Tourist paths for persons with visual impairment in the Podkarpackie Region

By project GREENHEALTH

Published on 14 October 2024

Poland

Podkarpackie

About this good practice

In 2021, the total number of persons with disabilities in Poland was ~5.4M (14.3% of the country's population), including ~1.8M visually impaired persons (~100K blind persons).
The number of visually impaired persons around the world is steadily increasing due to various reasons- the key one is the ageing population.
The majority of people with various types of permanent illnesses don't participate in tourism. Their travel is mainly focused on large cities, which are better adapted to their needs. Thus, they avoid the less developed provinces and mountainous areas.

Since 2021, 3 new paths have been built to meet the requirements of visually impaired persons in the Podkarpackie Region (Bieszczady and Beskid Niski). They are equipped with infrastructure, including electronic devices (TOTUPOINT system), convex information boards in Braille, and maps with the course of the path. 2 of 3 trails have also been equipped with observation towers which can give visually impaired persons a sensorial experience.

The TOTUPOINT system consists of markers that, by emitting a sound, inform the user of their location with a text/voice message.
The main stakeholders of the practice are the Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue Bieszczady Group (GOPR) (financially supported by the Podkarpackie Region ), Forest Districts, local municipalities, and NGOs.

Trails allow visually impaired persons to use tourist routes, learning about the nature and history of the region using new technologies.

Resources needed

Financial costs for construction of 3 tourist trails with TOTUPOINT system and their promotion: PLN 946,110 (~ EUR 220,000)
Training of guides (at least 1 person for each trail)
Additional significant financial commitment from Forest Districts through e.g. the construction of observation towers.

Evidence of success

-Creation of 3 tourist routes with TOTUPOINT system accessible to persons with visual impairment – as an innovative solution on a Polish scale;
-Increased number of tourists with disabilities: over 360 using these trails since the introduction (2021);
-Combining the activities of the Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue (ideator and manager of the trails) with the Forestry Districts (landowner and owner of the observation towers) in the creation of a new tourist product accessible to all.

Potential for learning or transfer

Reducing the barriers to meeting the access requirements of persons with disabilities is challenging in most countries. The idea for the innovative project carried out in the Podkarpackie Region emerged during expeditions with persons with visual impairment. The main goal was to enable them to participate in tourism.
Potential for learning/transfer:
- close cooperation of various entities (the Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue Bieszczady Group, Forestry Districts, the Podkarpackie Region, the Polish Association of the Blind, local municipalities, NGOs, etc.) involved in supporting the improvement of the quality of life of persons with visual impairments, including arrangements for the location of paths with the landowners;
-leading role of the Mountain Volunteer Mountain Search and Rescue Bieszczady Group;
-using modern technology to enable persons with visual impairment to use tourist routes;
-maintenance of hiking trails in good condition,
-care of TOTUPOINT electronic markers.