Accessible Tourism Around the World

Inclusive Tourism is being developed worldwide dynamically. With the rise in technology and awareness of mental and physical disabilities, inclusiveness and accommodation have also increased. Many countries across the world are prepared to welcome tourists with no barriers. Amusement parks, beaches, art houses and even entire cities have been redesigned to provide better opportunities for more people. To get you started, here are some of the top disability‑friendly places to check out around the world!

Berlin is accessible not only for people with limited mobility, including those in wheelchairs, but also for the blind or partially sighted, as well as the deaf and those hard of hearing. In 2013, Berlin received the European Commission’s Access City award and was specifically praised for the public transport and accessible new buildings. Nowadays, there are significant improvements made in the field of tourist sites, various events and hotels in order to make them more disabled‑friendly.

Seattle is at the very top of inclusive cities list offering top‑notch attractions to its residents and guests. The rich offers start with music attractions through industry and museums and end with wheelchair‑accessible taxis, public transport and hotels. Pedestrians can make use of multisensory indicators on crosswalks. In addition to this, Seattle set up a nonprofit community that links consumers and businesses to reach one goal, which is the growth of accessible places.

Shakespeare would be truly proud of the residents of his hometown. The Royal Shakespeare Company has been working out how to provide access to the arts for many years. So far, they have introduced sign language translations, audio descriptions and infra‑red headsets. Even the oldest pub in Stratford‑upon‑Avon is disability‑friendly! Besides, people with impairments will find it easy to book accommodation, use taxis and public transport and enter banks and pharmacies.

This city took part in the project “A City for All: Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan in 2017‑2021” and is still improving in the field of setting up the amenities. The efforts focus on the Accessibility Map in beta, easily used public transport and accessible public toilets. There are about 2,100 tactic and Braille street signs and warnings of potential barriers, such as stairs or steep inclines.

Disneyland has developed and introduced guides for people with disabilities (cognitive ones, specifically). The park is also very much open to service animals. Moreover, a person in need can rent a wheelchair and take advantage of assistive listening and audio descriptions. They also offer a Disability Access Service (DAS), which provides a comparable return time for those unable to wait in a conventional line. Disneyland offers similar accommodation.

The company Access 2 Africa Safaris is managed by two professionals who make use of their personal experiences with people with disabilities. In 2016, it was honoured with the South African Lilizela Tourism Award in four categories. When buying a safari from the company, you can take advantage of your wheelchair or take a tour for the hearing impaired, which includes sign language interpreters. The visually impaired are offered tours which pay attention to senses such as smell, touch and sound.

Sicily has been known as an accessible tourist destination for many years. There is a wide variety of activities to offer for people with and without disabilities, for instance, SCUBA, the Sensorial‑Botanic Garden and the Castello Ursino Museum, where wheelchair users and the visually impaired can be accommodated. Two Guinness World Records have been set there so far: the paraplegic dive to 59 metres and the first blind woman to dive to 41 metres.

LegoLand is one of the most eagerly visited theme parks among Lego fans. Apart from regular accessible places, such as shops, restaurants and attractions, they offer something quite unique; play areas that are made up specifically for people with autism and similar disorders. They also offer a special pass, which is aimed at those who are unable to wait in conventional lines.

As you’ve learned from the presentation, many locations around the world offer disability‑friendly attractions. This way, everyone can enjoy their holiday to the fullest. What about you? Can you think of any other places which pay attention to inclusivity?