The Paradise for All: Norms and Inspirations to Expand Accessibility in Brazilian Protected Areas

Abstract

Protected natural areas, such as the parks, part of the so called ‘conservation units’ in Brazil, have the potential to provide significant and authentic connection of people with nature, bringing numerous social, cultural, spiritual and social health benefits. Although many of these areas have among their management objectives the promotion of recreation and leisure, there are many barriers of access encountered by potential visitors, and especially by people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility. This significant portion of the population can, on the other hand, strengthen the perception and understanding of the importance of these areas in society, from the opportunity to know them and have significant experiences. We bring an analysis of the legal predictions of accessibility in public natural areas in Brazil as well as a description of relevant experiences in Chile and the USA, chosen for providing vast published material and for contrasting in terms of economic development. Brazilian legislation is robust in determining inclusion in natural spaces, however, it is not consistently internalized in institutions and projects. In the two countries studied, inclusion was programmatically inserted in the institutions that manage the natural areas, in the form of guides, regulations, training and projects. In the case of the USA, since 1978. In Chile, the visitation by this public increased by 74% between 2006 and 2015. There is a rich range of possibilities and alternatives to face the challenge of inclusion, but for its effectiveness it is essential to raise awareness and mobilize coherently and continually the management agents and institutions, with the participation of social organizations and direct stakeholders, so that a positive agenda around the theme is created.