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Olympics London 2012: Will mobility disabled visitors access to the Games be Gold medal standard?

Olympics London 2012: Will mobility disabled visitors access to the Games be Gold medal standard?
Author: Emma Young
1 Commentries
Abstract
Will the 2012 London Olympics be gold medal standard for accessibility and inclusion for mobility disabled visitors? Will the legacy continue to remove barriers inhibiting access to tourism for the millions of disabled in the U.K. and Worldwide?

Words; Accessibility, Barriers, Disability, Inclusion, London 2012, Olympics.

Introduction
In today's world of modern technology and global information, it seems impossible that access to tourism may be inhibited for some, because of physical, psychological or social barriers, as a consequence of their race, age, gender, social class or disability.
Disability includes physical, mental and psychological conditions; deafness, vision impairment, mobility disabled, learning difficulties and any other impairment which may limit or prevent the performance of an activity.
There are physical, psychological, and social barriers to disabled people becoming 'travel active', empowered, and improving their quality of life. These may sometimes be intrinsic; possibly self imposed by fear and lack of knowledge, or more often extrinsic; physical and social barriers from businesses and society. (Yau et al 2004;948). Disabled people generally have lower disposable incomes, due to a higher rate of unemployment or low wages, another barrier to tourism.
There are over 11 million disabled people in England. (DCMS 2010: 2).This represents a potential tourism market of £80 billion p.a. (ODI 2010;6)
I chose to research accessibility and inclusion inhibiting factors to tourism for mobility disabled 'wheelchair users', including access provisions to two major U.K. sporting events, the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002, and forthcoming London 2012 Olympics.

Information
A mobility disabled person needs to plan ahead for a good experience. This requires up to date information on accessibility and services available to them. Tourism for All and RADAR created a website 'Open Britain' and a guide. (Tourism for All, 2011)(Open Britain,2011) 'Inclusive London' website allows visitors to find information on accommodation, restaurants, transport, and prioritise their needs by choosing symbols e.g. wheelchair access (Inclusive London, 2011)
Legislation
Current legislation in the U.K the Equality Act 2010 (supersedes DDA 1995 & 2005), states that any service provider who provides a service to the general public in Great Britain has duties under the Equality Act 2010. (Direct Gov 2010)
Attitudes of providers.
Providers often offer the minimal amount of accessibility, necessary to comply with the current legislation. The Office of Disability Issues report warns businesses there is a high risk of losing custom and loyalty to a more accessible competitor, and disabled people can affect the choices of families and friends. (ODI 2010;1)
Access to U.K. sporting events.
Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002 was a success. All venues were accessible, ability to book wheelchair positions, seat for a travel companion. (m2002 The CGF, 2002).Games Mobility Centre with free hire of equipment.Transport: Buses had disabled access. Trains: ability to book assistance. Parking; for Blue Badge holders.

London 2012
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson promised at the Beijing Olympics 2008 handover, the most accessible and inclusive games ever in 2012. (Inclusive London 2011)
London 2012 website has special ticketing arrangements for the disabled. Wheelchair spaces include a companion seat. Family and friends can sit nearby to give a shared experience. Ticketcare; for disabled people who do not need a wheelchair space, but need a carer.Accessible facilities in all venues. Games Mobility Centre for hire of wheelchairs and scooters. Parking: for Blue badge holders.
Transport; accessible transport is a huge task. At this time only a quarter of tube stations and one third of rail stations in London have step free access from station to platform. (U.K. Eurosport 2011) Buses are accessible with low floors and priority seating. (London 2012)
Accommodation; a shortage of accessible accommodation prompted the London Development Agency to ask 200 hotels to create 800 extra accessible rooms. The Holiday Inn is involved in putting hoists in five hotels, staff training in disability confidence, and recruiting disabled staff. (Littman 2009)
Olympic Park and venues.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) stated that 'the Olympic Park, venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games will be the most inclusive and accessible to date' by using Inclusive Design principles.( London 2012 (2008)

Conclusion
The Legacy of 2012- barriers inhibiting access will continue to be removed:-
'After the Games, the most accessible and inclusive public park and sporting venues in London will be left for the local communities to use for generations after.' (London 2012, (2008). Transport infrastructure and Accommodation in London will be more accessible for disabled people.
Businesses; will offer better standards of service, information, facilities and opportunities to disabled people. Sport; The Games will boost participation of sport and activity for all. Society; more inclusion and positive perceptions of disabled people in society. (ODI 2009:3)

Do you think these changes deserve a Gold medal?

Changes in access for some, could mean improved access to all.

Finally, society needs to remember that not only access but inclusion is vital for all disabled people.
'Accessibility is passive - leaving the door open without obstacles in the way.
Inclusion is active - inviting you in to the human network beyond the newly barrier-free doorway'. (Rolling Rains, Travelogues 2010)




References

DCMS (2010) Report: Accessible Tourism: Making it work for your business, [online] available from
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/DCMS_Accessible_Tourism_Report.pdf
[accessed 30th April 2011]

Inclusive London (2011) [online] available from
http://www.inclusivelondon.com/search/place/0/0/0/0/london/olympic%20games/0/0/0/0/search.aspx
[accessed 3rd May 2011]

Littman, J. (2009): 'Accessibility, Understanding, Progress and Opportunities'
Tourism Insights [online] available from
http://www.insights.org.uk/articleitem.aspx?title=Accessibility%3a+Understanding%2c+Progress+and+Opportunities [accessed 5th May 2011]

Open Britain (2011); Attractions, [online] available from
http://www.openbritain.net/openbritain/attraction-details/attraction/6182/
[accessed 30th April 2011 ]

Yau, M.K., McKercher, B., and Packer, T.L. (2004) Travelling with a disability; more than an access issue, Annals of Tourism Research 31, (4), 946-960


Gold medal for being the first inclusive games, last place for taking this long to make London accessible.
Author: Jessica Arnold
The main aim of this paper is to establish how good the standard of facilities are at the London 2010 Olympic Games are for the disabled tourist, and if the standard provided could help the rest of the industry to become more disabled friendly.

The author introduces the paper with a very poignant statement about how inaccessibility to tourism due to a disability should not still be an issue in 2011 when one looks at how advanced the world is in relation to technology. Following on to explain the variety of meanings of the term "disability" then shows just how varying this can be: this shows just how much the tourism industry has to adapt themselves to cater for, from providing access ramps to all buildings, to brail signs and hearing loops. Choosing to do a study into accessibility for tourists to the Manchester Commonwealth games 2002, and the London Olympic games 2012 is quite interesting as the author states that people with a disability tend to have a lower income.

The paper then introduces some background information about how important it is for sufficient and in depth information to be provided about accessible facilities, so that someone with a disability can plan their holiday. The Equality Act 2010 should mean that businesses have to cater for all needs however, this isn't so: perhaps the minimal amount of accessibility should be higher as it is in their best interest to gain as much business as possible.

Giving a brief paragraph about the Commonwealth Games does not really show much about how accessible it was: although there is data to show what was accessible, there are no facts to say how much was inaccessible and therefore how many people could not attend, which is possibly the more important points. The author then goes on to talk about the upcoming Olympic Games: quoting that the Mayor of London has promised it to be the most accessible games ever is quite a statement and it will be interesting to see whether he keeps to his word.

The information provided about the accessibility of the Games shows how much effort has been put into making them the "most inclusive games ever": it also shows, with regards to London transport and accommodation, that the Games will leave a very positive legacy on the city.

Overall I think the paper introduces the topic well, and provides lots of important information around the subject, however it does not achieve its aim to show how the games will encourage accessibility throughout the tourism industry. In response to the question that the author ends the paper on, no I don't think it deserves a gold medal: these regulations and changes should be mandatory, and not something that they are aiming to achieve just for the publicity.