BEST PRACTICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ADOPTED IN ITALIAN NATIONAL PARKS

Abstract

The accessibility of a natural protected area should be seen as a possibility for people with special needs to access to a structure or open space in order to fully enjoy their services and activities. The European Union has issued numerous documents on the accessibility and a resolution on equal opportunities for disabled people in all fields, including leisure time. Also, in Italy there are very detailed regulations on accessibility and social inclusion, both at the state level and at the region level of the individual. Following these rules, several Italian national parks have adopted guidelines to make their areas accessible and provide physically challenged people with all the services. The aim of this paper is to examine legislation and best practices adopted to make accessible the Italian national parks to people with disabilities.