By Tom Barton

29 Jul, 2002

Page 13

WALES is set to become a more accessible place for handicapped tourists with the launch of a new set of standards for disabled access to hotels and guesthouses.

The new scheme will introduce a number of symbols indicating the ease of access to accommodation for disabled tourists, which will appear on road signs and in publicity.

The Wales Tourist Board, which is running the scheme, hopes that accommodation owners will be encouraged to improve accessibility for disabled customers, who potentially account for up to nine million visits in the UK every year.

Disabled people thinking of visiting Wales will be able to easily identify accommodation that is suitable for their particular impairment, whether they suffer from a mild physical handicap or are completely wheelchair-bound.

The scheme will also identify accommodation that is suitable for blind and deaf people.

Anyone who runs accommodation for tourists can apply to join the scheme, and will have their business independently graded, from level one to four, to determine how accessible it is.

The Wales Tourism Board is also appointing a specialist who will be available to advise people in the tourism industry on providing access to disabled people.

From 2004, all tourism providers will be required to take 'reasonable steps' to ensure that their facilities are accessible to people with disabilities, as outlined by the Disability Discrimination Act.