THE States has failed to utilise several channels of potential funding for projects that would improve opportunities for people with disabilities. The island could receive up to US$5m. for a governmental project that would enable people with sensory or mobility problems to have better access. It could also receive grants to encourage tourism.

Disability consultant Alan Hughes, who was born in Guernsey but lives in the UK, has met staff from the Tourist Board and Ghata to highlight some of the opportunities out there. He said that Guernsey was a great tourist destination for people with disabilities and attracting them here could lengthen the actual tourist season.

‘The biggest thing here is the ignorance of what is available,’ said Mr Hughes.

‘They think that because they are not part of England, or the EU, they won’t get funding, but it is there. Local charities are not aware of the opportunities either.’

The EU has funds available for tourism-related projects, which will, as a knock-on, also generate money for the union. A United Nations enabling programme provides grants for projects if they are done as governmental policy.

‘One problem here is that the island has a short tourist season, but that could be increased,’ said Mr Hughes.

‘Disabled people don’t like to come when it is too busy, so they could be encouraged to come in the shoulder periods.’

He said that a second person would usually travel with someone in a wheelchair, or who is visually impaired, and if a disabled person feels comfortable in a place they will tend to come back, further boosting visitor numbers.

Iain Shepherd, director of policy and development at the Tourist Board, said that it would be investigating some of the possibilities with regard to boosting tourism.

‘We held an interesting meeting about the issue of disability in tourism and Mr Hughes raised issues that would be of advantage to the visitor industry and which we will be investigating further, especially encouraging visitors out of the main season.’

Mr Hughes has agreed to speak to several bodies, including Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Royal National Institute for the Blind and Mind, asking them to advertise the Channel Islands in their brochures.

‘A big problem is stress and it is idyllic here to come and hide away on beaches that aren’t too busy. For people with impaired hearing it is also wonderful, because there is very little background sound and it is also good if you are visually impaired.’

He said that the biggest step to take was to improve access for wheelchair users, but estimated that in a 10-year programme 70% access could be achieved in Town.

Mr Hughes has made contact with Flybe to see if it could get a special caterpillar-tracked stair-climber that can handle wheelchairs. The devise could also be used on the Sark ferry and Trident and if there was one available in the island, it could be used at local sites and tourist attractions.

‘It could get people around and it could be fully funded by the UN,’ said Mr Hughes. ‘The opportunities are phenomenal.’

Mr Hughes took a day trip to Sark while in the island and will be visiting Alderney.