How Hotels Can Be Accessible for People with Disabilities and Why That Matters

People with disabilities spend billions in the tourism industry.

Accessible tourism is as important as anything else in the hotel industry. Wheelchair accessibility, in particular, is important to keep in mind. Wheelchair users face numerous challenges in hotels, including limited access to amenities, lack of adequate facilities, and barriers to movement.

Research from MMGY Global, a travel marketing group, found that 81 percent of disabled travelers have had to deal with inaccessible tubs/showers. Over half have also dealt with beds that were too high to access.

Providing wheelchair accessibility in hotels is also a human rights issue. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal access to all areas of life, including tourism and travel.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that hotels and other places of public accommodation remove architectural barriers and make their facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you don’t comply with these regulations there could be legal consequences, such as fines and lawsuits.

Being accessible is the right thing to do regardless, but it also has monetary importance.

MMGY also concluded that “travelers with mobility disabilities spend $58.2 billion per year on travel” and travel with almost the same frequency as able-bodied adults.

How can hotels attract people with disabilities?

• 84 percent said by making information about accessibility available prior to booking
• 83 percent said maintenance to sidewalks and ramps
• 81 percent said accessibility promotion

But you can’t promote what you don’t have. Here are some ways you can make your hotel accessible to everyone.

1. Make entrances and exits accessible

Wheelchair users require flat pathways to enter and exit the hotel, as well as elevators and ramps. Hotels should install ramps and handrails that are easy to use.

2. Create wheelchair-friendly parking spaces

Parking spots for individuals with disabilities should be close to the entrance, have enough space to accommodate larger vehicles, and be designed with a slope that allows wheelchairs to move with ease.

3. Design accessible guest rooms

Guest rooms must be spacious enough for wheelchair users to move around comfortably. The bathroom should have a roll-in shower, adjustable showerhead, grab bars, and an accessible toilet. Furniture and fittings should be arranged to provide ample space for wheelchair users.

4. Provide assistive devices and equipment

Hotels should provide assistive devices and equipment such as ramps, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other mobility aids that can be rented or borrowed by guests. This can be arranged in advance or upon check-in.

5. Train hotel staff

Staff members should be trained on how to interact with guests with disabilities, understand their needs, and provide appropriate assistance. This includes training on how to operate mobility aids and how to communicate effectively with guests with hearing or visual impairments.