The Accessibility Act of 11 January 2005 stipulated that by 1 January 2015 all establishments open to the public should be accessible to disabled people. It was all the more difficult to apply to campsites as the areas of application were multiple, traffic, reception, accommodation, access to facilities, etc. Nevertheless, the professionals have made great efforts to meet the new standards and in the campsites, this has not only resulted in the construction of a few ramps.
Specially designed accommodation
Most establishments offer one or more adapted accommodations. Most of these are mobile homes, but in recent years manufacturers have expanded their range to include chalets and even specially designed tents. Whatever the type of accommodation chosen, the rules are almost the same: optimised circulation areas for wheelchairs, lowered and adapted kitchen units, lowered wall units, bathrooms with walk-in showers and transfer bars around the toilets, lower beds, etc. In addition, builders have made great efforts to ensure that "PRM accommodation" no longer looks like... hospital rooms.
Accessible leisure activities
The accessibility law also applies to everything that has to do with leisure activities on the campsite. For example, in the swimming pool, this means a wider, gently sloping foot bath, the installation of a launching gate, etc. In the wellness areas, if there are no "PRM spas", adaptations have been made such as equipment built into the ground or the use of the same transfer devices as the swimming pool. For the sauna or hammam, access ramps can be installed and chairs adapted to hot and humid environments can be provided.
In addition, playground manufacturers now offer a complete range of adapted structures. For outdoor fitness areas, the current trend is to mix and match workshops to make them even more of a meeting place. Some brands have designed structures on which you can mount an able-bodied and a PRM machine.
Making life easier for disabled people
In addition to accommodation and equipment, the campsite also provides services and facilities for disabled people. For example, there are trolleys with special tyres that allow you to drive on the sand of a beach and make it easier to get into the water. For blind guests, some campsites (e.g. Cala Gogo in Saint-Cyprien) have provided welcome booklets in the form of MP3 players which they make available on arrival. In the same spirit, other campsites have provided "raised pathways" to help people find their way around the campsite, which are different depending on whether they lead to the aquatic area, the reception, the restaurant, etc.
Labels
Before you even book, the best way to check that the campsite where you plan to spend your holiday is state of the art in welcoming disabled people. Check if it has the 'Tourisme & Handicap' label (Tourism and Disability). This is characterised by a blue sign, usually placed at the entrance to a campsite, which clearly informs disabled people about the accessibility of the establishment according to their disability.
It is all the more reliable and trustworthy because it is not easy to obtain, as the award criteria are quite strict. On the signs, you can see at a glance whether the campsite is certified for 1, 2, 3 or 4 disabilities (hearing, mental, motor, visual).