South Africa’s tourism and hospitality industry has made great strides in recent years to be more inclusive for the needs of people with disabilities, although there is still a long road ahead to increase inclusive offerings for all types of travellers.
The observance of International Day of Disabled Persons – celebrated annually on December 3 – was first announced in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly with two aims. To promote an understanding of disability issues and gain support for the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities, and to increase awareness of benefits that could be derived from the integration of disabled people in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Over a billion people, or around 15% of the world’s population, have some form of disability, a rate that is on the rise due to an increase in chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases or mental health conditions that can influence the…