"Information Management for Tourism for All in Israel“ Moscow Dr. Judith Bendel Access Unlimited

Access Unlimited Non profit organization founded in 2000 Accessibility audit Research and consulting to advance accessibility (to authorities designers, customers etc.) Promote Access to Information Promote accessible tourism Programs to increase public awareness Advance empowerment program What we do:

Goals of the grading system To provide: consistent reliable objective access information on tourist, recreation and public sites. To create a universal grading system with uniform presentation

Objectives To analyze access information in a systematic way for wide range of people with disabilities To present processed access information in useful and a clear way across counties.

Solution: Scoring System Our scoring system is based on mathematical equations generating bias free scores: 1.For each element and facility separately 2. For the site as a whole

Inaccessible Partially accessible or requires assistance Accessible but does not meet the standards Accessible according to standards Site Grades

Grading System Parking C.W Food Services Swimming Guide Dogs Specific elements Accessible Partially accessible or requires assistance Inaccessible 

Answers a wide range of access needs for each type of disability Weight accessibility based on the combination of building specific and disability specific criteria Grading system:

Equations are built in - thus enable instant data analysis while data input Does not require personal judgement Personal impression does not have an impact on grades

Challenges Each country has its own standards - the emphasis, checklists etc. differ from one country to another. travelers expect to find the standards they know Challenge A.

Implementation does not always fully comply with the requirements - travelers can’t know what barriers to expect

Challenge B. Various types of disabilities have different access needs Challenge C. Access needs vary by types of sites

The standard checklist includes many details (very important when building or renovating) Not all details are crucial for travelers or for short term visit Challenge D.

Unique design of sites/ buildings have to be considered Accessibility is a result of the combination of details. Each detail does not stand alone. There are many possible interactions Challenge E.

Analyzing all the details by experts, is time consuming. Analyzing all the details by experts, is likely to result in subjective information. Analyzing the details by general impression of the site, may possibly give biased information. Challenge F.

Road services Public buildings HotelsBeaches Guest houses Parks Holy SitesB&B Children Attractions Filling stations Theaters Airports Museums Archaeological sites Health Resorts Sports Type of Sites

Accessible open areas

Data input

Use of the database and presentation of data

Details

Guide books Automated format and presentation of data design, generated directly from the database

Supreme court The Western Wall Jewish Quarter Hass Promenade Jerusalem Day Tour

Zamir beach &promenade Dado beach, Haifa Bat Galim beach, Haifa   Kiriyat Haim beach    Argeman beach, Acre   Nahariya beach Mediterranean sea Access to water Dressing room W.COpen space Food servic e Beach TablesTables

The Website Audio guide

City maps News paper magazine General guide for all Partial information in general guide books (disability specific icons with grades )

Reports on specific site/building for use of architects / planners Statistical information

Grading system should be an integral part of universal design: To provide: consistent reliable objective with uniform presentation of access information on tourist, recreation and public sites.

Thank You Access Unlimited Jerusalem Israel Tel