Arctic life should basically be for everyone, regardless of functional ability, and some are also trying to make extra arrangements for it.
What is universal design?
Universal design = Accessibility for all. Simply put, it is about shaping society so that everyone has access everywhere. Everyone should be able to use the same entrance to a public building or workplace, go to the nearest school and take the same train. Most new public buildings in Norway are universally designed, but note that older buildings are not always equally well-equipped.
Several travel destinations and tourism companies have worked with and offer experiences adapted for more people. Here are some of them:
Lofoten Beach Camp, XXLofoten & Thon Hotel Lofoten
Lofoten Beach Camp works towards inclusive tourism by offering universally designed facilities, including two new disabled toilets and adapted passages from the camp to the beach. They cater for all ages and needs with campsites for campers/tents, as well as activities such as surfing and SUP.
- Infrastructure: New service buildings and universal design of reception, walkways, shop and restaurants.
- Accessibility: Specially adapted access to the beach area, making it easier for wheelchair users to enjoy Skagsanden.
- Activities: Offers surfing lessons, SUP rental and kayaks adapted to different levels.
- Accommodation: Offers campsites, rooms and cabins.
There should be good adaptations in the common areas, including sanitary facilities and outdoor areas. Read more about this at Lofoten Beach Camp. XXLofoten also offers adapted experiences in Lofoten, including RIB tours, sea eagle safaris, kayaking and northern lights tours. They focus on offering tailor-made solutions for guests with different needs, such as disabilities, to ensure good experiences in the spectacular nature. It is recommended to contact them directly for specific needs via XXLofoten.
Thon Hotel Lofoten (and affiliated Thon Hotel Svolvær) actively works with universal design to ensure accessibility for all guests, including those with disabilities. The hotel focuses on accessible rooms, a telecoil in the reception/conference room, and training employees in universal design. They are part of a larger commitment to accessible tourism in the region. Key initiatives and focus areas for them are:
- Universal Design: Thon Hotels follows universal design requirements, both physically and digitally (WCAG guidelines for websites).
- Physical accessibility: The hotel has accessible rooms and public areas, including a telecoil in the reception area and in conference departments.
- Inclusive workplace: The Thon Group actively works for diversity and equality, and functions as an inclusive workplace for all.
- Local engagement: Thon Hotel Lofoten has been positively highlighted in connection with research projects on accessible tourism in Lofoten.
- Competence: Employees undergo training that includes universal design to ensure good service to all guests.
These initiatives are part of Thon Hotels’ overall corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability work. Read more at Thon Hotel Lofoten.
Arena Storheia in Hadsel, Vesterålen
Arena Storheia is a project developed with the goal of being accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users, through the adaptation of infrastructure in the mountain. Here are the main points about wheelchair accessibility:
- Asphalt road: An asphalt road has been established from Husby and up towards Storheia, which makes it possible for electric wheelchairs to reach the top.
- “The Extra Mile”: The project focuses on making the mountain accessible to everyone, regardless of functional level, and includes adaptations for wheelchairs, bicycles and skis.
- Coping and public health: The goal is to offer nature experiences and coping for all users.
- Adaptation: Work is being done to signpost and mark the trails according to standards that also take wheelchair users into account.
The project has made an area that was previously difficult to access accessible to people with disabilities. – We know that we cannot satisfy all requirements related to universal design, but we will go as far as we can so that as many people as possible can use all or parts of Storheia. We want more people to have the opportunity to stand on top of the mountain and watch the Hurtigruten sail into Hadselfjorden. In order for us to succeed with the content of this work package, the municipality’s council for people with disabilities is strongly involved, says the general manager of Storheia. Read more about this at Arena Storheia.
I think it’s absolutely fantastic that it has been paved from Husby all the way up to Storheia. It makes the municipality more inclusive, and has helped me experience a part of Vesterålen that was previously inaccessible to me, says Ingeborg Aurora Øverli, a wheelchair user.
Tromsø Accessible Tours
Tromsø Accessible Tours works to make Arctic experiences accessible to everyone, regardless of disability. They adapt activities such as Northern Lights hunting, fjord excursions and sightseeing so that wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility can participate safely:
- Special adapted transport: They use wheelchair-accessible vehicles, ensuring safe transportation in the Arctic landscape.
- Universal design: The tours focus on accessible routes and attractions, such as accessible areas at popular landmarks.
- Adapted experiences: They ensure that guests with different needs can experience highlights such as the Northern Lights and fjord scenery without obstacles.
Their focus is on removing physical barriers to offer a full Arctic experience for all travelers. Read more at Tromsø Accessible Tours.
National tourist routes take you to the most beautiful places
Six of the eighteen National Tourist Routes are in Northern Norway. Their stopping points are specially adapted for people with reduced mobility. In Northern Norway, the beautiful country roads crisscross the landscape, one more impressive than the other. National Tourist Routes are 18 drives through beautiful Norwegian nature where the experience is enhanced by innovative architecture and thought-provoking art.
Sokki Adventure, Kautokeino
Sokki Adventure facilitates wheelchair users through extensive physical measures at the camp in Kautokeino. They offer accessible experiences such as reindeer herding, lasso throwing and ice fishing using plank bridges/floors, snowmobile transport with sleds, and specially built platforms on the ice.
How Sokki Adventure works for accessibility:
- Reindeer enclosure: Plank bridges have been laid out to ensure accessibility for wheelchair users inside the enclosure.
- Activities: A separate plank floor has been created to test lasso skills, and reindeer herding is set up so that it is easy to participate.
- Ice fishing: Transport to the fishing spot is by snowmobile, where the wheelchairs are transported on a sled. On the ice there is a ramp from the scooter and deployed plates (in an inverted L shape) that function as stations. These plates are wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass each other.
This makes it possible for wheelchair users to actively participate in Sami cultural experiences on an equal basis with others.
“Arctic living” for all
It is important to us that everyone, regardless of their functional ability, should be able to experience what Arctic Norway has to offer. This includes everything from wheelchair users, the blind and visually impaired to families with small children traveling with strollers. Visit Alta has compiled an overview of their partners who have the opportunity to adapt their activities to, for example, wheelchair users.
Easier travel for people with reduced mobility
For information on accessible transportation, travel tips, activities and hotels, read the information article on tips for easier travel for people with reduced mobility.
Available experiences in Svalbard
Svalbard is known for being a rugged and arctic destination that is not for everyone, but Visit Svalbard has conducted a review to see what is actually more accessible to more people. Several of Longyearbyen’s hotels and accommodations are aware of accommodating visitors with special needs. Some tour operators in Longyearbyen offer private tours that can be adapted to your needs, such as guided city walks, activities for the visually and hearing impaired, and tailor-made experiences. Read more about this at Visit Svalbard.
Here in Svalbard we have also had a visit from Adele Heidenreich in Endless Adventures. Read more about her experiences in the travelogue. Tilgjengelig Polarnatt (in Norwegian).
How can your tourism business contribute to more accessible tourism?
For four years, ACCESSTOUR has worked to increase knowledge about accessible tourism and develop tools for the tourism industry. To contribute to the development of tourism that is accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of functional level. Read more about what you can learn from this in our article Tilgjengelig reiseliv – hva kan vi lære fra ACCESSTOUR (in Norwegian).