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My last two articles have been largely focused on the issues we have in the Travel and Tourism industries regarding ignoring the difficulties encountered by the disabled when travelling, and as promised, as a lead up to Disability Awareness Month, this article is about what solutions we can strive to achieve to alleviate this problem. Disability Awareness Month offers an opportunity for all of us to remove the barriers that the disabled face and to improve the quality of life of people living with disabilities through concrete action.
As I stated in my first article on this subject, I firmly believe that inclusivity and accessibility in tourism is not just important, but essential, and the larger hospitality venues like for example, Sun City, which hosts many international tourists, has certainly got it right. They provide things like accessible rooms, lowered braai stands, wheelchair-friendly shuttles, ramps etc. Many of the smaller hospitality venues, however, from a purely financial standpoint, underestimate the potential value of this market, losing out on family and group bookings because of poor accessibility.
What can we do?
In the words of DISA (Disability Information South Africa), who are very much involved with the plight of the disabled, when it comes to travel, ”to achieve accessible and inclusive tourism, expert and reputable professionals and consultants must be adequately engaged to visualise, conceptualise and plan, design, construct, implement and maintain safe, accessible and inclusively built, outdoor and digitally enhanced environments, as well as products and services for all.’’
It sounds daunting, but there are simple, practical steps the industry can take to ensure accessibility. Things like wheelchair access in lodges, ensuring even pathways, bathrooms with wheelchair access, railings, cruise accessibility and airline bathrooms with armrests, are just a few. Elderly travellers too, face similar obstacles to the disabled, like stairs, uneven footing on pathways, no railings etc.
Neurodivergence
We must also not forget that disabled people are not the only concern, and what is commonly overlooked is Neurodivergence. Gillian Ismail, Director of Human Resources & Transformation describes Neurodivergence as ‘’A term used to describe the natural differences in how people’s brains function and behave. In South Africa, more people are talking about the importance of acceptance and support for those who are neurodivergent, both at home and in the workplace. Understanding neurodivergence is crucial for everyone, as it impacts our communities and industries in numerous ways.’’
Typical examples of neurodivergent individuals would be Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette’s Syndrome, to name just the commonly known ones. These individuals have their own set of issues when travelling and should not be overlooked. Primarily, it is sensory issues like noise, light, and crowds, but also being cognisant of and being sensitive to their routines, communication and accessibility. Unfamiliar environments can also trigger anxiety or sensory overload.’’
Action is called for
Not only from a social conscience point of view, but from a financial one too. Those in the travel and tourism industry who are ignoring disability and neurodivergence need to start taking action, or they will wake up one day to find that they have not done so to their detriment. Much has been written about inclusivity and accessibility, but it appears that, in many cases, little or nothing is being done. Unfortunately, words without action can be likened to seeds scattered on the ground, but not planted, and simply blown away by the wind.
Talk is cheap, it’s action that is called for, so I appeal to everyone both in and outside the tourism industry, and for that matter, anyone in charge of public places, to take whatever action they can to ensure that South Africa, with our glorious melting pot of many kinds of people, can one day proudly say ‘’ because all our people matter, whatever you do, and everywhere you go is accessible and inclusive!’’
Lidia de Olim
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER