Rimini, Italy: A Lesson in How to Make Your Community Inclusive and Welcoming
When we think of Italy, we typically think of the beautiful Tuscan mountains, Roman ruins, enchanting Venetian canals, or the stunning beaches surrounding the inland. The sites and landscapes of Italy are what beckon me back again and again. Yet, there is something equally remarkable I discovered when I visited Rimini this past summer. The bustling beach area offers a little-known model for inclusion and accessibility that stands to inspire you to reevaluate your expectations for the United States and elsewhere.
The Un-vacation Vacation
For the past ten years, I have either taught university study abroad courses or a course for a university in Italy. I teach courses on inclusion, disability, accessibility, and Recreational Therapy. This past summer was going to be the first trip I would have taken that did not involve teaching or research. I found it wonderfully strange to pack three novels rather than course notes and handouts.
I left the United States excited to watch the Palio racehorse in Siena, Italy, and celebrate my birthday in the magical city of Florence. I had a week of unscheduled time between visiting cities, so I planned as I went. After spending two less-than-memorable days in Bologna, I decided to visit Rimini. I had not yet seen that region of Italy and learned that it had a nice mix of sites and beaches.
More than Roman Ruins
Rimini Beach?spans just over nine miles and is situated along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, approximately 166 miles south of Venice. Rimini Beach is the 14th of 16 beaches that comprise the Italian Riviera, otherwise known as the Riviera Romanogla. Rimini beach is close to the small downtown rich in Roman history. Circa 1843, the Papal government officially designated its first beach resort. Almost as if to know its future role as an inclusive beach community, the next resort was created with a focus on hydrotherapy for those who appreciated the therapeutic benefits of sea-bathing. After the second world war, several beach resorts opened, and Rimini quickly became a desirable travel destination. Today, Rimini Beach is replete with hotels, restaurants, and beach bars visited by locals and tourists alike.
More than Fresh Seafood
It was the middle of August 2022, and the Italians were enjoying their time on vacation. I arrived in Rimini, unpacked and changed, before heading back to the lobby to ask the?hotel?attendant for a recommendation. She suggested I visit the restaurant and Bagno 62. I did not yet understand what that meant but wasted little time finding it. As I waited for my lunch, I noticed a man using a wheelchair make his way from behind the restaurant down a long pathway through rows of seats and umbrellas.
From 1 to 128 Access Points
As happy as I was to see a person using a wheelchair enjoy beach access in front of where I ate lunch, it paled compared to what I was about to learn. I exited the restaurant and walked the same pathway down to the water before turning south and walking a mile down the beach. As I walked, I noticed similar walkways approximately every 50 yards. I quickly realized that these walkways are available at every “bagno” along the beach.
Bagno, sometimes recognized as the word for bathroom or toilet, translates to bath. I came to learn that it also means to go swimming. Along the Rimini beaches, the word serves to identify a location area along the beach and corresponds with beach access points. Bagnos include staff stands, and often, restaurants or cafes.
I then observed people using personal and beach-access wheelchairs at several points along the beach. I wanted to learn more. I went back to the hotel to do some research. I stopped and asked the attendant if she knew anything about accessibility for people with disabilities. As her eyes brightened, she cheerfully explained that there are, she estimates, 128 bagnos, each of which is accessible. She handed me a piece of paper with the numbers of four bagnos because each of them offered services for people with disabilities. She suggested I should visit each of them.
While looking for information about the four bagnos she listed, I learned much about accessibility and the Rimini beaches. I found that each bagno has at least some adapted beach equipment for people with disabilities.?Their?aim is “…to provide the maximum freedom of movement and a 360-degrees accessibility.” Each bagno includes access ramps, accessible toilets, and specialized beach wheelchairs, also called “job” chairs. In addition, workers assist people of varying needs so that all visitors can enjoy their holidays in what they describe as “worry-free.”
Of note is the partnership between Le Spiagge Rimini and?Rimini Autismo?— an organization that provides services to people with autism. To assure that the beaches are fully accessible, they work with hotel and tourism center employees to train them on how to offer relaxing and socially rich beach experiences.
I spent most of the next day walking to each of the bagnos listed while making general observations. Much of the beach parallels two wide pathways, one paved and one with wood slats. People on skateboards, bikes, and adapted sports equipment (e.g., racing wheelchairs) abound. Each beach entrance includes an accessible ramp that leads to the mostly paved walkways.
Bagno 27?caters primarily to the LGBTQ+ community, with ample access points for people with physical limitations or disabilities.
In an?interview?with Stefano Mazzotti, manager of the resort, he proudly stated: “We love that Bagno 27 describes itself as welcoming to disabled people.” Mr. Mazzotti worries that the travel needs of people with disabilities are too often — neglected. Therefore, his goal is to provide opportunities for them to feel at ease enough to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. In addition, they make a point to hire people diagnosed with autism, something they see as a means for building self-esteem and needed skillsets for future job opportunities.
Although?Bagno 33?is a section of the beach where people may bring their dogs, they provide wheelchairs specific for navigating sand and water. They also have large, sturdy water vehicles on which a person can be transferred from a wheelchair to a watercraft.?Bagno 63?maintains a health and wellness focus. The staff offer activities to people of all ages, abilities, and fitness preferences.
Everything about?Bagno 84?felt welcoming. Looking at the brightly colored umbrellas spread out across the beach, it was evident that they sought to make the bagno stand out. I soon learned that their colorful decor is only part of what makes this bagno welcoming. The staff assure travelers that their beach area is fully-equipped for people with and without disabilities. In addition to providing chairs that allow for easy water access, the walkway makes it easy for people using wheelchairs to access the beach, including sections off the main routes.
Interesting Information, But What Can You Do?
Maybe seeing only one accessible entrance to a recreation area is how many have come to expect in public spaces. Beaches that include added walkways made of polyester or wood, like where I currently live in?Treasure Island, Florida, are highlighted in newspapers and magazines. They are typically wide enough for someone to walk alongside someone who requires them to access the beach. Some can be rolled-up and easily cleaned. People going to the beach will generally use them because they are more comfortable to walk on than the sand, sea oats, shells, or rocks.
I am happy to live in a community with at least one disability access point. I am not going to diminish that. I want to build on it. My trip to Rimini, Italy, reminds me that there is so much more we can — no, we must do to make open spaces welcoming and accessible to all.
If the thought of inclusive and welcoming recreation areas, such as Rimini Beach, makes you smile, I ask you to think about one place near where you live or visit. How does it compare? Are there areas that can be accessed easily by anyone? Perhaps there is only one partially accessible area like found on Treasure Island beach, Florida.
What is in a Conversation?
The idea of being an advocate can be daunting. We tend to think of that role as one for those who will take the lead in organizing events or visits to legislators. We wonder what we can do with our limited time and energy. Instead of thinking big, think about your community.
What public spaces can someone without a physical impairment or disability freely access?
Next, take a moment to envision what could be changed to make those areas accessible and welcoming to all. Bring what you observed to conversations with family members, friends, and neighbors. Compelling ideas find their roots in conversation. Enthusiasm is contagious.
You will invariably receive feedback. That feedback will further fuel your enthusiasm. Feedback will lead to richer talking points, which will help you if you decide to engage a local park and recreation employee, city manager, commissioner, or mayor. You will have ideas and examples like the one outlined above.
Sometimes we forget that we are all responsible for making our communities fully inclusive and accessible. You do not have to be an expert; you only need to start a conversation that can lead to changes. The government, whether at the local, regional, or national level, is only as strong as its citizens. As citizens, we are well-positioned to be catalysts for creating welcoming communities. From there, other communities will follow.
*A special note of thanks goes to the staff at?Hotel Amicizia. If you plan to visit Rimini, Italy, I highly recommend their hotel. The location is excellent and the staff are exceptionally kind and accommodating.
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Call Me From Miami I took a short break from blogging to finish up a book now ranked #701,774, a rank I am proud to say is higher than 701,775. I decided it was time to publish a book about a painfully overlooked yet necessary profession — Recreational Therapy. Recreational…
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Rimini, Italy: A Lesson in How to Make Our Communities More Inclusive and Welcoming to All
When we think of Italy, we typically think of the beautiful Tuscan mountains, Roman ruins, enchanting Venetian canals, or the stunning beaches surrounding the inland. The sites and landscapes of Italy are what beckon me back again and again. Yet, there is something equally remarkable I discovered when I visited Rimini this past summer. The bustling beach area offers a little-known model for inclusion and accessibility that inspired me to reevaluate my expectations for the United States and elsewhere.
The Un-vacation Vacation
For the past ten years, I have either taught university study abroad courses or a course for a university in Italy. I teach courses on inclusion, disability, accessibility, and Recreational Therapy. This past summer was going to be the first trip I would have taken that did not involve teaching or research. I found it strange to pack three novels rather than course notes and handouts.
I left the United States excited to watch the Palio racehorse in Siena, Italy, and celebrate my birthday in the magical city of Florence. I had a week of unscheduled time between visiting cities, so I planned as I went. After spending two less-than-memorable days in Bologna, I decided to visit Rimini. I had not yet seen that region of Italy and learned that it had a nice mix of sites and beaches.
More than Roman Ruins
Rimini Beach?spans just over nine miles and is situated along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, approximately 166 miles south of Venice. Rimini Beach is the 14th of 16 beaches that comprise the Italian Riviera, otherwise known as the Riviera Romanogla. Rimini beach is close to the small downtown rich in Roman history. Circa 1843, the Papal government officially designated its first beach resort. Almost as if to know its future role as an inclusive beach community, the next resort was created with a focus on hydrotherapy for those who appreciated the therapeutic benefits of sea-bathing. After the second world war, several beach resorts opened, and Rimini quickly became a desirable travel destination. Today, Rimini Beach is replete with hotels, restaurants, and beach bars visited by locals and tourists alike.
More than Fresh Seafood
It was the middle of August 2022, and the Italians were enjoying their time on vacation. I arrived in Rimini, unpacked and changed, before heading back to the lobby to ask the?hotel?attendant for a recommendation. She suggested I visit the restaurant and Bagno 62. I did not yet understand what that meant but wasted little time finding it. As I waited for my lunch, I noticed a man using a wheelchair make his way from behind the restaurant down a long pathway through rows of seats and umbrellas.
From One to 128 Access Points
As happy as I was to see a person using a wheelchair enjoy beach access in front of where I ate lunch, it paled compared to what I was about to learn. I exited the restaurant and walked the same pathway down to the water before turning south and walking a mile down the beach. As I walked, I noticed similar walkways approximately every 50 yards. I quickly realized that these walkways are available at every “bagno” along the beach.
Bagno, sometimes recognized as the word for bathroom or toilet, translates to bath. I came to learn that it also means to go swimming. Along the Rimini beaches, the word serves to identify a location area along the beach and corresponds with beach access points. Bagnos include staff stands, and often, restaurants or cafes.
I then observed people using personal and beach-access wheelchairs at several points along the beach. I wanted to learn more. I went back to the hotel to do some research. I stopped and asked the attendant if she knew anything about accessibility for people with disabilities. As her eyes brightened, she cheerfully explained that there are, she estimates, 128 bagnos, each of which is accessible. She handed me a piece of paper with the numbers of four bagnos because each of them offered services for people with disabilities. She suggested I should visit each of them.
While looking for information about the four bagnos she listed, I learned much about accessibility and the Rimini beaches. I found that each bagno has at least some adapted beach equipment for people with disabilities.?Their?aim is “…to provide the maximum freedom of movement and a 360-degrees accessibility.” Each bagno includes access ramps, accessible toilets, and specialized beach wheelchairs, also called “job” chairs. In addition, workers assist people of varying needs so that all visitors can enjoy their holidays in what they describe as “worry-free.”
Of note is the partnership between Le Spiagge Rimini and?Rimini Autismo?— an organization that provides services to people with autism. To assure that the beaches are fully accessible, they work with hotel and tourism center employees to train them on how to offer relaxing and socially rich beach experiences.
I spent most of the next day walking to each of the bagnos listed while making general observations. Much of the beach parallels two wide pathways, one paved and one with wood slats. People on skateboards, bikes, and adapted sports equipment (e.g., racing wheelchairs) abound. Each beach entrance includes an accessible ramp that leads to the mostly paved walkways.
Bagno 27?caters primarily to the LGBTQ+ community, with ample access points for people with physical limitations or disabilities.
In an?interview?with Stefano Mazzotti, manager of the resort, he proudly stated: “We love that Bagno 27 describes itself as welcoming to disabled people.” Mr. Mazzotti worries that the travel needs of people with disabilities are too often — neglected. Therefore, his goal is to provide opportunities for them to feel at ease enough to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. In addition, they make a point to hire people diagnosed with autism, something they see as a means for building self-esteem and needed skillsets for future job opportunities.
Although?Bagno 33?is a section of the beach where people may bring their dogs, they provide wheelchairs specific for navigating sand and water. They also have large, sturdy water vehicles on which a person can be transferred from a wheelchair to a watercraft.?Bagno 63?maintains a health and wellness focus. The staff offer activities to people of all ages, abilities, and fitness preferences.
Upon walking up to?Bagno 84, I was delighted by the bright orange umbrellas covering the many chairs lining the beach. Everything about the entrance felt welcoming. It was evident that they sought to make the bagno stand out. I soon learned that their colorful decor is only part of what makes this bagno welcoming.
Grounded in the belief that everyone deserves comfort and relaxation, the staff at Bagno 84 assure travelers that their beach area is fully-equipped for people with and without disabilities. In addition to providing chairs that allow for easy water access, the walkway makes it easy for people using wheelchairs to access the beach, including sections off the main routes.
Interesting Information, But What Can I Do?
Maybe seeing only one accessible entrance to a recreation area is how many have come to expect in public spaces. Beaches that include added walkways made of polyester or wood, like where I currently live in?Treasure Island, Florida, are highlighted in newspapers and magazines. They are typically wide enough for someone to walk alongside someone who requires them to access the beach. Some can be rolled-up and easily cleaned. People going to the beach will generally use them because they are more comfortable to walk on than the sand, sea oats, shells, or rocks.
I am happy to live in a community with at least one disability access point. I am not going to diminish that. I want to build on it. My trip to Rimini, Italy, reminds me that there is so much more we can — no, we must do to make open spaces welcoming and accessible to all.
If the thought of inclusive and welcoming recreation areas, such as Rimini Beach, makes you smile, I ask you to think about one place near where you live or visit. How does it compare? Are there areas that can be accessed easily by anyone? Perhaps there is only one partially accessible area like found on Treasure Island beach, Florida?
What is in a Conversation?
The idea of being an advocate can be daunting. We tend to think of that role as one for those who will take the lead in organizing events or visits to legislators. We wonder what we can do with our limited time and energy. Instead of thinking big, think about your community.
What areas can someone without a physical impairment or disability freely access public spaces?
Next, take a moment to envision what could be changed to make those areas accessible and welcoming. Bring what you observed to conversations with family members, friends, and neighbors. Compelling ideas find their roots in conversation. Enthusiasm is contagious.
You will invariably receive feedback. That feedback will further fuel your enthusiasm. Feedback will lead to richer talking points, which will help you if you decide to engage a local park and recreation employee, city manager, commissioner, or mayor. You will have ideas and examples like the one outlined above.
Sometimes we forget that we are all responsible for making our communities fully inclusive and accessible. You do not have to be an expert; you only need to start a conversation that can lead to changes. The government, whether at the local, regional, or national level, is only as strong as its citizens. As citizens, we are well-positioned to be catalysts for creating welcoming communities. From there, other communities will follow.
*A special note of thanks goes to the staff at?Hotel Amicizia. If you plan to visit Rimini, Italy, I highly recommend their hotel. The location is excellent and the staff are exceptionally kind and accommodating.
Get an email whenever Alexis McKenney publishes.
You cannot subscribe to yourself
I’m going through life unchecking boxes & sharing stories about travel, adventures, mysteries, & random, but relatable topics.
Member-only
Call Me From Miami I took a short break from blogging to finish up a book now ranked #701,774, a rank I am proud to say is higher than 701,775. I decided it was time to publish a book about a painfully overlooked yet necessary profession — Recreational Therapy. Recreational…
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Freelance Educator & Writer
1 年Hotel Amicizia Rimini
Adjunct Professor at Penn State University (Recreation,Parks, Tourism, Management)
1 年Thank you for your research! This is the discussion piece that was missing ifrom my Tourism & Leisure Behavior course RPTM300 that I will add to our classroom discussions!