New experiences for the disabled and persons...

New experiences for disabled people and persons with special needs in Slovenian mountains.

Following good previous responses and strong desire, this year the Alpine Association of Slovenia or its committee Mountaineering for Disabled/People with Special Needs (Pin/OPP) will continue its mission to enable equality of mountaineers and accessibility of mountains for all. This year, to successful actions such as Gibalno ovirani gore osvajajo, Gluhi strežejo v planinskih kočah, Slepi in slabovidni osvajajo vrhove, Slepi/slabovidni planinci po Slovenski planinski poti (SSP po SPP), we have added the action Skupaj v hribe - Nevrorazlični AMA and planned a new online display of mountain trails for disabled/OPP. A novelty this year is also that we will combine different actions in one hike and thus even more strongly prove that united with partners we can achieve more.



The Alpine Association of Slovenia or its committee Mountaineering for Disabled/People with Special Needs (Pin/OPP) has been implementing activities for disabled/OPP in collaboration with partners for several years.



The most resonant is the action Gluhi strežejo v planinskih kočah (GSPK), which the Pin/OPP committee prepares in collaboration with Mladinskim društvom za osebe z okvaro sluha VKLOP/IZKLOP (MOOSVID). So far, deaf/hard-of-hearing have served in 35 huts, this year's plan adds 11 more huts. "If we include this year's plan, which we hope to successfully implement despite current conditions, the total number of huts will rise to 46. The GSPK action enters its fourth year and we can already say it is traditional. With the action, we are writing history with examples of good inclusion practices," said Jurček Nowakk, head of the Pin/OPP committee. With the action's slogan "let's be inclusive," they weave the meaning of inclusion in the hills and mountains, which is also spreading to the valley. The action involves deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing volunteers. "This year's novelty is new huts, we also have two new members in the working group, and new volunteers will join the action. Their training took place remotely. All huts are also linked with other committee activities and working groups, the offer is enriched, inclusion is emphasized, interaction between categories of disabled/OPP."



The action Slepi/slabovidni osvajajo vrhove (SSOV) enters its third year. Slepi/slabovidni planinci po Slovenski planinski poti (SSP po SPP) completed six stages last year. The group has 34 blind/visually impaired and on the hike there are at least twice as many, as each needs an escort. This year they continue the trail over 19 planned SPP stages. Kulturno-prosvetno in športno rekreativno društvo slepih in slabovidnih "KAREL JERAJ" collaborates with the Pin/OPP committee.



The action Gibalno ovirani gore osvajajo (GOGO) celebrates its second year. This year, from April to October, volunteers with mobility impaired will visit new peaks and huts. They will start on April 24 at Koča Antona Bavčerja na Čavnu and end at Tončkov dom na Lisci on October 23. The action will also this year take place under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor. The Slovenian company H-BIT, d.o.o. remains the proud general sponsor of the action. Collaborating with PZS are also Sonček - Zveza društev za cerebralno paralizo Slovenije so. p., Zveza paraplegikov Slovenije, and from this year also Društvo distrofikov Slovenije.



April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and this year's committee novelty is the action Skupaj v hribe - Nevrorazlični AMA. AMA is an acronym from the first letters of autism, intellectual disability, and ADHD. Differences are not obstacles to full, active, and social experience of mountains. The action does not pigeonhole individuals, allows them to be included in the group and reach the goal in their own way and at their own pace. "We will ensure an inclusive, fun, and safe path to the goal. On the way to the top, volunteers will be present who will be available for conversation, guidance, connection, and support. At the goal, fun and diverse program will be provided," added Marjeta Čič, deputy head of the Pin/OPP committee. The AMA - Nevrorazlični action will this year for the first time unite the Alpine Association of Slovenia, the Mountaineering for Disabled/People with Special Needs committee, Društvo ASPI, Zavod Mavrični bojevniki, Zvezo Sožitje, Sonček - Zvezo društev za cerebralno paralizo Slovenije so. p., and CIRIUS Vipava. The richness of such networking is the meeting of neurodiverse at the same place and time.



All committee actions so far have been very well received and had numerous positive responses. "We are aware that much more needs to be supplemented and raise the awareness of members of partner organizations to a higher level. We hope that in the future we will also expand the actions media-wise and make them recognizable," added Marjeta Čič.



The Mountaineering for Disabled/OPP committee includes new volunteers for whom professional staff prepares training. Newcomers, in addition to the presentation, get the opportunity to ask disabled people firsthand how they go to the hills, how they experience them, what they look forward to, and what kind of help they need and expect. "This way we make the first step and doors open to us to the world of disability. At the beginning, there is surprise, uncertainty. In addition to direct contact with difference, there is also a large note of personal perception and positioning oneself in relation to difference," explained Jurček Nowakk. Volunteers for all Pin/OPP committee actions also come from other organizations, not only the Alpine Association of Slovenia. They also collaborate with Slovenska Karitas, Združenjem slovenskih katoliških skavtinj in skavtov, Zvezo tabornikov Slovenije, and other smaller humanitarian organizations and individuals.



This year the wish is to collect and prepare the first online display of mountain trails accessible to disabled/OPP and wheelchair users. "With this, with the help of digitalization, we will open new possibilities for social inclusion of disabled/OPP. This will enable them greater opportunity for independent movement in nature/hills. With collected trails and information on trails, we would enable disabled, people with special needs, and wheelchair users to safely and diversely experience mountaineering, to experience hills, to experience discovery, exploration of nature with the support of the application," optimistically announced Jurček Nowakk.



Diversity of relationships and experiences enriches us. Such actions not only encourage movement but above all mutual connection and learning to live with those different from us. "Inclusion is the process of doing something that everyone would initially reject, that it doesn't work. Doing something they say doesn't work, that you won't manage, that you don't have enough fitness, that it's too dangerous. Hikes are impetus, motivation, joy of life, positive experience that gives positive impetus to everyday life," added Marjeta Čič.