Accessibility stories

Ensuring that attractions and experiences are accessible is a key consideration for operators, and accessibility is enshrined in law in many countries. For instance, the UK covers this in the 2010 Equality Act. Meanwhile, in the US, businesses must adhere to The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

However, many view these laws as a minimum. While some lag behind, several attractions have gone above and beyond to ensure that everyone can enjoy their facilities, including visitors in wheelchairs, those with sight or hearing impairments, guests with learning difficulties, neurodivergent visitors, and more.

One example is Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio. This offers 25 Ultra-Accessible attractions, from a wheelchair-accessible Ferris wheel to catch-and-release fishing. It is the first theme park created for individuals with special needs and their families in the world.

Elsewhere, Florida’s new Peppa Pig Theme Park is a Certified Autism Center. It is also home to a newly designed ride vehicle, which allows for increased accessibility for children with wheelchairs.

When it comes to accessibility in museums, blind or visually impaired visitors are often offered braille interpretations, audio tours or other touch-based experiences. For example, the Prado Museum has previously run an exhibition featuring detailed 3D replicas of works by significant artists.

There are also ways of increasing accessibility for deaf guests. For instance, the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Buckinghamshire, UK, partners with an app called Signly, which gives deaf museum visitors information in British Sign Language.

Operators should also consider their web and mobile app accessibility. A recent study found that the industry has some way to go in this area. Quick wins include ensuring that websites are free of contrast errors and that all images have alt tags added.