Winston Cole for next year to be named the Accessible Year of Travel. Let's chat about it with Fiona Donaldson, who's a travel specialist working for supported travel experience. Lovely to meet you. Thank you for your time. Thank you so much.

Winston Cole for next year to be named the Accessible Year of Travel. Let's chat about it with Fiona Donaldson, who's a travel specialist working for supported travel experience. Lovely to meet you. Thank you for your time. Thank you so much.

For having me.

For having me.

Now you've got some form in this area. You were involved with an important year last year in Queensland?

Now you've got some form in this area. You were involved with an important year last year in Queensland?

Yes I was. So last year was Queensland's turn to be accessible year of the accessible tourism and travel. So I'm actually a wheelchair user myself. I have been since the age of, of 19. Um, and I've had 30 years or so in the travel industry, so it all goes quite hand in hand, if an.

Yes I was. So last year was Queensland's turn to be accessible year of the accessible tourism and travel. So I'm actually a wheelchair user myself. I have been since the age of, of 19. Um, and I've had 30 years or so in the travel industry, so it all goes quite hand in hand, if an.

Easy thing to do, I mean to make it accessible. Is it kind of more the will rather than the money that's needed? I think it's a.

Easy thing to do, I mean to make it accessible. Is it kind of more the will rather than the money that's needed? I think it's a.

Little bit of both. Peter, to be totally honest with you. Um, I mean, look, it's it's it's not easy as such for sometimes, I mean, some tourism companies or businesses, if they look around closely, there's probably only minor adjustments that, you know, might need to be made to, to make it more accessible as such. But accessibility is not just about putting in ramps and accessible toilets. It's also about training their staff to be disability aware as well.

Little bit of both. Peter, to be totally honest with you. Um, I mean, look, it's it's it's not easy as such for sometimes, I mean, some tourism companies or businesses, if they look around closely, there's probably only minor adjustments that, you know, might need to be made to, to make it more accessible as such. But accessibility is not just about putting in ramps and accessible toilets. It's also about training their staff to be disability aware as well.

Well, that's kind of in your name, isn't it? Because it is all about an experience. I mean, yes, we'd like to go somewhere, but when we're there, we like to do stuff or make it feel like it's a special time.

Well, that's kind of in your name, isn't it? Because it is all about an experience. I mean, yes, we'd like to go somewhere, but when we're there, we like to do stuff or make it feel like it's a special time.

Absolutely. I mean, you probably know yourself if you go away, whether it be overseas or domestically within Australia. Once you get there, you want to actually explore and, um, you know, be involved in, in, in the community there as well. So, you know, we look for things like accessible tours and you'll find a lot of the time, um, unfortunately, it's not an option due to mainly the transportation or the mode of transportation. So, you know, if you want to do a day tour, um, if there's a mini bus, you know that you've got to get on board. And fortunately, people with disability, um, unfortunately can't do that because, you know, they prefer or they can only stay in their chair to travel in the back of an accessible van. And this is, you know, 99% of the time, not an option for us.

Absolutely. I mean, you probably know yourself if you go away, whether it be overseas or domestically within Australia. Once you get there, you want to actually explore and, um, you know, be involved in, in, in the community there as well. So, you know, we look for things like accessible tours and you'll find a lot of the time, um, unfortunately, it's not an option due to mainly the transportation or the mode of transportation. So, you know, if you want to do a day tour, um, if there's a mini bus, you know that you've got to get on board. And fortunately, people with disability, um, unfortunately can't do that because, you know, they prefer or they can only stay in their chair to travel in the back of an accessible van. And this is, you know, 99% of the time, not an option for us.

You talked about last year in Queensland, and I'd say you're sort of calling upon the federal government to get involved. I guess it's got to be a kind of whole of governments plural approach. And I'm talking federal, state and local as well.

You talked about last year in Queensland, and I'd say you're sort of calling upon the federal government to get involved. I guess it's got to be a kind of whole of governments plural approach. And I'm talking federal, state and local as well.

Yeah, absolutely. So at the moment, I believe that each state and territory are actually working to their own plans. So what we're calling upon is a national framework which provide a consistent approach to accessibility across the country. Um, it makes you know, easier for tourism businesses to understand and implement accessibility best practices. But it also raises awareness, you know, as a national focus to not only people with disabilities here, but also overseas. So it makes really good economic sense as well.

Yeah, absolutely. So at the moment, I believe that each state and territory are actually working to their own plans. So what we're calling upon is a national framework which provide a consistent approach to accessibility across the country. Um, it makes you know, easier for tourism businesses to understand and implement accessibility best practices. But it also raises awareness, you know, as a national focus to not only people with disabilities here, but also overseas. So it makes really good economic sense as well.

Now you work in this area, obviously. Do you think that the companies providing the experience or providing the tourism, they're very open minded about being more accessible, being more inclusive?

Now you work in this area, obviously. Do you think that the companies providing the experience or providing the tourism, they're very open minded about being more accessible, being more inclusive?

They are turning that way. I mean, even probably five years ago, um, you know, it wasn't that great that the awareness and the traction that is, is building in the accessible tourism and travel, um, space is it's really come a long way. So I took a small hiatus out of the travel industry, you know, back in 2020 through to 23, um, due to Covid. Yeah. And, you know, just recently coming back into this space, I can see a difference. And there's a lot more enthusiasm. And, you know, from tourism operators in particular and wanting to to make their product accessible as well.

They are turning that way. I mean, even probably five years ago, um, you know, it wasn't that great that the awareness and the traction that is, is building in the accessible tourism and travel, um, space is it's really come a long way. So I took a small hiatus out of the travel industry, you know, back in 2020 through to 23, um, due to Covid. Yeah. And, you know, just recently coming back into this space, I can see a difference. And there's a lot more enthusiasm. And, you know, from tourism operators in particular and wanting to to make their product accessible as well.

I mean, everyone's allowed to make a dollar. In fact, if it wasn't for that, you probably wouldn't do it or you know, you wouldn't be able to employ people, etc. so there's no sin in that. But I guess it's also, um, you know, people getting value for the money that they're spending.

I mean, everyone's allowed to make a dollar. In fact, if it wasn't for that, you probably wouldn't do it or you know, you wouldn't be able to employ people, etc. so there's no sin in that. But I guess it's also, um, you know, people getting value for the money that they're spending.

Yeah, definitely value for money. And, um, and just, you know, taking that time out, looking forward to a holiday and just knowing that it's going to, to be stress free. And, you know, they don't need to worry about getting to a hotel and, and, you know, hoping that it's going to be fully accessible for them or they're going to, you know, they can book a tour once they arrive and they can, you know, explore their surroundings. But yeah, we really we really need this to happen.

Yeah, definitely value for money. And, um, and just, you know, taking that time out, looking forward to a holiday and just knowing that it's going to, to be stress free. And, you know, they don't need to worry about getting to a hotel and, and, you know, hoping that it's going to be fully accessible for them or they're going to, you know, they can book a tour once they arrive and they can, you know, explore their surroundings. But yeah, we really we really need this to happen.

Yeah. You know, I've been told reliably that you've got a very good eye for detail. I guess that's important to get someone like you on board where you say, oh, I think that's successful. There's a ramp there that that tick, that box. It's not that simple. And, you know, getting people with your kind of expertise, background, life experience, lived experience is important too.

Yeah. You know, I've been told reliably that you've got a very good eye for detail. I guess that's important to get someone like you on board where you say, oh, I think that's successful. There's a ramp there that that tick, that box. It's not that simple. And, you know, getting people with your kind of expertise, background, life experience, lived experience is important too.

It's very important. I mean, you know, when I, you know, converse with clients, I find out their abilities, what they can do and their requirements as well. So say, for example, if they, um, they need to have a hoist to be able to say, get into bed or to, to get from their bed to their shower chair, etc., we need to make sure that there's actually a certain amount of clearance under the hotel rooms bed to make sure that the hoist wheels can go under and the hoist can be used safely. So these are things that, you know, when I look at accommodation for clients of mine, I'll actually email or call the hotel and get them to measure spaces under the bed. I'll also get them to measure widths of doorways, etc., all based on the dimensions of the client's chair or their just their abilities in general.

It's very important. I mean, you know, when I, you know, converse with clients, I find out their abilities, what they can do and their requirements as well. So say, for example, if they, um, they need to have a hoist to be able to say, get into bed or to, to get from their bed to their shower chair, etc., we need to make sure that there's actually a certain amount of clearance under the hotel rooms bed to make sure that the hoist wheels can go under and the hoist can be used safely. So these are things that, you know, when I look at accommodation for clients of mine, I'll actually email or call the hotel and get them to measure spaces under the bed. I'll also get them to measure widths of doorways, etc., all based on the dimensions of the client's chair or their just their abilities in general.

I guess if you can kind of set the agenda or set down the template, then next time someone rings, say, yeah, we've got that so that they're, uh, well versed in that area.

I guess if you can kind of set the agenda or set down the template, then next time someone rings, say, yeah, we've got that so that they're, uh, well versed in that area.

Yeah. Well that's right. I mean, you know, people will say, you know, where's the where's the best place to go overseas? I haven't traveled overseas before. It's the first time traveling in my chair or with a disability. Where do you suggest. And a lot of the time, we do look back at some of the countries or the, sorry, the cities that have hosted the Olympics and the Paralympics, because you'll find that, um, that they are one of the more accessible places to travel to. Yeah.

Yeah. Well that's right. I mean, you know, people will say, you know, where's the where's the best place to go overseas? I haven't traveled overseas before. It's the first time traveling in my chair or with a disability. Where do you suggest. And a lot of the time, we do look back at some of the countries or the, sorry, the cities that have hosted the Olympics and the Paralympics, because you'll find that, um, that they are one of the more accessible places to travel to. Yeah.

I mean, from all I gather, I think London was sort of very much at the pointy end of the plane, if I can put it that way. As far as that being the case after 2012 or, you know, leading into 2012 as well.

I mean, from all I gather, I think London was sort of very much at the pointy end of the plane, if I can put it that way. As far as that being the case after 2012 or, you know, leading into 2012 as well.

Yeah, absolutely. London. I mean, I've traveled to London prior to that when I was in my chair as well. And it wasn't I wouldn't say great, but it wasn't too bad. I mean, they had definitely a lot of the places had tried to make an effort to make, you know, places more accessible for everybody.

Yeah, absolutely. London. I mean, I've traveled to London prior to that when I was in my chair as well. And it wasn't I wouldn't say great, but it wasn't too bad. I mean, they had definitely a lot of the places had tried to make an effort to make, you know, places more accessible for everybody.

Now, obviously, I mean, South Australia is always a bit of state rivalry, but it's Queensland pretty well set up. I mean, people may be wanting to get away. I'm not sure whether Christmas and New Year is a good time in terms of the humidity, but maybe middle of next year when we're trying to escape the winter and we go around Australia. So maybe people listening in Victoria as well. Queensland pretty well set up.

Now, obviously, I mean, South Australia is always a bit of state rivalry, but it's Queensland pretty well set up. I mean, people may be wanting to get away. I'm not sure whether Christmas and New Year is a good time in terms of the humidity, but maybe middle of next year when we're trying to escape the winter and we go around Australia. So maybe people listening in Victoria as well. Queensland pretty well set up.

Yeah, Queensland's a lot. Um they've actually come, you know, quite a long way. Um, Queensland's year of accessible tourism. Last year there was a government investment of $12 million which improved over 200 businesses. 200 residents came on board and wanted to make their businesses obviously more accessible and inclusive. So yes, I mean, if you if you think of just 200 businesses in Queensland and you look at the rest of Australia, how amazing would that be for sure.

Yeah, Queensland's a lot. Um they've actually come, you know, quite a long way. Um, Queensland's year of accessible tourism. Last year there was a government investment of $12 million which improved over 200 businesses. 200 residents came on board and wanted to make their businesses obviously more accessible and inclusive. So yes, I mean, if you if you think of just 200 businesses in Queensland and you look at the rest of Australia, how amazing would that be for sure.

What about your call to the federal government? Any response at this stage? I know it was kind of in conjunction with International Day for people with disabilities, December 3rd. So, um, you know, we can't expect them to well, maybe we can't expect them to respond quickly, but any news there?

What about your call to the federal government? Any response at this stage? I know it was kind of in conjunction with International Day for people with disabilities, December 3rd. So, um, you know, we can't expect them to well, maybe we can't expect them to respond quickly, but any news there?

Not that I'm aware of, unfortunately, no. Well, I.

Not that I'm aware of, unfortunately, no. Well, I.

Guess, you know, also, um, it's it's maybe a, uh, the old, uh, water dripping on a stone thing. It's probably going to take a little bit of time, but you know what? One business changes at a time. Progress is made.

Guess, you know, also, um, it's it's maybe a, uh, the old, uh, water dripping on a stone thing. It's probably going to take a little bit of time, but you know what? One business changes at a time. Progress is made.

Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, it's the old saying. I mean, once you raise awareness and I talk to people like yourself, um, people can get out there and, you know, even it's just raising awareness in as far as social media goes, if your listeners go to an accessible destination and promote businesses there that eventually, yeah, they've made an effort and they've they've increased their accessibility. That's a great thing as well. So, um, but yeah, I mean, it's it's all about improving overall accessibility. So everyone with a disability, whether it be, you know, physical or sensory impairment or anything like that. So we just need to, to be inclusive for all.

Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, it's the old saying. I mean, once you raise awareness and I talk to people like yourself, um, people can get out there and, you know, even it's just raising awareness in as far as social media goes, if your listeners go to an accessible destination and promote businesses there that eventually, yeah, they've made an effort and they've they've increased their accessibility. That's a great thing as well. So, um, but yeah, I mean, it's it's all about improving overall accessibility. So everyone with a disability, whether it be, you know, physical or sensory impairment or anything like that. So we just need to, to be inclusive for all.

When, when how can we find out more about you and what you do? Fiona. Oh.

When, when how can we find out more about you and what you do? Fiona. Oh.

Thank you. Um, so as you mentioned, I work for, uh, supported travel experiences, our website. I can give that to you. Dot supported Travelex. Com.au I love.

Thank you. Um, so as you mentioned, I work for, uh, supported travel experiences, our website. I can give that to you. Dot supported Travelex. Com.au I love.

That x at the end for experience. That's very cool. I like things like that. They're very, very, uh, amusing. If you only get to talk to you. It's lovely to meet you. Congratulations on your efforts last year. And we're here's hoping that the federal government listens. I've got much on their plate anyway, so I'm sure they'll be in touch very, very soon. Maybe after this interview. Thank you.

That x at the end for experience. That's very cool. I like things like that. They're very, very, uh, amusing. If you only get to talk to you. It's lovely to meet you. Congratulations on your efforts last year. And we're here's hoping that the federal government listens. I've got much on their plate anyway, so I'm sure they'll be in touch very, very soon. Maybe after this interview. Thank you.

So much for having.

So much for having.

Me. All right. That's Fiona Donaldson, who's a travel expert working for Supported Travel X or supported travel experience. And we'll put all those information up in our show notes.

Me. All right. That's Fiona Donaldson, who's a travel expert working for Supported Travel X or supported travel experience. And we'll put all those information up in our show notes.