Disabled must be given greater access
In celebration of 3 December, International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Worcester focused on raising awareness of people with disabilities.
One of the aspects concerning the disabled is that travel should be accessible to everyone. But for people with disabilities, there are significantly fewer options available.
This is changing, however, with platforms like Airbnb working to make travel more accessible – with the acquisition of accessible travel startup, Accomable, in 2017, and the release of new accessibility filters this spring.
According to Statistics South Africa, looking at information from the 2011 census, the national disability prevalence rate is 7,5%. Globally, according to the World Bank, 15% of the world’s population (or 1 billion people) experience some form of disability, with about one-fifth experiencing significant disabilities.
For the hospitality industry, there is a great deal of opportunity to create products to attract this largely untapped market. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) notes that accessible travel has been attracting more publicity in 2018, owing to policy changes in tourism businesses and increased awareness across the board of people with disabilities. More tourism businesses are catering to this market. Owing to demand from travellers with accessibility needs, many companies are now developing their products to be more inclusive.
Earlier this year Airbnb added 27 new accessibility features and filters to the platform to enable guests to search for homes which suit their specific needs. This includes step-free entry, wider doorways and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs, well-lit paths, flat paths and entrances, elevators, roll-in showers, grab bars in bathrooms, chairs in baths and showers, and disabled parking spots.
“Too many disabled people go without a holiday because they simply can’t find anywhere that can provide what they need. Holidays are vitally important to everyone, to our relationships with those close to us, to our lust for life, and to our ability to cope with our daily challenges,” said Chris Simmonds, CEO of Revitalise.org in the United Kingdom, adding that it is “heartwarming” that a global brand like Airbnb is tackling accessibility issues for people with disabilities.
Last year, Airbnb acquired UK-based accessible travel start-up, Accomable. The company, founded in 2015 by two friends with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley, was launched to make it easier for everyone to travel regardless of disability. Madipalli is now the accessibility Product and programme manager at Airbnb and is helping to lead efforts to ensure the Airbnb platform and community is accessible for everyone.
“As a person with disabilities who is a passionate traveller, I am hugely excited by the changes we’re making at Airbnb. With the new filters, we are making it easier for everyone to share their adapted homes with travellers with disabilities around the world. Our mission is to enable anyone to belong anywhere, regardless of disability,” says Madipalli.
There are 50 million people with disabilities in the United States alone with a combined income of more than $175 billion, according to a Harris Poll conducted in conjunction with the Open Doors Organization and the Travel Industry Association of America. While these citizens spend millions on travel each year, the study found that many of them said they would double their spend if more amenities were made available to them. Requirements were as simple as employees of accommodation and amenities going out of their way to accommodate them.
Shifting demographics mean it’s also wise to consider the needs of older travellers, as this is one of the largest markets in the travel industry. World Bank statistics state that the number of people with disabilities increases with age, with more than half (53,2%) of people over the age of 85 have reported a disability.
And this market is certainly on the move. In fact, Airbnb statistics show that over-60s guests globally are the fastest-growing of any age group using the platform to book accommodation. Among the countries with the most Airbnb travellers in this age bracket in South Africa.
Local Airbnb hosts, Sid and Rahel Kahn, rent out their converted spare room in their house in Port Elizabeth.
The Kahns have had return visitors on holiday every year, as well as many guests who travel from areas surrounding Port Elizabeth to visit nearby Netcare Greenacres Private Hospital.
“We’re on the recommended list at the hospital and, when people want to stay over, they often refer them to us. Our place is very comfortable, convenient, and we do try to go out of our way for people. We have wheelchair access and recently won an award for excellence in accommodation for people with special needs,” explains Sid.
This is just one of many Airbnb listings making travel more accessible. And, if travel options become more accommodating, statistics like these should only be set to grow in 2019.
Source: Worcester Standard News