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F.acT: How did you come to organize Mountain Echos on the Patscherkofel? What was your motivation?
Hannah Tauscher: The idea for Mountain Echos arose from my personal passion for the mountains and the conviction that nature experiences should be accessible to everyone - including people with visual impairments. The Patscherkofel was the ideal location: easily accessible, with few barriers and a beautiful landscape. Our motivation was to create an event that breaks down barriers, enables encounters and shows how nature can be experienced beyond sight.
F.acT: Who did you want to address with this event? Who was your target group?
Hannah Tauscher: We wanted to reach a mixed target group: People with visual impairments, interested sighted people, families, outdoor enthusiasts, experts and clubs. It was particularly important for us to bring together sighted and non-sighted people - an exchange that took place intensively on the day of the event. Participants were able to experience how diverse and intense nature can be experienced with all the senses.
F.acT: What were the biggest challenges in planning and implementing the event?
Hannah Tauscher: The biggest challenge was funding, as the event was to be free of charge and we wanted to offer a high-quality, accessible experience. Many budgets from companies had already been allocated, which delayed the planning. Creating a well-founded accessibility concept also required a lot of coordination with experts and those affected. On the day of the event itself, the coordination of all program items and stakeholders was challenging, but worked smoothly thanks to the strong team.
Q.acT: Are there plans to repeat or continue the idea? And if so, in what form?
Hannah Tauscher: Yes! Mountain Echos should definitely be continued. We are planning a new edition in 2026 on the Patscherkofel, possibly with a new focus. We will also help shape the program at the Wings For Life App Run Innsbruck with an inclusive program. We are working on developing long-term inclusive offers, such as workshops, educational programs or permanent accessible nature stations. Our aim is to establish Mountain Echos as a model project for inclusive nature experiences in Tyrol.
