A recent study put Swansea as the 7th best city in the UK when it comes to wheelchair accessibility, which is an important accolade. After all, approximately 14.6 million people in the country have some form of disability, and while they don’t all use wheelchairs, many have unique requirements that need to be taken into account by cities like ours.
Continually Improving Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair accessibility is already prevalent across Swansea, but there are still plenty of areas to improve. Some businesses do not offer wheelchair access, and others might have limited solutions. While you might be able to enter an attraction, store or eatery with a wheelchair, some still don’t have accessible bathrooms or have internal steps that make it hard for wheelchair users to navigate the space safely. So, more work needs to be done by many businesses to make it easier for those with limited mobility to get around independently. Also, Swansea is renowned for its gorgeous natural landscapes, but these can be hard for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility to access. Solutions such as mobility scooter charging stations or portable ramps, as well as assisted guided tours, could help those with limited mobility or wheelchairs to see the beautiful countryside that surrounds Swansea city centre.
Being Aware Of Alternative Mobility Aids
Wheelchairs aren’t the only tools that disabled people use to get around. Solutions like mobility scooters, rollators and other walking aids are used by the elderly or those who struggle with standing and walking. Many people who can walk buy a rollator for times when they are unable to stand without feeling dizzy or tired, which might occur due to medications taken for an illness or simply due to tiredness, which is more likely to happen in those with chronic conditions. Modern rollators from providers like Rollz Mobility are comfortable and designed to operate on a range of surfaces, but they’re still best on flat, smooth floors and in areas without any steps. Companies will need to review their flooring and the layout of their properties to make it easier for rollator and other mobility aid users to navigate.
Helping Those With Sensory Issues
Wheelchair users and those with mobility problems aren’t the only ones who need assistance when it comes to navigating Swansea safely. Sensory issues are also a major problem for many disabled people, including those with mental health conditions. Increased awareness of this has led to many businesses exploring ways they can help those with varied sensory needs to have a great time. One recent example is Swansea City Football Club, which has recently added a sensory room and headphones to its stadium to help those with sensory overload issues enjoy matches. This development is significant as it could really help those who struggle to deal with loud noises for a long time but also love the thrill of watching live football. With such a high-profile local attraction making this effort, we can expect more in the future from other businesses throughout the city.
Staying Up To Date On New Solutions And Challenges
Accessible technology is constantly evolving, and so too is our collective understanding of the challenges that disabled people face. As businesses across Swansea welcome more disabled individuals and those with unique needs, they will be exposed to more opinions on what else can be done and how they can adapt further. Also, across Swansea, local disability rights groups like Disability Wales and Hope In Swansea are working hard to spread further insight and help businesses across the region to be more inclusive and accessible to everyone.
A Quick Summary
Ultimately, being more accessible and offering ways for everyone to access popular attractions and businesses benefits everyone. From the company leaders who can welcome more paying customers to the locals who get more support for the local community, everyone across Swansea has a reason and responsibility to work towards even greater accessibility. Swansea is already a popular city for those with disabilities thanks to its various wheelchair-accessible attractions, but there’s still plenty of work that’s still left to be done. This article has outlined some of the ways that businesses across the city will be adapting further over the coming months, but we’re interested in hearing from you about what else can be done. Comment on this post or share your ideas on social media to help the Swansea business community to be more inclusive and supportive towards disabled visitors and locals.
