GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ITALIAN NATIONAL PARKS

INDEX

THE "PARKS FOR ALL PROJECT": ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

INTRODUCTION

AIM AND PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT: THE COMMITMENT OF ACLI ANNI VERDI

PARKS AND FULL ACCESSIBILITY: PREMISE

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCENE

STATISTICAL FRAMEWORK

FRAMEWORK, STRATEGIES, AND ORIENTATION FOR THE ACCESSIBILITY OF NATIONAL PARKS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS CDROM

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE "PARKS FOR ALL PROJECT": ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

In the framework of its planning and control activities on the conservation of the Country's natural heritage, the Nature Conservation Department of the Ministry of the Environment and Territory signed an Agreement with the association ACLI Anni Verdi in 2001, for the realization of the project: "Parks for all: accessibility for people with disabilities".
The main goal of this project is to provide all citizens with knowledge of the issues regarding easy access to Park sites, services and related facilities including transportation, by the largest number of citizens possible - particularly those who deal with and/or are interested in Natural Reserves (both institutional and not).
Moreover, this project aims at promoting, at all levels, all needed actions to secure easy access to Nature Reserves by an enlarged use, especially for people with mobility and sensorial limitations including elderly people, children and people with disabilities.
The main tool implemented to achieve this purpose is represented by the creation of this CD-Rom and a dedicated internet site (www.parchipertutti.it), realized according to WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) navigation standards, allowing people with specific disabilities to enjoy the contents of the site.
On top of providing general information on Protected Natural Areas System and issues related to their usability by an enlarged use, this CD-Rom and the internet site contain the "Guidelines for accessibility and usability of Protected Natural Areas for an enlarged use", especially addressed to the Park management authorities. This, in order to provide a support, in line with current legislations, for the planning and the implementation of any required actions to secure an adequate accessibility to Natural Areas and to facilities in these National Parks.
It is extremely important to establish a common semantic when dealing with such relevant and delicate issues. This process turns to be very complex in this framework, because norms and rules, at different levels, and the existing scientific and educational documentation do not currently use a common "vocabulary".
We thus felt it appropriate to include a list of the more significant terms that have been used in this project (See: Glossary)

INTRODUCTION

On. Altero Matteoli
The Italian National System of Protected Natural Areas manages a unique environmental and cultural heritage. 
It represents therefore a specific interest and responsibility for the Ministry of the Environment and Territory to preserve and promote such heritage, allowing access for the widest possible range of citizens, including those with temporary or permanent sensorial and mobility limitations, such as people with disabilities, elderly people, and children.
Making the Natural Protected Areas usable represents a civilisation challenging task, as the constitutional principle affirms: "it is the country's responsibility to remove economic and social barriers that, by limiting the liberty and equality of citizens, prevent a proper human development and an effective participation of all workers in the political, economic, and social organisation of the country". In this framework, we include the initiative carried out by this Ministry, the Project "Parks for all: accessibility for people with disabilities", in collaboration with the ACLI Anni Verdi association, which aims at setting a foundation for this principle to be carried out with regards to the Natural Protected Areas.

Altero Matteoli
Italian Minister of the Environment and Territori

Dr. Aldo Cosentino
The Nature Conservation Department of the Ministry of the Environment and Territory stipulated an agreement in 2001 with the ACLI Anni Verdi association for a project called "Parks for all: accessibility for people with disabilities". The aim of this project is to promote the accessibility and usability of Protected Natural Areas, and in particular National Parks, for the largest number of citizens possible including those with temporary or permanent sensorial and mobility limitations. In compliance with the Project a CD-Rom and the web site www.parchipertutti.it have been produced following the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) standards, a browsing procedure that enables certain categories of people with sensorial and mobility limitations to take advantage of the web site.
Other than providing general information on the Protected Natural Area System and the issues related to their accessibility by the widest range of citizens possible, the CD-Rom and website provides the "Guidelines for accessibility and usability of Protected Natural Areas for an enlarged use", intended for Protected Areas and National Parks local management authorities and aimed at promoting and planning the necessary actions to guarantee an adequate level of usability of services, natural or built spaces within the above mentioned areas, in accordance to the current laws.

Aldo Cosentino
General Director
Nature Conservation Department
Italian Ministry of the Environment and Territory

Dr. David C. Park 
Over the past years, the United States Park System has made significant efforts to assure that all citizens, including those with disabilities, have access to parks and can enjoy the benefits of programs and services offered. Such efforts were made in attempt to conciliate the guarantee of accessibility for all and the conservation of nature and our historical patrimony for future generations. 
There are two main reasons why the National Park Service focused its attention on the problem of accessibility by the widest audience possible. The first has to do with the mere application of existing laws, and the second deals with a matter of good sense. The second reason is more significant in the long run. It was estimated in the United States that more than 54 million people have disabilities. Furthermore, if we consider the growing percentage of adults over 65 years of age with "invisible" disabilities such as heart or respiratory problems, those with temporary disabilities, and all the families or relatives that accompany them wherever they go, we understand that the majority of the population can benefit from the advantages of accessibility to a wide audience. By not guaranteeing this would be against the law, but also against good sense, given that if the problems related to accessibility are considered from the planning stages, the structures' and services' added costs are minimal. The efforts made over the years have been addressed towards the development of proper policies and procedures, and to guarantee a constant formation for the Park's staff. The same Parks are involved with the direct responsibility to identify the existing obstacles to accessibility and continue year after year to make the necessary changes to guarantee the elimination of these barriers. 
Despite the efforts made and the results achieved up to this point, we know there is still plenty to do to guarantee equal opportunities to people with disabilities. In this process, we place particular importance on collaboration and co-operation with the International Community. Over the years, we have experienced many co-operation initiatives, the largest being with Canada, Australia, and Great Britain. We now welcome this new experience with the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Territory in the shared goal of better serving people with disabilities. Putting our different experiences together on an international level will be of assistance in finding more effective solutions and assuring that people with disabilities may enjoy the many offerings of the Parks and open-air leisure activities.

David C. Park
Accessibility Coordinator
U.S. National Park Service

AIM AND PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT: THE COMMITMENT OF ACLI ANNI VERDI

The project "Parks for all: accessibility for people with disabilities", assigned by the Nature Conservation Department of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Territory to ACLI Anni Verdi, represents a further recognition of the work carried out to promote the National System of Protected Natural Areas. As part of the ACLI (Italian Christian Workers Associations) network of associations, services and social enterprises, this also serves as a profitable opportunity to apply our long-term experience in integrating disabled people both socially and in the workplace. We strongly believe that the publication of the Guidelines, together with this CD-Rom and the dedicated internet site (www.parchipertutti.it) - also accessible to people with sensorial and mobility limitations - will prove to be a useful tool in outlining and promoting the active commitment of the competent parties involved in the protection of Protected Natural Areas and their accessibility for people with disabilities projects. 
The European Year of People with Disabilities, launched in 2003, constitutes an event of outstanding relevance. It represents an appropriate framework in which introduce these themes and also offers further elements of reflection for the debate that will result on this specific issue.

Luigi Bobba
National President
ACLI

Giambattista Mazzei
National Co-ordinator
ACLI Anni Verdi

PARKS AND FULL ACCESSIBILITY: PREMISE

Parks and Full Usability: a priority target 
The Nature Conservation Department of Ministry of Environment and Territory , within its programming, addressing and controlling functions of the activities carried out at different levels in the country's natural heritage conservation field, has signed an Agreement with the association ACLI Anni Verdi (green years) in December 2001 to realise a project called "Parks for all: usability by an enlarged use".
The main goal of this project is to promote, especially among institutional and non-institutional authorities involved and/or interested in Protected Natural Areas, public awareness on problems concerning an easy usability of sites, services, and related equipment, including transportation systems, by the largest number of citizens possible.
The project is particularly meant to promote all the essential actions, at various levels, in order to guarantee an easy usability of the natural protected areas for an enlarged use. 
The major tool used to reach such a target is represented by the creation of the website, available on line at www.parchipertutti.it, prepared according with WAI standards (Web Accessibility Initiative), a browsing method, ratified at an international level, that allows people with sensorial and mobility limitations to acknowledge the web site content. 
The web site, other than providing general information regarding the system of natural Protected Natural Areas and problems related to the accessibility to the largest number of citizens possible, also contains the actual "Guidelines for accessibility and usability of Protected Natural Areas for an enlarged use", intended for the management authorities of national parks, in order to allow the planning and completion of the necessary actions to guarantee an adequate level of usability of services, natural and built areas that are available in the national parks under the present laws. 
It is important to highlight an essential aspect, when facing such delicate and important topics, that is establishing shared semantics. 
Such an operation is extremely difficult in this context as the different levels of present laws and regulations and the current scientific documentation have not yet adopted a "common vocabulary". It is therefore necessary for this document to call on a list of significant terms that have been used throughout the document (see Glossary in Appendix), taking into particular attention the explanation of some basic concepts that will be expressed.
This document should be considered as a first edition to be presented as a basis for confrontation and discussion for elderly people, children and people with disabilities' stakeholders.
There are several motivations leading us to the achievement of this goal. First of all our society is constitutionally founded on principles of equality and equal rights for all. Committing ourselves to realising a general usability of natural and built spaces and services means promoting the right of all citizens to not be excluded from a place and therefore abiding by a founding element of the constitution.
It is furthermore necessary to empower those rights of "non-exclusion" from sites. Studies have shown that if accessibility is considered in the planning phase, there is generally little or no added building cost or service providing cost, yet the number of people who can benefit from such provisions is large. In 1993, the European Commission estimated 60-80 million as the number of people with physical limitations, that is 20% of the European population.
Imagine a person with reduced mobility that would like to take a vacation and visit a natural setting in Italy. He or she would often be forced to give up and/or travel to a different country. Aside from the negative consequences at a humanitarian level, this results in an economic loss and also a potential labour loss, thus income implications. In addition, as explained in the following pages, there are a series of regulations that direct the subject matter and often strictly impose the issues regarding usability. Therefore, the necessary planning efforts must deal in a transversal and systematic manner with all operations concerning natural and protected areas.
Accessibility, therefore, as a "complex and articulated system of elements, interconnected or interdependent, that allows us to get closer to the concept of autonomy and self-sufficiency". The promotion of a cultural improvement must consider the laws and regulations regarding various types of barriers (environmental, architectural, bureaucratic, etc) not as a penalising "limitation", but as an opportunity to do something positive for a common good.
These should not be considered as strict laws "for the handicapped", but rather as operative measures and "guidelines" to obtain a human-friendly and safer environment for all of us, in particular for the growing number of people with sensorial and mobility limitations such as the elderly people who should not be considered as a burden, but rather a resource to respect. The consequences of such actions result in the possibility of imagining, developing, and communicating spaces and products, services, systems, and environments in a way that makes them accessible and usable by the widest number of people possible, even if not "dedicated" to disabled people.
This "responsible" way of planning constantly considers the multigenerational needs, that is those of children, elderly people, and people that for any reason experience mobility or sensorial limitations. The positive result is that of the significant cost reduction and the improved positive reception of the park by all those people with "particular needs", who on the other hand do not feel subject to a "special attention" program.
Such suggestions and indications must also apply to parks and natural areas founded in our country because they protect more than 10% of our land surfaces and they care for a relevant quantity of archaeological, historical, artistic, and cultural heritages, which must provide an enlarged use including also disabled people.

Basic Concepts 
The study case dealing with accessibility and usability to urban building areas and non-urbanised land by all citizens is taking on an increasingly determining role towards research plans aimed at strengthening the qualitative aspects of environment. 
Therefore, we must effectively communicate and clearly explain the basic concepts regarding "environmental quality and comfort" for all those involved in planning and managing the territory. For this reason we must make these important concepts widely understood and appreciated, even though they are still under estimated. 
It is important to make the advantages of accessibility, intended as the entire distributive, dimensional, and management characteristics that allows an easy use, for people with sensorial and mobility limitations, of spaces and equipment, including also the transport system, understood by all. By achieving this goal, the obstacles, sources of danger, and situations that cause inconveniences and create difficulties seem reduced, generalising the positive aspects of the operation. 
Accessibility, as an easy use of natural and made-up environment, tends to the optimisation of human and financial resources. This should not be meant as a sporadic element, even without architectural barriers, but as a widespread and complex "system" for an environmental and urban comfort and for the reinforcement of mobility throughout the territory.
The combination of interconnected or independent elements must be identified, as they allow us a closer view of the concept of autonomy, self-sufficiency and consequently equality among citizens. In other words, this is a way of promoting "equal rights" for everyone, including those who belong to the "disadvantaged categories" or rather, including those who, carrying out the many activities of their life, encounter difficulties.
To this end, accessibility must be considered not in a static manner fixed in time, but as a type of "work in progress" that conforms continually to new identified needs, also by using the new evolving technologies at their best.
In this sense, the subject matter encompasses numerous fields of study concerning land planning and every aspect of development: from the urban executive plan to the environment management, from urban traffic planning to the assessment of parks and green areas, from the architectural composition, from renovation and renewal of the existing facilities, from the organisation of exhibitions, shows, and cultural or recreational activities, even if transitory, to the interior architecture.
The key concepts that constitute accessibility goals must therefore be considered as necessary "inputs" for the correct and responsible development of all types of projects for people.
The goal to reach for is that of strengthening the person's autonomy, allowing easy accessibility and general usability to the entire habitat in which we live. For these reasons, it is essential to overcome several stereotypes in order to "refute the term "handicap".
The term "person with handicap" or "handicapped" does not make much sense. If we reflect on this, it is clear that everyone has different abilities. We all have different needs during the many stages of our lives and unfortunately through events that can change our way of living, also due to the fact that years pass and we all get older.
Consequently, the only "handicapped" reality is represented by our cities, our territory: they are full of obstacles and it is our responsibility to modify them. First we must identify the needs of this large number of people with different ability levels and begin to reason in terms of new ways to build structures and to provide services. It is essential to understand the different needs and specific abilities, in order to stimulate them, even though usually they are considered "residual abilities". This is the main reason why, within the present project, we adopted the term people with reduced mobility or sensorial capacities.
Even the legislature of M.D. 236, 1989 has a significant number of positive elements and tangible suggestions. It never uses the words "disabled," "handicapped," or "person with handicap". These terms have been correctly substituted with "people with reduced or challenged mobility or sensorial capacities". Therefore, this is no longer a category but rather an unfavourable circumstance. Refuting another common place that would identify as "disabled" or "handicapped" a person in a wheelchair with a paraplegic.
These observations appear to be valid, as the technical solutions, that are generally thought of by designers, are, in the best situation, for people on wheelchairs, usually without clear ideas in mind. Almost always, for example, the ramps have slopes that are out of proportion with respect to their length and are often built with slippery materials: making them inconvenient even if in accordance with laws. This shows that the laws must always be interpreted and that the true needs of the public must be kept in consideration. There should also be a careful reflection on the number of disadvantages present for all citizens due to our urban and rural land, that is full of obstacles.
As they get older, many are forced to limit their physical activity due to the architectural barriers, even though they may still be perfectly capable of carrying out their daily working activities of an intellectual or professional nature. The community is self-limited when it prevents these people considered "disabled" or "handicapped" from carrying out their functions, usually with still a remarkable "productive profile". Rather, we should find a way for them to carry out their work activities and continue to enjoy a positive lifestyle by going to the theatre, meeting friends, going to the park, and generally leading a life as "normal" as possible. The concept to be developed is the need to make less fortunate citizens able to express at best their potential capacities, even if limited, by reducing if possible the disadvantages and by using to the best extent their availability.
Shortly, a park and a city that continue to pose obstacles of different kind are "handicapped" and strongly non economically viable in addition to being debatable from a human and social point of view. Urban sociologists have dedicated numerous surveys to this delicate theme and are generally in agreement in declaring that the non elimination of physical barriers is considered "bad business" for the community. Unfortunately, the shared belief among many sectors of the State and many local management authorities is that the elimination of such obstacles would benefit only a limited number of "handicapped" people. This erroneous reasoning, multiplied by thousands of cases, leads to concrete injustices and significant economical implications:for example the idea of using areas to stage theatrical exhibitions. Presently there are no major economic limitations preventing a large portion of the population from going to the theatre. However, many people who would like to go to the theatre find themselves limited by architectural barriers. By not making theatres accessible to all, we decrease the audience, as not only those with mobility limitations but also their friends and/or family must refrain.
This discussion can easily be extended to the protected natural areas. We must therefore consider these effects in relation to the market potential. There is a principle of fundamental importance to which we must not admit dispensations: actions aimed at guaranteeing usability and accessibility to urban and rural green areas must never be proposed only for disabled people, but rather for everyone. They should therefore be made usable also for disabled people. Thus it is necessary to bear in mind a wide audience with different needs. In addition the actions are for the good of all, if they attract also everyone's interest.
Accessibility must therefore be conceived as a functional and necessary aspect, but not enough to guarantee the effectiveness and the entire quality of the project.
In relation to the quality of the intervention, especially within protected natural areas, given that the natural context is often bound to strict laws, we must specify that planning solutions must never prevail over the context: even in actions aimed at guaranteeing accessibility or usability, the respect for natural, landscape, historic, and socio-cultural contents of the site must remain the primary objective. 
Further related information can be found in the D.M. 236/1989, which discusses the regulations of law 13/1989 regarding the overcoming of architectural barriers in private structures (article 7, Cogenza delle prescrizioni), allowing the suggestion, other than solutions conforming to specifications, also of "alternative solutions" that must meet the needs dictated by planning criteria and therefore achieving the goal.

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCENE

International Legislation
The International legislation, with reference to the problem of equal opportunity for people with sensorial and mobility limitations or other disadvantages, is very complex and would require a wider space, only to explain the issue's greater level of awareness acquired at an international level.
In this document, however, we will only list the main laws in this regard and advise the consultation of the extensive bibliography which deals with the issue in a greater depth. Recalling the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (1947), with a specific reference to the achievement of autonomy in the social, family, cultural and health area for each person, the United Nations in 1971 approved the "Declaration on the Rights for Mentally Disabled People" and in 1975 the "Declaration on the Rights for Mobility and Sensorial Disabled People". 
These Declarations were the first important step, at an international level, towards the public emerging of disability issues and a way to capture the attention of the various countries and their legislators. It was not, however, until the U.N. Resolution n. 37/52 in 1982, the "World Policy Plan for Disabled People", that it was established that "disabled" people have equal opportunity rights which include the right to use areas and structures without barriers in the various sectors such as health, education, work, culture, sports and leisure.
A further eight years must pass for the General Assembly of the United Nations to approve in 1993, the "Standard Regulations for Disabled People's Equal Opportunity". These consist of 22 regulations that regulate the exercise of the disabled people's rights in the above-mentioned fields. These regulations, however, only acquire legal status after the assimilation into the various countries' legislation. The Law n. 5, in particular, includes a program to realise an accessible physical environment - homes, buildings, transportation, roads, open spaces etc. - by establishing technical laws concerning accessibility, awareness and the technical information of the designers responsible for public and private works.
Finally, the Resolution n.48/96, in 1994, "Standard Laws for Equal Opportunities for Handicapped People", by the General Assembly of the United Nations is of primary importance. These laws establish equal opportunity rights for disabled persons. This issue has been again considered in 1995 at the European Congress on Urban Accessibility, which was held in Barcelona. In that occasion, the participating cities signed the Declaration: "The City and Disabled People" in which they stress the concept that the city itself - through the use of essential means and resources - must allow access to equal opportunities of comfort and participation in social life to all disabled people.

European Union directives 
The Council of Europe adopted, with respect to the disabled people's rights , a range of Resolutions between 1972 and 1996. Among these, the Report of November 26th, 1993 by the European Commission to the Council of Europe, regarding the measures to be taken at a European level to facilitate the accessibility to transportation for people with mobility limitations, is extremely important. Finally we must emphasize that, the Resolution of the European Council of December 20th, 1996, "Equal Opportunities for the Disabled: a new strategy by the European Union concerning people with disabilities", was also very important. Also this resolution is very important, as it includes the proposal in the European Community Communication of July 30th, 1996, "Equal Opportunities for the Disabled: a new strategy by the European Union concerning people with disabilities".
The primary concept involved is the full integration of individuals with disabilities in all sectors of life. This concept is best expressed by the term, "mainstreaming". This involves setting out a strategy to render full participation and general involvement for the largest population segment possible in the economic and social processes. The tasks to reach this objective must no longer be considered in a separate way from the ordinary decision making process but they must be clearly viewed as an integrated element to it. This entails the need to gradually abandon the separate structures used to meet the needs of people with sensorial and mobility limitations, especially in the field of education, work and leisure and to carry out initiatives which promote the full integration in the ordinary system of education and of work. This involves changing the perspective of a specialized services' development to one that leads to a policy to fully integrate disabled people.
The main sectors of intervention for the implementation of this policy are:
Education
Many children continue to be excluded from ordinary schools solely because of a mobility, sensorial or learning disability, without taking into account their real potential. These children are often confined to institutions, which, though providing special assistance, in effect isolate them and don't offer opportunities for social integration.
Work
The probability for people with disabilities to be unemployed is at least two or three times higher and for a longer period, in comparison to the rest of the active population. Besides these, they are the first to be effected in case of economic crisis.
Mobility and access
Many transport systems and public buildings continue to be inaccessible because of the existence of architectural and infrastructure barriers. Broadly speaking, if we look at accessibility issues, we must also consider tourism, free time and sports. Accessibility shouldn't be guaranteed only for study and work but more in general for the cultivation of all aspects of one's own personality and to satisfy the needs everyone has. These include the possibility to engage in travel, sports and hobbies.
Housing
Suitable or adaptable housing is often unavailable for disabled persons even when the required adaptation is at zero cost.
Systems of social security
Numerous disabled people lead lives bordering the poverty line or even below. Assistance systems offer a minimum level of support which is often not enough orientated at facilitating the participation. There is a lack of awareness of the supplementary costs involved and often there is no consideration for the needs of the disabled, which would be considered obvious for the majority of society. A powerful instrument in support of policies to change this situation is the "European Structural Fund" and, especially, the "European Social Fund" which has the professional integration as an objective. Special importance is accorded to information and communication technologies because of their strong potential to aid the achievement of equal opportunity for the largest number of people possible and to improve their living and working conditions.

A fundamental initiative taken by the European Community was the designation of the year 2003 as the "European Year for people with disabilities".
The objectives of this initiative are:
- to increase the global awareness of the rights of disabled persons in support of the full achievement of their rights;
- to encourage reflection and discussion about the measures required to promote equal opportunity
- to promote discussion concerning "good routines" and effective strategies;
- to intensify cooperation , at all levels institutional and non-institutional, among the operators in the sector;
- to emphasize the positive contributions which disabled people can add to society and create a positive context where differences are appreciated and not discriminated;
- to spread awareness of the entity and variety of different abilities and the various forms of discrimination that people with disabilities are subjected to.

Initiatives and programmes by the Italian Government 
The Government Action Plan for Policies concerning People with Disabilities

On July 28th, 2000, the Cabinet approved "The Government Action Program for Policies concerning People with Disabilities 2000-2003", which included the various proposals for the planning of initiatives and to define directions to be taken in legislation and operative proposals by the different administrations in order to support a higher level of integration and an improved quality of life for disabled people. The objective of the Government Action Plan is to provide full implementation to what is stated in the general policy law concerning disabled people n. 104/92 and to the principles and objectives underlying it. There are four fundamental objectives in the Action Plan:
Non-discrimination. Human society consists of a set of "diversities". Each of these has specific values and society must be put in a condition of a greater appreciation of these differences in order to achieve a cultural enrichment.
Equal Opportunity. The Government action, as a whole, must bring about the elimination of the disadvantages deriving from a situation of disability and to eliminate the social 'handicap' or obstacle, which prevents full participation in collective life.
Major disabilities. Here, action is strategically orientated in providing solutions to people with 'extreme' disabilities and to their families.
Real integration. Legislative actions must be effective in order to efficiently provide human and social rights in situations of different abilities. This includes increasing the monitoring of the implementation of the relevant laws and the financing involved and any judicial procedures to guarantee effective implementation.

The Report concerning Italian Policies for People with Disabilities presented by the Government to the Parliament

In 2002, the Minister of Welfare presented to the Parliament the "Report concerning Italian Policies for People with Disabilities", 2001. Here, the results achieved by the Ministries and the activities carried out by the Regions and the Local Authorities in the implementation of L. n. 104/92 and more in general in accordance to the general laws pertaining to the issue, are emphasized. The Report includes information and data about initiatives and measures promoted by authorities and bodies, which are involved in activities pertaining to disability related issues. Finally, Local Autonomies were provided with important information about the level of implementation, at a national level, of the recent measures including L. n. 68/99 concerning job integration and L. n. 328/2000 regarding the reform of the social services system.

The National Legal Framework
The Italian National Legal Framework concerning accessibility and architectural barriers - including both the national and the regional regulations - is too complex to be adequately illustrated in the present document. Therefore, for more specific information, please see the large number of existing publications.
In Table 1 - with references to the policy law concerning Protected Areas - are illustrated the most important national legislation references concerning accessibility and utilization of areas and the removal of architectural barriers. 
Of particular note, is L. n. 41 of February 28th, 1986, in the 1986 Budget Law, where the art. 32 establishes that the construction or refurbishment projects for public works cannot be approved unless they are in accordance to D.P.R. n. 384 of April 27th, 1978, abrogated and then replaced by 27/04/1978, D.P.R. n. 503 of July 24th, 1996. This measure establishes that for already existing and not yet adapted public buildings, the relevant administrations must implement plans to eliminate architectural barriers.
Regarding the accessibility and usability by an enlarged use, in accordance to the legislation concerning Protected Natural Areas, it is opportune to keep in mind that law n. 394/91 "The policy law for Protected Areas" and its subsequent additions (L. n. 426/91 and L. n. 93/01), even though considered to be now outdated concerning the current issues, seeks the purpose as following. (art. 1, comma 3):
- the implementation of management methods or environmental refurbishment suitable for the realization of the integration between man and the natural environment;
- the promotion of educational and training activities, of scientific research also of an interdisciplinary nature, and of compatible recreational activities.
In the same areas, productive and experimental activities, when compatible with the aforementioned aims, should also be promoted (art. 1, comma 4).

To reach the aforesaid objectives, Park Regulations must especially discipline accessibility of the park area by providing suitable paths and facilities in order to reach the largest number of people possible. (art. 11, comma 2).

The Park Plan (art. 12, comma 1), with regards to accessibility, must establish that:

- systems of accessibility for vehicles or pedestrians with particular attention to paths, access and facilities for the largest number of people possible (the elderly, people with disabilities etc.);
- equipments and services for the management of the social function of the park.

It should be outlined that the Park Plan itself, is the key planning tool to impact the area where the plan is implemented and, therefore, constitute a form of planning which influences specific points to be considered. The full meaning of this statement becomes evident when considering that the planning tool is firmly linked to the management of the area. Planning must take into account the essential elements of the area it refers to and also of the use its management has recognized within its specific context. It is on the basis of this consideration that article 12 of L. n. 394 of 1991 must be read. Planning therefore, must take into account national and EU laws and directives while considering the level of regional availability to reception in order to include these points as references for the definition of regulations for mobility and access within the entire park area.

It is therefore evident that the Park Plan is the legislative condition for the arrangement of different types of accessibility, which are then implemented according to the specific regulations. In other terms, the planning tool should become the correct context where priorities are programmed to make accessibility and usability of the park area possible at all levels. It's evident that these strategic guidelines must also be tailored with specific regulations to discipline the context of the aforementioned points, for the effective implementation of the guidelines included in the plan itself.

The plan also lays down a specific set of regulations, where the strategic guidelines for the park usability - intended as a dynamic usability rather then a static one - must be contained.

Therefore the Plan regulations must have a qualified orientation, which cannot be ignored, by fixing implementation methods in order to give the area an effective and wide accessibility. It is clear that this approach is not only a matter of methodology but also an effective identification of a specific territory assets and these must subsequently be expressed in relevant laws.
The long term plan for economic and social promotion (art. 14, comma 3) can establish a series of tourist activities, crafts and cultural events and a portion of these should consist of direct measures to promote youth employment volunteer work besides accessibility and usability by an enlarged use. This is, therefore, well established in the objectives of the "policy law for protected areas" and in the three main programming tools for the activities carried out by the park management authorities. 
Table 1 National Regulations
REGULATIONS	CONTENTS	
L. n. 394 of 06/12/91	General policy law on protected natural areas	
C.M.LL.PP. n. 425 of 29/01/67	Standard rules for housing construction	
C.M.LL.PP. n. 4809 of 19/06/68	Rules for using social buildings	
L. n. 118 of 30/03/71	Civilian invalids: assistance, teaching and barrier removal	
D.M.P.I. of 18/12/75	Technical rules on school construction	
L. n. 41 of 28/02/86	1986 State Budget	
L. n. 13 of 09/01/89	Removal of architectural barriers in private buildings	
D.M.LL.PP. n. 236 of 14/06/89	Technical prescriptions, for access, limited access and adaptability	
C.M.LL.PP. n. 1669/U.L. of 22/06/89	Explanatory rules for L. n. 13/1989	
C.M.M.M. n. 259 of 23/01/90	Operative rules for L. n. 13/1989	
L. n. 15 of 15/01/91	Rules to favour voters with motor impairments	
L. n. 104 of 05/02/92	General policy law on disabilities	
C.M.M.M. n. 280 of 25/03/92	Application rules for L. n. 104/1992, art. 23	
D.M.G.G. of 17/01/95	Actions in penitentiaries	
D.P.R. n. 503 of 24/07/96	New set of rules on eliminating architectural barriers	
L. n. 68 of 12/03/99	Labour rules for persons with disabilities	
L. n. 328 of 08/11/00	General policy law for an integrated system of social services and actions	

Regional Legislation 
The Regional legislation concerning accessibility differs from region to region. Tuscany, Lombardia, Piemonte, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige adopted organic laws while others have a less articulated legislation, which is sometimes insufficient or even lacking altogether. Two directions were followed at regional level: on one hand, legislative tools related to accessibility and usability and the removal of architectural barriers have been established; on the other hand, indications of accessibility and usability in a construction and urban context, have been indicated. Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Tuscany, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano, have established both economic incentives and fines to create greater awareness on accessibility related issues.
Table 2 includes the main regional laws and directives concerning accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers.
Table 3 includes the main regional laws and directives concerning protected natural areas.

About the laws included in Table 3, it should be noted that some regions have not yet established organic legislation in this regard while other regions had established the relevant legislation before outline law n. 394/91 and are in the process of changing their legislation to comply with the outline law. In order to present a complete picture regarding this legislation, it should be noted that this document does not include the regional laws, which have dealt with these issues in the context of laws concerning forestation. 
Table 2 Regional rules on disability
REGIONS	REGULATIONS	CONTENTS	
Abruzzo	L.R. n. 60 of 20/06/80	Actions in favour of persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 57 of 28/07/98	Changes and additions to L.R. n. 60 of 20/06/80: "Actions in favour of persons with disabilities, already changed and integrated by L.R. n. 34 of 28/08/81	
Basilicata	L.R. n. 36 of 30/11/84	Actions in favour of persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 7 of 21/01/97	Rules on overcoming and eliminating architectural barriers	
Calabria	L.R. n. 28 of 03/09/84	Overcoming marginalization of persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 8 of 23/07/98	Elimination of architectural barriers	
Emilia-Romagna	L.R. n. 48 of 09/11/84	Technical rules for public housing building	
	L.R. n. 38 of 02/11/89	Municipality government contributions for city circulation plans in favour of persons with disabilities and less advantaged categories	
	L.R. n. 29 of 21/08/97	Rules and regulations in favour of autonomous living possibilities and social integration for persons with disabilities	
Friuli-Venezia Giulia	L.R. n. 59 of 27/12/86	Rules for protecting and integrating persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 41 of 25/09/96	Rules for social integration and health services and actions in favour of persons with disabilities in accordance to L. n. 104 of 05/02/92, General policy law for assistance, social integration and rights of persons with disabilities	
Lazio	L.R. n. 21 of 22/02/85	Actions to guarantee access on public transportation for persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 70 of 28/10/91	Rules for producing and developing sports in favour of persons with disabilities	
Liguria	L.R. n. 19 of 12/04/94	Rules for prevention, rehabilitation, and social integration of persons with disabilities	
Lombardia	L.R. n. 6 of 20/02/89	Elimination of architectural barriers and technical operating instructions	
Molise	L.R. n. 25 of 18/10/02	Elimination of architectural barriers	
Marche	L.R. n. 18 of 15/05/82	Actions to eliminate marginalization causes	
	L.R. n. 9 of 23/01/92	Rules to promote and develop sports in favour of persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 36 of 12/04/95	Creation of health and assisted housing named Homes for young persons affected by multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy	
Piemonte	L.R. n. 54 of 03/09/84	Rules to eliminate architectural barriers	
Puglia	L.R. n. 58 of 06/06/80	Actions to favour autonomy and integration of persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 10 of 18/03/97	Rules for prevention, rehabilitation, and social integration of persons with disabilities	
Sardegna	L.R. n. 32 of 30/08/91	Rules to favour the elimination of architectural barriers	
Sicilia	L.R. n. 68 of 18/04/81	Creation, organization and management of services for persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 16 of 28/03/86	Action plan for persons with disabilities in accordance to L.R. n. 68 of 18/04/81	
	L.R. n. 9 of 01/10/92	Changes to articles 2 e 12 of L.R. n. 6 of 26/08/92: Financial rules and rules on free transportation for persons with disabilities	
Toscana	L.R. n. 42 of 02/05/85	Actions for full social integration of persons with mental, physical or sensory impairments	
	L.R. n. 70 of 31/08/94	New rules on professional training	
Trentino-Alto Adige	L.P. n. 42 of 07/11/88 (BZ)	Rules for overcoming marginalization by persons with mental, physical and sensory impairments	
	L.P. n. 21 of 03/09/87 (TN)	Actions in favour of assistance, social integration and rights of persons with disabilities	
Umbria	L.R. n. 19 of 23/10/02	Regional contributions for eliminating and overcoming architectural barriers in private buildings	
Valle d'Aosta	L.R. n. 19 of 18/03/87	Rules to favour the elimination of architectural barriers and to favour relationships for persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 3 of 12/01/99	Rules to favour relationships for persons with disabilities	
Veneto	L.R. n. 45 of 30/04/85	Actions for social, school and work inclusion for persons with disabilities	
	L.R. n. 41 of 30/08/93	Rules to favour the elimination of architectural barriers	
	L.R. n. 6 of 22/02/99	Rules to favour the elimination of architectural barriers and to favour relationships for persons with disabilities	

Table 3 Regional rules for protected areas
REGIONS	REGULATION	CONTENTS	
Abruzzo	L.R. n. 38 of 21/06/96 e later changes	General policy law on protected areas of Abruzzo region for Apennine European park	
Basilicata	L.R. n. 28 of 28/06/94 and later changes	Finding, classifying, establishing, protecting and managing protected natural areas in Basilicata	
Campania	L.R. n. 33 of 01/09/93	Establishing parks and natural reserves in Campania	
Emilia - Romagna	L.R. n. 11 of 02/04/88	Regulating regional parks and natural reserves	
	L.R. n. 40 of 12/11/92	Changes and additions to L.R. n. 11 of 02/04/88 regional parks and natural reserves regulations, to L.R. n. 19 of 27/05/89 Monte Sole historical park establishment as well as L.R. n. 27 of 02/07/88 Delta del Po regional park establishment	
Friuli - Venezia Giulia	L.R. n. 42 of 30/09/96	Natural regional parks and reserves rules	
Lazio	L.R. n. 29 of 06/10/97	Rules on regional natural protected areas	
Liguria	L.R. n. 12 of 22/02/95 and later changes	Protected areas reorganization	
Lombardia	L.R. n. 86 of 30/11/83 and later changes	Regional plan on regional protected areas. Rules for establishing and managing reserves, parks, and natural monuments as well as relevant natural and environmental areas	
	L.R. n. 26 of 16/09/96	Managing authorities of protected regional areas reorganization	
	L.R. n. 32 of 08/11/96	Additions and changes to L.R. n. 86 of 30/11/83, General plan for regional protected areas. Rules for establishing and managing reserves, parks, and natural monuments as well as relevant natural and environmental areas and transitional hunting system	
	L.R. n. 11 of 28/02/00	New rules on protected regional areas	
	L.R. n. 23 of 30/08/00	Regional park safe-keeping extension	
Marche	L.R. n. 15 of 28/04/94	Rules for establishing and managing protected natural areas	
Piemonte	L.R. n. 12 of 22/03/90 and later changes	New rules regarding protected areas (Natural parks, natural reserves, Equipped areas, Pre-park areas, Safe-keeping areas)	
	L.R. n. 36 of 21/07/92	Protected areas regional law adjustments to L. n. 142 of 08/06/90, and L. n. 394 of 06/12/91	
Puglia	L.R. n. 19 of 24/07/97	Rules for establishing and managing natural protected areas in Puglia Region	
Sardegna	L.R. n. 31 of 07/06/89	Rules for establishing and managing parks, reserves, natural monuments, as well as relevant nature and environment areas	
Sicilia	L.R. n. 98 of 06/05/81 and later changes	Rules for establishing natural parks and reserves in Sicilia	
Toscana	L.R. n. 49 of 11/04/95 and later changes	Rules on parks, natural reserves and protected natural areas of local interest	
Trentino - Alto Adige	L.P. n. 18 of 06/05/88 (TN)	Natural parks reorganization	
Umbria	L.R. n. 9 of 03/03/95	Environment safe-keeping and new rules on protected natural areas, adjusting to general policy law n. 394 of 06/12/91 and L. n. 142 of 08/06/90	
Valle d'Aosta	L.R. n. 30 of 30/07/91 and later changes	Rules for establishing protected areas	
Veneto	L.R. n. 40 of 16/08/84	Rules for establishing regional parks and natural reserves	

STATISTICAL FRAMEWORK

The presence of people with mobility limitations in Italy 
It is extremely important to take into serious consideration any form of disability and mobility limitation, while being aware that, currently, there is no exact statistical data offering precise indications of such a complex issue. The number of elderly people is increasing significantly and, generally, they are not considered "disabled", even if they often have mobility limitations due to ageing. People suffering from heart complaints face a wide range of additional difficulties as they can hardly cope with paths going uphill, steps, tiers, etc.
There are even more frequent discomforts due to "common" illnesses like arthritis and osteo-arthritis. The fact that many illnesses lead to "temporary" disabilities should not be underestimated: those people have days when they are more or less able to do certain movements or physical efforts. Obesity also represents a significant problem; being overweight can create difficulty of movement and uncomfortable situations in areas with barriers and narrow paths. All these aspects return relevant social implications and must be taken into serious consideration as a large number of people is involved. 
According to the European Community's estimates, people who experience mobility discomforts in the urban and natural environment represent over 20% of the population. 
The perception of this issue, especially in bureaucratic environments and Public Administration, is too often schematic and real needs and difficulties are not always fully understood.

Requirements and expectations of people with mobility limitations in the National Parks 
Starting from the definition of "enlarged use" provided by the E.U. in 1993, the cultural background of political strategies should stand on two key points: overcoming cultural and operative barriers and on an increased ethical and social awareness leading to personal citizenship rights. While those concepts are widely recognised, they are not yet taken into a full consideration when it comes to a practice. The basic requirement of people with mobility limitations, often referred to as "weaks", is a full recognition of their dignity as humans and as a valuable resource brought by their diversity.
Considerations must be taken in operating in a correct cultural and ecological framework. International Welfare authorities have often a closed approach to this matter, that is a strict interpretation of guidelines while providing alleged solutions. The idea is to promote a different interpretation path, perhaps more complex, but an added responding to the requirements of the "knowledge society". In other terms, expectations must be satisfied by widening the demand to the real requirements and constitutional rights.
The "strong thought" tends to provide product oriented solutions, while the "weak thought" tends to provide a process of accompaniment-participation.
The statistical framework we refer to is assumed to be a deep macro-scenario where critical readings are feasible and where a clear explanation of data can return new languages, a new culture, and new horizons. The characteristics of "weak visitors" to a Park Area must therefore initially and necessarily widen themselves to the possible users of a place that belongs to everyone: this is a right we all enjoy. The ethical horizon towards which society leans and on which much of the future society depends on is represented by the accessibility and consequent demand of full rights to quality of life. 

As "weak visitors" we refer to a group of people that, while they are aware of the existence of a Park and decide to visit it and to access to its services, at the same time they are not able to pursue their objective due to various limitations. As far as economy systems work on "potential customers", they represent a "high-potential". Consequently, it is appropriate to work with this "potential" to pursue a cultural promotion through a wide, targeted and educational information. 
Therefore, requirements and opinions of 'weak visitors' must be thoroughly read. It is extremely important to recognize existing difficulties, expected improvements and an enlarged use, while taking into consideration the lack of information.., In this framework it is appropriate to single out the overall perception of National Parks and their related services by individuals with sensorial and mobility limitations. Currently we are not aware of specific researches or surveys on this matter in Italy..
Results of partial studies carried out in the United States provide interesting indications for the Park's management authorities planning the full access to services and infrastructures within their competence areas. Particularly useful is the research conducted by the National Centre of Accessibility of the University of Indiana among the visitors of five American National Parks during the Summer/Fall 2001. Visitors that answered the questions either possessed sensorial/mobility limitations or were accompanied. From the surveys conducted, we deduct the following:
- about general usability elements, opinions unanimously indicate that the most serious problems are the lack of available and well prepared personnel, as well as the lack of accurate information regarding the Park's accessibility;
- about infrastructure's accessibility, the main concerns refer to unsuitable services available (such as narrow passageways without railings, inadequate height of sanitary services, etc.), lack of accessible pathways, limited access to leisure and panoramic areas and lack of accessible parking areas.
- about the behaviour of visitors with sensorial and/or mobility limitations, it is evident that the main motivations are represented by an opportunity to observe natural attractions, to spend a day "outdoor", to relax, and have a good time. The educational aspect seems to be less important. Other attractive activities are scenic views, archaeological sites, historical sites, camping sites, fishing activities, museum visits, and excursions.

The state of accessibility of National Parks 
In the framework of the project "Parks for all: accessibility for people with disabilities", surveys were carried out on the state of accessibility and limited access to the areas of the Italian National Parks by using a questionnaire (checklist) sent to managing authorities of National Parks to be filled out. The questions were divided in three different groups: accessibility of structures, accessibility of services, and the existing social and economic entities. Furthermore we analysed the three groups separately, with a particular emphasis on training and regulations related to the accessibility for an enlarged use and to the multi-annual economic and social programmes.

STRUCTURES 
Through the survey we obtained an accurate list of the existing infrastructures and collected data on their accessibility. The following types of infrastructures were taken into consideration: rest areas, Wildlife Preserves, Park structures, Environmental Education Centres, Animal Recovery Centres, Study And Research Centres, Visitors Information Centres, museums, botanical gardens, tree orchards, youth hostels, lookout points, Park head offices, and local branches. Results highlighted the following.

Park Authority Offices
Nine offices of the National Park authority (45 %) are accessible to an enlarged use, while eleven are not (55%). Only data referring to the Park's operative offices were taken into consideration.

Additional structures inside the Parks
Data analysis resulted in a list of 386 structures inside the National Parks: 263 of them are accessible (68%), 74 are not accessible (19%) and informations were not available for 49 structures (13%). 90% of the 49 structures are inside the area of a single National Park.

Routes within the Parks
In the questionnaire it was possible to identify routes and paths inside the botanical gardens, accessible by people with mobility and sensorial limitations, points of departure, points of arrival and their characteristics, average journey time and the state of their maintenance. Results showed that 14 National Parks (70%) have at least one route accessible to an enlarged use, while 6 (30%) declared not to have any accessible path. Overall, within the 14 National Parks, 29 itineraries offer access for an enlarged use.

SERVICES
Questions in this section of the checklist were aimed at highlighting the services' availability and accessibility for an enlarged use.

Guided Tour Services
All the 20 National Parks involved, declared to provide visitors with guided tour services in 2002. With regards to the accessibility of guided visits for people with reduced mobility, thirteen Park authorities (65%) responded favourably, while seven (35%) did not. We must emphasize that this result is similar to the one previously obtained when asking about the presence of accessible routes.

Information Services (help-desk)
All Park authorities declared they have an information service in place that provides information about the accessibility and usability of the area for an enlarged use.

WEB Information Service
With regards to the internet information services, six Park authorities declared to have a website that offers information about accessibility and general use of the areas, fourteen (70%) said they do not have such services.

Environmental Education Service
With the one exception, all the National Park authorities declared that they offer or promote environmental education services and programmes. With regards to the accessibility of these programmes to people with mobility and sensorial limitations, only seven Park authorities (35%) offer environmental education services to an enlarged use, while 13 (65%) do not offer this service. The widest number of users who take advantage of such programmes is made up of elementary and secondary school students.

Informative Documents
By informative documents we refer to any publication (books, CD-Rom, etc) or other promotional material such as brochures, maps, or thematic maps with specific indications regarding the accessibility of the Park for people with mobility and sensorial limitations. In particular, six National Parks (30%) printed at least one publication on the accessibility to an enlarged use, while fourteen (70%) have not.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL REALITIES

The first two questions of this section aimed at inquiring whether the Park authorities had censured in somehow these specific subjects and structures within their territory. The third question indicated whether decisions had been adopted in favour of projects aiming at an increased accessibility to the Park for people with mobility and sensorial limitations. If a positive response was given, the Park was then asked to specify the date and the topic of the plan in addition to the deadline set for completion of the project.

Census of subjects and centres
From the analysis of the checklists, it appears that only two Park authorities (10%) have carried out a census of subjects and centres that provides assistance to people with mobility and sensorial limitations.

Projects begun/completed
Thirteen Parks (65%) declared to have considered the promotion or completion of projects aimed at favouring accessibility to the Park for people with sensorial and mobility limitations, while the remaining seven (35%) did not.

TRAINING
With regards to the training and the professional development of employees on the accessibility and the usability of the park and the activities carried out by people with sensorial and mobility limitations, only three National Park authorities (15%) declared to not undertake any kind of training on accessibility for an enlarged use.
 
REGULATIONS, PLANS FOR PARKS, MULTI-ANNUAL PLANS

With regards to the adoption of regulations or specific management plans for the accessibility for people with mobility and sensorial limitations, the analysis of the checklists highlighted the following:

- with regards to the ex art. 11, law 394/91, nine Park authorities (45%) established a set of regulations for the accessibility and usability to an enlarged use, while such regulations are absent in eleven Parks.

- with regards to the Park plans in the ex art. 12 of law n. 394/91, seven Park authorities (35%) established a set of regulations for the accessibility and usability by an enlarged use, while in thirteen Parks (65%), such regulations are absent.

- with regards to the Park multi-annual plans in the ex art. 14, law n. 394/91, seven Park authorities (35%) established a set of regulations for the accessibility and usability to an enlarged use, while in thirteen Parks (65%) there are no such regulations.

Regarding the three previous points, it is necessary to outline that information provided by Park authorities demonstrated that:

- regulations are absent in four Parks, undergoing in twelve, adopted by the authority in three, and approved by the Ministry of the Environment and Territory in one Park;

- specific Park plans are absent in four Parks, undergoing in eleven, approved by the executive board in three, and approved/adopted by the regional authorities in two Parks;

- multi-annual economic plans, are absent in seven Parks, undergoing in ten, approved by Park authorities in one, and approved by the Regional authorities in two Parks.

FRAMEWORK, STRATEGIES, AND ORIENTATION FOR THE ACCESSIBILITY OF NATIONAL PARKS

Strategies of the Ministry of the Environment and Territory 
The Ministry of the Environment and Territory, being aware of the importance of National Parks and other Protected Natural Areas for the social, economic and cultural development of the country, taking into consideration the aforementioned concepts, set the following strategies to promote accessibility and usability to persons with mobility and sensorial limitations:

-to increase, through specific training courses, the knowledge of personnel and operators that work in the system of Protected Natural Areas or National Parks, as to the needs of people with disabilities and issues related to accessibility to and usability of Protected Areas;

-to ensure the assessment and monitoring of programmes, services, and existing structures by Park authorities in order to determine the ongoing level of their accessibility for an enlarged use;

-to ensure the identification of barriers or obstacles by Park authorities, specifying how such barriers could possibly be overcome or removed;

-to ensure that all necessary actions are taken to guarantee the overcoming of identified barriers, binding to this goal part of the resources allotted to the National Pak authority and at the same time providing any necessary technical assistance; 
-to ensure that all new construction and refurbishment of existing ones and all services and programmes, including those offered by third parties, are planned according to the Universal Design and developed in conformity with identified standards and laws in force;

-to identify the proper integrative systems for mobility with regard to the needs of an enlarged use;

-to ensure the fulfilment of regulations regarding general access outlined by the framework law n. 394/91 on Protected Natural Areas, within the elaboration of multi-annual plans of economic and social promotion by National Park authorities;

-to ensure the social and professional integration of people with disabilities as outlined by the existing laws;

- to identify and define the funds for specific multi-annual plans and actions (see following paragraph) aimed at improving accessibility and general access to single Parks;

-to assign a priority level to those actions to be both carried out and financed , in order to guarantee usability of structures and services inside the National Parks.

Particular attention to such strategies is emphasized by the Ministry of the Environment and Territory as far as the interests of children, the elderly people, and those with disabilities are concerned.

Orientation and criteria for National Park authorities 
It is sensible to offer National Park authorities some methodological and operative indications that allow the organisation in a specific multi-annual planning of the main activities to be promoted, for the achievement of full accessibility in the various structures and services. Such a plan of action should be negotiated through one or more phases of development with subjects representing interested categories (elderly people, children, people with disabilities). It is also recommendable for the Park authorities to periodically report the stage of the project's development to the Ministry of the Environment and Territory, appointing an "accessibility co-ordinator" responsible for the co-ordination, planning, completion, and monitoring of plans and actions. The main goals of such program must be the following:

-to carry out an assessment at accessibility/usability level, on services and areas inside the National Parks, identifying the existing barriers;

-to define the necessary actions to overcome the identified barriers, by promoting the criteria of the Universal Design;

-to involve political, administrative, and technical actors on the matter of institutional and non-institutional Protected Natural Areas inside the Parks, thus guaranteeing a co-ordinated "system" approach to allow accessibility for the largest number of people possible;

-to guarantee access to job opportunities and a full integration within the Park activities, for people with disabilities or mobility and sensorial limitations;

-to identify proper methods of communication, information, and training essential for the achievement of the above mentioned goals;

-to carry out research at both EU and national levels on potential available funding, integrating or substituting Ministry's funds, for a full implementation of the necessary actions 

NATIONAL PARK ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY: ACTORS AND ROLES

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TERRITORY :

- Direction and control of National Park authority activities aiming at guaranteeing accessibility and usability of structures and offered services.

- Identification of specific financing possibilities for the completion of multiannual plans, concerning accessibility and related actions by national park authorities.

- Economical incentives/disincentives.

- Technical support to national park authorities and other protected natural areas.

NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITIES

- Appointment of an "Accessibility Co-ordinator"

- Development of a multi-annual plan which identifies existing barriers and necessary actions for their removal easing accessibility to structures and offered services.

- Completion of the actions to remove identified barriers.

- Periodical monitoring and reports to the Ministry of the Environment and Territory on the steps taken.

It is an invaluable opportunity for the Regions and local authorities, in their own jurisdiction, to use all the required methodological and operative indications to guarantee the monitoring of the Protected Natural Areas' system according to the present National Parks' project, assuring at the same time that authorities proceed in an efficient timeframe with the elaboration of a multi-annual plan for accessibility. The plan, before its approval, should include the points outlined in this document, one ( or more) phase of negotiation with representatives of targeted categories (elderly, children, persons with disabilities). The Ministry of the Environment and Territory pledged to implement all the required initiatives to positively stimulate National Park authorities to work towards the above mentioned goals, through economical incentive/disincentive and specific resources for the activities described in this paragraph. It is useful to mention in the following two paragraphs a few elements that should be taken into consideration when defining and completing the action plan with regards to usability of structures and services.

Structures usability 
The environmental and tourist improvement of Park territories must necessarily go through a careful process of compliance with the existing laws regarding general access and the overcoming of architectural barriers or sources of danger, inconvenience, and exhaustion.
It urges , as earlier specified, for the entire Park territory and its real estate patrimony including historical, natural, and environmental resources to set a coherent programme that allows to carry out actions aimed at ensuring easier territory access by people with mobility and sensorial limitations. These people, having autonomy limitations, need more attention and proper theoretical and effective tools to allow them to overcome architectural and natural barriers as well as the bureaucratic and managerial ones that often heavily limit the choices of the elderly people, the obese people, or the physically challenged people for any reason.
Here is where the concept of "integrated conservation" policies come into play, interwoven with the economical , cultural , environmental, and territory sustainable development policies. This concept considers the natural and cultural heritage as a special, non-renewable resource, promotes its safeguarding, maintenance, restoration, appreciation, and utilisation for public and social aims. It is therefore necessary to protect and strengthen in several aspects such as natural and historical heritage. Dealing with Protected Areas issues, with regards to an enlarged use, can be broken down into three essential actions: The overcoming of distances of footpaths, the overcoming of steps, and the easy and safe use of services and facilities within the areas.
In this framework, a separate consideration must be reserved for the role of agricultural tourism and its impact on a more straight and correct use of Protected Natural Areas, provided that are given structures that guarantee accessibility to an enlarged use. We will now further explain some of the mentioned aspects.
Abandoning the idea that a "handicapped" person can easily be compared with one who usually is confined to a wheelchair or perhaps a blind person, we open up significant opportunities to better understand the needs of "real" people, needs that notably differ from each other. We can talk of high usability when services and conceives are put into place, with a related performance level. The following considerations can be extremely useful to move from the literal application of laws to the identification of effective criteria and orientations for a more suitable and responsible structures' and services' planning . The accessibility goal must still contemplate the proper integration of norms, imagination, and common-sense.
Therefore, protection policies or "integrated conservation", interweaving several aspects of the economy, the culture, the environment, and the land, must be devoted to green areas or to naturally or environmentally notable areas. It is necessary to consider this type of patrimony as a special and non-renewable resource to be carefully safeguarded while promoting the significant use of public and social resources. One of the most meaningful aspects of strategic value, from this point of view, is the increase of "qualitative standards" and the strengthening of "environmental comfort" characteristics, the security and easy access to sites and their surroundings, including transport systems usable for the largest number of people possible.
Furthermore an increased utilisation of areas and structures within the Parks should be made feasible. Consequently, the chances of utilising cultural and tourist important heritages should be concretely promoted on the Park's environment, emphasizing evident and positive social effects, even from an economic point of view
According to article 2 of the M.D. n. 236/89, by "utilisation" we refer to a more concrete chance for people with mobility or sensorial limitations to enjoy areas, spaces, and services available within the Parks. This applies to both urban and rural areas. According to EU and WHO (World Health Organisation) data, the category of people interested in an accessible area without architectural barriers accounts for more than 20% of the population. It is therefore evident how the role of green areas affects anthropic space, because it prompts for activities which promote participation and interpersonal relations, thus becoming an important social value.
Getting closer to the identified goals implies overcoming architectural or natural barriers , banning at the same time sources of danger, inconvenience, or exhaustion. These last few problems represent real and true obstacles for many people. Even the action of walking, apparently considered among the easiest things to do, takes a determined effort and the use of energy from each of us. Depending on our individual characteristics, this effort can be more or less intense and consequently it may reduce our level of personal autonomy.
An easy and "normal" path for a young person can be too demanding for an elderly person. Often, in the presence of serious illnesses, personal autonomy is reduced to the point that it is practically null. Many situations of temporary or permanent "disadvantage" come from here, affecting one's life quality at different levels. For those who do not suffer from illnesses causing walking limitations, this action, especially if carried out in natural or green areas, provokes psychophysical improvements. For people with mobility limitations, moving about results in fatigue and discomfort, significantly reducing or eliminating the benefits that Natural Areas have to offer. In fact, the significant distances to be covered by foot or with a wheelchair sometimes constitute an insurmountable challenge. Such difficulties are worsened by the fact that natural paths usually have uneven points that increase the risk of falls and reduce levels of autonomy.
For these reasons, it is extremely important to provide people with reduced mobility with the use of electric or alternative means of transport running at the same speed of walkers. For this purpose, the Ministry of Public Works bulletin n. 1030, released on 10/06/83, states that "It must be considered that in public areas or open spaces available to the public, and which are of notable size such as green areas or parks, hospital compounds, cemeteries, or places where demonstrations or shows are performed, access by the necessary means of transport such as gardening vehicles, police cars, ambulances, etc. is required for public utility purposes. In such cases, service vehicles transporting the disabled ( together with the required documentation) must also be allowed to enter. otherwise services that are supposed to be open to all citizens would be inaccessible to such audiences".
There are currently several types of vehicles that can be suitable for a wide range of needs such as the minibus with an electric lift and ramp, the golf cart, and the recently released three or four wheel electric scooters.
It is necessary, however, for administrators and technicians to supply assistance services able to reduce and compensate for the existing difficulties allowing everyone's enjoyment and a comprehensive level of mobility and access to Natural Areas, autonomy and possibility to freely choose. Due to problems of exhaustion or discomfort, usually involved in covering long distances, it is necessary to remove all possible barriers, using the following criteria and shrewdness. Within the several areas and spaces enclosed in Natural Areas, there are different functions and activities that meet different aged people and needs of ability. These activities are generally recreational, athletic, cultural, and educational and take place either outdoor or indoor. Particularly in green urban areas, it is important that such events are planned to include sporting activities, games, and gatherings without sectioning them off. Such functions must be organically linked by an ideal covering belt to ease the passage from one activity to the other, preferably with more than one possible method of movement, thus giving many choices to the users.
In open natural spaces (Parks, Reserves, etc), where the passage of private vehicles is generally not allowed, walkways take particular importance. In order to be enjoyable by an enlarged use, they must fulfil certain performance requisites, which imply "accessibility" distinguishing mark.
It is therefore necessary to carefully identify at least those primary and significant trails that can be easily and relatively safely enjoyed by visitors with mobility or sensorial limitations.
Such trails must have transversal average characteristics and dimensions allowing access to a predictable range of visitors in different circumstances. Their course may differ in relation to the orographic and morphologic characteristics of the land, type of vegetation, etc. For these reasons, the development of trails and paths can have extremely different horizontal and vertical alignments, making heights connected by slopes.
Some height differences are anyway linked in determined paths, equipped with ramps, steps, or ladders that must always be equipped with helpful hand rails. In some cases, hand rails on both sides are extremely useful as they allow people with disabilities to assist themselves at the same time with both arms.
On this matter, it seems important to constantly bear in mind the different needs and characteristics
of visitors and use them to direct proposals for improvements of accessibility that would allow an easier use. Very often, planning or projecting for accessibility improvements, people immediately think of those who are confined to a wheelchair. Truthfully, the range of impairments goes far beyond this and should be fully and deeply considered.

THE MAIN DIRECTIVES TO BE CARRIED OUT TO CREATE ACCESSIBLE STRUCTURES AND AREAS INSIDE NATIONAL PARKS

- to guarantee the full accessibility of private vehicles to the parking area close to the sites of interest.

- to guarantee accessibility for children, the elderly people, and those with mobility and sensorial limitations to at least all public structures such as eating areas, resting areas, visitor centres, information points, etc.

- to adjust main walkways according to the length, width, elevation, and material, to render them suitable for an enlarged use.

- to identify, even if at an experimental level, certain preferential paths equipped to facilitate the mobility and orientation of people with severe mobility and sensorial limitations such as the blind and people with reduced eye sight.

- to supply electric micro vehicles (electro scooters or club cars) to be used to overcome significant distances or elevations for those with mobility difficulties and/or limited autonomy.

- to guarantee adequate communication and information about the structures' accessibility.

Services' usability 
As outlined in the previous paragraph, the promotion and sustainable development of a Park must be based on adequate services offered in the sector of environmental education, guided visits, welcoming, publications, and the professional training of its operators. Naturally it is necessary to intervene, keeping in mind the needs expressed by people with disabilities, the elderly people, children, etc.. With the following points, together with the checklist's analysis filled out by the Park authorities, we have underlined the current situation for each examined service and singled out some indications to make the services more accessible.

Environmental education
From the analysis of the checklists sent as part of the project "Parks for everyone", in March 2002, and filled out by the National Park authorities, it appears that only seven National Parks (35 %) can offer environmental education services accessible to people with mobility or sensorial limitations. Given the importance of an environmental education in training and cultural growth, it is obvious that this must represent a fundamental point in the strategic planning of the Park authorities and all other Protected Areas. This is a service that must be implemented if the Parks aim at opening themselves to the largest number of people possible. The Park must not be considered simply a static good that calls on institutions and citizens for the protection of its existence, offering enjoyable aesthetic situations. Rather, they must be considered a dynamic good, subject to changing processes so that all citizens can take advantage of the aesthetic benefits provided by the Parks. The environmental education in particular, meant as an educational action intentionally oriented at improving the relationship quality between human being and the environment that allows living: it is an environment in which Park authorities must perform an active role. In this sense, each park must develop environmental education policies, projects, and active planning, identifying affected audiences and communities. It is also essential that programs are developed to effectively communicate with all the generations that animate the life of a local community: children, youth, adults, and the elderly people. Environmental education encompasses all the phases of a person's life so that we can grow and get older in a healthy way. If our relationship with the environment is a healthy one, we are rewarded by life. This is why the Park's management authorities cannot limit themselves to aesthetic issues and must pay equal attention to the ethical and educational aspects.

Guided visits
The analysis of checklists filled out by the National Park authorities presents sufficiently positive data. There are thirteen Park authorities supposedly offering a guided visit service, accessible to a wide audience. Even in this case, observations concerning the matter of environmental education and the need to increase the implementation of such services are valid. In addition to that, a commitment is also required in this sector to wipe out repetitive actions that have lost their reason for existence. Planning and programming guided visits inside the Parks must always include the theme of change as part of the lesson. If the final result of the guided visits is exclusively the increase of visitors' knowledge, it is likely that part of the potential of this service will be lost. Actually, the guided visit must be able to represent a discriminating experience that is somehow able to separate before and after. This is particularly true when users are children and adolescents still fully involved in shaping their world representation and life itself. We can paradoxically say that the most important part of a guided visit is to experience emotions, feelings, and the essence that the Guide will be able to communicate about the construction of the relationship between people and the environment.

Information services
From the analysis of the previously mentioned checklists, it appears that all the National Park authorities declare an information service that provides information on accessibility and usability of the territory for people with mobility or sensorial limitations with. Only six (30%) propose an Internet information service capable of offering information on the Park's accessibility and usability for people with mobility or sensorial limitations. While representing positive sign, internet services must be strengthened. It is important to observe that the quantitative data revealed is certainly important, but not sufficient. The Park authorities must commit themselves to the point that both services are able to immediately communicate the Park's image to the visitor, not just as objects of an aesthetic nature but also as active subjects calling the visitor to dialogue and relate to the surrounding environment. This is not, therefore, about organising equipped areas to provide useful information, but once again about animating spaces capable of creating a quality educational experience that is focusing on the relationship between people and the environment.

Hosting structures
Such structures must respond to the criteria of simplicity, functionality, eco-sustainability, and accessibility to all, with particular attention for people with mobility or sensorial limitations. The visitor, entering park structures, must be able to follow a path of continuity between the heart of the contents that the Park communicates and the practical and structural offered conditions of welcoming. In this sense, we must further observe that the agricultural tourism structures with their particular characteristics take on a role of strategic importance useful to the achievement of improved access to Parks and all Protected Natural Areas.

Publications
From the analysis of checklists worked out by the National Park authorities, it appears that only six National Parks (30%) report released materials regarding access to the Park for an enlarged use. In this case, too, we must observe that this is a service that must be absolutely implemented, as the informative material issued by the Park Authorities is a way to reach both environmental, social and cultural aims. It is therefore important not to confine oneself simply by marketing or self-financing edges, but also to consider the publications as a strategic tool to widen the diffusion of educational contents performed by the Park authority, beyond direct contact between the visitor and the environmental Park's reality . For this service, too, it is necessary to adequately plan each activity.

Training and professional development
In this sector, the analysis of checklists provides us with less comforting data on the theme of accessibility for an enlarged use. Only three National Parks (15%) declared they had staged at least one informational seminar on the matter. Meanwhile with respect to the educational and promotional action plan on change processes attributed to the points preceding Parks' management responsibility, it seems that a fundamental strategic function must be attached to internal and external personnel training courses. By training, we do not simply refer to the organisation of events aiming at increasing technical knowledge, which is anyway required; but more importantly we must highlight the transforming and re-elaborating the nature of training, which has to act as a resource for the personnel involved in order to increase and consolidate the total resources. On the human and professional level, these are necessary for the animation of educational processes above mentioned. Therefore, not only formative events for technical knowledge improvement, but also continuous training processes will allow the consolidation of the roles of change processes; these latter shall be pursued by operators willing to consider the park not only as an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere but also as a subject of educational actions aimed at local and national communities.

THE MAIN DIRECTIVES TO BE CARRIED OUT MAKING ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL PARK SERVICES

- To implement the environmental education service in order to broaden the participation right by the largest number of people possible.

- To plan guided visits enjoyable also by people with mobility or sensorial limitations.

- To commit for making the visitor information service, including internet, capable of providing people with mobility or sensorial limitations with quick and interactive information.

- To work towards a system where the Park's hosting structures answer to criteria of functionality, eco-sustainability, and access for all the people, with particular attention to people with mobility or sensorial limitations.

- To implement and qualify Park publications, keeping in mind the needs expressed by an enlarged use as they represent an important working method not only toward the identified environmental goals, but also towards social and cultural ones.

- To improve the training sector and the professional development of operators, not only to increase their technical knowledge but also to consolidate their role as promoters of educational actions aimed at the entire community.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED 

It is essential when confronting such important and delicate issues, to establish a common vocabulary. Here, this is rather complex because the rules, laws and regulations - implemented on various levels, besides the relevant scientific and educational documentation - don't use a common vocabulary. Therefore, we will provide a glossary of the most significant terms used in this CDROM.

Ability
The interpretation and intervention capability of the existing reality to modify the existing reality itself - or its reference system - in relation to one's own field, when this doesn't correspond to the changed exigencies of that reality. (abilita'- U. Galimberti in "Dizionario di Psicologia", UTET, 1992).

Accessibility
The possibility also for people with motor or sensorial limitations to reach the facility and its related single properties, to enter them with ease and to enjoy the areas and facilities in an appropriately autonomous and safe way. (accessibilita'-D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 and D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Activity
Any expression of an organism's life including all biological, physical, motor, behavioural and/or mental processes,. (see above attivita' - U. Galimberti in "Dizionario di Psicologia". UTET, 1992).
Adaptability
The possibility to change within a certain time period the constructed area at a limited cost making it completely and easily usable also by people with physical or sensorial limitations. (adattabilita' - D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 and D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Alternative Solutions
Technical, designed solution in order to make an area accessible or the facility's utilization, apart from the implementation of the specific sizes required in the existing laws, which can overcome architectural barriers while being considered a solution according to law implied requirements. The alternative solution, before being implemented, must be approved by the relevant offices and accompanied by an explanation of the reasons; stating the solution is deemed to be necessary and with graphs or the like to suitably illustrate the proposal and the maximum results it can achieve. Besides this, the suitability of the alternative proposed solution must be certified by relevant professional, involving a specific acknowledgement . (soluzione alternativa - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Architectural Barriers 
By architectural barriers, we mean:
- physical obstacles which are a source of discomfort for mobility for everyone but especially for those individuals who, for whatever reason, have reduced capacity of movement either permanent or temporary impairment.
- Obstacles that limit or prevent the comfortable and safe use of facilities, equipment or components;
- The lack of appropriate signs or markings, which permit the finding and recognition of places or danger sources for everyone and especially for those who have visual or hearing limitations. (barriere architettoniche - D.M. LL.PP. n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Assistance Centre
A place and/or a facility organized to provide information, auxiliary services and/or assistance services in order to facilitate individuals with partial or total mobility and/or sensorial limitations in order to provide for their utilization of the area and/or services, carried out by the public or private agency (also see assistance services and call systems) (centro di assistenza -F. Vescovo, 2002).

Assistance Service
This service allows people with partial or total mobility and sensorial limitations, to utilize the facilities or provided services.
The law, D.P.R. n. 503/96 obliges all buildings, areas and public services, while awaiting adaptation, to provide a suitable assistance service beginning 180 days after the implementation of the D.P.R. This is also somewhat connected to the concept of "alternative services" D.M. n. 236/89, art. 7 (servizio di assistenza - D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Attitude
The potential capability to allow a person capable of engaging in a specific activity. (see above attitudine - U. Galimberti in "Dizionario di Psicologia". UTET, 1992).

Barriers
All those obstacles which prevent or limit usage by people temporarily or permanently having an impairment to the carrying out of actions which are easy and possible for people considered "normal"
A more complete description of the phenomenon is possible by subdividing the categories into: psychological barriers and physical barriers. The former are included in the field of the psychological and sociological sciences, which consider these obstacles being of a cultural or psychological nature that prevents full utilization of the needs and a sensible satisfaction of the demands. Those who most frequently encounter psychological barriers are the elderly when often cultural and psychological conditioning has increased the difficulties of relation and sometimes also limits some daily activities. Psychological barriers can be partially eliminated by increasing social assistance for those categories of people, which are socially weaker. Physical barriers, which certainly also have concomitant effects and implications of a psychological nature, are the dominion of urban planning, architecture and construction in general. Physical barriers can also be subdivided into two categories: architectural barriers (see term) and urban barriers, comprised of those material obstacles which prevent or limit circulation for people with sensory or mobility limitations (steep sidewalks, inappropriate crossings for pedestrians, stairs); localization barriers (which can be included in the category of urban barriers) which are comprised of those poor urban planning and architectural decisions which limit the possibility of public facilities utilization) For example, the difficulty in recognizing buildings meant for social use, making them difficult to be found by new users; the lack of coordination in the localization of equipments when it would be preferable to group the equipments together in related structures made for accessible for more widespread utilization; the excessive distance of facilities for social use from user's homes due to a lack of consideration for the maximum range of utilization. (barriere - F. Vescovo in "Accessibilita' and barriere architettoniche", Maggioli, Rimini, 1990).

Behaviour
A stable ensemble of actions and reactions of an organism after receiving stimulation from the external environment (stimulus) or from the inside of the organism itself (motivation). (comportamento - "U. Galimberti, in Dizionario di Psicologia", UTET, 1992).

Building
A unit of construction having an autonomous function, or an autonomous group of construction units , which are functionally and/or physically interconnected. (edificio - D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Buildings Refurbishment 
This category is defined in Chapter IV art. 31 letter d) of Law n. 457 of August 5th, 1978 (D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 and D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Calling System Service
A device or piece of equipment for implementing an assistance service aiming at enabling the person with partial or total mobility and sensorial limitations to use the services made available in a determined place. The calling system must be in an accessible position and marked with the sign: "conditioned accessibility". (sistema di chiamata -D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Connecting Parts of a Building
Those units in a building, which serve or connect in a functional way more than one unit in a property. (parti comune -D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Disability
The reduction or loss of functional capacity to carry out an activity in a manner or within the limits considered 'normal'. (International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps, I.C.D.H., World Health Organization (W.H.O.), 1980 (see the note to the term, handicap).

Disable 
An individual with reduction or lack of functional capacities in conducting an activity in a way or within the limitations considered to be "normal".
It was decided not to use generally the term, handicap, because it is not considered to be appropriate. (International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps, I.C.D.H., World Health Organization, 1980). It should be noted that the World Health Organization in 2001 eliminated this term and replaced it with "having different abilities" (see the note about the term, handicap).

NOTE: The ISTAT survey "Health conditions and recourse to health services", carried out in 2001, uses everyday activities to measure the extent of a disability. A disabled person is one who has serious difficulty in carrying out at least one of the everyday activities.

Electric-scooter
A one seated electrical vehicle, which has 3 or 4 wheels and which is about the same size as a wheelchair but structurally and aesthetically differs from a wheelchair with a speed that is equal to one of a pedestrian. It prevents exhaustion for people with impaired movement and it constitutes a 'Technical aid' to overcome flat and sloping land surfaces. (elettroscooter - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Elevator Platform
A device used for transporting people with mobility limitations. It has a vertically moving platform equipped with the suitable safety measures, and two gates.(piattaforma elevatrice - Source: internet web site www.superabile.it dell'INAIL).

Enlarged Use 
This refers to the portion of the population, more than 20 per cent of the total, to which "universal design" refers. This includes people with temporary or permanent partial or total mobility and sensorial limitations (the elderly, accident victims, obese people, people with arthritis etc.) (utenza ampliata - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Environmental Comfort
The group of characteristics which ease and make safe the utilization of a location, an area, equipment or service as part of the program for more "enlarged use". The concept of environmental comfort is included in the concept of 'limited accessibility' as defined in the D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 (comfort ambientale - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Environmental Unit
This refers to a defined simple space, which is suitable to house the carrying out of compatible activities. (unita' ambientale - D.M.LL.PP n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Exigencies
Needs or special requirements for individuals and the related demands, which vary in accordance to the psychophysical state of the involved person, the historic time, and to the available technology, . (esigenze - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Expectation
The anticipation or envisioning of future events leading to the implementation of the expectation. (aspettativa - U. Galimberti in "Dizionario di Psicologia". UTET, 1992).

Good Routines (examples of)
Examples of good routines are those which emphasize specific activities to support individuals with impairments, that are innovative and effective and that can also be transferred to other situations and cultures. Examples of good routines follow certain fundamental principles: the transference of practical knowledge and the encouragement of the routine to become more widespread; supporting the social integration of the person with the impairment and his independence; to allow him to reach his objective in an autonomous way. (buona prassi - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Handicap
A limitation to fulfill a normal role, as far as environment, age, sex, social and cultural expectations are concerned. (handicap - E. Matteucci, "Il Verde per tutti", Alinea Editrice, Firenze, 2000).
This is the most used term, meaning situations other than 'normal' but, unfortunately, it is a wrong stereotype, which, besides, has little meaning for accessibility and usability of the environment whether natural, or man made. In fact, the collective imaginary mainly refers to the handicapped person as someone in a wheelchair. In this way, however, one excludes most of the people having a permanent or temporary reduced capacity for movement such as the elderly, people with small children, pregnant women, people with arthritis, and those who have injuries resulting from accidents. Besides this, the term handicap is often misunderstood with the term disability. In this regard it is necessary to clarify that a disability for a person does not necessarily constitute a handicap. It becomes such when there's an impairment in normal functions' carrying out '. For this reason too, the term handicap is to be considered outdated and therefore it is not used in the present document.

NOTE: W.H.O. in 2001 released the new "International Classification of Impairment of personal activities ("disabilities" in the earlier classification of 1980) and of social Participation (formerly "handicap" or "existential disadvantage") where two or three important concepts are redefined, characterizing the morbid process:
- its external appearance: impairment;
- its objectiveness: no longer disability but rather a personal activity; 
- the social consequences: no longer handicap or disadvantage but rather different social participation.
More precisely : 
- by personal abilities one considers the nature, duration and quality of the limitation a person has in carrying out his activities, at whatever level of complexity, because of a structural or functional impairment. On the basis of this definition, every person has different abilities.
- by social participation we considered, the restriction's nature, duration and quality that a person has in all areas or aspects of his life (his sphere) because of the interaction between his impairments, the activities he carries out and the factors involved in the context.
It should be noted that in the new W.H.O. Classification, the term "handicap" has been completely abandoned.
Handicapped Person
A handicapped person (law n. 104/92, art. 3 has a physical, mental or sensorial impairment which has stabilized or which is in progress, creating difficulties in the learning, relationships and/or work areas to such an extent as to determine a social disadvantage. (See note about the term handicap).

Identity
In psychology, this term means one's personal identity which is the perception that one has of himself throughout time and which is perceived as distinct, as an entity, from all others. (identita - U. Galimberti in "Dizionario di Psicologia", UTET, 1992).

Limited Accessibility
This refers to the possibility for people with partial or total mobility and sensorial limitations, to enter social areas and at least one bathroom in every unit of property. Social areas are the living room and dining room of a residence or areas in a workplace, which are for meeting other people, according to the carried out function. (visitabilita - D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Mobility
By mobility, we mean the capability, the ability and the will of a person to cope with, in an autonomous way, environments, areas and situations under safe conditions, with efforts suitable to the result and/or the objective to reach. (mobilita - F. Vescovo, 2002).

National Park
Our National Parks are comprised of land, river, lake and/or sea areas which have one or more intact eco-systems or partially man altered ones , including physical, geological, geomorphologic or biological features of international and/or national importance for nature, science, beauty, culture, education and recreation to such an extent that State intervention is required to preserve this for the present and future generations. (parco nazionale - L. n. 394/91, art. 2, comma 1).

Natural Protected Area
Natural Protected Areas are those areas throughout Italy having physical, geological, geo-morphological and/or biological formations - together or individually - which have significant natural or environmental value. (area naturale protetta - L. n. 394/91, art.1, comma 2).

Outside Area
This pertains to the open spaces or spaces which belong to the building - or to a number of buildings - even though they may have an overhead covering. These outside areas pertain also and especially to those areas between a building and the path for public access or between a number of buildings and the path for public access. (spazio esterno -D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 and D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Person with Different Abilities
A person with different abilities presents limitations concerning the nature, duration and quality of the carrying out of his activities, on whatever level of complexity, because of a structural or functional impairment. (WHO, see note 44).

Person with Reduced Mobility
This is a person with reduced movement capacity or with a sensory impairment.
For example, this category could include:
- people who have difficulty walking;
- people who have difficulty grasping (for example, because of arthritis);
- people with young children in a stroller or baby carriage;
- people in wheelchairs;
- blind people, people with poor eyesight, deaf people, people who have speech difficulties or other problems involving communication;
- people with friends or relatives who are disabled;
- people with a temporary disability (for example resulting of a road or sports accident).
(This definition was inspired by the European Council Commission's Report about the measures to be taken throughout the EU to facilitate accessibility to transport for people with movement reduced capacities- COM(93) 433 def).

Property's Unit 
This refers to a property unit , which can be utilized and enjoyed autonomously, or to a group of these units, which are inter-connected. (D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Ramp
A limited, inclined surface (with one or more appropriate slopes determined in accordance to length), which allows easy movement from one level to another also for people who use a wheelchair or have mobility limitations (elderly people, people carrying loads, small children etc.)(F. Vescovo in "Accessibilita' e barriere architettoniche", Maggioli, Rimini, 1990).

Resting Possibilities
Facilities of various kinds and sizes allowing the person to rest in a semi-sitting position, leaning the hip in order to reduce the body weight load, providing significant benefits. ('appoggi ischiatici' - F. Vescovo, 2002).
Seating System
Equipment of various sizes, which allows "enlarged use" by helping people sit down and get up from their sitting position in a comfortable and safe way. (sistema di seduta - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Sense of Direction
Sense of direction is the capacity, acquired during one's upbringing and experience, allowing you to determine your position in relation to all the relevant objects in space (reference point) and the possibility to understand which movements and which way they should be done in order to reach an object. (orientamento - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Sources of Danger
Constructed elements, spatial or environmental situations that restrict, even partially, the passage (for width or height) and which can cause accidents due to their localization (bumps, falls etc.) 
Examples of sources of danger are those street signs which lean out from their vertical supports or from the building they are located on when placed under a height of 1.90 meters, unprotected corners of buildings or furnishing parts: transparent doors (glass, etc.) that are not made visible, railing elements whether vertical or horizontal which are distanced too much from each other, floor-mats which are not embedded (fonti di pericolo - Regione Lazio - Ass. LL.PP. Facolta' di Architettura dell'Universita' degli Studi di Roma; Servizi Socio-Sanitari DEI. Roma, 1979).

Sources of Discomfort or Exhaustion
We mean by sources of discomfort or exhaustion any circumstance, environmental situation or lack of functional organization of a construction, service, equipment etc, which can determine unfavourable reactions such as exhaustion or nervousness, representing a negative element in the carrying out of actions by the category of people with impairments. (fonte di disagio e di affaticamento - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Stair Climber
This is a device for transporting people with reduced or impaired capacity for movement. The stair climber, electrically engineered, runs along the side of a staircase or a slope. The person involved can sit on the stair climber and move up or down the slope or stairs. (montascale - Source: internet web site www.superabile.it of INAIL).

Tactile Map
A map of an enclosed or open space which can be seen and/or touched in order to facilitate the sense of direction and the understanding of a place or complex structure. This is a useful tool for everyone and it is a very useful technical aid for blinds or visually challenged people. (mappa tattile - F. Vescovo, 2002).

Technical Aids
Equipment, which mediates the people's use of the environment and/or facilities in order to allow or facilitate the greatest autonomy possible. (See also electric scooter) (F. Vescovo, 2002).
For example: auxiliary levers to increase strength in turning a faucet; 'clip' extensions to reach switches or high shelves without needing to stretch your arm when this is impaired. These auxiliaries and aids shall be, however, designed and produced taking two factors into consideration: object use peculiarities in the architectural context involved and the physical capabilities of the potential user. (ausili tecnici - Citta' di Torino - Ass. alla Sanita' e ai Servizi Sociali. "Una Citta' per Tutti", Torino, 1980).

The Rendering of the Facilities in Accordance to Requirements
The entirety of the measures needed to make the constructed areas or projects suitable in compliance with the requirements of the Ministry Decree n. 236 of June 14th, 1989. (adeguamento - D.M.LL.PP. n. 236/89 e D.P.R. n. 503/96).

Universal Design
"Universal design" refers to design, which meets the exigencies and needs of people with impairments while it is functional for an average person's use. Universal design is meant for every person's use and therefore for the so-called 'normal' people and for people with temporary or permanent impairments, children, pregnant women, the elderly people, and those carrying oversize loads etc. (E. Matteucci in "Verde per Tutti", volume 6 della collana "Progettare con il Verde", Alinea Editrice, Firenze 2000).

Urban Accessibility
The entirety of characteristics concerning the built environment - spatial, distributional, organizational - allowing easy use in autonomous and safe conditions, of the city's areas and the facilities even by people with sensorial or mobility limitations. (accessibilita' urbana - F. Vescovo in "Paesaggio Urbano" n. 1, Maggioli, 1992).

Usability
The effective possibility of safe and easy environment utilization - even by using alternative solutions or integrated auxiliary services, including the enclosed areas, natural areas and the relative equipment and services offered.
This means not only to provide people in wheelchairs with an access ramp. It means creating an environment which the majority of people can easily use whatever their physical condition is. This is required for people with various kinds of limitations, both permanent and temporary (elderly people, pregnant women, people with small children, obese and overweight people, people with baggage or carrying large packages). The term ' usability ' is different from the term "limited accessibility". For example, a trail could not have limited access according to the law standards and criteria, but it can have "usability" even by people with reduced capacity of movement, using special means such as electric scooters. (See the term electric scooter) (fruibilita - L.A. Ercolani, F. Vescovo, 2002).

Valuable Areas
Valuable areas are those, enclosed or open, which are deemed to be of particular or unique significance for historic, archaeological and/or environmental value.
These areas evoke strong emotions simply by facing them and having chance to experience their beautiful landscape, to hear melodious sounds, to perceive pleasant odours. Often these multi-sensorial experiences contribute to raising the person's awareness level and the circumstance or event remains in his memory for a long time. (spazio prezioso - F. Vescovo in "Paesaggio Urbano", 2001).

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