infacto accessibility in travel and tourism 1

InFAcTo -International Food and Activity Tourism -project

Small acts, big impact?- accessibility in travel and tourism

2 – Accessibility in travel and tourism –

InFAcTo

Small acts, big impact? - accessibility in travel and tourism

Accessibility in travel?

Accessibility in travel can be considered from three viewpoints: the functional environment, service process and communication. Issues to be considered in terms of accessibility of the functional environment include the destination being easily reachable, the design and implementa-tion of the structures, and equipment. All these are questions of physical access. Service-process aspects under consideration include the readiness of staff to encounter diverse custom-ers. Communication factors include matters related to the channels, methods and tools used in marketing and communications, and the issues of easily reacha-ble and reliable information. Easy-to-read -materials and accessible web pages, for example, are helpful also in ensuring that marketing reaches its target audience.

From the perspective of predictive business ope-rations, accessibility in travel can be viewed also as containing a competitiveness factor which can be used to even out seasonal fluctuations in travel destinations. Accessible destinations and restaurants may be the future trump card within tourism, as the number of senior citizens increases. Senior tourists may perhaps need more services, but they also have time and money.

For this reason, accessibility should not be viewed as a superimposed element, detached from overall activity development. Instead, it should be seen as an integral aspect of developing and marketing the travel environment and travel services and products.

3– Accessibility in travel and tourism –– Accessibility in travel and tourism –

InFAcTo

An accessible environment benefits everyone

The purpose of this booklet is to demonstrate the advantages of physical accessibility in the implemen-tation of tourism services. Even small acts provide a venue through which everyone can mould the func-tional environment so that it is more accessible for themselves and others. Physical accessibility guaran-tees the suitability of services and their availability for use by all target groups – regardless of age, gender, mobility and nationality.

What is accessibility?

The environment or an individual building is acces-sible when it is functional, safe and pleasant for all users. Accessible facilities and the functions within them are as logical and easy to use as possible, and access to all spaces and floor levels within the buil-ding is easy. Nowadays, accessibility and being easily reachable are justifiable topics for discussion. Largely, they have the same meaning. An environment that is sui-table for everyone is physically, psychologically and functionally accessible, and thereby reachable.

There are many factors which impact physical accessibility. With regard to outside areas, surface materials, variations in surface shape and the exis-tence and clarity of signposts have an impact on how easy it is to move around in the area. Buildings and accommodations must be effortlessly accessible, but moving around and functioning in indoor areas must also be as accessible as possible.

While coherent indoor areas are easy to pass through, attention should also be paid to furniture and its placement, surface materials, lighting, co-lours and contrasts, as well as acoustics. Successful

ergonomic solutions support accessibility and service availability. Taking accessibility into consideration in advance is useful also in emergencies.

Reaching the travel destination – accessible passage in outdoor areasUpon arrival, signage is of primary importance. It must continue uninterrupted all the way through to the destination and it must be clear and easy to un-derstand. Signs are noticeable when placed accessib-ly and with regard to the direction of sight, logically at the height of the eye (1.4–1.6 m). The colour scheme of the signage must be consistent. If different parts of the building have identifying co-lours, the colour can provide additional information. Light letters against a dark background are the most visible. In addition, the signs must be non-glossy and non-reflecting. Particular attention must be paid to the clarity of text and symbols. It would also be useful to introduce visual signs to support the textual ones. Marked parking spaces (minimum width 3.6 m) designated for the physical-ly disabled must be placed such that the route to the entrance is short and unobstructed.


InFAcTo

Accessibly must also be taken into consideration in constructing the outdoor passageways. It does not necessarily occur to pedestrians to consider what kinds of obstacles a person in a wheelchair encoun-ters. The inclination of outdoor passageways must not be higher than 8 %.

The surface of the passageway must be hard and non-slippery, and as even as possible. There must not be any collision, stumbling or falling hazards on the passageways. Benches, bicycle stands, light posts and flower boxes must be placed on the sides of the pas-sageways. Outdoor passageways must be kept clean and in good condition; snow and ice make it even more difficult for a person in a wheelchair to move around. In addition, good lighting must be ensured in yards and passageways.

Signage must be provided from the parking spac-es and main routes to the building entrance. The entrance must be well-lit and noticeable. In terms of accessibility, a functional entrance is one that is cov-ered, level with the building and has no thresholds.

Accessible passage indoorsThe front doors of accommodations and restaurants must be constructed such that sizing, automation and opening are taken into consideration, among other things. When the door opens inwards, there must be about 2 metres of space in the vestibule to prevent one from being “trapped” in it. Heavy doors pose a further hindrance to easy passage. In the image there is sufficient space in the vestibule.


InFAcTo

The doors must open effortlessly. When to door is sufficiently light to allow for effortless opening, it is easier for everyone to pass through. It takes strength and effort to open a heavy door and to keep it open. Also, technique is required to pass through a heavy door. If the door is automated, 25 seconds should lapse before it closes.

In terms of accessible passage, the width of the doorway should be at least 90 cm. In the image the doorway is sufficiently wide for all passers-by. Unfortunately this doorway cannot accommodate motorized wheelchairs and mopeds.

Door and light switches must be placed so that they are easy to notice and close to the target. In terms of placement, it must also be taken into consider-ation that the height of the switches is suitable for everyone and access to them is unobstructed.

Thresholds, corridors and rampsFront-door and inner-door thresholds have different requirements. The maximum height of the threshold is 2 cm and the brim should be rounded.

In the image the threshold has been removed from the doorway and replaced with a plastic moulding. Crossing the threshold is easy and effortless.


InFAcTo

Adequate width for the passageways is approximate-ly 1.5 m. In that case, a person using a wheelchair can turn around unobstructed.

Non-slippery floor surfaces are important to the physically disabled moving on foot or with canes. In addition, they need places to rest along long stretch-es and corridors and in lobbies. Seating levels should be of varying height.

Use of ramps is recommended when the level differ-ences are one metre at most. Particular attention

should be paid to ramp inclination; the angle must not be too steep. A long ramp must have an even rest stop at the halfway point.

In the image the ramp is functional for a person with physical disabilities. However, it’s important to remember that turning a motorized wheelchair and moped around requires care and precision, and in every ramp there may not be sufficient room to complete the turn.

According to the recommendation, the ramp should have handrails on both sides. Handrail makes it eas-ier for a physically disabled person on foot to pass through the ramp.

In physical exercise facilities, the accessibility of the facilities and equipment must be taken into consid-eration. For example, a ramp facilitates access to the swimming pool.


InFAcTo

At exercise halls and gyms, it should be ensured that there is enough space around the equipment so that a physically impaired person can access the equipment safely. In addition, it is a good idea to take into consid-eration the differences in height when placing equipment and devices.


InFAcTo

LiftsFor level differences in excess of one metre, the use of a lift or hoisting apparatus is recommended instead of a ramp. A lift cage with a diameter of 1.5 metres is sufficiently spacious to allow a person in a wheelchair to turn around. There must be a mirror on the back wall of the lift and it must reach suf-ficiently far down: it is helpful when operating the wheelchair in reverse.

The lifts should have distinct push buttons, prefer-ably with elevated numbers. The image shows the appropriate height for the buttons.

SeatsA person in a wheelchair would benefit from the occasional availability of seating other than the wheelchair. If possible, facilities should be equipped with different types of seating to suit different needs.

Chairs must have backrests. Armrests can facilitate moving from one chair to another. The seat should be horizontal, with a depth of 30–40 cm. It would be desirable to equip the seat with a rounded front edge so it does not press on the posterior part of the thigh and impede the circulation in the legs. The chair must not have a horizontal crossbar or other solid structure down in front to hamper getting up from the chair.

Varying seat levels are required for benches and chairs. Moving from the wheelchair to another seat is easiest when the seats are of approximately the same height. Forty-five centimetres is usually a comfortable seat height. The seat height for persons of short stature (children) is 30 cm. A seat height of 50–55 cm is suitable if the knees or hips are stiff. In addition, there are individual differences.


InFAcTo

Cafes and restaurantsIn cafes and restaurants, accessible passage should be taken into consideration when contemplating the placement of plants and other decorative elements. Coat racks should be designed to suit the needs of all users. The suitable height of a coat rack or clothes rail for a person in a wheelchair is 1.2 me-tres from the floor. Coat rack with no plinth is easy to reach from a wheelchair. Clothes rails and coat racks must be placed on the side of the passage or in a recess to avoid any collision hazards. The coat rack on the right is exceedingly well-suited for use by a person of short stature.

When furnishing the dining area, spaciousness should be a consideration, and the furniture should be light and easy to move around. In many cases, the lines or the buffet may be placed too high for a person in a wheelchair and a person of short stat-ure. A person in a wheelchair may be able the help himself/herself to the food but for a person of short stature the dishes nested in the serving table may be difficult to handle. An adjustable service counter would be ideal.

If customers are expected to return the dishes and leftovers themselves, the return points should also be accessibly arranged. Illustrated signage makes it easier also for international diners to manage. Returning the dishes to a free-standing cart is easier for a person in a wheelchair and a person of short stature.

The tables and chairs should be placed so that they are accessible also to persons in wheelchairs or those using a walker or forearm crutches.


InFAcTo

Users of different sizes have been taken into consideration in designing the toilet facilities by installing the mirror and coat racks so that small persons and those in wheelchairs can use them.

Accessible sauna facilities, bathrooms and toiletsAn extra handle on the inside of the toilet door makes the door easier to handle. There must be suf-ficient room in the toilet to move the wheelchair and turn it around. There must also be sufficient room near the toilet seat to make transferring to the seat as simple as possible. Roominess is essential also in terms of a possible assistant. The supports must be long and sturdy and their distance from the toilet seat should be approximately 10–12 cm. The sup-ports function best if bolted to the floor or wall.

In placing the alarm system (usually string or but-ton), suitable height and distance from the toilet seat must be taken into account.

The wash-hand basin shown in the picture is func-tional because the user can adjust the height of the basin as needed. It is important that the washbasin is easily accessible to a person in a wheelchair. The automatic tap would be more user-friendly.


InFAcTo

SummaryFrom the user’s perspective, physical accessibility comprises the functionality, safety and comfort of a facility. In everyday life, it does not always occur to people to think about how facilities function, for example, from the point of view of someone using a wheelchair or a walker.

Being conscious of matters and viewpoints related to accessibility is important especially when remod-elling the old, designing and constructing the new or acquiring furniture, equipment and supplies. Achiev-ing a perfectly accessible environment is a challenge but in most cases, good design is enough to reach compromises that will suffice for all.

It should be taken into consideration that this guide focuses on the accessibility of the functional environ-ment from the point of view of the physically disa-bled and persons using wheelchairs. Had accessibility been viewed from the perspective of the visually impaired or the hearing-impaired, there would have been even more things to consider. However, even people with visual or hearing impairment would ben-efit from the accessibility factors presented here.

Accessibility is not a disadvantage to anyone, but to many,

it is a necessity.


InFAcTo

A checklist for ensuring accessibility:

• entranceway

• stairs and lifts

• rooms / lounges

• toilet facilities

• bathrooms

• signage

• cafes and restaurants

• sauna and pool areas

• indoor and outdoor exercise facilities (for example, passageways)

• brochures and other marketing materials


InFAcTo

• parking spaces with a disabled sign

• the yard area and doorways are clearly visible and well lit

• the building entrance is equipped with a ramp

• the doors are light and wide

• there is clear signage in the building for the different facilities

• a multi-storey building is equipped with a lift

• a person in a wheelchair has access to the spaces he or she needs

• each floor has a toilet suitable for a person in a wheelchair

• there are no unnecessary thresholds or other obstacles in the corridors and lobbies

• indoor passageways are wide enough and multisensory (colours, contrasts, surface materials) and well-lit

• the stairs have handrails on both sides and contrast stripes on the edges

• the placement of furnishings allows for spaciousness and clarity

• coat racks are placed at a suitable height

• everyone is able to exit the building in an emergency

Checklist – what should be taken into consideration in an accessible environment:


InFAcTo

List of references:

Laine, M., Leino M., ja Mäenpää M.: Esteettömyyso-pas – Kohti esteetöntä Kiipulaa. 2009.

Linna, Eila: Esteettömyys liikunta- ja luontomatkai-lussa –seminaari. Luentomoniste. 26.11. 2010.

Eskola, S., Metsola, L., Miettinen, K., Piha, L., Rahikkala, M-L., Ruuskanen, U., (toim.): Kaikille yh-teiseen ammatilliseen oppilaitokseen - puheenvuoroja esteettömyydestä ja saavutettavuudesta. Invalidilii-ton julkaisuja. 2007.

More info (in Finnish):

Anttalainen, H. ja Tapaninen, R. (toim.) 2009. Liik-kumis- ja toimintaesteisille soveltuvat perusopetuk-sen, tilat, kalusteet ja varusteet. Opetushallitus.

Esteetön rakennus ja ympäristö. Kaikille soveltuva liikkumis- ja toimimisympäristö. Suunnitteluopas 1998. Rakennustieto Oy, Helsinki 1998.

Helsinki kaikille -projekti - Ohjeita suunnitteluun

Nevala-Puranen, N., Innanen, T., Ekroos T. ja Ala-ranta H, 2001. Esteetön Työympäristö liikuntavam-maisille. Opas työterveyshuolto- ja työsuojeluhenki-löstölle. Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki.

Onnela, J. 2007. Toimiva ympäristö näkövammaisen näkökulmasta. Teoksessa: Eskola ym. (toim.) Kaikil-le yhteiseen ammatilliseen oppilaitokseen – puheen-vuoroja esteettömyydestä ja saavutettavuudesta. 2007.

Perkiö-Mäkelä, M., Nevala, N. ja Laine, V. 2006. Hyvä Koulu. Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki.

Tulonen, S. 2007. Fyysisen ympäristön vaatimukset huonokuuloisen opiskelijan näkökulmasta. Teokses-sa: Eskola ym. (toim.) Kaikille yhteiseen ammatil-liseen oppilaitokseen – puheenvuoroja esteettömyy-destä ja saavutettavuudesta. 2007.

Internet-pages:

www.esteetonamis.fiwww.invalidiliitto.fi www.invalidiliitto.fi/portal/esteeton.fi/fiwww.kuulonhuoltoliitto.fiwww.kuulonhuoltoliitto.fi/fin/kuuloliitto/materiaali-pankki/esitteet_ja_oppaat/www.nkl.fiwww.nkl.fi/tietoa/esteettomyys/www.valineet.fi


InFAcTo

Small acts will make big impact!

The material on this publication reflects solely the author’s views. The Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007-2013 Managing Authority is not liable for any information published here.

- InFAcTo - International Food and Activity Tourism -project All rights reserved.

2013

InFAcTo

- International Food and Activity Tourism -project www.infactoproject.eu

Editors: Pirkko Mykkänen, Piia Kokko-Parikka. Photos: Minna LeinoISBN 978-952-5788-07-5 (english version)

Kiipula FoundationPostal address:

P.O. BOX 13

14201 Turenki

Finland

tel. +358 3 685 21

www.kiipula.fi

infacto accessibility in travel and tourism 1

Documents

tourism accessibility

travel environment

travel services

tourism2 accessibility

terms of accessibility

travel destinations

physical accessibility

tourism services