People with disabilities are not a separate ‘niche’ market. Instead, they are a part of the Australia tourism market. More than a quarter of all tourism trips are taken by people over the age of 55 which group are most likely to benefit from increased accessibility will grow.
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Mobility impaired impaired guests might ask about
The elderly and people with families will benefit from increased accessibility.
Wheelchair users make up only a small percentage of people with disabilities. |
Visually impaired guests might ask about
By making your facility more accessible it will also help to increase your business. |
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Sign language capabilities
- Equipment such as TV with captioning, text telephone, phone with induction loop and vibrating or flashing fire alarms. A duplicate key should be available so that the traveling companion can gain access to the room , portable induction loops on reception desks and conference rooms could be easily fitted.
- Mobile phone network coverage in your area, or a land line that can be used used in an emergency, should be explained.
- Lift if there is one - are there illuminated floor buttons and lift indicators? Is there a way of calling for help that does not include the ability to hear.
- Emergency evacuation arrangements should be discussed early on, perhaps at the time of booking or registration.
- Lighting should be even and diffuse to aid lip reading without shadows.
- Assistance dogs (see above)
- Access. For example, is the property's access at road level and smooth and how close is the setting down point and parking, to the property? Is there a dropped kerb at the setting down point? Are there any steps, is there a ramped entrance and how wide are the corridors and doors?
- Lifts for example, how wide are the lift doors, how large is the lift car and can the controls be reached from a seated position? Is there a mirror at the back wall to aid reverse exit?
- Emergency evacuation arrangements (see above)
- Bedrooms. For example, which floor are they on? How are they laid out? Can beds be raised? Is there a hoist? How do you charge for carer accommodation? Can all main sockets, light switches and alarm cords be reached from a seated position?
- Bathrooms. For example, does the bathroom have a wheel-in (level access) entry to the shower or bath. Is there a hoist? Is there a fold-down shower seat and can taps and grab rails be reached from a seated position? Is the temperature of hot water thermostatically controlled?
- Kitchen facilities. Is there access to a lowered work top, shallow sink and hob. Are there large-handled kitchen utensils or adapted cutlery Is there a microwave at an accessible height?
- Toilets. Are there public accessible toilets? What is provided in them? Is the accessible toilet always open?
- Can all controls be used from the bed?
- Assistance dogs * (see above)
- Availability of information in formats such as large print (size 14) or greater and uncomplicated fonts e.g. Arial or Braille.
- Is your website’s availability in text only form.
- Emergency evacuations arrangements (see above).
- Lighting is a reading lamp available? Is the lighting even, soft and diffuse so as to not cause confusion?
- * Service dogs is a term that covers any working dog e.g., hearing dogs for the deaf, guide dogs for the blind, epilepsy dogs for assistance or support .
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