Prepared for what lies ahead in tourism
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F.acT: Deaf Awareness Week has been held in the Wipptal region for over 15 years. How did the idea to launch this accessible program for Deaf people and hard-of-hearing people originally come about?
Helga Beermeister: Our former branch director in Trins, Jörg Covi, who sadly passed away in 2022, originally came up with the idea of offering a week-long vacation for Deaf people. He contacted the Tyrolean Association for the Deaf, which supported him in bringing the idea to life. As a result, we have been offering a special program for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people for many years now, thereby creating a platform for exchange, culture, physical activity, and community. The varied program is fully accompanied by sign language interpreters and includes guided hikes and e-bike tours, as well as cultural and culinary highlights, lectures, and excursions to neighboring South Tyrol. In this way, we offer a vacation free of communication barriers.
F.acT: What are the needs of this target group, and how can we ensure that the services, communication, and tourism infrastructure are truly tailored to the needs of Deaf people and hard-of-hearing guests?
Helga Beermeister: Theactivities must be accompanied by sign language interpreters. It’s important to allow a little extra time for all program items, since Deaf people are very interested and every question naturally has to be “translated.” Every year, we offer a mix of sports and cultural activities. Since many regular guests have been attending the Deaf Weeks for many years, we are, of course, happy to accommodate specific requests from participants and offer new program items each year.
Helena Beermeister
F.acT: What makes Deaf Week in Trins so special for the participants, the region, and the tourism association—and what significance does it have for active inclusion in the Wipptal?
Helga Beermeister: What makes it special is that, over time, many guests have developed an almost friendly relationship with the guides, interpreters, and organizers. The participants’ enthusiasm for our unspoiled nature and their interest in regional specialties alone are, year after year, the greatest and most heartfelt thank-you for our efforts. The Wipptal aims to be a region for everyone, which is why, in addition to Deaf Week,“Vacation Weeks for People with Disabilities and Their Families”are held annually at the Alpin Retreat St. Michael. In addition, the Steinach Sports Club, together with the Bergeralm Mountain Railways and the Wipptal Tourist Board, has been organizing a Para-Alpine World Cup for several years now—so inclusion is practiced on multiple levels in the Wipptal.