Push Adventures is an inclusive tourism consultancy based in South Australia (SA)

Thanks to the support of the South Australian community, The Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of SA and the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion, Push Adventures have received funding to enhance 30 SA tourism experiences over the next 12 months. In particular we aim to focus on tours and attractions for people with physical disabilities.

The Issues

: Information sharing. Websites lack detail.

Everyone should have the choice to participate and therefore travellers need access to thorough information in order to determine if your business is suitable for them. Booking online is almost impossible when a business doesn’t provide clear information about the facilities and services they offer.

: Misunderstanding access needs.

It is not all about a ramp. Not all disabilities are visible and every person is unique. There are so many small details which can make the world of difference to a persons travel experience.

: Awkward customer service.

There is nothing to fear about providing customer service to people with a disability, start with a smile and a hello, there is nothing awkward about that! Awareness and education is key in order for staff to feel confident in providing an excellent level of service to all guests.

Young, ambitious and using a wheelchair, we spent 3 months travelling through Europe, the trip of a lifetime on a shoestring budget! Utilising the public train network and backpacking as much as possible, we encountered just about every physical and attitudinal barrier a wheelchair user could imagine. However optimism, resilience and a sense of humour kept us going and we shared in some of the most amazing experiences of our lives. Shortly after returning home we came to the realisation that these hurdles exist right here in South Australia and we now have the determination, means and ability to make a positive impact on the SA tourism industry.

We aren’t expecting all facilities to be 100% inclusive for everyone, but we want to help you to identify and promote how your business already caters for a range of people, providing an inclusive tourism experience. Inclusive tourism is a significant industry sector and by taking steps to be more inclusive you’ll appeal to a wider range of tourists. We can help you to understand how attitudinal behaviours have an impact. How providing detailed visitor information on your website and throughout your marketing materials can attract a wider audience. And how considering small changes to design and facilities can assist in an inclusive experience for travellers of varying abilities.

How can we fix it?

“American adults with disabilities or reduced mobility currently spend an average of $13. 6 billion a year on travel. Creating accessible cruise ships, accessible ship terminals, accessible ground transportation, and accessible tourist destinations is not charity. It is just good business.” Dr Scott Rains, US expert on disability issues.

: Inclusive Tourism Review

Working with Push Adventures we assist your business in identifying any barriers to inclusion and ways to attract a wider audience of travellers. This three step process with Push Adventures supporting you all the way. Learn more about what’s involved.

: Disability friendly customer awareness

If you’ve identified that your business could benefit from some training to provide the best customer service, Push Adventures can make this happen.

: Adaptive equipment advice

Got an inclusive business but think you can jam even more enjoyment into your service with the addition of some adaptive equipment like a floating beach wheelchair, audio/visual interpretations of your tours etc, get in touch.

: Road testing tours and experiences

Push Adventures will participate in your service and give constructive feedback from a physical disability point of view.

A travel decision is critically based on knowing what to expect of an activity or on arrival at a destination. Inclusive Tourism assists travellers in reducing uncertainty around what to expect. Through provision of information it creates choice and instils confidence to people enabling them to sign up for new experiences. It has a huge impact of reducing travel planning time and a potentially greater impact on attracting a significant portion of the travelling population to your facility.

Inclusive tourism incorporates Universal Design or Inclusive Design, a framework for the design of places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. Most simply, Universal Design is human-centered design of everything with everyone in mind, anticipating the reality of diversity in our bodies and our brains and builds in solutions. Push Adventures is able to provide the motivation and tools to the tourism industry to allow business’ to create accessible environments that enable inclusion.

Where to now?

Once Push Adventures has completed an Inclusive Tourism review with you, you will become part of a growing community of tourism organisations embracing all travellers. You will be added to our Directory of services enabling travellers to choose their own adventures according to the services and facilities you offer. We will feature and promote your service through our growing online community and we will shout your good work from the rooftops!

Public Speaking

Look no further for an inspiring speaker for your next event. Scott will share tales from his life journey and aspirations for his future. He will be sure to leave a lasting impression on you. Please contact us for more information.

I commend Clair and Scott for having the vision to identify what needs to be done to ensure all South Australians can enjoy this beautiful state and the multitude of adventures and experiences available to the community. It is easy to forget that people living with spinal cord injury and other disabilities, as well as the aged, have disposable incomes, so your work not only meets the social responsibility of addressing accessibility and inclusion barriers, but also has the potential to enhance this state’s capacity for economic development within the tourism industry.

Peter Stewart, ParaQuad SA,

CEO

“Push Adventures is a wonderful new business that Clair and Scott Crowley initiated in 2014, they help tourism businesses better understand the opportunity to deliver inclusive products and services. Their passion and knowledge provides real insights for business to modify the way in which they think about inclusive visitor experiences, this includes people with physical disabilities. Businesses are then better able to understand visitor needs and wants and accordingly they are empowered to make simple decisions and take future business directions that cater for a broader visitor market and ultimately builds innovative and more profitable business. Push Adventures is a change agent for business, run by highly skilled professionals who are doing things that haven’t been done before”.

Shaun de Bruyn, SATIC,

General Manager

“As a significant contributor to the South Australian tourism industry, SeaLink is committed to continuous improvements in all areas of business. We recognise that inclusive tourism is a key sector for growth within the market and an important consideration in being a top industry operator. Given we are the pivotal link between mainland Australia and Kangaroo Island attracting visitors from all over the world, we are conscious of catering for guests of all abilities, needs and backgrounds. We are proud to be working with Push Adventures to identify any barriers to inclusion that exist, so we can continue to deliver excellent service to all travellers”.

Anne Dyson, SeaLink,

Business Projects & Sponsorship Manager

“Zoos South Australia is committed to creating an inclusive tourism experience at both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos. As a conservation charity, our zoos are a space for people from all walks of life – from children to grandparents, aunties, uncles, parents and friends – to share the wonder of the natural world and learn about conservation. As part of our 20-year Master Plan, we are committed to increasing accessibility at our sites through improved infrastructure and facilities. Through these upgrades, we want to ensure that we offer choice and accessible options to give everyone the confidence to visit our sites. Participating in an Inclusive Tourism Review and working with partners will help us provide an accessible experience and better cater for diverse abilities, languages and cultures”.

Sarah Brown, Zoos SA,