The Camino de Santiago remains difficult to access for people with disabilities: in 2022, only 127 pilgrims managed to complete the pilgrimage in a wheelchair. To address these challenges, five European countries joined forces in the project inCASA – Inclusive Camino de Santiago: An accessible journey for all, which developed an app designed to make the Camino more inclusive. In early September, the initiative carried out the first test of the tool: over three days, 11 participants of different nationalities, including two Portuguese women, walked the route from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela.
The app was designed to respond to the main difficulties identified by those who had already tried to make the pilgrimage with physical or cognitive limitations. It allows users to map barriers along the route, locate inclusive support points such as albergues, restaurants and water fountains, check the distance to hospitals, and identify alternative routes. In case of need, it also enables the sending of real-time alerts, allowing other users to provide immediate assistance.
This field test will serve as the basis for a documentary, now in production, about the experience of pilgrims with disabilities. During the trial, the participants tested the app’s features, while caregivers and project technicians accompanied the journey and recorded the main obstacles, in order to make improvements and add new resources to the tool.
In addition to the app, inCASA also includes a digital platform with training courses and support materials aimed at caregivers and professionals responsible for creating accessible routes. In Portugal, the project is carried out by Atlântica – Instituto Universitário (Atlântica University Institute), based in Oeiras and with nearly 30 years of experience in connecting education, research and the community. More information about the project is available on the University website.
