Mobility, Travel, Transport and Tourism

International News

Google Maps Adds Transit Alerts For Broken Elevators, Accessibility Issues (Jul, CNET)

Travel Patterns of Americans with Disabilities “In 2022, 18.6 million Americans age 5 and older (6.1 percent of all persons in that age range) self-reported travel-limiting disabilities.” (Apr, Bureau of Transportation Statistics)

Solo Travel without Sight: the Ultimate Guide to Traveling Blind (Feb, Connor Scott-Gardner)

Beyond Barriers: trailblazers of inclusive travel. 14 people making the world more accessible for 2024. (Jan, Condé Nast Traveller)

5 reasons why affordable and accessible public transport is crucial for social and climate justice (2023, Greenpeace)

10 Most Accessible Cities features some big capitals including some cities I did not think of as very accessible. (link to pdf, 2022, Valuable 500)

Global Trends Report on Making Travel Inclusive for All (link to pdf, 2022, Valuable 500)

Fostering an inclusive urban transport system. Survey on inclusion from 20 public-transport operators around the world. They found that there were initiatives for inclusion but they were usually not integrated. (2022, McKinsey)

Experts at Dubai summit seek better travel facilities and accessibility for 'people of determination' worldwide (2022, Gulf News)

Back to contents.

Africa

How the Safari Industry Is Getting More Accessible — and Making Dream Trips Possible for Travelers With Disabilities. (2023, Travel + Leisure)

Back to contents.

Egypt

Egyptians with disabilities enjoy swimming at dedicated Mediterranean beach (2022, Global Times)

Back to contents.

Ghana

Ride-Hailing Services in Ghana Struggle to Meet Wheelchair Accessibility Needs. (2023, Tech Nova)

Back to contents.

Kenya

Kenyan ride-hailing company helps people with disabilities get mobile. (Oct, Africanews)

Back to contents.

South Africa

The world's first luxury wheelchair-accessible safari (2023, CN Traveller)

Back to contents.

Tanzania

Long-Distance Coaches, Trains and City Buses Ignore Persons with Disabilities (2022, Tanzania Times)

Back to contents.

Bangladesh

Is the metrorail disabled friendly? Video feature demonstrating accessibility features. (2023, Human Development Media)

Back to contents.

China

Armless man in China denied free metro ride without disability pass. “Railway station staff in China who asked an armless man to prove that he was disabled in order to travel for free have sparked a wave of anger on mainland social media.” (Apr, SCMP)

Young people in Guangzhou commute in electric wheelchairs as e-bikes face tighter rules. ‘The electric wheelchair “saves effort and is flexible, and you can ‘drive’ directly to your destination without having to find a parking space”’ (2023, The Straits Times)

Back to contents.

India

The long fight for accessible buses in Chennai (2023, Citizen Matters, Chennai)

Diary of a wheelchair traveller: 7 accessible spaces in India (2022, Money Control)

Representation to West Bengal Transport Authorities on procurement of accessible, low floor buses. (2022, Freedom of Movement Coalition)

Back to contents.

Israel

Making Israel’s history and heritage accessible for all (2022, Jerusalem Post)

Back to contents.

Japan

Disabled people seek accessible Nagoya Castle to be enjoyed by all “After more than 400 years, the iconic Nagoya Castle is under siege, this time by those wanting to make it more accessible to wheelchair-users and those who are determined to keep it as original as possible.” (2023, The Asahi Shimbun)

Tourism in Japan for everyone interview with Accessible Japan. (2023, Arigato Travel)

Japan’s Transit System and its efforts on disability access (2022, Bloomberg)

Back to contents.

Jordan

Accessibility issues remain a barrier at Jordan’s tourist attractions (2023, Jordan Times)

People with disabilities see long road ahead to accessible public transport (2022, Jordan Times)

Back to contents.

Mongolia

Human-centered design and using visual journey maps enable mobility and accessibility in Mongolia. Case study of a project Improving Transport Services in Ger Areas. (Oct, ADB)

Back to contents.

Nepal

Driving Change Short documentary on Deaf activists campaigning for Deaf people to have the right to get a driving licence. (Mar, Disability Justice Project)

Back to contents.

Pakistan

Finding my fairy-tale Travel tales by Tanzila Khan, who travels with a wheelchair and a green passport:

“I imagine myself in the stories I grew up with. I’m a modern-day Ibn Battuta traveling by wheelchair and airplane rather than camel, wagon or horse. I’m Snow White and I had to stay at the cottage because the Airbnb wasn’t accessible.” (Nov, Disability Debrief)

Back to contents.

South Korea

39 Barrier free destinations in our country a new book (In Korean, 2023, imedialife)

Resolution remains elusive for Seoul's disabled accessibility issues (2023, Korea Times)

Back to contents.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai makes night swimming beaches accessible “Municipality has provided dedicated services, offering floating chairs, and special ramps for an inclusive environment” (2023, Khaleeji Times)

Back to contents.

Uzbekistan

Inaccessible public transportation a video of a wheelchair user not managing to get on buses explained on twitter. (in Uzbek, no subtitles, 2022)

Back to contents.

Europe

Making waves for people with disabilities: Europe's beaches are becoming more accessible to all. (Sep, Euronews)

Europe’s Most Accessible Railway Nations a review shows Netherlands doing best and Czech railway lagging behind. (Jan, Omio)

The revised Regulation on Rail Passenger Rights enters into force – What’s new for persons with disabilities? (2023, EDF)

Next stop: a transport system accessible for all (2021, EC)

Back to contents.

Belgium

Ghent launches campaign for visually and hearing impaired tourists. (2023, Travel Tomorrow)

Back to contents.

Czechia

Prague Streets Pose Challenges: “The death of a blind man in August at a metro station has raised questions among advocates about safety for 80,000 visually impaired Prague residents.” (Aug, Prague Morning)

Back to contents.

Estonia

New beach area for people with disabilities opens in Pärnu. (Jul, ERR)

Back to contents.

France

How Airbnb has paved the way for accessible stays at the Paralympics (Aug, Condé Nast)

Paralympics 'shame' in lack of Metro disabled access (May, BBC)

One year before Paralympics, Paris trying to make city more accessible to those with disabilities (2023, AP)

Back to contents.

Germany

Is Germany accessible for travelers with disabilities? – DW – 11/06/2023 “It's not easy for vacationers with disabilities to travel around Germany. Can the required infrastructure be improved?” (2023, DW)

Let's let the lifts glow: disabled people call to test accessibility of stations. (In German, 2023, Kobinet Nachrichten)

A lawyer sues the Ministry of Transport to ensure access to trains. (in German, 2022, Rollstuhl Kurier)

Back to contents.

Greece

Greece Aims for Top Spot in Accessible Beaches for the Disabled (Jul, Greek Reporter)

Greece makes nearly 200 beaches accessible with adaptive chairs (2023, Washington Post)

Tourism for disabled people has obstacles “Holidays are like a battle plan" (In Greek, 2023, Dikaioma)

Acropolis in Athens Becomes Accessible to Visually Impaired Visitors. (2022, GTP)

Back to contents.

Ireland

'Shameful': Ombudsman slams ten-year delay by Govt to provide disabled people transport supports. (2023, The Journal)

Back to contents.

Italy

Book review of 'Disability and Tourism in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Italy' (2023, H-Disability)

Back to contents.

Latvia

Getting on trains still difficult for people with disabilities (Jun, LSM)

Back to contents.

Netherlands

This tiny Dutch vehicle for people with disabilities is taking off: “a compact four-wheeled, two-seat microcar that's unlocking micromobility”. (2022, MIT Technology Review)

An interview about Haltebuddy: personalizing accessibility information in public transport. (2022, Amserdam Intelligence)

Back to contents.

Poland

What if I were to take your place a short advertisement that starts of sexy and ends up... well you'll have to watch it for the twist. (2022) See some background on Red Pepper.

Back to contents.

Portugal

For Diogo, There's a new Metro station in Lisbon. (in Portuguese, 2022, #Lisboa Para Pessoas)

Back to contents.

Romania

Romania’s inaccessible public transport is causing loss of life a woman died after assisting her wheelchair-using daughter in the tram. (2023, EDF)

Back to contents.

Spain

Teletransportation against discrimination a demonstration in Spain inspired by Star Trek, for accessible transport. (In Spanish, Oct, Yo También)

Accessibility a pending issue on most Spanish beaches – some only have minimal provision. (In Spanish, Jul, 20 minutos)

Back to contents.

Sweden

Another Way for Blind People to Cross Streets: Tactile Traffic Maps. (Jul, Haben Girma)

Back to contents.

Switzerland

More Swiss railway stations to be made accessible for disabled travellers

“42 more to be completed by the end of the year. By that time, 1,131 of the approximately 1,800 stations will have been adapted. By the end of 2027, 87% of travellers should be able to travel spontaneously and autonomously by train.” (Jun, SWI swissinfo.ch)

A wheelchair-friendly guide to Switzerland (Feb, Condé Nast Traveller)

Back to contents.

United Kingdom

Making Accessible Transport a Priority election manifesto. (Jun, Transport For All)

Calls for government to improve countryside walkways “Ramblers said wheelchair users, some of the elderly, those with pushchairs and dog walkers are hindered by unmaintained gates, stiles, steps and path surfaces, as well as lack of public toilet facilities and seating.” (Apr, BBC)

10 Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned as a Disabled Traveler (Feb, Condé Nast Traveler)

Catching up with Amar Latif, the blind adventurer making the world more inclusive. (2023, Wanderlust)

Are we there yet? Research into disabled people's experiences of transport in England: the barriers we face, and priorities for change.

“We do not have equitable access to any mode of transport, and the impacts of this injustice can be felt in every corner of our lives” (2023)

Hacking the underground a book on disability, infrastructure, and London's Public Transport System. “Centering the voices of disabled passengers, Hacking the Underground highlights how marginalized groups subvert and ultimately transform infrastructures, actively shaping them.” (2023, University of Washington Press)

Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging (2023, Motability)

Blind man and guide dog refused taxis over 30 times. (2022, BBC)

How can electric vehicles be made more accessible to disabled people? (2022, Environment Journal)

‘I have to plan for if I am stranded, if I am dropped, if my chair is damaged’: the perils of travelling while disabled. (2022, the Guardian)

Disabled passengers bearing brunt of travel disruption (2022, the Guardian)

Death of blind man hit by train ruled accident. ‘Matt Stringer, chief executive of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said the death "was not an isolated incident".’ (2022, BBC) See also other experiences and reflections on access issues at train stations.

Disabled campaigners are to thank for accessibility on the Elizabeth Line “A decade ago, Transport for All campaigned hard for the Line to be accessible, and were successful in securing £33 million additional investment to make this happen” (2022, Transport for All) The Elizabeth Line will make a big difference for me in getting across London. Can't wait to try it out.

What makes an EV charging station accessible for people with disabilities? (2022, WhichEV)

Back to contents.

Canada

Vacations for persons with disabilities could still include everyday barriers to accessibility. (Aug, Statistics Canada)

Only 3 Toronto beaches are accessible. Advocates want better. (May, CBC)

Uber must pay wheelchair user $35,000 and provide accessible rides, according to a ruling by B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. (Mar, Vancouver Sun)

Beryl Potter Takes On Paratransit Much can be learned from the disability activist’s 1981 protest against Wheel-Trans. An excerpt from Dustin Galer's biography of her. (Jan, The Tyee)

People with disabilities bearing the brunt of travel woes: “Whereas a lost or damaged suitcase is an inconvenience, a lost or damaged mobility device robs people of their dignity, their mobility, and their independence, and it can pose a risk to their health. This is far more than an inconvenience. In many cases, it may be a violation of fundamental human rights.” (2022, Canadian Human Rights Commission)

Toronto City Council Today Banned Robots from Sidewalks, to Protect People with Disabilities (2021, AODA)

Back to contents.

Costa Rica

The odyssey faced by disabled people in public transport video reporting on the experiences of a wheelchair user using (or, not being able to) bus routes. (In Spanish, Mar, Calle 7)

Back to contents.

Dominican Republic

Barriers for blind people lack of signals and accessibility in the streets and transport turn leaving the house into an act of bravery. (In Spanish, Feb, Acento)

Back to contents.

El Salvador

Physical disability in El Salvador: a challenge in urban mobility. (In Spanish, Apr, El Salvador.com)

Back to contents.

Mexico

It is not a car “The Citroën Ami electric microcar has had a lot of recognition, and has now joined forces with PIMAS to become a vehicle for people with limited abilities” (In Spanish, 2023, Cero a 100)

Back to contents.

Nicaragua

Disabled people report extra charges in taxi services being charged more for assistive devices. (In Spanish, Mar, El Canal del Orgullo Nicaguënse)

Back to contents.

United States

In New York, Cabbies Say Cost to Move to Wheelchair-Accessible Cars Is Too High. “Drivers rallied outside of a Taxi & Limousine Commission hearing on Thursday as the city tries to figure out how to comply with a judge’s order enforcing a decade-old settlement.” (Oct, The City)

When Driving Is Not an Option a book from Anna Leticia Zivarts on steering away from car dependency. (May, Island Press)

Disabled Riders Need Comprehensive Public Transit Planning “As Washington state shifts to zero-emissions vehicles, it has the opportunity to fund truly equitable and accessible transportation.” (Apr, Next City)

Why Riders With Disabilities Have To Sue For Accessible Transit Stops A Bay Area transit agency is only the latest to be sued over inaccessible stations (Apr, Streetsblog USA)

Disabled People Are Dying in America’s Crosswalks. “The data on traffic fatalities and injuries doesn’t account for their needs or even count them. Better data would enable better solutions.” (Mar, Governing)

Meet the woman behind some of the biggest changes for disabled travelers in over 30 years “Though few people know her name, Emily Voorde helped shape Secretary Pete Buttigeg’s views on disability long before he was advancing policy for the Department of Transportation.” (Feb, the 19th)

Mobility-Friendly Travel Guide a “comprehensive guide designed to make travel accessible, enjoyable, and worry-free for those using wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.” (2023, NCOA)

More states strive to make parks, trails accessible to people with disabilities. (2023, Missouri Independent)

General Motors' Cruise unveils wheelchair-accessible robotaxi: The wheelchair-accessible vehicle called Cruise WAV is based on its Origin driverless vehicle that operates without a steering wheel and pedals with room for passengers to sit facing each other. (2023, Reuters) See a video demo.

Ford Patent Filed For Accessible Scooter “The scooter outlined in this patent would feature a base that can be adapted to connect to the frame of a wheelchair, locking securely into place” (2023, Ford Authority)

Disability rights vs. snowy sidewalks: Seattle's annual conversation. (2022, Crosscut)

How Uber and Lyft still fail their disabled passengers. See also a judgement that Uber doesn't have to provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles in every city. (2022, The Verge)

Biden administration to announce $1.75 billion in funding to improve rail station accessibility (2022, CNN)

Six Things Wheelchair Users Should Know About Autonomous Vehicles (2022, New Mobility)

In New York, M.T.A. Vows to Make Subways 95% Accessible. “It Will Take 33 Years.” (2022, NYT)

Good to see that in NYC the pilor shared e-scooter scheme included possibility to rent wheelchairs or mobility scooters. (2022, NYC Scooter Share)

Accessible Cars Aren’t Born, They’re Made "Car buyers looking for specific mobility features have limited options, but customizers and manufacturers are trying to change that." (2022, Wired)

How 3 travelers with disabilities or chronic illness navigate the world "These travelers cope with an added layer of worry and logistics. Here’s how they do it." (2022, Washington Post)

Amtrak Pays $2.25 Million to Disabled People Who Were Unable to Access Train Stations (2022, Newsweek)

Back to contents.

Australia

Queensland train fleet becomes inclusive and accessible for all.

“The Queensland Government invested more than $335 million into the upgrade of the entire South East Queensland train fleet, in response to a 2018 Commission of Inquiry which found the trains were seriously flawed and not disability compliant.” (Jul, Rail Express)

Introducing Australia’s new wave of accessible beaches (2023, The Independent)

Abrolhos Islands upgrades make paradise more accessible for tourists (2023, ABC News)

Tasmanian man died after his wheelchair tumbled down an embankment when he got sick of waiting for a taxi. (2023, ABC News)

New national Fitness to Drive standards are 'discriminatory' and 'humiliating' for autistic drivers, psychologists say. (2023, ABC News)

Study shines light on impact of beach accessibility (2023, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland)

Australia misses 20-year public transport accessibility target as many train and tram networks fail people with disabilities. One source estimated “at best 50 per cent compliance to [accessible public transport] standards”. (2023, ABC News)

Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria | Victoria | The Guardian (2022, the Guardian)

Web Guide for Disability Access to Australian Beaches (2022, Accessible Beaches)

‘We’re not a priority’: people with disabilities wait up to three hours for transport in regional Queensland. (2022, the Guardian)

‘You can make money out of us’ the disabled people demanding more accessible travel and tourism (2021, the Guardian)

Back to contents.

New Zealand

Lack of Wellington mobility taxis angers wheelchair users (Jul, The Post)

Disability advocates call for enforceable standards in tourism (Jan, 1News)

Wheelchair users call for accessible beaches: 'Can you imagine the freedom?' (Jan, RNZ News)

Putting a blind-friendly transport system on the political agenda. Editorial by the Debrief's own Áine Kelly-Costello. (2023, Blind Citizens NZ)

Not Built For Me: Freedom, frustration in navigating public transport with a disability (2022, Stuff)

Back to contents.

Bolivia

Agreement guarantees a single fair of one boliviano for persons with disabilities. (In Spanish, Mar, La Patria)

Back to contents.

Chile

Association of the Blind demands that the government take responsibility for the death of the person who fell onto the metro track. (In Spanish, 2022, ElMostrador)

Back to contents.

Paraguay

Fare exemptions for people with disabilities in force but there are complaints of non-compliance. (In Spanish, Feb, ABC)

Back to contents.

Peru

Enhanced Accessibility at Machu Picchu: New Section Opens for People with Disabilities. (2023, Market Research Telecast)

Back to contents.

Uruguay

Maldonado Municipality will pay up to $300,000 to public transport companies for tickets for people with disabilities. (In Spanish, Mar, La Diaria Maldonado)

Back to contents.