Tourism Department Must Ensure Attractions, Accommodations Are Accurately Publicized As Being Accessible – Raymond

Thursday May 15, 2008

Halifax – NDP Tourism and Culture Critic, Michele Raymond, today asked the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Bill Dooks, what the required criteria for an event, attraction or accommodation to be listed as ‘accessible’ on the department’s website or Doers and Dreamers Guide?

“Persons with disabilities enjoy traveling, but they have specific needs, especially in accommodations and accessibility of attractions they visit,” says Raymond. “In searching Destination Nova Scotia, 279 accommodations have the wheelchair accessible symbol. But as tourists with mobility issues often find that this symbol guarantees nothing.”

Advocates for disable persons have heard from tourists who have arrived at their accommodations but they couldn’t get in the door.

“The symbol means nothing without clear standards and enforcement. Advocates would prefer the accessible symbol not be used at all if it can’t be more trusted,” says Raymond. Without standards the Minister would do better to put a notice on his website advising tourists to call individual operators to see if their needs will be met.”

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