The Importance of Accessibility

Posted on Fri September 3, 2021.

Today, on 3 September 2021, across South Africa, we celebrate Casual Day.

Casual Day is the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)’s flagship awareness and fundraising project. This annual campaign has been running since 1995! The public’s contribution of R20.00 for a Casual Day sticker entitles them to express their individual interpretation of the yearly theme through their outfits, showing their support for the full inclusion and equity of persons with disabilities. This year’s theme is inspired by Disney’s “Ultimate Disney Princess Celebration”, which champions the qualities embodied in the chosen theme, COURAGE & KINDNESS. Two words that truly personify the differently-abled warriors that this campaign exists for.

Travel, both locally and abroad, has the power to transform lives, empower communities, and inspire change both for travellers in their own lives and for host destinations. Everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or disability, should have access to the opportunity to travel and to the physical, emotional, and social benefits of travel. Accessible tourism is a way of making this possible for more people around the world.

‘Accessible tourism enables people with access requirements, including mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive dimensions of access, to function independently and with equity and dignity through the delivery of universally designed tourism products, services and environments. This definition is inclusive of all people including those travelling with children in prams, people with disabilities and seniors’. (Darcy & Dickson, 2009)

We take enormous pride in being an accessible facility.

We know the honour we have working with our animal family, and it is an honour we want to share with every single visitor. It is a place for inspiration, learning and loving… and the fight for conserving these species also personifies COURAGE AND KINDNESS.

Support Casual Day and support accessibility! Help business and travel destinations understand the importance of making their places more accessible. We all need help and suggestions to improve so that we can truly be inclusive to everyone!

Further Reading

Mandela Day 2023 – An honour and a privilege Tue July 18, 2023

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of a man who fought tirelessly for justice in our country. Nelson Mandela Day was launched in 2009 in recognition of Madiba’s birthday on 18 July, via unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly. This day is a global call to action for citizens of the world to take up the challenge of spending 67 minutes of their day serving others and thereby following in...

Read This Article
Toddler hero
Toddler helps save wildlife! Thu June 18, 2020

In the midst of trauma, terror and pandemics, there are always heroes who emerge. Beacons of hope who come in all shapes and sizes and help show humanity the way forward. We saw such a (tiny) hero arise…

Read This Article
Feed for Funds | Gaming meets Conservation 19-21 June 2020 Fri June 12, 2020

In South Africa, COVID-19 restrictions have been ongoing for a harrowing 11 weeks. During this time, the Cango Wildlife Ranch has been without any income, other than donations from our phenomenal supporters, who have been integral in keeping us afloat. Though we are glowing pure gratitude for all the help we have received, we still have a long road ahead before we, or our animals, can breathe easy.

Read This Article