The following statements and recommendations were expressed by the disabled participants at the international seminar on Tourism for All "Disability & Freedom of Movement" organised within the framework of the present project on 4th & 5th June 1999 in Rome.
Statements
- Disabled people are the best persons to speak about their needs.
- Disabled people are seen as bloody consumers!
- Disabled persons are entitled to correct and updated information.
- Some tourism professionals are well intentioned but are not trained.
- Some tourism professionals are not interested by disabled clients because they often think they are not rich enough.
- Hotels are reluctant to welcome disabled people because it could be disturbing for their other clients.
- Some airlines follow rules which are quite discriminating to disabled persons.
- The notion of accessibility is very flexible and often interpreted in a wrong way.
Recommendations
- All types of disabilities have to be taken into account, not only wheelchair users.
- More accessible accommodation should be made available, in all prices ranges and including self-catering units.
- People with a disability should be consulted and included in all training programmes designed to help them.
- Disabled people should have the right to be independent, e.g. to be allowed to push oneself instead of being pushed.
- The needs and wishes of each individual should be taken into consideration.
All these recommendations go in the same direction and express in different ways one simple demand: people with disabilities, whatever their type of disability, are asking to be given the same opportunities as their able-bodied counterparts, the same freedom of movement and the same freedom of choice in all areas. People with a disability regard themselves as normal consumers and expect to be treated with dignity and respect.
Table of contents
