THE festive season is in full swing, with holiday makers from the length and breadth of the world seeking the thrill of Durban’s tourist attractions.

These tourists will include persons with disabilities and this gives rise to the question: how accessible is the City and its sights, landmarks and popular destinations for people with disabilities?

We spoke with Shakila Maharaj from ShazaCin Accessible Media to better understand accessibility and what businesses within the tourism industry should be aware of when catering for persons with disabilities.

ShazaCin Accessible Media is a young innovative company operating in the assistive technology space, making visual content accessible to visually impaired persons through audio description.

This multi-award winning company works with local talent to produce content described in audio using English and local languages.

“Audio description makes the visual verbal, skillfully using words to describe anything that can be seen – live or recorded – to persons who cannot see. In this way, it enables the full understanding and enjoyment of visual media. It is a globally recognised art form and access tool aligned with international standards,” said Maharaj.

The company has developed an App –  describeAT – which makes a number of experiences, including tourist destinations such as art galleries, museums and heritage sites, more accessible.

Having a disability, explained Maharaj, influences one’s destination choice around the City “because places vary in their level accessibility”.

“Persons with disabilities like everyone else want to experience everything like everyone else and if they are coming to holiday in Durban during the festive season then like everyone else, they want to take in all the attractions, the beachfront, Botanical Gardens, and the Festival of Lights, all of that,” said Maharaj.

For people using wheelchairs, Suncoast is one of the most accessible places in Durban.

However, Maharaj is quick to caution that this does not mean persons with disabilities are only restricted to the casino because they can “navigate the barriers and challenges” of different locations once they arrive, where there could be the possibility of receiving support from others.

“So, it’s a situation of a mixture of both, so it is not possible to say go here, and go there because this place is more accessible than that place,” said Maharaj.

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For Maharaj, accessibility is not only about the place a person is going to but also about how they get there, which involves transportation, and pavements, to list just two examples.

Another key attraction in Durban is the Promenade, which Maharaj said is very accessible for people using wheelchairs, but is in need of a Braille trail for people with visual impairments.

“Because blind persons would love the opportunity to just walk freely, independently using their white cane and not having to hold onto someone and walk along that boardwalk,” said Maharaj.

The App describeAT, explained Maharaj, “gives full guided tours that can be experienced virtually” for Durban destinations such as the Gandhi Settlement and the Ohlange Institute.

“We are constantly developing new places but it is all about funding and getting the buy-in,” said Maharaj.

She said it is important that constant awareness is raised within the tourism industry that their destinations are more accessible to persons with disabilities.

“And accessibility is not just wheelchair, ramps and toilets. The majority of disabilities are invisible, so you have persons who come in and may be deaf, who may be partially visually impaired, may have low vision, so it is all about the attitude,” said Maharaj.

Attitude, explained Maharaj, can make up for what may be lacking in physical infrastructure to create accessibility, and with an increased number of visitors expected over the holiday season, which will result in crowded and congested spaces, restricting mobility for people using wheelchairs and white canes, attitude becomes key.

Maharaj said it also worth noting that catering for persons with disabilities is good for business because usually they bring along two or more people to give them support.

“So in that way, they bring far more business. For every one person with a disability, they are bringing two to three others with them, family, friends and so it is a very good market to cater for,” said Maharaj, who added that good service equals to loyalty.

Maharaj stressed that offering assistance to persons with disabilities should not be seen as charity or performing unusual acts but rather as part of meeting the needs of that particular market segment.

“If we understand what is the need of that market segment, then we know how we are going to adjust our service levels, whether it is physical support or environmental support, we have to offer our services and customise them in line with the need of that client base and that is the whole point. If we get valued and respected as consumers of tourism services then the services will be designed to reach our need,” said Maharaj.

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