Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla – AISM.
Italy
Other
The Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society (AISM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and disabilities. Established in 1968, AISM has become a key reference for individuals with MS, their families, healthcare professionals and all those involved in the fight against the disease. The Association operates across multiple areas, including advocacy, scientific research, employment, accessible tourism and social inclusion. With a nationwide presence, AISM engages approximately 14,000 volunteers and around 300 employees, working throughout 100 local branches to implement its mission. In 1998, AISM established the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM) to promote innovative research, deepening knowledge of the disease and its treatment options. AISM is also engaged in institutional relations, being part of the Observatory for the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Third Sector Forum for Culture and Tourism.
Committed to ensuring the full inclusion of people with MS and disabilities, AISM has developed strong expertise in accessible tourism. The Accessible Tourism & MICE Department provides consulting services and professional training to tourism staff and destinations fostering a culture of accessibility and inclusion within the travel industry. It is also specialized in organizing accessible events and directly manages a fully accessible hotel in Tuscany (I Girasoli), a network of accessible apartments and a dedicated tour operator Europe Without Barriers. AISM is also actively involved in the design and implementation of accessible shore excursions (shorex) for cruise ships, ensuring inclusive travel experiences from port to city. AISM is a Board Member of ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism) and since 2023, its Head of Department Marco Pizzio has been included among the National Experts of the ‘AccessibleEU Resource Centre’, an European Commission flagship initiative within the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030.
Finally, AISM participated in several projects at EU and national level concerning accessible tourism and social inclusion. Among them, In-Tour, an Erasmus+ project coordinated by AISM, developed and piloted European curricula to train tourism managers and frontline staff in providing high-quality services for customers with access needs. Furthermore, the RISEWISE project, funded by the Horizon Programme, focused on addressing employment and social inclusion challenges faced by women with disabilities across Europe. Finally, AISM manages Easy Go Out, a national initiative aimed at providing verified accessibility information on public venues across Italian cities through its online platform.