Enjoy Inspire attended an excellent forum on accessibility this week, convened by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC).

The forum may have benefited from a clear definition of accessibility at the outset, as when the first speakers, Jodie Wilmer and Hilary Fisher of Travellers Aid explained its full range of services, there was some connotation that accessibility may have a broader meaning, including access for those who are economically disadvantaged.

For clarity, the Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities says the following about accessibility:

Persons with disabilities should be able to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life. To this end, States Parties should take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications technology, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public.

Forum MC Todd Blake highlighted the results of a recent AFR Smart Investor survey that found thirty one per cent of baby boomers now expect to retire in the next five years, with almost another third in the five years after that. Their average age will be sixty four and the number one priority is travel. He noted that ABS statistics indicate over half the Australian population aged sixty plus have reported some form of physical disability.

Speakers from Travellers Aid explained a range of statistics to make a strong case for inclusive practices by tourism operators, reinforcing a quote from Lilian Muller, President of the European Network for Accessible Tourism:

“Enabling access to tourism is our priority…. Accessible tourism is not a niche market; it’s a demographic explosion and we will all feel the effects. We have to improve access now.”

A range of practical tips was provided, and we particularly liked the suggestion that event organisers ask about accessibility requirements in addition to dietary requirements.

Travellers Aid welcomed attendees to visit its Access Service for a famil. Its take out message was powerful:

“Think of accessibility as a point of difference not a burden.”

Richard Ponsford, MCG Tourism Manager provided a case study on a world-first: an audio tour alternative for hearing impaired delivered through an android app. The Australian Communications Exchange (ACE) approached the MCG offering to develop a product for its National Sports Museum. The app features innovative use of QR codes and has both Auslan (sign) language and captions, catering to all who have a hearing impairment. Enjoy Inspire and a number of delegates reflected over a drink that the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart could benefit from this technology as it uses iPods for visitor interpretation and is devoid of display panels on individual works.

Bill Forrester of Travability provocatively suggested that we have an information problem for accessibility, not an infrastructure problem.

He said that often facilities are available but tourism operators do not clearly explain the facilities or the level of assistance available from staff to help provide access. Sometimes this information is available but tucked away on a website, as if to meet legal obligations rather than treating people with accessibility needs as a valued customer.

Bill showed best practice examples for accessibility facilities and information including Brewster’s Tours at the Athabasca Glacier in Canada, an elephant park in South Africa, Koblenz and Greytown historic townships, the Alberta Parks Service and the Koala Conservation Centre at Phillip Island. He said:

“The world is rich in accessible infrastructure, but it is regarded as a compliance issue rather than an asset.”

Bill explained that tourism operators should readily make enough detailed information available to customers for them to make their own decision about whether it is safe and convenient to visit. He noted the sector is loyal and will bring friends if these customers feel safe and valued. Enjoy Inspire considers good information will enable visitors to make their own risk assessment and will provide less inconvenience to operators from unexpected surprises for guests with accessibility needs. For instance, an accommodation provider could explain clearly on its website where rails are situated in its guest rooms along with the height of the rails from the floor. An explanation of internet access and whether televisions have captions functionality will assist those with hearing difficulties.

Paul Albone of Tourism Victoria wrapped up proceedings by providing an overview of TV’s Accessible Tourism Plan. He noted that he recently assessed 50 applications for the Federal Government’s TQUAL scheme and could not recall any applications seeking funding for infrastructure to address accessibility.

A very informative evening, except it would have been good for all speakers to have slides with a minimum 18 font size and just four bullet points per slide. Everyone has some degree of eyesight degradation – another accessibility issue – and Enjoy Inspire along with a number of other delegates could not follow much of the slide content.

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Photo courtesy of Australian Landscape Photography