in Austria ready - here to download (2006-07-27 21:10:44)
Mr. Mag. (FH) Rudolf Rannegger has thankworthy made available his thesis to IBFT for downloading (german). Here are some sentences from the summarisation, which makes you hopefully longing to read the paper:
The thesis of Mr. Mag. (FH) Rudolf Rannegger deals with the concept of Accessible Tourism in Austria, .. the travel behaviour of Austrian wheelchair users and their problems on travels was collected and analysed.
................
Regarding the travel behaviour it can be observed, that in the last 12 months 68% of the Austrian wheelchair users made at least one major holiday and 32% of the interviewed people forbeared from going on a major holiday. A stated reason was „too many barriers on travels“, „financial reasons“ and „health reasons“.
...................
Looking at the analysis along the problems on the touristic service-chain, it can be seen that Austrian travelers in a wheelchair are still confronted with a lot of problems. As most frequent problem is the availability and accessibility of sanitary facilities stated. Problems arise also in the train, the airplane and the travel-coach as well as in restaurants, accommodations and concerning public toilets in the holiday destination. The deficit on information is another problem, which shows a high problem frequency and relevance. People in a wheelchair quote, that almost no information is available; if available in brochures, internet sites or in the travel agency the information turn out to be incomplete or wrong.
.....................................
On the basis of the interpretation and the discussion of the collected data of this thesis, information result helpful for the economy of tourism in the area of the „Accessible Tourism".
.................
http://www.ibft.at/infodb/doc/Barrierefreier%20Tourismus%20in%20%20Oesterreich_Rudolf%20Rannegger.pdf - ************ Also IBFT imakes HOLIDAY *********** (2006-08-04 11:16:23)
The team of IBFT goes on holiday - from Monday, 21th of August we will be back. As we are not completely "offline" during the holiday, we can still reply inquiries, maybe with a small delay.
- Technical changes at IBFT (2006-08-21 19:05:32)
From the 21.08.2006, the database IBFT is stored with a new server which offers more capacities. This means that for people wanting to make a new entry from that date there exists a better possibility to provide more photos and information for downloading (pdf-data). Send us an email (click on mailto).
- Multi-Adventure-Programme for people with disabilities and press conference on the 30.08 in Schladming/Steiermark (2006-08-24 10:00:36)
Schladming (OTS) – After the big success of the ski school for people with disabilities, the association "FREIZEIT Para-Special Olympics“ offers now also an adventurous summer programme. In the course of a week there is available mountain-cabin hiking, swimming, diving, climbing, rafting and paragliding.
On Wednesday, the 30th of August the association invites all interested journalists to observe a spectacular roping exercise together with the mountain help corps and the adventure-pedagogue Ronald Vala.
You will have the possibility to:
- document and film the rope-descent
- interview the head of the association and participants with mental or physical disabilities, concerning
- how they experienced the first days of this programme, how they went beyond their personal borders and about what else they are looking forward to.
All participants – also wheelchair users - will be descended by ropes from the cabins of the Hauser Kaibling railway.
Meeting point: Wednesday, 30.08., 10.15 a.m., Building of the Hauser Kaibling railway (valley-station), 1st floor, ski run:
http://www.hauser-kaibling.at/de/service/anreise.htm
Pressefach & FOTO:
http://www.pressefach.info/schladming
Information:
Peter Donabauer
Mobile: +43/(0)664/4665058
E-Mail:
peter@schladming.at
Many thanks to Mrs.Mag Götzinger, for distributing this information
- Seminar at the WIFI Vienna in collaboration with IBFT (2006-08-28 09:59:16)
In the context of the series „special events for gastronomy and hotel business� the WIFI Vienna offers the seminar “guest with restricted mobility – a challenge in tourism�. The seminar room is accessible to wheelchair users. An entrance for wheelchair users and a parking lot is available in the Semperstraße.
More information:
http://www.wifiwien.at/eShop/bbDetails.aspx?bbnr=963626&zg=Gd1b
- Information from the SHG-Hartberg: 6th wheelchair motorbike tour on Saturday, 2nd of September (2006-08-31 17:45:24)
All wheelchair users are kindly asked to register.
Every motor biker is invited to participate.
Dear GOLDWING drivers, please get in touch with us, we still need some drivers!
Phone: 03332/65405 or 0664/1218725
mailto:info@bsgh.at
The detailed programme is available at the BSG office!
http://www.bsgh.at/event.php
- English Version of IBFT is online (2006-09-04 12:22:59)
The English version of IBFT is online. Please report bugs to simon.laburda@ibft.at Thank you
- Sorry, we've Mail-Problems (2006-09-12 12:56:29)
the addresses a.laburda@ibft.at and contentmanager@ibft.at sometimes do not work - Inode is trying to fix this bug, but as it not always happens, they've difficulties at the moment. If you get your mail back please use the following address:
ibft@gmx.at
thank you
- Interesting Link: LEISURE-TIME Para-Special Olympics (2006-09-13 09:11:12)
The association FREIZEIT Para-Special Olympics offers exciting sport possibilities (f.e. skiing) for a fair price to people with disabilities!
http://www.freizeit-pso.com/
Thanks to Mrs.Dr.Bauer from the Österr. ARGE Rehabilitation for the tip
- "Atelier am Humboldtplatz" in the ÖAR corridor –gallery until the 25th of October 06 (2006-09-14 15:18:44)
The Atelier am Humboldtplatz presents new works of art in the corridor –gallery of the Umbrella organisation of the Austrian disability associations. The opening of the exhibition will take place on Monday the 18th of September at 15.00. The exhibition will be open from the 19th of September to the 25th of October 2006, Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 13.00.
- Exhibition of model railroad with sign language (BIZEPS-Info) on the 15.10.2006 (2006-09-18 11:05:16)
From the 14th to the 15th of October 2006 an exhibition of model railroad will take place in Steinbrunn (Lower Austria). A guided tour in Austrian sign language will be offered on the 15th of October 2006 from 2 pm to 4 pm. The entrance is accessible.
Further information:
http://www.bizeps.or.at/news.php?nr=7125
- ÖGLB press release about accessibility for people with hearing impairments. (2006-09-25 15:16:16)
Communicating visually – standards of accessibility for people with hearing impairments. Interesting information on the Austrian Association of the Deaf to the topic Accessibility:
Presseaussendung
Positionspapier
- Sightseeing in Munich: Tours in Sign Language (2006-09-26 13:51:00)
Tours are offered in the following Sign Languages:
* German
* Greek
* International Sign Language
* American Sign Language
Further information:
http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/Sightseeing/Tours/Guided_Tours/12651/05atourssignlanguage.html
- Report from "AGR * Aktion Gemeinsam Reisen" about a travel to Berlin (press release) (2006-10-10 14:45:33)
Berlin –outer suburbs are also worth seeing!
The Austrian travel agency AGR* „Operation Travelling Together“ together with the Guidance GmbH Berlin has recently invited Austrian people with and without disabilities from press and broadcast corporations to go to Berlin. The goal was to demonstrate that travelling for people with disabilities is not a problem at all, if preparations are done professionally.
It is not sufficient that Hotels are accessible in all areas; the facilities have to be checked beforehand. Are Restaurants accessible and, mostly, important, is transportation available for wheelchair users?
The company Guidance, situated in Berlin runs an accessible Conference- and Event Centre with a connected Hotel and has contacts to transport services. The company is offering advice at sightseeing tours for its disabled guests. Vehicles adjusted with handbrake/acceleration are available.
Apart form the well known major attractions of Berlin, it is also worth seeing „The Gardens of the Worlds“ in the Park of Marzahn, the monument for exterminated Jewish people of Europe, the „AquaDom & Sealife“ sharks etc., two aquarium worlds in the centre of Berlin as well as the castle Sanssouci.
The visit of the Lower House of German Parliament in the Parliament with its terrace and with the visit of the cupola was a highlight – especially for the wheelchair users of the Berlin trip.
Impressing was the short trip to the Berlin-Marathon, where next to the ten thousand runners also180 athletes in wheelchairs participated.
The programme was finished of with a relaxed boat trip on the Spree.
It turned out that a trip with an airplane is the most comfortable way to travel for wheelchair users. Despite of my extra large wheelchair I had no problems from the check in until arrival. The Ground- and Flight-Personal of Air Berlin cared very well“, said one of the enthusiastic participants.
The travel was under the patronage of Dr. Uwe Klett, county major of Marzahn-Hellersdorf and was made possible thanks to the support of Air Berlin and many sponsors from Economy and Politics.
It was already the third trip for media-representatives with and without disabilities stimulated by the AGR * Aktion Gemeinsam Reisen. Further trips are planned.
We remain at your disposal for any further information/photos.
In the case of publication – also partial – we kindly ask for a voucher copy.
Regards
Georg W. Freund
AGR - Aktion Gemeinsam Reisen
A-1100 Wien
Neilreichgasse 113/23/2
Tel / Fax +43 1 974 13 91
www.behindertenreisen.at
Mail: agr.reisen@behindertenreisen.at
- Residenzgalerie Salzburg: guided tour for deaf people through the exhibition "Süßer Schlummer" (2006-10-10 15:42:35)
*Saturday, 21.10.2006, 15:00 - participating accessibly":guided tour for deaf people through the exhibition "Süßer Schlummer - The sleep in art" with Monika Fermin-Vaez
- EUROSTAT mentions Tourism for all (2006-10-26 18:23:30)
Within the EUROSTAT "Panorama on Tourism" report from 2006 you'll find some remarkable sentences starting at page 10 (13 within the .pdf File):
"Another aspect that has seen increased attention in Europe in recent years is "tourism for all". That means that disabled people also participate frequently in tourism activities. Their access to means of transport, attractions and other facilities (accommodation establishments, beaches, etc.) has considerably improved.
In the year 2000, official statistics showed that the proportion of people who are registered as severely disabled was estimated at 9% of the total EU population (33.8 million people). However, the overall number of disabled is much higher (about 25% — European Commission, 2004). Some studies have demonstrated that the number of trips per person that could be made by disabled people who are financially and physically able to travel would be the same as for the average population.
This highlights the importance of adapting tourism offerings and services in such a way that nobody is excluded from enjoying them.
Text highlighted by IBFT
Thank you to Ivor Ambrose, Coordinator of the OSSATE-Project, for this information
- IBFT goes Europe - Participation on the OSSATE-Meeting in Athens (20 - 21 of October 2006) (2006-10-25 11:27:41)
Since this summer IBFT is a partner in the EU-project OSSATE (One Stop Shop for Accessible Tourism in Europe). The project aim is to implement a prototype multi-platform, multi-lingual digital information service providing national and regional content on Accessible Tourist Venues, Sites and Accommodation.
Yoe may find more information:
http://www.ossate.org - Upper Austria Tourism: accommodation suitable for wheelchair users - updating of the database (2006-11-09 16:33:05)
In the process of updating the homepage of Upper Austria Tourism
http://www.oberoesterreich.at/ new accessible, tested accommodations were included in the index. a new catalogue will be published. A new catalogue will be published at the beginning of 2007
http://www.nohandicap.at/
(information of Upper Austria Tourism)
- Guided tour for deaf children and adults through the exhibition "Augenblicke" in the Residenzgalerie Salzburg (2006-11-15 21:11:41)
Saturday, 25.11.2006, 15.00 o’clock: guided tour for deaf children and adults through the exhibition "Augenblicke" (portraiture from the stock of the collection) in the course of the `Family Saturday`.
Guided tour for deaf people in collaboration with SIS (Social Initiative Salzburg) "participating accessibly".
Admission FREE for deaf people!
Illustration reference:
Hans Makart, image of his first wife Amalie, around 1871, oil/mahogani wood, 76 x 58,2 cm,
Residenzgalerie Salzburg Inv. Nr. 1 (Detail)
Photo: Ulrich Ghezzi, Oberalm Layout: Gottfried Goiginger, Salzburg
- Article in "Der Standard online" on the 5.11.2006 about accessible tourism (2006-11-16 14:57:27)
Daily newspapers start to get interested in the topic „travelling for mobility restricted people“– a very good example is - "Der Standard online" on 5.11.2006.
To find at http://derstandard.at/ under "Reisen" and "Aktuelles"
- The current brochure 'Salzburg – experience it accessible' is online. (2006-11-20 15:08:52)
- Europe for All: Stakeholders’ Conference on Accessible Tourism in Belgium, 18.01.07 and 19. 01.07 (2006-12-03 22:15:42)
The Charlemagne Building, European Commission, Brussels
The European Union has declared 2007 the "European Year of Equal Opportunities for All". In support of this objective, the European Commission, together with Tourism Flanders and the EC-funded initiative, OSSATE ("One-Stop-Shop for Accessible Tourism in Europe"), is pleased to announce a stakeholders’ conference addressing the need to make tourism accessible for all tourists in Europe.
http://www.ossate.org/events_conference.jsp - Nothing about tourism - but very important too. BBC-News report the failing accessibility for most websites (2006-12-11 10:34:55)
- "Tourism" will get an committee in the Parliament (2006-12-18 15:09:26)
The committee will develop a masterplan for tourism and treat the employment market of tourism as well as incentives to investments. But about accessible tourism nothing is said ....
from the left to the right: Fr.Dr.in Laburda, Mr. Wascher, Mr.DI Birnmeyer, Mr. Herzog, Mr. Pürrer, Mr. Rocca, Mr.Mag.a Wagner, Mr.Mag. Ennemoser, Mrs.Mag.a Heinemann, Mrs.DI Tangermann, Mr.Mag. Marano
View to the participants
Two of the working groups in the afternoon
A bunch of flowers for the Hotel Manager, Mrs.Mag.a Virag Hodor von Mr. Peter Heinemann (ÖHTB).
View into the Foyer
Technical preparations
Mrs.Heinemann at the registration-desk
Entrance to the conference room
Mr.DI Birnmeyer from the Franconian Lake-Land/Bavaria
Mr.Herzog from Rheinhessen
Coffe break
Mr.Rocca from Mobility International/Switzerland 
Mr.Mag. Ennemoser from “South Tyrol for All�
Mr.Wascher - in front of some of the sponsors
Short view to the audience /a>
Before lunch
The next day - fare well photos