In October 2023 the new ‘Access Routes” project partners met in Kurzeme for the first on-site kick-off meeting. The project is being carried out by the Kurzeme Planning Region as the Lead partner in cooperation with Vidzeme Planning Region, Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities, Development Centre of Võru County, Tartu County Tourism Foundation – Lõuna-Eesti DMO, along with accessibility experts from NGO Apeirons.

#accessroutes project continues the accessibility initiatives started with the #UniGreen and #NatAc projects and aims to expand the accessible tourism destinations included on mapeirons.eu with additional nature trails, cultural heritage objects and services (catering, accommodation etc.) and develop 30 accessible 1-3 day routes in Latvia and Estonia.

The project shall also develop and install creative and effective tactile solutions at 12 sites in Latvia (Kurzeme and Vidzeme) and 9 sites in South Estonia. Cross-border approach will help to develop and ensure unified minimum accessibility criteria and brand the routes with “Disability friendly” quality sign.

Over the first half-year project period it is planned to develop a check-list and best practice guidelines on accessibility of cultural heritage objects and services (catering, accommodation etc.), which will serve as a good material for project partners, municipalities, businesses and others involved in the management of cultural heritage objects and provision of services, with an aim to assess the current accessibility level, detect the improvements needed and find efficient accessibility solutions. The partners shall start practical object and service inspections in Latvia and Estonia. This activity shall last over the whole project duration and objects and services classified as accessible shall be published on mapeirons.eu.

In summer 2024 the partners shall also start on-site inspections of nature trails in Vidzeme region and South-Estonia. These inspections shall allow to significantly supplement nature trails’ section on mapeirons.eu by uploading data on nature trails accessible to all in Vidzeme and South-Estonia.

Project will last for 2,5 years and shall finish on 31 March 2026.

Project activities are being implemented with the support of the Interreg Estonia – Latvia Programme 2021-2027.