As a physically challenged individual, I can't stress enough the need for facilities for persons of my nature. Starting with Bridgetown then expanding to tourist destinations and public transport (kneeling buses etc). Barbados can then be marketed to the cruise ship visitors as a 'wheelchair' friendly destination. The increase in revenue by all members of the community that depend on tourism, will be happy. (taxi drivers, vendors, locals etc).
Submitted by Paul Doyle
I could not agree more with a proposal!
Too many people think that an impairment that leads to a disability could not happen to them. Most people forget that a lot of these impairments occur with old age! Visual impairments where people need glasses and mobility issues that accompany osteoarthritic changes are some of the more common ones.
There is more to making a ‘disable friendly’ destination than simply improving wheel chair access. In making Barbados a more accessible destination to tourists with disabilities, inadvertently , one will make it more accommodating to the aged tourists as well.
In a world where most developed countries have aging populations this can only go more towards making Barbados a more attractive destination and add to its already high brand of marketability. For example, once the necessary adjustments have been made, maybe Barbados Vacation packages could be marketed to the various veterans associations throughout the world to hold their annual conferences. Just a suggestion as many war veterans have disabilities.
Regards