Finally Found An Accessible Resort in Metro Davao

This past few months, i have been looking for an accessible resort basically that has swimming pool & ramps & is nearby my place. Fortunate that i found Brokenshire Resort & Convention Center.  As you all know I am in wheelchair so i really make sure that the place is wheelchair-friendly. So, take a look at my pictures below featuring some facilities of the said resort.

The Swimming Complex opens at 6:00 AM up to 10:00 PM. The Mini-Olympic Pool measures 25 meters length by 15 meters width. It is four (4) feet deep on both ends and five (5) feet at the center. The kidney-shaped kiddie pool is about 2 feet deep. Appropriate swimming attire is required. There are Lifeguards trained in water safety and basic life support. Swimming lessons (basic and advance) are offered through an outsourced company. Floaters are available for competitions.

Speak Out: Striking Out Against Injustice

Batas Pambansa 344 also known as Accessibility Law is an act to enhance the mobility of Persons With Disability by requiring certain building, institution, establishments, and other public utilities to install facilities and other devices. This includes; public and private buildings and related structures for public use and which shall be constructed, repaired or renovated, streets and highways and public utilities, and public transport terminals including those of LRTA.

Last Dec. 22, 2013, an incident happened involving me and a security personnel of a certain shopping mall in the city. Below i posted the details of what happened just please bear with my dialect. 

Accessibility Observation in Singapore

It has always been my dream to visit Singapore because of its accessibility. Last Oct 25 2013 finally got the chance to experience Singapore through an advocacy campaign, to check and experience by myself how accessible the country is. From the public toilet to the shopping malls, trains, and even the high way, its all accessible.

Van With Hydraulic Wheelchair Lift

For the past 3 years, i have been travelling around the country attending forums, and seminars for Persons With Disabilities. Just a year ago, i realized that our country is not really accessible for us, PWDs. Some airlines dont have lifter. Some establishment dont have ramps. Coffee shops and restaurants don't have restroom for PWDs. And most of our mode of transportation are not accessible like bus and vans. It's really a problem especially for someone like me travelling alone. After all these observations, i just realized that i think i have to advocate accessibility for PWDs. Since im the one experiencing all these accessibility problems, why not be the one also to promote accessibility and give awareness esp. to business establishments how important it is to be accessible. 

Just a few days ago, i received an invite from Lifelifters Transport Inc. to try their van with hydraulic wheelchair lifter. LTI provides transportation solution to Persons With Disabilities and their families in the Philippines. They offer van rental service that is equipped with hydraulic lift. This will give us painless and easy way of entering to their van.

Restrooms: Accessible or Not?

I travel a lot. I try to eat to different restaurants. I have meetings most of the time in different coffee shops. One thing that i take into consideration is the restroom/comfort room/bathroom especially in places like hotel, restaurant,airport,coffee shops,or any place outside from my comfort zone. 

And i think, im not the only one who always have this kind of problem. I know those families who have PWD family member or with elderly also. 

As part of my advocacy campaign as to accessible or barrier-free environment, i always find time to take some photos of every restrooms that i use. And here are some of them.

Some Constraints of Persons With Disabilities

Hopefully PH will have this one. 

1. Difficulties in Transportation

Here and abroad we have different types of transportation. We have buses, jeepneys, trains, taxis, airplane, boat, and many more. As person with disability, it is our concern to have an accessible transportation because just like any other person, we would love to see and experience also the beauty of the world through travelling. Not to mention, some important travels that we do for work, education, and leisure. 

Most of the time, esp for wheelchair person we experience difficulties in transportation and we cannot deny the fact that its really challenging on how we deal such difficulties. 

Are We Ready for Barrier-Free Tourism?

Are we ready for barrier-free tourism(BFT)? Is our infrastructure ready? These two questions never stop echoing into my mind. Since i started working, i have been travelling already in different places in the country. Lets just say, one reasons why i work so hard is to travel around the country, see the beauty of life, and experience new environment. But every time i travel i always consider the accessibility of the certain place. I make sure that i will not have any difficulties in transportation, accommodation, and other needs. I believe that i am not alone in this kind of circumstances.

Davao Life Is Here: The Bloggers Tour 2012

Fortunate to be part of this year's bloggers tour. This is in connection on the campaign for an accessible tourism in the city. Met new people and saw new places that you can surely recommend to your friends and family. Jack's Ridge was the first destination. The place was so perfect for weddings and other outdoor activities. In terms of accessibility, they still need to improve and develop facilities to be more convenient esp. to wheelchair person. Second destination was the gap farm. It was my third time to be in that place and take note, the last time i went there was during elementary days. The place was not that accessible also to wheelchair person. Last stop, D' Leonor Inland Resort. In here, we spent almost half day because of the list of adventures that you can try. The place was very accessible in fact majority of their entrances are in ramps. Best example of universal design also can be seen here.  Over-all, the whole experience for this year's bloggers tour was fun and worth remembering. Till the next tour bloggers!!!

A Guide to Universal Design

Five steps to providing accessibility information for tourist facilities

1. Complete accessibility factsheet PWDs require information on a number of factors to assess whether a tourist facility is accessible to them. This guidance shows facilities how to provide this basic information in a standard accessibility factsheet.

2. Submit completed accessibility factsheet to tourist information offices. Tourist information offices provide a central point for tourists to find out about the range of facilities available at a destination. Providing tourist offices with information on the accessibility of facilities, along with prices, opening hours, location, etc., will improve the service provided to all tourists.

3. Provide photographs of key features. Although self-assessment is a low cost option for facilities to provide information on access, it may not be the most reliable option. Providing photographs or plans of key features, such as the entrance, WCs, bedrooms and routes, allows disabled people to understand better the information provided in the accessibility factsheet.

4.Obtain independent verification of accessibility information. 

Independent verification will ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information provided by the facility. In some countries formal schemes operate, but in all countries there are likely to be disability and/or access organizations that are able to check the validity of the information. The accessibility factsheet allows facilities to provide details of independent verification.

5. Participate in a national accessibility scheme Some countries have developed national schemes which provide an independent assessment of accessibility and enable facilities to use a recognized label to indicate the level of accessibility achieved (see inside the back cover for contact details). This will provide increased marketing benefits for facilities which have reached a high standard of access, and provide further reassurance to PWD tourists when making decisions. How- ever, tourists require comparable information to make decisions, so facilities participating in national schemes should still consider providing a completed accessibility factsheet. The factsheet allows facilities to provide details of participation in other schemes.

NAIA As to Accessibility

My VLOG/s will feature places in the country and their accessibility for wheelchair person and to all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). This is to give awareness to the public that it's already part of the Law which is called The Batas Pambansa Bldg 344. The said accessibility law is a way to enhance the mobility of PWDs by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices for accessibility. This will promote the realization of the rights of PWDs to participate fully in the social life and the development of the country.

We Exist. We Participate. We Contribute.

Behind The Rolling Chair

Behind the Rolling Chair Facebook Page

Addressing Accessibility in the Tourism Sector

Like the general population, the term ‘persons with disabilities(PWDs)” encompasses a diversity of individuals with different levels of ability and different requirements for travelling. There is a wide range of impairments, including those to do with mobility, sight, or hearing, as well as learning difficulties and allergies. Many PWDs are keen to travel, but wide variation in the level of access within destinations and across the nation generally, combined with poor information and negative experiences, discourages potential customers. Improved accessibility will not only result in economic benefits to the tourism industry but will also assist the move towards full social integration. Unnecessary barriers should be the starting point for thinking about access. Instead of concentrating on an individual’s impairment, tourist facilities and destinations should focus on the barriers to access created by: