Breaking barriers of ‘tourism for all’

When the Department of Tourism shuttled Malawians with disabilities to Majete Wildlife Reserve, government wanted to highlight equal access to all stunning attractions.

There was a gleam in the eyes of Thaddeus Matera, 48, as the bus carrying them roared to the picturesque wildlife reserve.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said.

The man, who has been using a wheelchair since he survived polio at the age of three, vividly remembers learning about Majete and other wildlife reserves when he was a boy.

But he regrets never visiting any.

“I’ve wasted 48 years,” he says.

But he is not alone.

The busload of Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) staff spoke of being starved of adventure

The group faces a high likelihood of poverty and exclusion from education, jobs, businesses and other life-changing opportunities.

Most of them die without stepping into the scenic settings that dazzle tourists flying into the country.

Matera appeared happy and fell into easy conversation about the postcard views and smiled at the possibility of seeing of elephants up close.

However, the smiles stopped at the gate of the solitary home of the Big Five of the jungle when his foldable wheelchair, which was perching on top of the bus, almost rammed into the roof of the entrance.

“Is it safe?” he wondered as a game ranger signaled the driver to use the next gate.

The rest was supposed to be an adventure as the travelers wandered into the savanna woodland, endowed with elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffaloes and other attractions.

However, the Tourism for All tour exposed the suppressed need to ensure all places to go are accessible by all.

On return from the thrilling game drive, those who use wheelchairs were left behind as the rest of the team rushed down the steep steps to a poolside restaurant in the tropical bush.

As the world is striving to create pathways to independence for people with disabilities, they had to be carried by helpers as the wildlife park starkly lacks ramps and other friendly passageways required by law.

Matera said: “It is humiliating to be carried like a toddler. I have a wife and four children. I find it disrespectful.

“We don’t need to be carried that way, but friendly facilities to allow us to freely go anywhere we want.”

Ironically, the man, who early confessed being “happy to be here for the first time in 48 years”  said he would never return to the striking setting unless African Parks, who run the wildlife reserve, evened it up.

The sights of staircases in tourism sites contravene section eight of the Disability Act which prescribes barrier-free access to public and private facilities.

The law, passed in 2012, requires government to develop, implement and monitor “universal standards” to ensure “entities that offer services, which are available to the public, take into account all aspects of accessibility”.

“The restaurants, swimming pool area and toilets are not accessible to people like me. We can’t climb the steps using a wheelchair,” he said.

Majete Heritage manager Jackson Vega backed the calls for accessible passageways into the wild treasure, saying dealing with the people with disability was an eye-opener.

The game reserve gets one or two tourists with special needs in a while, he said.

“We never thought about it in the first place, but we need to do something about it to accommodate visitors of diverse background,” Vega said.

The calls to demolish silent barriers to tourism spots come ahead of the World Tourism Day on September 27.

The day aptly focuses on promoting accessibility.

Christine Chimangeni, the regional tourism officer in the South, urges against investors in the tourism sector to establish facilities that are friendly for all.

“We want all Malawians to help us market the country’s tourism product, but we will achieve this if some people are being deprived a chance to sample the good things that are on offer,” she said.

The government official reckons the deplorable sight will prompt us the Department of Tourism to remind all players in the sector to put in place disability-friendly facilities.

The department conducts periodic inspection of tourism facilities, but making sure the establishments are conducive for all is not part of the yardsticks.

When asked about steps to align the routine inspections with the Disability Act and constitutional principles of nondiscrimination, Chimangeni said: “I will not answer; ask the director.”

The inspection matrix assess everything from the quality of food and beverages to water, sanitation and hygiene, except accessibility.

Federation of Disability Organisation in Malawi (Fedoma) executive Amos urges government to establish a national coordinating and advisory committee to keep an eye on the implementation of the landmark law.

The excluded group finds it no good enough that a government agency is seemingly refusing to reform and start tackling the undercurrents of discrimination in conformity with laws of the land.

Failure to monitor accessibility of places to go impinges freedom of movement.

Jacob Mbewe, who uses a clutch, aptly said: “I’m happy to visit Majete, but there is need for improvement to achieve tourism for all.” n