PARTICIPATION OF PERSONS WITH SPECIALNEEDS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF CAPE COAST MUNICIPALITY.

ABSTRACT The disabled constitute 10% of the total population of the Central Region. Since the introduction of tourism in the region, only a few of them tlllve participated fully in the industry. In the Cape Coast municipality, for instance, apart from traditional dances and cultural performances that are put up at the castle and at durbar grounds by the deaf, little is heard of the disabled in the town. Using data from a survey involving 145 respondents some disabled and others without disabilities and 14 hoteliers in the Cape Coast municipality, the study sought to determine the extent to which the disabled participate in the tourism industry in the municipality. The results showed that most hotels and attractions do not make adequate provisions to cater for the needs of the disabled. Facilities available at these places are not 'user friendly' to the disabled especially those with physical handicaps like the crippled. It was also found out that personnel at these attractions do not have special skills that would enable them communicate freely with the disabled. The general implication is that. most people with impairments would decline from embarking on tourism. This also means that the gap existing between the able and disabled would continue to widen. The aim of tourism. which is to bring together all classes of people from different socio-economic backgrounds would thus be defeated. It is suggested that tourism plant owners should try as much as possible to put the needs ofthe disabled into consideration when designing their facilities