The place can disabled folks simply journey? Survey names the highest cities

The Useful 500, a enterprise coalition, launched its listing of the highest 10 most accessible cities on the planet. 

The report cited a survey carried out amongst 3,500 people with disabilities, who rated cities primarily based on “transport hyperlinks, proximity of lodging to sights, retailers, and eating places, and the supply of details about accessibility.”

The survey was carried out in August and September, and concerned individuals from 5 international locations — the U.Ok., United States, Japan, China and Australia. 

“Our analysis exhibits that throughout each the private and non-private sectors within the journey and tourism trade, these cities constantly rating nicely within the accessibility rankings,” mentioned Caroline Casey, the founding father of the Useful 500. 

 “Nonetheless … accessibility preparations for folks with disabilities stay an afterthought for the journey and tourism trade — which is why we’re wanting into each side of the trade journey for folks with disabilities within the analysis now we have commissioned.”

Martin Heng, a journey author who wrote the report, added: “Though bodily accessibility is essential, what’s so vital is that throughout all territories folks with incapacity select journey suppliers primarily based on being handled with respect and understanding of their wants.”

Singapore (Singapore)

Singapore’s growing older inhabitants is “the principle impetus” for its accessibility, mentioned the report.

The town-state’s accessibility code contains mandates like making certain the security and accessibility of escalators and elevators, and the availability of accessible bogs on the entrance stage of all buildings, it added.

Over 95% of pedestrian walkways, taxi stands and bus shelters in Singapore are additionally accessible to wheelchair customers, seniors or different people with disabilities. 

Shanghai (China)

As a lot of its improvement occurred in recent times, fashionable Shanghai’s pavements are in “good situation, with loads of curb cuts,” mentioned the report. Curb cuts are ramps connecting sidewalks to the road. 

The town additionally has the most important metro community on the planet, which is absolutely accessible to wheelchair customers. The survey discovered that 39% of respondents who selected Shanghai did so due to its accessible public transport.

Tokyo (Japan) 

Whereas 74% of respondents selected Tokyo for its accessible transport, tactile floor floor indicators — which had been invented in Japan — are additionally “ubiquitous” within the metropolis, mentioned the report. 

Such indicators assist warn visually impaired pedestrians of hazards and help navigation. 

“The primary streets are well-endowed with kerb cuts, and though smaller streets typically haven’t any pavement so wheelchair customers share the roads with automobiles, bicycles and different pedestrians, drivers are much more thoughtful than in different international locations,” it added. 

Las Vegas

The “sheer quantity” of accessible resort rooms in Las Vegas makes town a stand-out selection for journey. 

“Some, just like the Bellagio, supply dozens of accessible rooms, some supply a whole lot – throughout all value brackets and room varieties, together with Las Vegas’ famed themed rooms and suites,” Heng wrote. 

Such rooms have options akin to ceiling hoists, visible and vibrating alarms. 

The report discovered that casinos in Las Vegas even have educated personnel to help people with disabilities at gaming tables, and even place bets for many who want help.

New York 

New York Metropolis scored highest in offering ample info, which permits people with disabilities to “plan their journey and keep away from disappointment.”

“The official information to New York Metropolis has an accessibility web page that hosts in-depth articles on totally different points of accessibility within the metropolis, in addition to accessible guides to a few of its extra outstanding vacationer sights,” Heng mentioned. 

“There’s additionally a searchable, filterable database of 1,500 factors of curiosity – together with vacationer sights, museums, galleries, accommodations and eating places – that provides primary accessibility info.”

Orlando

Orlando is well-known for being house to iconic theme parks akin to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Common Studios Florida. 

In keeping with the Useful 500 report, all theme parks in Orlando present not simply bodily lodging, but additionally measures to keep away from queues.

Of those that chosen Orlando, 48% selected it for its large number of accessible lodging, it added. 

Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Amsterdam’s benefit over different cities is its community of 400 kilometers of motorcycle lanes, which wheelchair customers can use for “a easy experience” too, mentioned the report. 

“In probably the most bike-friendly cities on the planet, it is even attainable to lease tailored bikes – together with ones that may incorporate a wheelchair,” it added. 

Virtually all the metropolis’s vacationer sights are accessible too, besides the Anne Frank Home and Rembrandt Home Museum. 

Paris (France)

Paris is the host for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Video games, which has given it “additional impetus” to be extra accessible, mentioned the report. 

“Within the lead as much as the 2024 Video games, town is creating 15 accessible pilot districts round Olympic and Paralympic websites, enhancing entry to public areas, accommodations, providers, retailers and so forth.” 

Entry to lots of the metropolis’s museums shouldn’t be solely free to folks with disabilities, they can bounce queues as nicely, it added. 

London (UK)

London has displayed a “sturdy dedication” to accessible tourism, mentioned the Useful 500, ever since a 2018 research which confirmed that it contributes greater than $17 billion to the tourism trade. 

“One of many most important outcomes … has been the publication of a wealth of all-important info wanted by disabled folks to plan holidays and excursions,” it wrote.

Greater than half (57%) of survey respondents additionally selected London due to its accessible transport hyperlinks.

Sydney

Like New York Metropolis, Sydney scores extremely on its provision of details about accessibility. 

Dwelling to the long-lasting Opera Home and Harbour Bridge, “the overwhelming majority” of Sydney’s sights are additionally wheelchair-accessible, mentioned the Useful 500. 

All new and renovated buildings within the metropolis are additionally mandated by regulation to cater for wheelchair entry.