Exploring, experiencing and evaluating accessibility along South Africa's beautiful West Coast.
A new home, a new province and a whole new stretch of coastline to explore! Having recently relocated to Langebaan, I’m rather excited to introduce a new chapter in my WheelsUp journey: Wheel the West Coast!
Armed with my wheelchair, a healthy dose of curiosity and more than 27 years of personal experience navigating the world on wheels, I’ll be exploring the West Coast and sharing my experiences of its attractions, restaurants, accommodation, beaches, public facilities and other places worth visiting.
But this isn’t just about wheelchair accessibility.
Accessibility matters to wheelchair users, parents pushing prams, grandparents with little ones in tow, older people, those with temporary mobility challenges and anyone who simply finds getting around a little more difficult than others. After all, a step-free entrance, a decent pathway, an accessible toilet or somewhere comfortable to sit can make a world of difference to someone’s experience.
My aim is to inspire, inform and encourage – not to criticise for the sake of criticism.
These reviews will offer honest, practical feedback based on real-life experiences. I’ll highlight what works well, point out where accessibility could be improved and, where possible, offer constructive suggestions that might help businesses, attractions and public spaces become more welcoming and inclusive.
And yes, I’ll be celebrating the places that get it right! Because recognising good accessibility is just as important as identifying where there is room for improvement.
I also believe that accessibility should be about more than simply ticking a compliance box. It’s about creating environments where people of different ages and abilities can participate, explore and enjoy a space as independently as possible.
Not every place will get a perfect score, and not every suggestion will necessarily be practical or immediately achievable. But awareness is a starting point, and a little willingness to look at things differently can go a long way.
So, here’s to discovering the beautiful West Coast, one destination, one experience and occasionally one challenging ramp at a time!
Let’s get out there, explore, and make the West Coast a little more accessible for everyone.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy the journey – not just admire it from the sidelines.