When tourism meets accessibility

Travelling and visiting new places means making discoveries, marvelling at your surroundings, taking in different landscapes, getting into vacation mode and… doing a lot of research beforehand! This is particularly true when it comes to accessible tourism in Québec, whether for people with disabilities or for those who need adapted equipment for the short term. Fortunately, the barriers are steadily disappearing. An overview of the situation with Kéroul.

Kéroul: Committed to accessibility for 45 years

Making tourism and culture accessible to people with physical disabilities is Kéroul’s mission. The organization works hard to make Québec an appealing and welcoming tourism and cultural destination that respects the principles of universal accessibility, inclusion and sustainable tourism.

Its team visits all regions and all types of tourism businesses to identify best practices, compile a list of obstacles and, above all, report on these findings to make life easier for visitors with special needs. It’s then up to the individual to determine whether the facilities are suited to their specific requirements, which can vary greatly from one person to the next.

What exactly does “accessible” mean?

For Nathalie Roy, Director, Certification and Consulting at Kéroul, the answer is both complex and multifaceted. “Accessibility is often associated with wheelchairs, but it’s much broader than that,” she explains. “It affects seniors, a young person who’s been using crutches for two weeks following an accident, a parent with a stroller… It’s inclusive, and it’s designed for everyone. Take the example of a ramp instead of stairs. Everyone benefits—from couriers delivering heavy packages to parents pushing baby carriages. It’s not just for people with disabilities.”

For nearly 40 years, the Kéroul team has focused primarily on raising awareness. “The bulk of our work involved convincing folks of the importance of accessibility—that people with disabilities are travellers too, and that accessibility isn’t just about people in wheelchairs,” adds Nathalie Roy.

Then, everything changed. “With the pairing of sustainable development and accessibility, people are more open to and interested in the concept. We put in 40 years of hard work, but accessibility comes more naturally now, so we need to take it to the next level. We no longer have to convince people or break down doors. The doors are suddenly open, so we need to equip these people, to help them understand that sometimes it’s not complicated and it doesn’t cost much,” Ms. Roy continues. Examples: replacing door handles, adding a grab bar or a shower bench, or simply opting for a front-loading washer-dryer combo.

More adapted vacation options

It’s not just tourist establishments that are getting on board. Many accessible equipment suppliers are vying to come up with innovative solutions to allow tourists with disabilities to get the most of their vacations.

📷© S. Lebrun

“A few years ago, an accessible trail meant a trail with no obstacles, something completely flat,” recalls Nathalie Roy. “People with disabilities couldn’t access mountains. With today’s equipment—much of which is made right here in Québec—anyone can go anywhere in the mountains! That’s truly wonderful, because the view from a mountaintop is something everyone should see!”

In Québec, everyone is welcome

For Kéroul, this openness to accessibility is more than welcome. “We’re really capitalizing on this trend toward sustainable development, and we don’t expect to be twiddling our thumbs in the coming years, because the will to do better is there. We’re on a roll and we have every reason to be proud. Québec can welcome everyone!