Accessible Routes of Public Interest

Me Alla Matia NPO undertakes the design of accessible itineraries for Municipalities in interest.

Purchasing Power of the Disabled

The global market corresponding to people with disability is 1.3 billion people, meaning 15% of the population. This market reaches 3 billion people, translating into $8 trillion of disposable income if we include their relatives. Disabled customers are more loyal when they find favorable conditions, making five more shopping trips per year and spending more money than the typical population.

Taking the impeded into account, too (elderly, pregnant women, parents with prams, people with temporary injuries such as a broken leg, etc.), who use accessible services, we reach more than 50% of the total population. It is, therefore, deduced that they form an audience with robust purchasing power; however, they have fewer options being hindered by the inaccessible environment.

Accessible Routes of Public Interest

An essential parameter in the daily life of people living with disability is the route they must follow to get somewhere and the accessibility services provided to the point of interest. Most of the time, this information —if any— is scattered and of dubious quality. Even if a museum, for example, is accessible, the route to reach it may not be; or a place may be accessible, not knowing how to highlight it, so the information does not get to the public.

The accessibility team of Me Alla Matia NPO, which includes disabled people as end-users of accessible services and specialized scientists, undertakes to design accessible routes of tourist, commercial, or cultural interest for Municipalities. By selecting landmarks such as museums, tourist areas, shopping streets, services, and archeological monuments, it tracks accessible routes usable by people with mobility and visual limitations. These routes also connect them with the accessibility facilities of each point.

The process in detail

• In partnership with the Municipality, we define points of interest and the respective route.
• Ramps and tactile pavements are noted from the nearest mean of transport station and at the main roads; each time, they all together form an independent, accessible route to the destination.
• Points with adapted WCs, Braille catalogs, lifts, discounts for PwDs, etc., are clearly indicated.
• The accessible services of each point of interest are indicated: e.g., audiovisual subtitled material, audio guide, adapted toilets, Braille menus, accessible exhibits, etc.
• The guide includes photographic material, a marked road map, and accessibility notes.
• The information is collected in an accessible digital guide that can later be posted on the website of the Municipality in Greek and English.
• The project and the guide itself are also promoted in an accessible manner via the active social media of meallamatia.gr.
• In alignment with ISO_21902_2021.

Deliverables
⭐ A digital, accessible guide titled “Accessible Routes of Public Interest of the Municipality” in Greek and English.

Here you can see the relevant project we implemented in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens.

Extra Services

• Training of staff at points of interest on how to properly serve disabled customers/visitors
• Sharing the guide with disability-related bodies and end-users in Greece and abroad
• Creation of an online, accessible interactive map for the presentation of the routes
• Creation of an accessible (sign language interpretation, subtitles) promotional video starring disabled people
• Limited copies of the guide printed in Braille and upper case letters for the visually impaired
• Audio recording of the guide and the related information
• Online help desk function (via e-mail) for disabled users and their feedback
• Regular guide updates
• Translation to any other language indicated

🌳 For more information about the program, contact us at info@meallamatia.services or +30210-2627385.