Tourism, disability and inclusion in twentieth century Italy: summer camps for young the blind, mutilated and those with polio

The paper analyses the archival documentation of two Italian institutions in reference to summer camps for young people with disabilities during 1950s-70s. In this way it highlights the precursor role of these institutions in proposing an inclusive tourist experience for young people with disabilities. Italy only had adequate legislation in this direction beginning in the 1980s-90s. In particular, Law No. 104 in 1992 is fundamental for the inclusion of people with disabilities in Italian society. In the specific field of tourism, before this law it was very difficult for them to enjoy complete but also safe holidays. The goal of this paper is to highlight the Italian experience, examining actions taken in the years after World War II that would spawn mature policies many years later.