How Accessibility Opens The Doors For Tourism

By Author: Dale Richardson
Total Articles: 4762
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The populations of those with disabilities requiring accessible accommodations in the United States and Europe are significant. In the United States alone, there are more than 54 million individuals with disabilities, many of whom would like to travel and are capable of doing so but have traditionally not.

The lack of adequate accommodations in traveling arrangements has been a long-standing barrier for those with disabilities. Even when travel accommodations can be found that are suitable to the individual's needs, limitations in accessibility to locations at the intended destination often prevent these individuals from appreciating the ability to travel.

Arrangements can frequently be found for transportation but those with disabilities must then face problems gaining access to restaurants, hotels, museums, and other destinations on their trip. For many, the experience can be extremely disappointing and emotionally trying. Most simply never attempt it, believing they won't be able to enjoy themselves.

Others may have tried in the past, only to find the experience terrible. For those who have traveled ...
... only to experience the disappointment of inaccessibility on their trip, they are left with not only the bad feelings associated with the experience but the expense as well. They've wasted money on something that came nowhere near the expectations one has for such an event.

Many of those with disabilities who have dreams of traveling have simply given up. Even though they know they have the right to enjoy the same opportunities as those available to the non-disabled, they have also come to believe it simply isn't worth all the trouble, emotional strain, and sheer disappointment they believe they will face if they try to travel.

While previous decades may support the feelings of those with disabilities in relation to accessible tourism, recent changes in the industry are opening up the world of travel to any number of locations throughout the world. The disabled may be surprised to learn many within the tourism industry have started to catch on. The number of companies providing accessible tourism has greatly increased in just the last five years. Most of these companies' service areas only within North America or Europe but the improvement for those with disabilities is astoundingly significant.

These changes have occurred for a number of reasons. The ethics of the matter are only some of the reasons. Some companies have taken their ethical responsibility to provide equal access and accommodations into serious consideration even prior to being required by law to implement such measures. Unfortunately, most businesses, either due to ignorance or fear of potential expenses involved, did not make any accessibility changes until they were required to. Many, even then, only made the absolute minimum required by the legislative regulations.

Tourism is after all a business, and often businesses must see the potential profits involved in a venture before become invested in it. Accessible tourism is no different than any other business venture in which a new demographic can be tapped to add potential profits.

Many within the tourism industry have discovered the untapped market of those with disabilities. Recent studies conducted in both the United States and Europe have provided the tourism industry with concrete figures on the number of individuals with disabilities, those that are capable of travel, and even figures on those who would like to travel. These statistics have allowed many within the tourism industry to recognize the full impact accessibility measures could potentially make for the success of tourism.

As the industry has started to catch up, any number of changes in travel arrangements, lodging and transportation accommodations, accessibility to previously inaccessible venues, and even changes to methods for communicating travel possibilities are taking place.

Many locals within Britain and the European continent are increasingly prepared to provide ease of access to those with disabilities. Many older locations within the United States and Europe present unique challenges, with narrow and rough streets, antiquated facilities, and minimally accessible older buildings; however, many are beginning to incorporate ingenuity in providing accessibility for those who require it. This trend is only bound to increase, as more within the tourism industry and other business arenas begin to realize the market they are missing out on.

A number of established specialty businesses exist in the United States and Europe that cater to the needs of travelers with disabilities. Many of these businesses are well established within their niche, having been in existence for several decades; however, due to the limitations posed by business size and geographic constraints the tourism arrangements available from them are limited as well.

As more and more small and larger businesses within the tourism field begin to make adjustments to their practices and methods, the ability of those with disabilities to travel well will only increase.
About Author:
Wheelchair Getaways is the leading wheelchair van rental company in the United States. We rent wheelchair and scooter accessible vans in almost every city in the US. We offer 24-hour emergency assistance, a knowledgeable staff, and the adaptive features that make traveling safe and comfortable. Visit online at http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com/ today.