The pilot action focuses on the joint pilot testing of the Web Accessibility Viewer – a unified tool for gathering and visualising accessibility data. The draft tool, based on an existing tool previously developed by GIS, will be upgraded through use in 3 project pilot areas where barriers to accessibility will be mapped: transborder tourism area SI-HR-HU, cross-border tourism area 2 AT-CZ; rural tourism area PL. Based on testing, final WAV will be developed. We look forward to showing it to you!

The Web Accessibility Viewer (WAV) is an online tool designed for policy planners to map the accessibility of persons with disabilities aimimg to enhance governance for more accessible tourism. The tool targets three pilot areas in Central Europe: the transborder area of Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary, the cross-border area of Austria and Czech Republic, and a rural area in Poland. WAV allows users to view, visualize, and download free-of-charge spatial data for persons with mobility impairments (wheelchair users), visual impairments, and hearing impairments.

All the regions are a bit different but we will be working on the same ideas. Regions of Pomurje, Međimurje and Zala County share rich common history, culture and nature, connected by developing tourism destination of UNESCO Mura-Drava-Danube 5-country biosphere reserve (Amazon of Europe). Regions recognise potential of accessible tourism and will based on concept testing work to improve mobility between tourist sites for PWD. Border regions Weinviertel (AT) and Southern Moravia (CZ) with main centres in Retz (AT) and Znojmo (CZ) share a history of cooperation, bridging the divide of former Iron Curtain. Improving accessibility of tourism is a common vision. Pilot action will based on concept testing look for integrating solutions for blind and paraplegic persons. Podkarpackie Voivodeship is a region in SE Poland, bordering SK and UA. It is one of ecologically cleanest regions with 45% of area covered in protected areas, developing nature and outdoor tourism with accessibility at the heart of development. Pilot action will based on concept testing focus on finding solutions for accessible rural tourism.

Based on identified barriers and joint testing of concept, model for improving mobility of PWD for independent tourism travel in the transborder tourism area will be made. Tools like pre-journey plans will be made, maps and travel itineraries will be improved or newly developed and integrated into municipal and regional tourism sites; solutions for improving, better connecting and promoting existing accessible transport options between sites will be done. The first webinar for service providers in the Czech Republic was held for the pilot area Znojmo, where the Accessibility Guides were presented. This is a simple guide to inform PWD that accommodation/restaurant/a tourism attraction is accessible. The guide for service providers can be downloaded in Czech below.

Activity will summarise lessons learned, developed solutions and future actions into a common Strategy for improving territorial planning for accessible tourism development in rural regions of CE. The Strategy will include: 1) Guidelines for policy planners and decision makers on planning and implementing territorial accessible tourism strategies, use of WAV, services and tools for PWD, mainstreaming the European Disability Card, proposal for developing profile of Accessibility Consultants – PWD skilled in supporting authorities in territorial planning for accessible tourism; 2) Mainstreaming and uptake plan outlining the future joint transnational actions to promote and implement the strategy.

Action plans implementation of the Strategy will be prepared in each of the 3 pilot areas. Based on catalogue of barriers the action plans will define concrete actions to overcome the barriers through local, national and transborder actions; key responsible organisation and concrete projects will be defined and public and private funding possibilities for their implementation will be identified for further improving and mainstreaming accessibility in the regions. The aim of the activity is to build future new partnerships and prepare followup projects for long-term cooperation of crosssectoral stakeholders in the 3 project regions for further joint development of accessible tourism.

EDF as a project partner prepares regular trainings on accessible tourism. These help everyone involved to put themselves in the shoes of a person with a disability and listen to what we could do differently in our work? All the outputs from these workshops are available on the EDF website and focus on, for example, the preparation of accessible events, raising awareness of the European Accessibility Act or good practices in accessible tourism. In addition, it is also possible to download guides for creating accessible documents, social media or videos.