After the successful completion of the DANOVA project, the implementation of the DANOVA NEXT project began with a workshop on the assessment of needs and existing solutions for people with disabilities, held on June 4 at the University of Dubrovnik. The DANOVA project focused on improving transport accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals, while the DANOVA NEXT project is expanded to include all other people with disabilities.
Hrvoje Spremić, Deputy Chief Director of the Ruđer Bošković Airport, presented the DANOVA NEXT project. Darijo Jurišić, the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities, presented the legal framework for transport services for people with disabilities. Miho Katičić, Deputy Head of the Department of Education, Sports, Social Welfare, and Civil Society, presented examples of good practices in the City of Dubrovnik for equalizing opportunities for people with disabilities. These examples will serve as a template for the implementation of the DANOVA NEXT project.
The result of the EU project DANOVA is improved accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals in Dubrovnik's transport infrastructure. Project partners included Dubrovnik Airport and Dubrovnik Port Authority, with active participation from representatives of the City of Dubrovnik and the public utility company Libertas Dubrovnik.
Through its pilot actions, Dubrovnik Airport installed a total of 150 meters of external and 240 meters of internal tactile guiding lines. Additionally, 55 tactile warning fields were installed, 19 outside and 36 inside the terminal, along with 6 tactile orientation plans. Dubrovnik Airport and Dubrovnik Port Authority improved the accessibility of their websites for blind and visually impaired individuals. Dubrovnik Port Authority also marked points of interest within the Dubrovnik Port passenger terminal in Gruž with contrasting Braille stickers. The project also included training for the staff of the Airport, Port Authority, and other stakeholders to raise awareness and improve the quality of interaction with blind and visually impaired individuals.
In addition to managing a specialized vehicle for transporting people with disabilities, with costs fully covered by the City of Dubrovnik, the company Libertas Dubrovnik adapted the accessibility of its vehicles for people with disabilities. The introduction of voice announcements of bus stops on all city and suburban lines is underway, significantly facilitating the movement and transportation of blind and visually impaired individuals in the Dubrovnik area, as well as numerous visitors to Dubrovnik.
