Up on the mountain

The search for accessible hotels and information about local activities is becoming an issue for Stephan even before arriving at his destination: “It is not enough for me that, for example, only the hotel itself is wheelchair accessible. After all, I also want to experience something in the destination,” says Stephan, who is impressed by the mountains. From parking conditions to leisure activities — every detail plays a role for him. In addition to staying in a barrier-free hotel room, it is just as essential for Stephan that he can park the car in a parking space for the disabled. “And of course that the mountain railway is accessible. And the mountain restaurant has a wheelchair-accessible toilet. There are many other aspects,” he says. Stephan is dependent on all information regarding local accessibility. This is the only way he can avoid unpleasant surprises.

Why is that important? “I can give a very simple example: Getting out of the car takes around five minutes for me each time,” explains Stephan. “When I first notice at the restaurant, for example, that it's not even accessible to me, I invest another five minutes to get back in the car and look for another one. In the worst case, it will still rain...”

Interaction with the environment creates further obstacles. “One day, my car was parked in a disabled parking space. The responsible driver just said that I should be happy that the weather was so nice. If it rained, this situation would be a lot more uncomfortable for me.” Such encounters show that the challenges are not only physical, but often also reflect a lack of awareness of the needs of people in wheelchairs. “I also find it all the more important that employees know with guest contact what the needs of people with disabilities are.”

In 2004, the Disabled Persons Equality Act was passed. Switzerland had 20 years to implement measures enshrined in the Act. “When you consider that electric cars are not yet 20 years old, I wonder why the parking spaces with charging stations aren't made barrier-free right from the start. This shows me that not only politics but also the economy have a great responsibility for making public spaces barrier-free.”

Stephan's accounts make it clear that the challenges faced by people with walking disabilities when traveling are complex. His story appeals not only to structural accessibility and communication of accessibility, but also to understanding and raising awareness of the needs of traveling people with mobility disabilities. “It is time to make not only hotels but entire destinations more inclusive and to create a world that is accessible to all.”