The Invaluable 500, a enterprise coalition, launched its checklist of the highest 10 most accessible cities on this planet.
The report cited a survey carried out amongst 3,500 people with disabilities, who rated cities based mostly on “transport hyperlinks, proximity of lodging to points of interest, outlets, and eating places, and the provision of details about accessibility.”
The survey was carried out in August and September, and concerned contributors from 5 international locations — the U.Ok., United States, Japan, China and Australia.
“Our analysis reveals that throughout each the private and non-private sectors within the journey and tourism business, these cities constantly rating properly within the accessibility rankings,” mentioned Caroline Casey, the founding father of the Invaluable 500.
“Nonetheless … accessibility preparations for individuals with disabilities stay an afterthought for the journey and tourism business — which is why we’re trying into each facet of the business journey for individuals with disabilities within the analysis we’ve got commissioned.”
Martin Heng, a journey author who wrote the report, added: “Though bodily accessibility is vital, what’s so important is that throughout all territories individuals with incapacity select journey suppliers based mostly on being handled with respect and understanding of their wants.”
Asia
Singapore (Singapore)
Singapore’s getting older inhabitants is “the primary impetus” for its accessibility, mentioned the report.
Town-state’s accessibility code consists of mandates like guaranteeing the security and accessibility of escalators and elevators, and the supply 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 growth occurred in recent times, trendy Shanghai’s pavements are in “good situation, with loads of curb cuts,” mentioned the report. Curb cuts are ramps connecting sidewalks to the road.
Town additionally has the most important metro community on this planet, which is totally accessible to wheelchair customers. The survey discovered that 39% of respondents who selected Shanghai did so due to its accessible public transport.
The Pudong skyline in Shanghai.
xPACIFICA | The Picture Financial institution | Getty Photographs
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 assist navigation.
“The primary streets are well-endowed with kerb cuts, and though smaller streets typically don’t have any pavement so wheelchair customers share the roads with vehicles, bicycles and different pedestrians, drivers are much more thoughtful than in different international locations,” it added.
United States
Las Vegas
The “sheer quantity” of accessible resort rooms in Las Vegas makes town a stand-out alternative for journey.
“Some, just like the Bellagio, provide dozens of accessible rooms, some provide tons of – throughout all worth brackets and room varieties, together with Las Vegas’ famed themed rooms and suites,” Heng wrote.
Such rooms have options reminiscent of ceiling hoists, visible and vibrating alarms.
The report discovered that casinos in Las Vegas even have skilled personnel to help people with disabilities at gaming tables, and even place bets for individuals who want help.
New York
New York Metropolis scored highest in offering sufficient 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 completely different features of accessibility within the metropolis, in addition to accessible guides to a few of its extra outstanding vacationer points of interest,” Heng mentioned.
“There’s additionally a searchable, filterable database of 1,500 factors of curiosity – together with vacationer points of interest, museums, galleries, motels and eating places – that provides fundamental accessibility info.”
Orlando
Orlando is well-known for being dwelling to iconic theme parks reminiscent of Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Common Studios Florida.
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
Joe Raedle | Getty Photographs Information | Getty Photographs
Based on the Invaluable 500 report, all theme parks in Orlando present not simply bodily lodging, but in addition measures to keep away from queues.
Of those that chosen Orlando, 48% selected it for its vast number of accessible lodging, it added.
Europe
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Amsterdam’s benefit over different cities is its community of 400 kilometers of motorcycle lanes, which wheelchair customers can use for “a clean experience” too, mentioned the report.
“In one of the vital bike-friendly cities on this planet, it is even doable to lease tailored bikes – together with ones that may incorporate a wheelchair,” it added.
Virtually the entire metropolis’s vacationer points of interest are accessible too, besides the Anne Frank Home and Rembrandt Home Museum.
Amsterdam is likely one of the most bike-friendly cities on this planet, with an intensive community of motorcycle lanes.
Lechatnoir | E+ | Getty Photographs
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, motels, providers, outlets and so forth.”
Entry to lots of the metropolis’s museums shouldn’t be solely free to individuals with disabilities, they’re able to leap queues as properly, it added.
London (UK)
London has displayed a “sturdy dedication” to accessible tourism, mentioned the Invaluable 500, ever since a 2018 research which confirmed that it contributes greater than $17 billion to the tourism business.
“One of many fundamental outcomes … has been the publication of a wealth of all-important info wanted by disabled individuals to plan holidays and excursions,” it wrote.
Greater than half (57%) of survey respondents additionally selected London due to its accessible transport hyperlinks.
Australia
Sydney
Like New York Metropolis, Sydney scores extremely on its provision of details about accessibility.
Residence to the long-lasting Opera Home and Harbour Bridge, “the overwhelming majority” of Sydney’s points of interest are additionally wheelchair-accessible, mentioned the Invaluable 500.
All new and renovated buildings within the metropolis are additionally mandated by regulation to cater for wheelchair entry.
