New guide to help disabled tourists get around town

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By Michelle Paynter - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Savannah's old homes and historic sites lure millions of tourists to the downtown historic district every year.

But in many ways, the city's old sidewalks and buildings have made it difficult for people with disabilities to get around. That is changing.

Savannah now has an Accessibility Guide to Savannah's Historic District to help folks in wheelchairs navigate around The Hostess City.

James Aberson knows better than anyone what it's like to get around downtown Savannah in a wheelchair. Aberson is Chatham County's coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act. He is one of several people who helped create Savannah's first accessibility guide.

"I think it's a great resource," said Aberson. "It eliminates a lot of frustration, if you can look at a guide and say ok, I know I can have lunch here and I know I can get into this museum or I know I can't get into this one."

The guide has a list of all the churches, restaurants and museums or historic attractions in the historic district that are handicap accessible.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Bay Street is one of many places listed in the guide.

Franchise owner Chris Smith said, "I think by having a new restaurant downtown we had the opportunity to go ahead and make our restaurant handicap accessible, whether it's a wider aisle or rest room and make it a good experience for everyone."

Right now the guide is available at most of the downtown hotels and visitor information centers.

Aberson hopes now that it's published, more local businesses will want to be included in the next printing this fall. "How do you know who is going to come into your business if you don't make it accessible to begin with," he said. "And the more accessible it is to people with disabilities the more accessible it is to everyone."

Whether its improving the curbs and sidewalks or widening the front doors to shops and restaurants. Many hope it's just the beginning of making Savannah an easier place to get around, for everyone.

Aberson says Savannah still has some work to on making the rest of the city more handicap accessible. He says right now there are no public playgrounds with wheelchair access. Aberson says he'd like to city the city and county work on that next.

To view the guide for yourself visit www.savannahga.gov/cityweb/SavannahGaGOV.nsf/mainportal/visitors?opendocument.