รายละเอียดกระทู้

By Jeandie O. Galolo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2013/11/27/tourism-facilities-need-be-accessible-pwds-315888 AIMING to offer a “barrier-free” tourism industry among persons with disabilities (PWDs) visiting the country, the Department of Tourism and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) are calling on establishments to provide accessible facilities and “non-handicapping” structures and facilities. During the regional forum on accessible tourism for PWDs held in Panglao, Bohol yesterday, DOT central office tourism standards and regulation director Maria Rica Bueno said DOT’s move in promoting barrier-free tourism is expected to bring in more foreign tourists, especially PWDs and senior citizens. Bueno said barrier-free tourism means PWDs are given access to facilities and opportunities that will enable them to participate in tourism and leisure activities. NCDA Information, Education and Communication Division chief Rizalio Sanchez said accessible facilities are not only encouraged but also required under existing statutes and universal policies and principles. These include the Batasan Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law, RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNRPD). These laws and policies serve to protect the rights and privileges of PWDs. Some notable facilities for PWDs that an establishment should have, said Sanchez, are wide parking spaces, a ramp that is wide enough for wheelchair users, corrugated tiles to warn visually impaired guests, wheelchair accessible counters, bathroom and accessible pools, among others. NCDA acting excutive director Carmen Zubiaga said not all establishments are providing accessible facilities to PWDs because of ignorance of the law. With several regional conferences on barrier-free tourism conducted by DOT and NCDA, Bueno said she hopes that this will raise awareness among tourism stakeholders. Conferences Both agencies have conducted conferences in Cebu, Manila, Davao and Puerto Princesa since 2011. Bueno said they are in the information dissemination stage now and will move to the monitoring phase soon. Zubiaga said that putting up PWD facilities does not require investment since the regulation has been implemented since 1983. She said businesses only see the requirement costly if they did not follow the required facilities before and so feel the need to put up now. “With barrier-free tourism, you can capture the forgotten market segment,” Zubiaga said. She said that since PWDs and senior citizens travel with the whole family, the income a particular hotel or destination generates from them is bigger. With more tourists coming in, local PWDs can find more economic opportunities like making souvenir items or rendering services such as massage. Zubiaga also encouraged businesses to allow their staff tto undergo sensitivity training under NCDA to help them better understand and serve the needs of their guests.