Exploring Ulsan's Barrier-Free Travel Destinations
Hello, I am Kim Soon-jeom from Ulsan Nuri.
Since I have been taking a break from work since March, I thought about what to do during this time. I came across information about barrier-free travel on Instagram and decided to apply.
Since visiting tourist attractions is part of my job, I thought it would be a good opportunity to study as well.
As I delved into my studies, I found many aspects that I needed to learn and consider for the future, which inspired me to write this article.
In my June article, I covered four barrier-free travel destinations in Ulsan: while wheelchair accessibility is satisfactory, convenience for visually impaired individuals remains a challenge.
Even though there are no stairs, navigating with a wheelchair can still be difficult.
The concept of barrier-free travel was first implemented in 2015 through a project by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, aiming to improve tourist sites for people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and families with infants.
Key improvements include the installation of ramps, expansion of accessible restrooms, maintenance of walkways, and the availability of wheelchair and stroller rentals, as well as audio and Braille guides to ensure safe tourism for everyone.
While there are sidewalks and bike paths, there are no tactile paving blocks available.
As someone who is almost becoming a senior citizen myself, I found many relatable insights during the classes I attended.
Thus, I decided to explore four barrier-free travel destinations in Ulsan.
I aimed to assess how much progress has been made, the convenience and accessibility of these places, and what additional considerations should be taken into account if improvements are still ongoing.
At the pedestrian crossings, there are only paving blocks at both ends.
1. Taehwagang National Garden
The Taehwagang National Garden is expansive and hosts many events and festivals throughout the seasons, making it a beloved spot for Ulsan residents.
Since it is located along the Taehwa River, the flatness has been largely verified.
However, if one travels by wheelchair from Nam-gu to cross the Iye Bridge, it requires a long detour to reach the riverbank.
I walked along the riverside. There are two walking paths in the same direction on the riverside road, and the upper path was well maintained.
However, the path that allows one to get close to the water and smell it lacks a ramp.
For visually impaired individuals, there are only four tactile blocks at the pedestrian crossing in front of Halla Apartments, and none on the sidewalks or in the plaza.
Of course, there might be companions, but what happens if one loses their grip?
2. Daewangam Park
I visited Daewangam Park for a photo opportunity and also to explore.
I avoided the park's interior and made my way down to the coast via the training center.
While taking pictures of the round pebbles, I wondered if a wheelchair could reach this spot.
I contemplated how a visually impaired person would feel stepping barefoot on warm pebbles.
I found that there are mats designed for wheelchairs that roll well, unlike palm mats.
Walking back up from Daewangam to the park, I noticed the marble at the edge of the sidewalk.
When wet or after rain, it becomes a slippery slope.
As we all know, many people, regardless of age, enjoy wearing Crocs these days.
Stepping on wet marble, can you imagine?
Moreover, if the slope is steep...
As Ulsan citizens know, the guide signs and information boards at Daewangam are often located at the edge of cliffs or face steep drops.
It's challenging for those with mobility issues to access, and there's a lack of audio guidance indicating where this place is.
3. Bangudae Petroglyphs
I set out with determination, but it happened to be an extremely hot day.
Upon entering the village, I saw a banner suggesting parking at the public parking lot due to the limited space at the Bangudae Petroglyph Museum.
Thinking it would be crowded on weekends, I parked at the public lot.
However, I realized I had to walk 1.3 km.
Since I had to walk anyway, I decided to experience it from a wheelchair perspective.
The first obstacle was the sidewalk width, which was insufficient for a wheelchair to pass.
Moreover, overgrown vegetation blocked the path.
The second obstacle was walking under the summer sun to reach the museum.
There were occasional trees, but no shaded areas.
Can a person with mobility challenges endure such conditions?
Bangudae was undergoing various renovations in accordance with its UNESCO registration.
They were improving paths, enhancing visibility, and creating new resting spots.
However, the stepping stones by the river are not passable for wheelchairs, and there were no ramps leading down to the riverbank.
In front of the restroom at the entrance of the Bangudae Petroglyphs, there was a rock that seemed suitable for tactile use by visually impaired individuals.
4. Jangsaengpo Whale Cultural District
Do you have this in your home? Tactile markings on wall switches?
While exploring the three locations, I felt compelled to check the internal switches of the accessible restrooms.
I may have missed it, but I couldn't find any.
Are you familiar with the function of the emergency buttons visible in most outdoor restrooms?
They are pressed when urgent help is needed due to external circumstances or personal issues.
However, visually impaired individuals can also press the emergency button in restrooms, yet there were no indicators showing where the button was or that it was an emergency button.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised to find it only at the Jangsaengpo Whale Cultural District.
I also encountered a guide map explained in Braille.
Seeing this sign brought me great relief.
I had thought such products didn’t exist.
The existence of such products indicates that a company is producing them.
And it suggests that the person responsible for developing barrier-free tourist sites is willing to implement such devices.
In conclusion, based on my experiences as a wheelchair user, I ranked the four barrier-free travel destinations in Ulsan:
1st: Taehwagang National Garden
2nd: Bangudae Petroglyphs
For visually impaired individuals, the rankings are:
1st: Nam-gu Whale Cultural District
2nd: Taehwagang National Garden
Overall, the elevators at open tourist sites had narrow entrances.
Most restrooms had malfunctioning locks or were too small for wheelchair maneuvering.
Tactile blocks often ended before the elevators, making it inadequate for visually impaired individuals to enjoy barrier-free tourism.
While improvements can be gradually made, I would suggest focusing on the opening mechanisms of accessible restroom doors.
Standardizing the methods for opening restroom doors could enhance safety for visually impaired individuals.
The four barrier-free travel destinations I explored in Ulsan have shown considerable progress in terms of mobility convenience for wheelchair users.
With ramps, dedicated restrooms, and elevators installed, accessibility has improved significantly compared to the past.
On the other hand, I believe there is a lack of Braille guidance, tactile maps, and audio information for visually impaired individuals.
Issues such as emergency buttons without tactile markings, interrupted tactile blocks, and information facilities that can be touched for guidance remain as areas for improvement.
Barrier-free travel is not just about creating paths for wheelchairs; I hope that Ulsan's open tourist sites will develop into spaces accessible to all tourists with challenges.
Images:
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224316225939
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