MR WABOTLHE CHIMIDZA CHAIRPERSON BOTSWANA SOCIETY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BOTSWANA

REGIONAL SEMINAR ON ACCESSIBILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT UNIVERSAL DESIGN, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT 1-3 MARCH 2010 MAPUTO MOZAMBIQUE

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE BUILT-ENVIRONMENTBOTSWANA

INTRODUCTION This is a key factor for People with Disabilities that prevents them from achieving independence participation and social inclusion in the society. Accessible built environment provides an independence in pursue an activities in social, economic and cultural in their daily life. People with Disabilities are faced with barriers which effectively prevent them to participate as equal citizen. As disabled people we have an obligation to sustain the pressure in the struggle for our liberation.

ACCESS TOURISM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES In most of the built environment for tourism is not catering for People with Disabilities -Public transportation -Building e.g hotels -Airports -Parks -An accessible information -Recreational areas

Access Tourism For People With Disabilities Cont. Free accessibility has become a concern in his developing world -In roads they are some payment which prevent PWD for free movement from one point to another -Steps in most buildings -Counter been to high to be reach by people with disability. -Information not written in other format e.g sing language and brail - When people with disabilities plan a trip it became expensive because they have to cater for that person.

Access Tourism For People With Disabilities Cont. - Out date policies and laws which prevent some people in the society to accept people with disabilities in some places e.g – work places ( discriminatory laws) - Lack of adequate customer service training special for people with disabilities. -Sightseeing of people with disabilities which make them un comfortable.

RECOMMENDATIONS Government and agencies need to have budgets and timelines for the successful implementation of the Disability strategy. There is need to ensure that all infrastures are accessible to People with Disabilities. We must have some plans for equal treatment. Right of People to equal participation in society must be respected by tourism providers.

THANK YOU. END