If you are looking to get away from it all and book a breakaway, cities are a great option. Around 1/6th of people in the world has a disability, and this can make travelling a lot harder, so it always helps to do some research before you leave. As NDIS providers on the Gold Coast, we have been looking at the most accessible sites in the world and are delighted to see that Sydney features in the top four that have put disabled travellers first.
1. Sydney
Almost all of the main attractions in Sydney are accessible for wheelchair users. It really seems to be set up well, including a whole host of accommodations at the Sydney opera house for anyone who has extra needs. Sydney Harbour Bridge now has lifts installed, and the public transport system offers a great accessible experience for anyone in a wheelchair. This includes the ferries, which give you a great opportunity to see the beautiful harbour from the water. Around the harbour you will find miles of accessible paths that are all level and perfectly easy to wheel along. A lot of thought has been put into providing for impaired vision; there are plenty of tactile pavement surfaces that help identify different sections of the road and crossings. There are also over 2100 tactile and Braille Street signs that contain all sorts of information as part of the Legible Sydney Wayfinding System.
2. London
Also in the top four is London, which has a lot of accessible tourist attractions, including the Natural History Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern. Although some of the streets can be difficult to navigate, there are plenty that have been tailored to meet the needs, including the Southbank. It has very smooth and wide walkways, which pass by the side of the river and take in street performers and food stores. It’s also easy to get onto the Blackfriars train station from here. All buses have wheelchair access, although they tend to get very busy. There are still some issues with tube station access, with only a third having step-free access.
3. Singapore
Currently taking the crown for the most accessible city in the world seems to be Singapore. Over 95% of walkways, bus stops and taxi stands are designed to give easily accessible experiences for a wide range of impairments and over 85% of the buses are able to carry wheelchairs. Hearing-impaired visitors have also been taken care of when it comes to public transport. All audio announcements are also written on the screens on the stations and trains, et cetera. The Gardens by the Bay is one of the major tourist attractions in Singapore, and this, too, is completely wheelchair accessible with a free bus shuttle for wheelchair users. You can also rent wheelchairs for just $2 a day. The National Gallery, which is a new attraction and is considered to be an excellent architectural feature, is also very accessible and comes with a downloadable access guide so that you can plan your day.