The Paradise for All: Assessment of Accessibility for People with Disabilities in Federal Protected AreaProtected natural areas (PAs), such as parks, in addition to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, provide a significant connection between people and nature, with numerous benefits on social, cultural, spiritual, physical and mental dimensions of live. Nevertheless, public use in PAs carries a wide range of challenges, which become more acute in the case of accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, who account for almost ¼ of the Brazilian population (6.7% with severe condition). We present a diagnosis of accessibility in National Parks and Forests in Brazil, categories whose management objectives emphasize public use and which have, at the federal level, recent data on conditions for tourism. 70 responses were obtained to the questionnaires sent to teams from 140 PA, and 19 users with accessibility demands were interviewed. The results were compared with data on conditions for visitation according to an array of opportunities for public use. Initiatives towards accessibility are directly related to the total number of visitors as well as to the degree of implementation of public use. Some accessibility initiative was reported by 36% of the respondent PAs, often an answer to local demands, not always foreseen in a management plan or equivalent document. Successful experiences were reported, showing a wide range of practical and viable possibilities and alternatives to make accessibility real. Even with the current difficulties, users valued the visits made. Spontaneous actions predominate, most related to individual attitudes; they

Abstract

Protected natural areas (PAs), such as parks, in addition to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, provide a significant connection between people and nature, with numerous benefits on social, cultural, spiritual, physical and mental dimensions of live. Nevertheless, public use in PAs carries a wide range of challenges, which become more acute in the case of accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, who account for almost ¼ of the Brazilian population (6.7% with severe condition). We present a diagnosis of accessibility in National Parks and Forests in Brazil, categories whose management objectives emphasize public use and which have, at the federal level, recent data on conditions for tourism. 70 responses were obtained to the questionnaires sent to teams from 140 PA, and 19 users with accessibility demands were interviewed. The results were compared with data on conditions for visitation according to an array of opportunities for public use. Initiatives towards accessibility are directly related to the total number of visitors as well as to the degree of implementation of public use. Some accessibility initiative was reported by 36% of the respondent PAs, often an answer to local demands, not always foreseen in a management plan or equivalent document. Successful experiences were reported, showing a wide range of practical and viable possibilities and alternatives to make accessibility real. Even with the current difficulties, users valued the visits made. Spontaneous actions predominate, most related to individual attitudes; they are valuable, but evidence the urgent need of institutionalizing the theme in the management bodies of the PA, with guidelines, training and other strategies.