For Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs), promoting inclusive tourism is essential to welcoming travelers of all abilities. Ensuring that wheelchair users can easily access reliable, detailed information about destinations is key to creating an inclusive travel experience. Below are the essential types of wheelchair-accessible tourism information that CVBs should provide on their websites.
1. Accessible Transportation Options
- Airport Shuttles and Taxis: CVBs should include a list of wheelchair-accessible taxis, airport shuttles, and public transportation options. The information should cover details like how many wheelchairs can fit, whether tie-downs are available, and any size or weight limits.
- Public Transit: A description of the accessibility features for local buses, trains, and trams, including ramps, lifts, and priority seating.
- Rental Options: Information on wheelchair-accessible van or car rentals, including companies that provide vehicles with hand controls or ramps.
2. Accessible Accommodations
CVBs should maintain an up-to-date list of accessible hotels and rentals, specifying:
- Availability of roll-in showers or bathtubs with grab bars.
- Bed height and clearance for hoyer lifts.
- Room layout, including space to maneuver a wheelchair and the type of flooring.
3. Accessible Attractions
CVBs should provide comprehensive information about accessible museums, parks, zoos, gardens, and other attractions. The details should cover:
- Pathway surfaces (paved, packed dirt, etc.) and widths.
- Bathroom accessibility, including whether there are accessible stalls with grab bars, roll-under sinks, and touchless faucets.
- Whether audio-visual exhibits or tours have accessible features like closed captions or audio guides for visitors with hearing impairments.
- Beaches and Parks: For outdoor sites, CVBs should list beach wheelchairs availability, boardwalks, and accessible picnic areas.
4. Dining and Restaurants
Listings of wheelchair-accessible restaurants should indicate if there are:
- Ramps or step-free entry.
- Accessible seating options, such as tables with roll-under space.
- Accessible restrooms.
- Outdoor Dining: Information about patio access and whether paths are free of barriers or slopes that may challenge wheelchair users.
5. Events and Festivals
- Accessibility at Events: Details about accessible seating areas, ramps, parking spaces, and restrooms at local festivals, concerts, and community events.
- Ticketing Information: Clear instructions on how to reserve wheelchair-accessible seating and where to find accessible entrances.
6. Pathway and Route Information
- Trail Accessibility: For outdoor enthusiasts, include information about wheelchair-accessible trails at parks and nature reserves, detailing the surface type, grade or slope, and length of the trails.
- Downtown and Public Areas: A map of accessible sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and ramps in downtown areas or tourist hubs should be made available.
7. Accessible Parking
- Location of Accessible Parking: CVBs should include maps or lists of accessible parking spots near popular attractions, hotels, and event venues. Information about van-accessible spaces and curb cuts should also be included.
8. Accessible Restrooms
- Public Restrooms: Listings of accessible public restrooms across the city or region, noting features like grab bars, wide doorways, and roll-under sinks.
- Portable Restrooms: Information on whether portable accessible restrooms are available at outdoor festivals, markets, or parks.
9. Adaptive Recreation and Equipment Rentals
- Adaptive Sports and Recreation: Include information about adaptive recreation programs like accessible hiking, kayaking, and adaptive horseback riding, with details on how to book.
- Equipment Rentals: Listings of companies that rent mobility equipment such as beach wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or all-terrain wheelchairs for use in local parks and nature areas.
10. Local Assistance and Support
- Medical Services: Information on the location of medical facilities with emergency services and wheelchair-accessible entrances.
- Local Support Groups: For longer stays, CVBs could provide contact information for disability support organizations or local services that can assist travelers.
By ensuring that all these aspects of accessibility are included on their websites, CVBs can help travelers with mobility needs confidently plan their trips. Providing clear, specific information about accessible features, barriers, and amenities will create an inclusive environment, making destinations more welcoming for everyone.
