Self-assessment
As a first step, it is necessary to carry out a self-assessment using a questionnaire before taking any further action. This questionnaire enables an assessment to be made of the accessibility of facilities for each type of disability (hearing, intellectual, mobility and visual). It provides an initial indication of whether the establishment is eligible for the scheme or not.
Applicants may also consult the specifications. These serve as a basis for the assessors, alongside the regulations governing the use of the scheme.
Submitting an application
For all certification applications, whether new or for renewal, the process will be carried out online via the local representative of the T&H certification scheme’s administrator. The local representatives can be found on this dedicated page.
Your local representative in the Hautes-Pyrénées:
Hautes-Pyrénées Tourisme Environnement
Christine Almendros
[email protected]
Tel: 05 62 56 70 14
Support from the local representative
Once the application has been submitted, the local Tourisme & Handicap liaison officer will contact the applicant. They will then review the accessibility of the premises. If the assessment is positive, they will arrange a date together for the on-site assessment of the establishment.
The assessment visit
Where possible, two assessors will be present during the assessment visit. These will be a representative from the tourism sector and a representative from an organisation for people with disabilities. They will examine whether the services provided comply with the scheme’s regulations. They will use a certification checklist specific to the establishment’s sector (campsite, restaurant, museum, etc.).
The Regional Commission
The decision to award, refuse, revoke or defer the label is taken by the Territorial Label Award Commission, whether at departmental or regional level. This decision is then communicated to you by the Directorate-General for Enterprise.
The ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ label is awarded for a period of five years, covering two, three or four types of disability, provided the necessary conditions are met. At the end of these five years, the label expires, unless a new assessment is initiated before that date.
Promoting the T&H label
Once the label has been awarded, the brand logo must be displayed on the establishment’s promotional materials, as well as on its façade. This ensures that the venue’s accessibility is easily recognised. A special plaque for the façade may be hired from the Association Tourisme & Handicaps (ATH).
The government and the ATH regularly promote certified establishments.
Applicants can highlight their certification through communication campaigns on their website and social media, as well as in the local press.
The ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ label represents more than just a certification. It embodies a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. By obtaining this label, tourism professionals highlight their efforts and attract a wider audience. They do this by providing people with disabilities with reliable information and high-quality experiences.
The certification process is rigorous. However, it is a valuable investment in promoting holidays that are accessible to all. All the more so as the official recognition associated with the T&H label helps businesses stand out in an increasingly competitive tourism market.
