Currently, no AODA standards require tourism to be accessible. However, the Third Review of the AODA recommends the creation of standards mandating accessibility in tourism. In this article, we will outline the need for a government website about accessible tourism in Ontario.
A Government Website about Accessible Tourism in Ontario
The Third Review of the AODA recommends that the Ontario government establish a website about accessibility to support AODA compliance. This website would work in conjunction with a resource centre to answer clients’ questions about how AODA standards apply to their businesses.
Similarly, AODA standards in tourism could require the government to establish a website about accessible tourism in Ontario. This website could provide potential tourists with information about the accessibility of all venues they might visit throughout the province. For example, this website could describe each venue’s general physical accessibility, including whether it has accessible:
- Parking
- Entrances
- Indoor or outdoor paths of travel
- Washrooms
In addition, the website could outline more specific physical features of places that tourists might visit, including:
- Beach access routes
- Accessible trails
- Barrier-free hotel rooms
- Amusement park rides visitors can access while using assistive devices
Likewise, the website could describe programs or services that venues provide to meet the accessibility needs of tourists with disabilities, such as:
- Restaurant menus in accessible formats, such as Braille or online
- Tour guides with accessibility training
- Excursions with accessible features
- Plays with communication supports, such as captioning or live audio description
- Tactile tours of museums or art galleries
- Scent-free environments
Each venue’s own website may advertise any accessible features or services it offers. However, a website offering an overview of all this information could help tourists quickly find relevant details and plan trips. For example, the website could allow potential visitors to search for information based on:
- Cities they are planning to visit
- Types of venues they hope to visit
- Accessibility features or services they are looking for
Finally, the website could direct visitors to each venue’s own website for more details or contact information.