Marta Cano Fernández

Towards an accessible Camino de Santiago:

Keys for the inclusive management of Jacobean heritage  under the ULTREIA SUDOE project

Summary 

The Camino de Santiago, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, experiences an increase in pilgrims with disabilities who face physical, cognitive and communicative barriers due to the lack of adapted information and resources. Based on the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Interreg ULTREIA SUDOE project has developed a transversal line to promote a culture of universal accessibility that allows the implementation of policies that guide the planning and organization of the Camino de Santiago. 

This article analyzes the guidelines and conclusions drawn from its Guide to good practices of inclusiveness (2024) and the reports made after analyzing the accessibility of 5 environments of the Camino de Santiago in Spain -Cantabria (Camino Lebaniego), Castilla y León, Galicia-, Vila Pouca de Aguiar (Portugal) and Eauze (France), together with people with disabilities and professionals. Through the analysis of the "accessibility chain" in itineraries, transport, services and events, public and private management guidelines are proposed that demonstrate how universal design in heritage environments not only guarantees rights, but also revalues territorial socio-economic development.

Keywords: Universal accessibility, inclusion, accessibility chain, heritage management, universal design.

1. Introduction

The experience of the Jacobean pilgrimage generates a two-way sociocultural and economic impact between the walker and the territory. However, to guarantee the intrinsic right of participation to everyone, regardless of age, health or disability, the management models of the Camino de Santiago must evolve towards universal design.

Under this normative and social approach, the European project Interreg ULTREIA SUDOE (S1/4.6/E0068) promoted the creation of a Guide to good practices of inclusiveness. This technical document is not limited to the figure of the traditional pilgrim, but extends its recommendations to event organizers, volunteers and professional teams, assuming that accessibility benefits society as a whole and optimizes the common good.

2. The accessibility chain in the way of santiago

Real inclusion requires considering the ‘accessibility chain’: failure in a single link (e.g., an accessible pilgrim hostel connected by an impracticable path) invalidates the entire experience. The guide articulates its recommendations into five critical vectors:

1. Information and Communication: It is key to digitize and centralize updated data on the accessibility conditions of the sections and services so that people have such information before starting the road, using accessible formats and web accessibility guidelines.

2. Transport: Ensuring the use of accessible public transport, with regular hours and accessible information and PMR parking spaces (People with Reduced Mobility) in the municipalities of the Camino, is another essential element to enjoy this experience.

3. Pedestrian and Natural Itineraries: It is important to differentiate the urban environment from the natural one when it comes to promoting adaptations. In historic quarters, priority should be given to the single platform and footpaths. In the natural environment, given the impossibility of eliminating all slopes and soil irregularities, accessibility criteria must be applied, on signage and information posters (crosses, equipment, rest areas, length throughout the … route), security elements to avoid risk situations, access and furniture in rest areas, shadows and the provision of support products (directional bars, Nordic walking harnesses or joëlette) chairs with human support. Likewise, it is also recommended to establish and indicate alternative itineraries that can be used autonomously and safely by all people, duly indicated.

4. Services and Tourist Offer: Adaptation of the built heritage (churches, museums…) and, especially, of the network of pilgrims’ hostels and restaurants, public toilets, health services, combining physical, cognitive and sensory accessibility, with adequate attention and protocols of interaction with people.

5. Events and Social Economy: Apply universal design criteria in Jacobean Years programming and road-related activities. For its implementation, it is proposed as a key ally to the Social Economy, whose territorial roots and experience with people in situations of greater vulnerability, ensures sustainable social and economic cohesion.

The guide finally provides self-assessment questionnaires for public managers and private actors to autonomously audit the level of inclusion of their resources. The Guide to good practices of inclusiveness for the managers of the Camino de Santiago can be consulted at the following link:  https://interreg-sudoe.eu/resultado-proyecto-2/guia-de-buenas-practicas-de-inclusividad-para-los-gestores-de-los-caminos-de-santiago/

The project has a website where you can expand information: https://interreg-sudoe.eu/proyecto-interreg/ultreia_sudoe/ 

3. Conclusions and impact assessment

The Camino de Santiago is an experience that should be enjoyed by all people, but the current situation makes its route a challenge, impossible to overcome if you do not have numerous supports. By promoting coordinated measures amongst the various stakeholders involved along the route – in areas such as information and communication, transport, nature trails, accommodation and cultural heritage, amongst others – many more people could enjoy the experience under far better conditions than at present. 

Accessibility in complex cultural and natural environments should not be understood as a technical limitation, but as an opportunity for social innovation that systematically eliminates exclusion.

Financing

This study has been developed under the funding of the European Union in the Interreg ULTREIA SUDOE project (S1/4.6/E0068).

4. References 

• CERMI Cantabria. (s.f.). Good practices in the interaction with people with disabilities / Guide to organize accessible shows. Retrieved from http://www.cermicantabria.org 

• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. (2021). Technical accessibility guide for the network of natural roads. Government of Spain. https://www.mapa.gob.es 

• United Nations (UN). (2006). International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. https://www.un.org 

• ONCE Foundation / Vía Libre. (2020). Technical guide for accessibility in natural areas. Accessibility Observatory. https://accessibility observatory.es 

• Project Interreg ULTREIA SUDOE (S1/4.6/E0068). (2024). Guide to good practices of inclusiveness for the managers of the Caminos de Santiago. https://interreg-sudoe.eu/result-project-2/guide-of-good-practices-of-inclusivity-for-the-managers-of-the-paths-of-santiago/ 

Author:  Marta Cano Fernández

Asociación Amica, Cantabria