It’s weird, but it’s true. People working in tourism, in general, have been wary of tackling the subject of accessibility because they are afraid of getting it wrong. However, when you think of the millions of people in the world working in tourism, that’s a ridiculously large number of people who are scared to say ‘May I help you?’ It will help businesses learn and grow if you can assuage their fear, and calmly point out what your needs are in advance of your travel, and at the same time show them gentle steps that they can take to make it easier for other guests. Sometimes they need a big loud reminder that yes, they really can help you. And that no, you aren’t scary.

Discovering that the accessible toilet is a store cupboard is not only common but also an unfortunate metaphor for just how insensitive people can be. People aren’t to be hidden away in a store cupboard, forgotten, or just ignored because no one knows where else to put them. And the irony is that this is a hospitality industry. You have a right to be angry, and you also have a right to inclusion. However, peaceful protests and articulate arguments are the ones that create change, not ranting and raging reckless ones. We can wait for the governments to make it obligatory or for businesses to wake up to the fact that, on so many levels, it makes sense to include everyone. But as Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Don’t wait for others to get their acts together, but educate the people who need to understand better what your disabled access holiday requirements are– and do so creatively and with inspiration. We have all ears open at Responsible Travel too and are happy to hear all suggestions, as we know that we are only at the beginning of our learning curve.

Social media is a wonderful tool to create awareness and change. Get switched on to the social media network, and praise companies who are getting things right. Or tourist boards that are getting it wrong. Most accommodation websites offer information to families, walkers, cyclists, honeymooners and so on. If, however, you are blind, autistic, deaf, have arthritis or are a wheelchair user, then you’ll sometimes be surfing from dawn ‘til dusk to find a cottage in the country to cater for your needs. By becoming part of the social media world, one that features highly on all travel organisations’ agendas these days, you are not only giving shout outs to the people getting it right, but also showing that you are willing and able to travel. If the industry would just be more willing and able to host you.

The default line with many tourism organisations is ‘yes we are wheelchair friendly’ or ‘yes, we are accessible’. However as we know, accessibility is a term that means so little, as everyone’s needs are different. So get good at making lists of all your needs, save a document that you can copy and paste with ease, and put a few tick boxes alongside it, so that the tourism business can fill it in easily. So, ironically, you are making the process easier for them, not the other way round. We know that sounds silly, but we think that this is the best way, at the moment, to start teaching businesses about the nitty gritty needs of travellers around the world.

Key questions to ask tour operators and tourism businesses from Brian Seaman, accessible tourism expert, who worked at leading charity, Tourism for All UK for 19 years.

• Does your holiday insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
• Does your holiday insurance cover wheelchair or equipment repair or replacement?
• Can the agent make accessible accommodation a ‘requirement’ rather than a ‘request’?
• Can the agent guarantee this room will be available?
• Are the other facilities and beach accessible?
• If oxygen is required on the flight – is this free-of-charge?
• Is there assistance available at the UK and destination airport?
• If the transfer bus at the destination is not accessible is there an alternative accessible taxi service?
• Who is liable for the cost of a transfer taxi?

Photo credits: [Top box: Catalunya.com] [Julià Montero Ortega: Barcelona Zaro Limits] [Fiona Smart quote: Mas Pelegri]