Is Dumaguete Disability Friendly?

[JJReyes]

I met a retired gentlemen at a social gathering.  He was involved in the Vietnam conflict and has fond memories of R&R in the Philippines.  Talking with him about overseas retirement, I mentioned Dumaguete as a possible location.  The problem is the guy needs a wheelchair.  He asked if the city is ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant.  Does anyone know the answer?  This means, at a minimum, street corners permit wheelchair access from the curb and similarly to certain businesses like restaurants, convenience stores, malls, etc.

[sonjack2847]

12 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

I met a retired gentlemen at a social gathering.  He was involved in the Vietnam conflict and has fond memories of R&R in the Philippines.  Talking with him about overseas retirement, I mentioned Dumaguete as a possible location.  The problem is the guy needs a wheelchair.  He asked if the city is ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant.  Does anyone know the answer?  This means, at a minimum, street corners permit wheelchair access from the curb and similarly to certain businesses like restaurants, convenience stores, malls, etc.

The streets are definitely unfriendly, high kerbs and MCs parked on the pavements. As for the malls and shops here they are also unfriendly. Robinsons regularly has it`s elevator out of action and Lee plaza has none that I`m aware of. Lee hypermart is on 2 levels the top one showing furniture downstairs being food and some household goods. In my opinion, Dumaguete is not disability friendly.

[manofthecoldland]

In truth, the only places I've ever found Disability Friendly was a hospital and the first floor levels of our malls. Everywhere else, I walk like a wary and smart mule, carefully assessing where my next foot should be planted before shifting my weight to it.  A fellow on crutches could get around well enough, but I myself wouldn't want to live here if confined to a wheel chair. IMO

 

[RBM]

If trying to cross the road in Dumaguete it's a definite NO NO.

[Gary D]

I think the above comments apply to the Philippines in general. I have seen wheelchair ramps in Manila but they tend to be very narrow and very steep. Perhap Davao would be better as reportably Davao is more progressive than the rest of the Philippines.

[Jack Peterson]

1 minute ago, Gary D said:

Perhap Davao would be better as reportably Davao is more progressive than the rest of the Philippines.

Not in everything it may appear  ( Think BI)

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I have not seen any place in the PIs that is disability friendly.   What few ramps we have on our sidewalks are too steep and too narrow - and probably have a food vendor parked on them.  Most sidewalks are crowded, and in poor condition. We end up walking in the street more often than not.  Our Robinson mall, downtown, has an elevator... but it has been broken for many months.  I am not in Dumaguete but that is pretty standard here.

 

Edited March 23, 2019 by Tukaram (Tim)

[Gary D]

6 minutes ago, Jack Peterson said:

Not in everything it may appear  ( Think BI)

Just trying the head off at the pass the Davao members coming along to sing the praises of wonderful Davao which we all know is a paragon of civilization, an oasis in the desert.

[Jollygoodfellow]

IT park Cebu is pretty much wheel chair friendly. Could do with a few improvements. Once Ayala mall opens almost no need to go anywhere else. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

I just found out, due to a visit from my mother, that Dumaguete is definitely NOT disability friendly.  There are no taxis and PWD have a heck of a time getting into a tricycle or any of the other modes of public transportation.  So unless the PWD is rich enough to have private car and driver its a NO from me.