In News, Travel Features

While we’re in the business of connecting travellers to accessible organisations and tourist attractions, we think it is also important to show businesses how it can be done so they are able to better serve travellers of all abilities and mobility. It doesn’t matter if you have a hotel, run a museum or operate a venue that supports local musicians, here are a few simple ways you can become more accessible to disabled travellers.

 Train your team

This doesn’t have to be a huge investment, it can be as simple as having the team know what to do if there is a medical issue or how to help someone who might be having difficulty navigating the building or understanding your exhibits. Employees who interact directly with visitors should be able to provide help to people whatever their needs. If you do want to invest and make this a part of your service, there are plenty of things you can do from attending a seminar on autism to learning sign language. You can speak to the team at Tourism For All and see how we can help you with your training.

 Ask your disabled visitors

One of the top ways to make sure that your business is accessible is to find out from the horse’s mouth. Ask for feedback from existing customers and visitors and implement their suggestions.  That way you are able to better provide what is needed.

 Allow service animals

While seeing a guide dog is a completely normal occurrence, not all service animals are dogs and not all dogs are guide dogs. Many people with physical and mental disabilities are assisted by a service animal, its important to realise that these animals are doing a job – they are not pets. Make sure to welcome service animals where possible.

Provide wide, open spaces

If you want to be wheelchair accessible, you will need to make sure that there is enough room for them to move around. Make sure your doorways are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and move displays to the edges of the room so that there is space for more than one wheelchair user to explore.

 Remember that not everyone with a disability uses a wheelchair

Disabilities come in various different forms, you’ll need to be accessible to everyone whether they have limited mobility, visual impairments or are deaf or hard of hearing. Hidden disabilities are easily overlooked, but its important that everyone feels welcome, try providing information in different mediums, using large print, braille and having adjustable lighting and noise to better accommodate every guest.

Do you have any other suggestions for making a business more accessible? Let us know, you can get in touch on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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