Accessible Tourism: ¿Why not in Nicaragua?

From ¡Vos Sos! A monthly bulletin from ANAD: Asociación Nicaragüense de Apoyo al Discapacitado (National Association in Support to the Disabled), No. 9, April 2000, Managua, Nicaragua.

Based on the natural resources wealth of Nicaragua, tourism enjoys a most important place in the country's economic possibilities. Hotels, restaurants and recreation centers grow daily as industry; but how many of them are designed with a concept of tourist accessibility to all people, with or without disabilities?

Accessibility to tourism, educational and cultural locations are not a luxury; but a right to people with disabilities as stated in Act 202. This Act determines that all establishments must eliminate access barriers; therefore, now is the time to provide accessible tourism to all.

"My name is Carlos Mejía Kornfeld, and I am your tourism guide. During today's program"" This is how I generally start every excursion I have done in the five years I have been doing it. Now I want to share my experience with excursions for people with disabilities with you.

We depart from Avenida Bolívar towards Managua's new downtown. We have Huellas de Acahualinca, National Government buildings and other tourism attractions in mind.

We start in the Old Cathedral; but how am I going to show it to a tourist with disabilities? There is no ramp so I can assist him towards the main entrance. Anyway, we can always find a Good Samaritan to help me deal with the situation. And if it is not so?

To climb up the stairs to the Antigua Cathedral.
There are no ramps up until, at least, the main entrance.
 
 
 

Let us continue towards the Palacio de la Cultura. The same problem: access is through a staircase. We go in, in spite the situation. I will only be able to show the ground floor. There is no lift to the upper floor.
 

 

Palacio de la Cultura
Staircase as access and
no lift to go to the upper floor.

We head towards the port. I hope the drivers do not run us over, because without someone's help I will not be able to go on the tall curb surrounding the Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío, even if there are sidewalks without hindrances we can use.

Tall sidewalks surrounding
Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío.
 
 
 

We continue towards the new malls like Plaza Inter and Metrocentro for shopping.  These buildings present less of a problem, but we need to avoid some obstacles and walk on the waxed floors of Metrocentro. Ah, for sure! We can not even consider going to the night show at the cinema, because lifts are already closed. We finally can go to the Central Market to look for crafts. But my clients always lose... How can I go through the narrow corridors that access the stands? It's a minefield, full of hurdles!

As you see, it is difficult to do tourism with a person with disabilities. We need to raise awareness on the problem and find solutions. One cannot just sit back. A person with disabilities might visit you in your establishment and you are not prepared to assist him properly.

To visit the web page on accessible buildings and barriers in Nicaragua, and on the responsibilities of architect Claudia Márquez, ANAD President, go to http://members.xoom.com/accesible/home.htm