Travelling can be a thrilling adventure, but for PWDs it can often come with added complications and considerations. Thankfully, there are a host of destinations across the globe that lean heavily into providing accessibility for their tourists.
Here are 5 of arguably the best vacation spots where PWDs can easily appreciate the sights and entertainment offered, without any unnecessary or excessive hurdles.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a city that truly understands the importance of accessibility. The city’s public transportation system, particularly its bus network, is 100% wheelchair accessible. Their network of trains are also easy to navigate through, and only 12 out of 165 stations are considered to be somewhat inaccessible.
Many of the city’s sidewalks have ramps, and plenty of their major attractions are disability-friendly too. One noteworthy example is the Sagrada Família, the world’s largest unfinished Catholic church, that is almost fully accessible for PWDs. Not only is the church free to enter for PWDs, it also has a special accessible entrance on its southwest corner.
Of course, a Barcelona trip isn’t complete without experiencing its gorgeous beaches, and the most famous accessible beach of them all is Nova Icària Beach. It’s well-known for its comfy beach wheelchairs, helpful volunteers, accessible pathways, and facilities like accessible showers, toilets, and a hoist.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney is renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant city life, but it’s also a leader in accessibility. The city’s public transport system includes low-floor buses and accessible train stations.
Major attractions such as the Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Opera House are also famous for their inclusivity, thanks to considerations that include mobility parking, wheelchair-accessible toilets, accessible buggy services, courtesy wheelchairs and policies that are friendly to assistance animals.
The Sydney Opera House in particular also provides theatre captioning, assistive listening systems and audio description services – among many others – so that PWDs can enjoy a barrier-free experience of top-notch musical performances.
Orlando, Florida, USA
Orlando is a dream destination for many, especially those who love embracing their childlike wonder of theme parks. The city is home to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, both of which endeavour to provide innovative solutions for a barrier-free experience.
For example, Walt Disney World provides wheelchair and ECV rentals, guidance programs to access the attractions, service animal accommodations, and even hearing-accessible hotel rooms.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo combines tradition with cutting-edge modernity, making it a fascinating destination, yet a particularly comfortable one for PWDs. Public transportation, including Tokyo’s extensive subway system, has a huge array of accessible stations that lead to famous shrines, entertainment districts and more.
It’s also worth noting that in preparation for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo several years ago, Japan passed legislation to increase the amount of accessible hotels available for PWDs.
Meanwhile, tourist attractions like the Tokyo Skytree have priority access to elevators for PWDs to appreciate the sights of the city from the observation decks. Since the building is relatively new, the Skytree is more accommodating than many of Tokyo’s older attractions, having step-free access to its shopping complex, planetarium and aquarium.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s compact layout and efficient infrastructure make it an ideal destination for PWDs. The city has invested significantly in accessible public transport, including trams and buses. Some of these public transport options also provide audio commentary in multiple languages as you move around, which serves as a great tourist guide for both abled travellers and those with disabilities.
This capital city is also home to at least 12 iconic museums that are entirely wheelchair-accessible. These destinations include the Nxt Museum, the first exhibition area in the country exclusively focused on large-scale digital art installations and audio-visual projections.
Rijksmuseum is another notable mention, boasting spacious exhibition halls and accessible lifts to easily experience its showcase of Dutch masterpieces, historical artefacts and world-renowned paintings from artists such as Van Gogh.
All in all, Amsterdam’s charming canals, deep cultural heritage, and highly accessible infrastructure create an inviting atmosphere for travellers with disabilities.
References
Sydney Opera House (2024) Access the House [Accessed 27 July 2024] Available at: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/visit/accessibility
Josh Grisdale (2024) 7 Accessible Places To Visit in Tokyo [Accessed 27 July 2024] Available at: https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/accessible-attractions-tokyo/
Accessable (2019) Nova Icaria And 4 Other Accessible Beaches Barcelona Has To Offer [Accessed 27 July 2024] Available at: https://disabledaccessibletravel.com/barcelona-accessible-beaches/
Walt Disney World (2024) Accessibility at Walt Disney World Resort [Accessed 27 July 2024] Available at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/
I amsterdam (2024) Wheelchair-accessible museums in Amsterdam [Accessed 27 July 2024] Available at: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/travel-stay/accessibility/wheelchair-accessible-museums