Gardaland, one of Italy’s most iconic amusement parks, has recently signed a collaboration agreement with ULSS 9 Scaligera on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This agreement is part of the regional project “Social and Inclusive Tourism,” aimed at ensuring a conscious and inclusive welcome for everyone.
The agreement was signed at the ULSS 9 Scaligera headquarters in Verona and represents a significant step towards promoting inclusivity within the park. The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Veneto Region, with the goal of enhancing tourist experiences for people with disabilities and their families.
### A Project in Support of People with Disabilities
The “Social and Inclusive Tourism” project aims to build a network among tourist facilities, social and health services, local administrations, and citizens, in order to enhance the local realities. This initiative seeks to rethink tourism services to ensure universal hospitality, balancing economic development with new social logics.
Gardaland has committed to implementing concrete measures to further improve the park’s accessibility. Among these is a project dedicated to providing access to attractions for guests with neuro-functional disabilities. Through a partnership with a scientific team specialized in neurodevelopmental disorders, Gardaland will initiate a study aimed at analyzing safety impacts during the use of attractions.
### Guidelines for Safe Hospitality
The final outcome of this collaboration will be the creation of a technical document containing guidelines and specific protocols on accessibility. These materials will provide detailed information on the functional characteristics required to access the various attractions in the park.
To ensure effective dissemination of the initiative, ULSS 9 Scaligera will use its institutional channels to inform people with disabilities and their families about the activities proposed by Gardaland within the regional project.
### Ongoing Commitment to Inclusivity
Sabrina de Carvalho, CEO of Gardaland, stated: “Inclusivity is a fundamental value for Gardaland. Our goal is to offer a magical and accessible experience for everyone.” Among the measures already implemented are informative resources useful for planning visits, discounted rates, and reserved parking. These initiatives demonstrate the park’s commitment to an inclusive model that recognizes every person’s right to enjoyment.
Together with ULSS 9 Scaligera, Gardaland will organize informational and recreational events aimed at raising community awareness about the importance of social inclusion.
### A Replicable Model in Other Parks
The experience gained by Gardaland can serve as a replicable example in other Italian parks thanks to collaboration with the Permanent Parks Association. CEO de Carvalho emphasizes that “joining this agreement represents another step toward our goal of offering memorable experiences.”
Patrizia Benini, General Director of ULSS 9 Scaligera, added that this collaboration demonstrates how dialogue between public and private sectors can lead to tangible results in the local community.
Italian Version
