CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND TOURISM

Tourism is a phenomenon that requires a high level of mobility and, by its nature, is strongly connected with travel. It also requires a degree of physical ability to adapt to this mobility and travel, an ability that most travelers possess. Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Manila Declaration on World Tourism (1980) state that all people should enjoy freedom of tourism and travel, many people with physical or other disabilities cannot participate in this major human movement. Tourism businesses generally provide many facilities, amenities, and forms of access for people with physical disabilities; however, important sectoral shortcomings remain for children with physical, visual, hearing, or intellectual disabilities. The latter group mainly includes children with autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Children in all these categories may face numerous barriers in daily life and when traveling with their families. These include shortcomings in transportation and accommodation and interruptions to their special education and learning processes during travel. The main purpose of this presentation is to identify the principal problems these children encounter when participating in tourism activities as a fundamental human right and to develop ideas for resolving the difficulties they face during their holidays. The presentation also offers recommendations that may help tourism businesses serve these special guests more effectively.