Advancing Accessible Tourism in Ireland and Europe
Mapping Skills and Training Requirements for Accessible Tourism, 2014
OHAC participated in the EU Study: Mapping Skills and Training Requirements for Accessible Tourism, 2014. A major part of the study commissioned in 2013 by the European Commission and awarded to VVA, ENAT and 3s Research involved the preparation of 20 Case Studies, examining accessible tourism training programmes and projects in Europe and abroad. The selected Case Studies can be regarded as examples of good practice in vocational education and training, although certain weaknesses are also identified, where appropriate. 18 cases are from Member States of the European Union and 2 are from Canada and OHAC were involved in creating several of the case studies for the project.
National Gallery of Ireland
Since 2015, O’Herlihy Access Consultancy has assisted the National Gallery of Ireland to meet its legal requirements; to benchmark accessibility and provide advice on how to develop an access strategy, policy and plan. We have assisted in the establishment of an access team, benchmarked accessibility, prepared a detailed access policy and plan for the Gallery and developed an action plan covering: Accessible service delivery and customer services, Accessible information, The built and external environment and employment and retention of people with disabilities. We have also provided training to staff and volunteers, developed pre-visitor accessibility/Universal Design Guidelines and carried out access audits of the Gallery.
Failte Ireland
Assisted Failte Ireland (Irelands National Tourism Development Authority) in the design and delivery of a national Disability Equality and Awareness Raising. OHAC provided training throughout Ireland for regional staff working in Failte Ireland. Courses were delivered in Galway, Cork, Sligo, Kerry, Dublin and Waterford.
Arts and Disability Ireland
Assisting Arts and Disability Ireland to provide access advice and access auditing services for four Arts venues in Cork. These venues included The Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre, The Firkin Crane and The Triskel Arts Centre. The services provided by O’Herlihy Access Consultancy included a detailed briefing with staff and management of the venues, access audits assessing the building, services and how the organisation makes information accessible and follow up training sessions on accessible service delivery. The services provided by O’Herlihy Access Consultancy included a detailed briefing with staff and management of the venues, access audits assessing the building, services and how the organisation makes information accessible and follow up training sessions on accessible service delivery.
Other
Carrying out high level accessibility audits and reviews for private, public and voluntary bodies including the Guinness Storehouse, The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Wicklow Mountain National Park, Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre, The Arts Council, The Abbey Theatre, The National Museum of Ireland, Bus Stations throughout Ireland, Railway stations, The Botanic Gardens, Farmleigh, Castletown House and the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve.
European Network for Accessible Tourism
Assisting the European Network for Accessible Tourism in the design and delivery of case studies as part of the EU Study Mapping Skills and Training Requirements for Accessible Tourism. OHAC prepared five of the case studies as part of the project.
Universal Design for Customer engagement in Tourism services
Eoin O’Herlihy of OHAC has was also an active member of the NSAI AASCC WG 6 entitled ‘Universal Design for Customer engagement in Tourism services’. The main focus of this group was the production of Irish Standard on Universal Design for customer engagement in tourism services. The SWIFT standard was published in May 2013. In his role as a member of this group, Eoin advised on the development of the content of the standard, assisted members who were unfamiliar with the standardisation process, attended monthly working group meetings and provided key content to the convenor of the group.
European Commission Smart Tourism Award
Eoin has also acted as a Judge on European Commission Smart Tourism Award initiative entitled “The European Capital of Smart Tourism Award” This award recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity.