Travelling of families of children with special needs: the case of Finland

It is estimated that 15 percent of world’s population is living with disability (WHO, 2011) and 40 percent of individuals’ lifespan is impaired in motion and functioning (Ruskovaara, 2009; WHO, 2011). All persons with disabilities have a right for meaningful experiences in tourism (UN, 2006; UNWTO, 1999, 2016). Compared with accessible tourism (e.g. Michopoulou, Darcy, Ambrose & Buhalis, 2015; Small & Darcy, 2010), accessible hospitality (Harju-Myllyaho & Kyyrä, 2013; Harju-Myllyaho & Jutila, 2016) gives a new perspective to inclusion in tourism by providing a broader understanding of accessibility; travellers’ needs and wishes are taken into account regardless of travellers’ background or personal characteristics, such as culture or sub-culture, social minority, sexual orientation, age or a special mental or physical need.