Best Practices in Malta Best Practices in Malta and further cooperation and further cooperation in Accessible Tourism in Accessible Tourism Joseph M. Camilleri Chairman, Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Diżabilità (KNPD) (with Ms. M. Barbara) Friday, 16 th November, 2012 ACA ACA ACCESSIBLE CULTURE FOR ALL ACCESSIBLE CULTURE FOR ALL
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Best Practices in Malta and further cooperation in Accessible Tourism
ACA ACCESSIBLE CULTURE FOR ALL. Best Practices in Malta and further cooperation in Accessible Tourism. Joseph M. Camilleri Chairman, Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Diżabilità (KNPD) (with Ms. M. Barbara) Friday, 16 th November, 2012. ACCESSIBILITY IN MALTA. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Best Practices in MaltaBest Practices in Maltaand further cooperationand further cooperationin Accessible Tourismin Accessible Tourism
Joseph M. CamilleriChairman, Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Diżabilità (KNPD)
(with Ms. M. Barbara)
Friday, 16th November, 2012
ACAACAACCESSIBLE CULTURE FOR ALLACCESSIBLE CULTURE FOR ALL
ACCESSIBILITY IN MALTAACCESSIBILITY IN MALTA
Accommodation: Hotels, boutique-hotels, guest-houses and hostels
Airport Beaches Churches Pavements Public gardens Retails, bars and restaurants Schools
Our review of accessibility in Malta is based on the Access for All Design Guidelines (3rd edition 2011) (AADG) which includes:
Restructuring of the guidelines in an amended format
A review of the technical design guidance, taking in advances in new technology
Include more guidance in areas not addressed in previous editions of the AADG
More focus on differing context of new-build and existing buildings
KNPD’s modus operandiKNPD’s modus operandi
We take in consideration the location and type of building and we try to find a reasonable and generally acceptable compromise.
The Maltese building industry still tends to take the line that the minimum requirements in the AADG are actually the maximum required, thus trying to water down the guidelines. KNPD resistance to this trend is robust.
In cases where there is a problem and an outright exemption is requested applicants may apply to KNPD’s Test of Reasonableness Board.
SOME POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTSSOME POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Hotels/ guest-houses/ hostels/ boutique-hotels
Restaurants & retail outlets
Places of interest
Blue flag beaches wooden gangways, waterborne wheelchairs, accessible-
for-all sanitary facilities
There is a slow but sure growth in accessible tourism facilities in Malta:
TRANSPORTTRANSPORTSEASEA, land & air, land & air
Gozo Channel ferries are accessible for all
The Gozo terminal is accessible, while the Malta terminal (still under construction) will be functional and accessible by the end of 2012
The cruise liner terminal is accessible to all, as is most of the Valletta Waterfront. However, disabled Maltese still experience significant difficulties booking accessible cabins with local cruise- ship travel agencies
Harbour cruise facilities vary in respect of accessibility --- our saving grace remains, as always, our very helpful and supportive population
TRANSPORTTRANSPORTsea, sea, LANDLAND, air, air
The local bus service (Arriva Ltd) is, by and large, accessible to all, but land infrastructure (bus-stops, pavements, etc) lag far behind Wheelchair-users and local Blue Badge holders travel free-
of-charge
Wheelchair accessible transport includes: Yellow cabs Individual taxis Some mini-bus services (although these cater for multiple
wheelchair-users and are thus very expensive as an individual option)
Hand-control Rental Vehicles are still not available, although KNPD has been working very hard to resolve this issue
TRANSPORTTRANSPORTland , sea & land , sea & AIRAIR
Malta International Airport is physically accessible to all
Air Malta offers various services to disabled persons: Wheelchair accessible transport to and from the aircraft Assistance to and from one’s plane seat Personal assistance and priority services for wheelchair users to
and from destination Guide dog owners have their own arrangements
As an EU Member-State, Malta is bound by the European Commission’s guidelines to improve and facilitate the application of Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 [SWD(2012)171]
HERITAGE SITESHERITAGE SITES
Ggantija TempleGgantija Temple (Gozo)(Gozo) The Ġgantija temples are the earliest of
a series of megalithic temples in Malta.
External approach from the drop off
point / parking to the temples.
The solution had to be non invasive and
not to cause irreversible damage, i.e.,
suspended timber walkway
Now, more than 80% of the building is
accessible to all
HERITAGE SITESHERITAGE SITES Palazzo de PiroPalazzo de Piro - Mdina - Mdina
This 17th century palazzo in Malta's old capital city, Mdina, has been recently restored to create a venue of cross-cultural, artistic and social dialogue
Heritage Malta agreed to the installation of a timber ramp was installed to avoid further alterations to the façade
There are different levels on same floor
Lifts and step lifts are being installed
To date almost all the building is accessible to all except for one small room
Existing buildings Harbour cruises and sea cruises Encroachments on public land (restaurants, bars,
etc) hamper access for blind people and people with restricted mobility
Roads and public transport infrastructure
More investment and effort is always needed in order to change public attitudes
NOTE - Malta is a late-comer to accessibility. EU-funding with its obligation to increasing inclusion has ‘kick started’ a sudden interest in accessibility
TOURISM FOR DISABLED PEOPLETOURISM FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Holiday planning: accessible websites & accessible, accurate information
Travel to destination: vehicle/ terminal accessibility & affordability?
Travel at destination: availability … affordability?