Cape Town is sure to be buzzing with life over the next seven months as the city heads into its busiest tourism period.
There’s no doubt that the world loves coming to Cape Town, with our island-style beaches, breathtaking natural views, and winelands that stretch as far as the eye can see… and that’s really just the beginning of the Mother city’s offering.
But the big question is: how accessible and inclusive are we as a top tourism destination in the world?
While many Cape Town establishments are fully inclusive and accessible, many are short-sighted on what accessibility really is. It does go beyond a ramp and a rail.
I spoke with Tarryn Tomlinson, Activist and Founder of LiveAble, a company enabling accessible and inclusive travelling and living, on just how accessible and inclusive Cape Town is for people with disabilities, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Adrienne Bredeveldt.
Tarryn has first-hand experience of how important accessibility is, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and has been a wheelchair user since the age of 18.
‘Roughly 15 % of the world’s population experiences some form of disability, whether that be limited physical mobility, hearing and visual impairments or cognitive disabilities. This does not take into account people who need accessible services and facilities such as the aged, temporarily disabled and parents with prams.’
Tarryn added that overlooking the needs of those with disabilities was not only bad for a company’s image but could also affect the bottom line.
‘Companies will reap the benefits of putting accessibility in place. Designing inclusive experiences reduces the need for personalised services and accommodates the widest range of potential visitors. Embrace a greater diversity of clients for economic sustainability.’
Living in Cape Town with a disability, Tarryn has had to navigate her way around the city and has become quite familiar with which places and activities are available to her.
Here are the three types of accessible places Tarryn goes to when looking for entertainment and leisure in the city:
Cape Town markets
Over the past couple of years, Cape Town has developed into a ‘market’ type city with food and craft markets popping up just about everywhere. Being such a cosmopolitan city with a variety of fresh produce and culinary options it makes sense that it would be such an attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Markets are great in that they usually have open spaces in which one with a physical disability can easily circulate, although a word of caution- not all markets are made equal. Be sure to call ahead to see whether they are accessible.
Cape Town hotel restaurants and bars
Hotel restaurants and bars. Why? Because hotels are built with accessibility for guests in mind and have a stronger emphasis on service. Most hotels have accessible bathrooms and parking. The attention to service also means that staff are more willing to lend a hand.
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First Published on Cape Town etc
Also see: In the mood for a family picnic? Here’s a list of beautiful nature attraction parks in Cape Town
