Sicily will become accessible. This is the secret dream of the project Tourabilitywhich is starting to take shape, making the coasts of the island more equipped destinations for people with disabilities. It was inaugurated in the Plaia of Catania, in the Don Bosco Colony, Beteyà Parka large inclusive adventure park. Inestled among the trees, a few steps from the sea and easily reachable from the city, it is designed to welcome tourists all year round.
Inclusive adventure park for children and disabled people
“Beteyà is a park for everyone” –” highlighted Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000, Tourability’s lead company. “We accomplished six routes with different levels of difficulty, there are accessible walkways, a path dedicated to people with disabilities, a climbing area and a tree village for children, so that everyone can experience an adventure immersed in nature. Entry for people with disabilities will be free for the first 3 thousand visitors, after which it will be regulated. We are stimulating change in an area that is very popular with tourists, offering barrier-free experiences and leisure opportunities.” “In Sicily they were financed more than 150 inclusive playgrounds – explained Maria Letizia Di Liberti, regional director of the Department of Family and Social Policies of the Sicilian Region -. The Plaia in Catania is a big step forward for the accessibility of the Island, it is large and complete, an equipped area close to a beach open to the sea”.
10 Playa Beaches Accessible to Everyone
Beteyà Park is part of the project financed by the Department of Family and Social Policies and Labor of the Sicilian region and by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. This is how it is intended expand the offer of accessible tourism on the island. Also startedadaptation of 10 beaches which will be able to guarantee access to the sea for all. (along the Plaia in Catania at Lido America, Colonia Don Bosco, Lido le Palme, Lido Polifemo and Lido Sablè Sale and on the coast of Mondello in Palermo at Lido Sirenetta, Lido Acqua Marina, in the two Lidi dell’Ombelico Del World, Mondello MIA). Significant inputs into the Sicilian territory which aims to evolve to overcome barriers, both architectural and cultural.
Inclusive Adventure Park in Catania
“People with disabilities still have too many difficulties in experiencing moments of leisure, which are fundamental for the growth and quality of life of all people“. He explained it Francesco Cauchi, advisor of the Tourability project. “We are helping to bridge this gap, going beyond laid walkways, to make tourist destinations accessible. We have activated workshops and internships that will involve people with disabilities in the various locations. The aim of the project is to make communities more welcoming.”
Other services in Catania and Palermo
Services will be launched soon. welcome, support and creative workshops organized by Spazio 47 and are in the start-up phase training internships coordinated by the Provincial Center for Adult Education CPIA Catania 2 led by the director Rita Vitaliti. They will see the involvement of 30 people with disabilities for the targeted placement, 15 in Catania and 15 in Palermo on the beaches of the Plaia and Mondello coast, and in other structures that will participate in the inclusion activities.
Catania is not accessible to everyone
“If we sat in a wheelchair for a day going around the places of our city Catania we would realize that It is not accessible to everyone, including some places of worship, especially those with large staircases.” He underlined theArchbishop of Catania Luigi Renna. “It requires an effort from everyone, providing dedicated resources. The right to access allows meeting others and enjoying services that are indispensable”. “Beteyà Park brings together ethnic, cultural and physical diversity in the face of the challenges that must be faced. These paths are a metaphor for life”, he stated Don Giovanni D’Andrea, Inspector of the Salesians of Sicily – . “The Beteyà Park experience is a model of interaction – added theImam Abdelhafid Kheit –. Diversity is the expression of beauty and enhancing it means creating a true brotherhood, we all belong to the one family that is humanity.”
Make all public buildings in Catania accessible
“We are working to make all public buildings in Catania accessible, starting from the social services headquarters where there is no lift. We brought PEBA to the council. He assured Bruno Brucchieri, Councilor for Family and Social Inclusion of the Municipality of Catania. “With the available funds we are developing the plan to overcome the architectural barriers with the aim of making the city live 360 degrees, Beteyà Park represents a model to emulate”.
