Free Online Tourism Tool

November 26, 2012 udcom

The Instituto de Biomecanica de Valencia has been presented with the Ulysses Award for Innovation in Research and Technology. Presented by the World Tourism Organization, the institute was given this honor for its online application tool, TurAcces/IBV. With this tool, tourism managers can assess their facilities for accessibility based on current ADA laws and standards. This tool is useful for both tourist facilities and disabled or elderly patrons, in which establishments such as hotels, restaurants, campings, etc., can provide a more quality experience for a specific growing population. The application is available at www.turacces.ibv.org.

The Ulysses Prize and Awards are given annually, and serve to showcase knowledge and innovative application of accessibility within tourism.

Universal Design (UD) is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). It creates products, systems, and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.