'Safe Travels!' Part 4: International Destinations
Dreaming of your next overseas holiday? From historic cobbled-stoned towns to ultra-modern cities, there are so many places to choose from! Take the leap (over an ocean or two, that is) and choose your next international holiday destination. Our final segment of our ‘Safe travels!’ series, takes us overseas as we explore some of the world’s most cosmopolitan and accessible international destinations.
Santander, Spain – A European Union finalist for the most disability-friendly city, Santander has a universal access public policy that tops most European cities.
Grenoble, France – Known as the ‘Capital of the Alps,’ one would think Grenoble may not be the most accessible town. However, the city’s efforts to accommodate people with disability have won the commendation of the European Commission.
Ljubljana, Slovenia – Slovenia’s tidy capital is worth a side trip from the likes of Venice, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Croatia or Carinthia, Austria. With public transport audio and video stop announcements, bus stop Braille signs and tactile city maps, Ljubljana is totally retrofit for disabled visitors.
London, United Kingdom – As London prepared for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there was a surge in improvements for people with disability with the creation of new accessible in popular areas such as Southbank in London. The city also has its own accessibility website called Inclusive London which is dedicated to showing all the accessible accommodation, attractions, bars and restaurants the city has to offer.
Ávila, Spain – Home to fewer than 60,000 people, the UNESCO World Heritage city is a member of the League of Historical Cities Accessible, created by the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability.
Singapore, Singapore – As one of the most accessible cities in Asia, this city-state has had a universal code on barrier-free accessibility in place for over two decades.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – To the casual observer, progressive public works projects seem to have a home in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver was at the vanguard of disability access in Canada prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics but took it to another level in the run-up to the Games.
Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. – In the same general ‘hood’ and mindset as Vancouver, Seattle is another metropolis where universal access is front of mind. Though a city of hills, the ‘Emerald City’ is a logistical model for people with disabilities and runs a website for residents and visitors with disability.
