Catering for the disabled tourist

1. Catering for the disabled tourist Sean Loughran D07117735 DT202\Inclusive Learning through Technology assignment1

2. What we will cover • Disability • Types of disability • General assistive technology that the visitor might use • Visit to a tourist site • Summery

3. Disability Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives ( definition by the World Health Organization)

4. Think-Pair-Share What impairments could an individual have? Note: an impairment is a problem in body function or structure

5. What activity limitations may an individual have? Note: an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action

6. What participation restriction may an individual experience? Note: a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations

7. Examples of disability Impairments; blindness or missing a limb activity limitations; Cant walk, cant talk, cant see participation restriction; Unable to go participate ineducation, unable to use public transport

8. Facts and Figures • Estimate of disability prevalence of 8.1% • People with a Mobility and dexterity disability represented 56% of all persons with a disability • Of all persons reporting a disability, 24% reported the highest level of severity which meant that their disability prevented them from doing everyday activities. (National Disability Survey 2006)

9. History • In the US The disability rights movement, led by individuals with disabilities, began in the 1970s • The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980 influencing self-perception, organization and social policy. • The year 1981 was proclaimed the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) by the United Nations. It called for a plan of action with an emphasis on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. • Irish law Disability act 2005; in short this act is to enable provision to be made for the assessment of health and education needs of person with disabilities, to allocate for services to meet those needs, to provide for appeals by those persons in relation to the non-provision of those services, to improve access to public buildings and services and to promote equality and social inclusion. • 2006, the United Nations formally agreed on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention was required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.

10. Types of disability • The main types of disability could be seen to include physical, sensory, learning, intellectual disability and physiological disorders. Although various different categorisation exits.

11. Types of disability Physical disability:is any condition that prevents normal body movement and/or control. Equipment may be require to help with mobility communication, eating, toileting showering or bathing. Sensory disability: includes visual and hearing impairments and loss of somatosensory function Physiological disorders: Psychological disorders range from post traumatic stress syndrome to common phobias

12. Types of disability Learning disability: refers to a disorder in the process of understanding spoken or written language. It will effect an individuals ability to speak, listen, read, write, spell, reason, organise information or do mathematical calculations. Intellectual disability: is usually linked with a number of genetic or inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or autism. Individuals may have a difficulty with learning, problem solving and memory skills. There may also be delays with language development or self care.

13. Assistive technology • Assistive technology is technology that assists an individual to perform a task or activity that otherwise may be difficult or impossible. • Assistive Technology can either be a specialised piece of equipment such as a page turner that assists someone to turn the pages on a book or it can be an everyday main stream product like a hands free telephone. • A good assistive technology solution will considers the individual in terms of their needs and desires, the context were it will be used and the technology itself.

14. Assistive technology • It may be regarded as either low tech or high tech. • Low tech consists of items that are not battery or mains powered. They are usually low cost, and easy to understand, for example a walking stick or a jar opener. • High tech assistive technology on the other hand consists of items that are battery or mains powered. They are usually more complex in design and more expense and often require training. An example is a powered wheelchair or a PC with voice recognition software.

15. Assistive Technology Low tech High tech

16. Visit to a tourist site The Guinness storehouse is located in the heart of the St James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin City Centre. It is a seven story building with a retail store, bars, various exhibits, artwork, posters, memorabilia and some interactive kiosks. The content of the exhibits illustrate the history of the brewing process, the building and Guinness’s advertising.

17. For the tourist using a wheelchair or walking aid there are ramps, and hand rails that enable access to the exhibit areas. Lifts are also available between floors.

18. There is space for use and approach for most exhibits

19. Clear signage (with use of symbols) throughout the building is useful for all tourists but for the individual who has an intellectual disability it may be essential

21. The exhibit on the left is only accessible if the tourist can read. • On the right an audio visual presentation is also provided. As well as being more appealing it will further allow access to various disabilities or even to the non-native tourist.

22. Some exhibits are impressive but displaying them out of view of some users such as individuals in wheelchairs will mean nothing to them.

23. On the left is an exhibit that is not behind glass • On the right, a large range of memorabilia is behind glass and so will exclude anyone with a visual impairment. Some alternative display ideally should enable the visual impaired user to obtain information regarding what is on display

24. This interactive display allows a tourist to view an advertising video around a particular time. Its navigation is via the touch screen with areas to touch to go left, right and select. Although a blind user can hear the video, they would not be able to navigate using the controls

25. Think-Pair-Share Consider yourself having a disability, such as a hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disability etc.. What could be done to improve any of the exhibits for you?

26. Negative outcomes • Tourist may get confused or lost within the tourist site and will use up staff time looking for assistance • Tourist may not be able to experience what the site has to offer • Is less likely to speak well about their experience to fellow tourist. • Will not revisit

27. Positive outcomes • Staff will not have to provide as much assistance to the tourist, particularly if there is good signage • Making a tourist site more accessible means more people are likely to revisit, speak favorable about it, and draw more tourists in. • Ultimately it good for business

28. Summary and finish up • Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. • Estimate of disability prevalence of 8.1% and of this group, 24% cannot do everyday activities • Disability act 2005; for equality and social inclusion • Main types of disability could be seen to include physical, sensory, learning, intellectual disability and physiological disorders • Assistive technology is technology that assists an individual to perform a task or activity that otherwise may be difficult or impossible • Making a tourist site accessible including the exhibits is good for the disabled tourist, the non disabled tourist and the owner

29. Bibliography • Albert M. Cook, Susan M. Hussey 2002 Assistive technologies: principles and practice • Learner J, Beverly J, 2008, Learning Disabilities and Related Mild Disabilities • World Health Organisation disabilities definition, viewed 10th May 2010 <http://www.who.int/topics/disabilities/en/> • Wikipedia, Disability, viewed10th May 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability>