Making the world accessible for the disabled traveller

Posted by Jordyn Johnson on 20 January 2023

‘Real adventures appear reserved for those blessed not only with the means and the attitude but also the ability to go wherever their feet may carry them,’ says inclusion consultant, Sophie Morgan.

Picture: Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants (adapted camel saddle is only available to their clients)

Amazingly, she was able to use the world’s first and only adapted camel saddle, which the Moroccan Accessible Travel Consultants created. Founders, Jeremy Schmidt and Erik Neufeld, have dedicated their lives to creating accessible travel in Morocco and the surrounding Sahara Desert.

We live in a world where destinations not only remain out of reach to large swathes of society but perhaps it is time for a major shift, and that accessibility is seen as a potential opportunity rather than an expense. Besides, isn’t the hallmark of a civilised society seen in how it treats its most vulnerable members?

Disability discrimination

accessible disabled traveller

Picture: Unsplash

10% of the world’s population has a disability of some kind, and we disable them further when we don’t offer accessible facilities and amenities. Occupational Therapist and founder of disabledtravel.co.za, Karin Coetzee, says we need to look at each stage of the travel experience to see where people with disabilities are being overlooked.

Coetzee also cleverly pointed out that every age group can experience disability discrimination: a young teenager with a broken leg having to climb the stairs with crutches, a mother who can’t get her pram through a too-small-door, or an elderly lady who can’t step up and into the bath – let’s not forget that we’re all going to grow old to face some form of physical challenge.

Inclusive Tourism

Picture: Karin Coetzee

When we focus on Inclusive Tourism, we simply invite more tourists into the country. We’re not just making space for the gentleman with his walker, but for all his family members travelling with him, and who will only go where they know he will feel comfortable.

Internationals of retirement age want to make use of the wealth they’ve accumulated over their lifetimes, and turn their years golden with travel. ‘Yet many of these retirees have some form of disability. Older people with the money to travel will spend their tourism dollars in the countries, and on the attractions, that are most accessible to them.’

Inclusive tourism goes further than a disabled parking spot and a ramp as an alternative to stairs.  Suitable transportation for people with disabilities should be readily available to fetch travellers from the airport. Accommodations should be accessible to all people from the driveway, through the entrance, and all the way to the bedrooms and bathrooms. Sidewalks and promenades should be wide enough, zebra crossings should be made safe for everyone to cross, and celebrated South African restaurants should be able to accommodate whoever wants to indulge in their delicious menu.

South Africa is particularly notorious for false advertising when it comes to accessibility. Coetzee shared that from her personal research, only 22,7% of accommodations that claim to be accessible actually are. As a world-renowned international travel destination, making it easier for 10% of our population to experience our captivating country should be at the top of our to-do list.

We need to adopt the worldwide concept of ‘Universal Design,’ which is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability.

Disabled Traveller

Small steps in the right direction are happening all the time. Pioneers like Shmidt, Neufeld, and Coetzee have noticed the adventurers who have been overlooked, and are now helping their dreams become more accessible.

Coetzee’s website, disabledtravel.co.za, is a first-of-its-kind in the world (particularly in South Africa), and assists people with disabilities in finding accessible establishments and facilities in South Africa. She believes that everyone should have access to our beautiful country, and all it has to offer.

Karin Coetzee shares photos and written evaluations to give travellers more information about accommodations.

If you know of any accommodations, restaurants, or tourist attractions you have found accessible, please let Karin know to assist her in building the SA database.

Contact: [email protected]

Source: Karin Coetzee

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