The Vacation Lottery: Exploring the relationship between the ...

Travelling with Disabilities in a Digital Age
Abstract
Generally, advances within technology are applauded for providing greater access and
engagement to consumers. They are frequently reported as empowering us to
participate, either individually or collectively, in society, through affiliations and
opportunities for self-expression. There is an implicit assumption that we as a society
are benefitting from these advances. However, this paper challenges this line of
thinking and argues instead that the relationship between consumption and technology
is far more complicated than necessarily appreciated. Adopting qualitative research
techniques this study examines the role of technology in the leisure travel of disabled
travellers. General information regarding consumer engagement with technology (eg
internet, e-mail, social media/social networking sites, smartphones etc) will be
collected. Here both domestic and travel circumstances will be investigated. In the
leisure travel context each of the following actions: pricing; accessing medical
assistance; accessing specially adapted facilities (eg transport, accommodation) will
be explored and the enabling, or otherwise, role of technology explored.

Travelling with Disabilities in a Digital Age
Generally, advances within technology (eg internet, e-mail, social media/social
networking sites, smartphones etc) are applauded for providing greater access and
engagement to consumers. They are frequently reported as empowering us to
participate, either individually or collectively, in society, through affiliations (eg
social networking sites such as Facebook) and opportunities for self-expression (eg
review websites) (Burton & Kammash, 2010; Litvin et al., 2008). There is an implicit
assumption that we as a society are benefitting from these advances. Whether we are
the ‘digital natives’ of Generation Y, Z and beyond, or the digital immigrants of
previous generations (Prensky, 2001), technological advances are there to facilitate
and enhance our life experiences. However, this paper challenges this line of thinking
and argues instead that the relationship between consumption and technology is far
more complicated than necessarily appreciated. More specifically, the aim of the
paper is to explore the relationship by examining the leisure travel of disabled
consumers from a technological perspective.
Leisure travel is not accessible to all, with economic factors most commonly cited as
a primary reason for constrained participation. Economic constraints represent only
one part of the picture though with their contribution often over-simplified. Health
and disability factors, at times the cause of economic hardship, be it short or longterm,
are of at least equal significance yet remain infrequently considered. Such is
particularly problematic given the capacity of these factors to cut across the economic
divide. The comment by Shaw and Coles (2004, p 399) that "few, if any of the social
constructs of disability have permeated the tourism literature. There has been a
reluctance to explore the experiences of the disabled traveller, in addition to
neglecting the wider relationship between disabled people and the tourism industry" is
particularly pertinent to this paper as such criticism can equally be levied at our
current understanding of the technological access and engagement of these
consumers. Consequently, the paper questions whether, and which forms of
technology enhance tourism participation for disabled tourists today. Similarly it also
questions which problems arise for associated consumers as a consequence of
technological advances.
Understanding the travel needs of the disabled community is complicated as only a
narrow research agenda has been pursued to date. Three common areas of study exist.
First, that which identifies the disabled community as a lucrative market segment
waiting to be tapped. Second, that which considers the advantages of tourism
participation for constrained consumers. Third, that which considers the constraints
and barriers to participation the disabled community experiences.
Investigating the relationship between tourism participation and serious illness,
specifically cancer, Hunter-Jones (2004) identified the positive contribution of travel
to wellbeing. Personal health, social effectiveness, personal identity and regaining
independence were each identified as benefits of tourism participation. These benefits
are important and are generally reviewed within two contexts: physical benefits;
psychological benefits. More broadly physical benefits have commonly been linked to
active leisure participation. Gratton and Tice (1989) for instance contrasted
participation with non-participation under four general headings namely health status,
health attitudes, health lifestyles and leisure orientation. They found there to be a

growing body of medical evidence confirming that exercise improves health status
and life expectancy. Exercise was shown to have its most positive effect on health in
the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Such observations are not new.
Earlier empirical research completed by Morris et al. (1953) for example, established
that bus conductors (spending most of the day walking up and downstairs on a bus
collecting fares and rarely sitting down) were less at risk of having heart attacks than
were sedentary bus drivers. Morris et al., (1980) followed up his study of London
busmen with an analysis of the leisure-time activities of 17 944 middle-aged British
Civil Servants. Those undertaking regular vigorous physical exercise were found to be at
less than half the risk of experiencing CHD over the eight year follow up period than
those who did no vigorous exercise.
Commenting upon the perceived constraints of holiday spaces and places for disabled
travellers, Shaw and Coles (2004, p. 401-402) concluded that "…out of the 24
respondents in the case sample, only two had participated in overseas trips…the
impact of disability is to make some of the respondents very cautious in their choice
of destinations". How far, and in what ways, technology may contribute to this
disengagement is not clear, although there is a literature which suggests there to be a
link. Questioning whether technological advancements have prompted the
emancipation or oppression of disabled people Sheldon (2009) for instance argues:
“Disabled people have long been denied access to the technology that others
take for granted, and there is little evidence that this exclusion is dissipating.
Despite this, the issue of access to technology is often obscured because of the
undue emphasis placed on its potential for improving disabled people’s lot.
This is a particular concern since a new form of social segmentation is
predicted between those with and without access to the new systems”.
(Sheldon, 2009, p. 157).
This presentation will consider the pilot study findings of a qualitative study which
examines the leisure travel of disabled travellers, questioning specifically the role
technology plays within the process. General information regarding consumer
engagement with technology will be reported. Here both domestic and travel
circumstances will be investigated. In the leisure travel context each of the following
actions: pricing; accessing medical assistance; accessing specially adapted facilities
(eg transport, accommodation) will be explored and the enabling, or otherwise, role of
technology explored.

References
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