4 Feb
Students with Disabilities, International Accessibility-Related Issues, and the Shining Example of Innsbruck
Ken Zangla works at the University of New Orleans as Director, Training, Resource and Assistive-Technology Center. Here he talks from a personal point of view (rather than as a representative of the University) about his experience of traveling in Europe in regard to disability-related issues.
Our department has chaired the International Conference on Higher Education and Disability in Innsbruck, Austria, every three years since 1992. The Conference is hosted by the University of Innsbruck, Austria. There are a number of international co-sponsors from Europe and the U.S.A. The mission of the Conference is to provide informational opportunities for the professionals coordinating accessibility services for students with disabilities. The conferences are a response to a growing international concern about disability awareness and issues in regard to many aspects of life, not only in higher education.
When we conducted the first conference in Innsbruck in 1992 anyone using a wheelchair could only have been a conference participant. People using wheelchairs faced too many barriers for leisure travel. Access was very limited. Although the conference has been conducted every three years since then, I did not return until 2007. I was in awe of what I observed. There were numerous people in wheelchairs everywhere – and they were not conference participants! They were tourists, citizens, students, etc. One of my colleagues described it as “a traffic jam of wheelchairs.” It was such an incredible sight to see how Innsbruck had embraced the challenge of making their city accessible to all. Over the years, the Innsbruck Tourism Office has been eager to work with us to meet the needs of the conference participants, especially since many of our participants had disabilities. Our biggest challenge has been ensuring that there are enough hotel rooms that are accessible for participants using wheelchairs and for those who require larger rooms, wider doors and bathrooms that can accommodate a wheelchair, as well as appropriate bathing facilities.
The removal of physical barriers has been the most visible sign of change, but the changes in information (Braille, large print, audio books, e-books, etc.) and accessible/universal design for websites are just as important. These are just a few of the great changes that have come about.
Listening to those who attended the 2010 Conference, it is apparent that progress is being made in Europe, but one of the biggest concerns is standardization for such things as the width of doors; the height of beds/toilets/bathtubs that will allow transfer from wheelchairs; and the provision of roll-in showers. Other concerns are related to dissemination of information. When tourist attraction sites and hotels do meet accessibility needs, the employees meeting face to face with the tourists may not be aware of what is available. It seems that training (especially disability awareness training) is an on-going need. However, it is very encouraging to see the interest and willingness of people to make changes when they are made aware of barriers. Grass root organizations are helpful in getting the message to the policy makers, especially through hearing from their citizens with disabilities.
I recently attended the III International Congress on Tourism for All held by Fundación ONCE and supported by the Eiropean Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) in Valladolid, Spain. Many of the participants (professionals in the tourism industry) echoed the same messages I have been hearing when I visit colleagues in Europe. I gave a presentation on the inclusion of students with disabilities in foreign exchange programs. We encouraged professionals in the tourism industry to work with professionals in education to make them aware of how their cities are creating venues for people with disabilities to visit. It was incredibly exciting to see so many people (with and without disabilities) advocating for change toward universal access. It is very encouraging to witness the evolution of ideas and attitudes that have brought about the changes which make higher education, international exchange programs, travel, and world experiences accessible.
