Get Around Guide -- the blog

Step free access for Bondi Beach?

2010-05-17T06:19:00.000-05:00

Some residents are seeking a step free access to Australia's Bondi Beach, orangeshade.com is reporting.

Here's wishing them success in convincing the powers that be.

Colorado couple inspire with quest to access sports, travel

2010-01-07T08:32:00.000-06:00

If you're into travel by people with disabilities...
If you're into advocacy ...
If your're into inspiring stories...

Then you need to read this article on Craig and Andrea Kennedy. The couple run Access Anything, dedicated to getting people with disabilities to travel and experience recreational sports.
Here's a great quote from Craig Kennedy regarding motivating venues to embrace accessibility.

“It was learn as you go. When I started, I was telling people, ‘It’s the law, and it’s the right thing to do. People looked at me and said, ‘You want me to spend money and not make money? I’m not going to do it.’ There was some resentment, some resistance ..."

Andrea Kennedy continues:

“We got a bunch of statistics about travelers with disabilities, and the big stat we share with everyone is that there are 55 million Americans with disabilities, and they spend $13.6 billion dollars on travel. Once Steamboat realized that and started marketing to that, they increased.”

Travel agents advised to make websites accessible

2009-09-25T06:06:00.000-05:00

Travel Agent Central has this article on making websites accessible to people with disabilities.
The article is really written for the most part as a warning to agents about the opirfalls of ignoring accessibility standards. Why not emphasize the positive of additonal customers? yeah I know new business is not nearly as attention grabbing as the threat of financial consequences. Whatever works, I suppose to get the accessibility. It does incldue the follwoing statement:

Indeed, by achieving website accessibility for disabled customers, travel agencies can offer services to individuals who would otherwise seek out competing businesses who offer more accommodating services and invites the greatest amount of user traffic and potential revenue opportunities.

Inspirational video crossing ahead

2009-09-23T05:43:00.001-05:00

I recommend you watch the following video by Arwen Bird, connect with it and use it to connect with others. It might be especially useful for those who just don't get the issue of access for everyone:

New bus service from VA to NYC, DC can handle travelers with disabilities

2009-09-09T06:29:00.000-05:00

Residents of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia have a new way they can get to some east coast destinations.
Sprinterbus has launched express bus service to New York and will soon begin service tio Washington .

Says this article from pilotonline.com:
"Sprinterbuses offer nonstop service on coach-style buses with free wireless Internet and AC outlets in every seat at ... discount prices. Buses include a table at the rear and guaranteed seats with reservations."

And they can accomodate passengers with disabilities.

18 of 34 Osoyoss tourist businesses rate 0 on accessibility

2009-09-06T10:34:00.002-05:00

Some businesses in Osoyoss, British Columbia have some work to do before they can enjoy the benefits of serving tourists with disabilities.
Of 34 businesses recently audited for accessibility, 18 received a ranking of zero.

The survey was part of 2010 Legacies Now's mandate to promote tourism in British Columbia leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Richard Molyneux, a co-director for 2010 Legacies Now’s disabilities initiative, said the business who scored poorly will be advised them about how they can improve accessibility and where to get the money to make improvements.

“They may never have thought about disabilities before,” Molyneuz said. “We don’t want them to be scared of disabilities, we want them to embrace it because it’s good for business.”

Photo of Osoyoos Lake vu de la French Hill.

Funding issue popping up for free buses in UK

2009-09-04T06:06:00.002-05:00

Free bus travel for seniors and people with disabilities in the UK is running into funding difficulties.

An example of the problem is provided by these words of frustration expressed by City of Lincoln council Leader Darren Grice on thisislincolnshire.co.uk:

"Free bus travel is a good idea that has benefited millions of older and disabled people across the country and one the council supports. But until the scheme is funded fairly and efficiently it will continue to be a major source of difficulty for whoever administers it."

Photo by Kenn Kiser via morgueFile.com

Australian stranded in India after spinal injury

2009-09-02T06:28:00.000-05:00

Typically this blog is discussing people who have had a disability before they decide to travel.
The story of George Dobson is a little different.
The Australian had a hiking accident while in India. He suffered spinal injuries that left him without the use of his arms and legs. He's stranded in a hospital there with his family working to get him home.
Says Therese Dobson, George's ex-wife,:

"He's coming to terms with what's happened psychologically as well, so we're just trying to reassure him. We're holding strong at the moment. Our focus is on getting him back and we can't afford to drop our bundle."

The family has setup a website describing George's plight and soliciting donations.

Disney in court over Segway policy

2009-06-04T05:12:00.006-05:00

Whether Disney should be able to restrict use of Segways at its parks is the centerpiece of a federal court case.

The immediate issue is whether to allow a settlement between Disney and three individuals. The three had sued Disney for not allowing the use of their personal Segways in Disney parks. Rather, Disney wants to rent Segways for $45 per day

In the settlement, Disney agreed to pay the plaintiff's $4,000 each and some attorneys fees.

Hearings on the settlements are expected to last a few days.

Photo is in the public domain

Cyprus accessibility praised by UK tourist

2008-11-20T05:50:00.003-06:00

Gaynor Roberts of Wakefild, England lauds Cyprus for its accessibility. Sad to say she doesn't see the same back home. See suggests Cyprus try to capitalize on this accessibility to "become the number one disabled-friendly holiday resort"
What about that Cyprus? Are you going to go for it? Gaynor says you're already halfway there.

Photo by Lisa Solonynko via morgueFile

Mobility rentals companies to merge

2008-11-19T05:41:00.004-06:00

Mergers and such aren't just for the banking industry. Two companies that provide mobility equipment at special events are joining forces. Scootaround Inc. and Mobility Rental Service say they now will form the nation's "largest mobility rentals fleet."

Photo courtesy of Scootaround Inc.

Remaking the Roadmaster for accessibility

2008-11-12T09:00:00.002-06:00

Because it is such an icon of London, and at the same time not a good fit for those with some disabilities, we have covered from time to time the fate of the Roadmaster bus in London. The Roadmaster is the bus you think of when you think of London -- those red double deckers. A mayor's effort to drag the bus system into the 21st century by ordering new "bendy" -- and accessible -- buses to replace the old buses was met with outrage in some quarters. Now there's a competition to come up with a new icon, somewhat like the old one, but with an important difference -- it has to be accessible.

Photo of old style Routmaster by Rudi Ashdonw via morgueFile

Public transit concerns arise for 2012 Olympics

2008-11-11T05:33:00.004-06:00

Still fresh with enthusiasm of the Olympics from this summer and thinking of making the trip to London for the 2012 games? If you're planning to rely on public transit to get around -- and won't most people? -- you might want to follow this situation. Here's the promise for people with disabilities:

VisitLondon interim chief executive Sally Chatterjee assured delegates the disabled would be catered for. She said: "The London Development Agency is looking at transport accessibility and new measures will be in place by 2012.

Photo by Rudi Ashdown via morgueFile

Travel as a platform for showing what can be done

2008-10-28T05:47:00.003-05:00

Travel by people with disabilities is rewarding for all of the usual reasons travel is rewarding. But it also can show a message of independence and inclusiveness. In Matthew Eddy's case, it also can be a PR platform to draw attention to other very worthy work. Good luck Matthew!

This book could help you get around Italy

2008-10-23T21:31:00.002-05:00

Going to Italy? You might want to check out this new book series.

Photo by Clara Natoli via morgueFile.com

Cool heads and better solutions can prevail for air travel snafus

2008-10-09T05:33:00.004-05:00

So many stories of air travel by people with disabilities end in outrageous actions that defy common sense. In fact it seems common sense seems to rarely prevail, or you rarely hear about it anyway.
That's why I wanted to share this tale about two men, a set of allen wrenches and empathy acted on, which I came across via the Rolling Rains Report. It shows common sense solutions, even improvised on the fly, can prevail -- even in the realm of air travel.
What a relief to know it's at least possible.

Photo by Jane Sawyer via morgueFile.com

Blind? On Dragonair you must have a window seat. Or else.

2008-10-01T05:42:00.007-05:00

We've all read about the outrageous incidents where people with disabilities are kept from flying for for all kinds of inadequate reasons. Usually, this ends up getting reported on because someone files a lawsuit and then the facts -- once only known to those involved -- become widely known.
The latest such incident, however, occurred in front of the wrong person -- a blogger with a camera. Now we have a first hand account of what just might be the most bizarre, inflexible forcible deplaning of a blind person I've ever heard of (thanks to Scott Rains at rollingrains.com for bringing this to my attention BTW).
You've got to read the whole post -- and see the photos -- by Jim Fruchterman at Beneblog. But in summary Dragonair forcibly removed Rami Rabby, a blind foreign service officer working for the US State Department, because he switched seats with another passenger to be able to sit in the aisle seat. The airline's rules say disabled people sit by the window.
Huh?
The reason for the rule isn't clear. Likely, it's for safety, which is the way many of the discriminatory practices used by certain airlines are justified. Gotta have an attendant. Can't have too many disabled people on a single plane etc. Add sitting by the window to the list I guess. I will ask Dragonair what this policy is supposed to mean. If I get an answer I'll share it with you. If a travel expert like Scott hasn't heard of this rule before, I'm thinking it's pretty obscure.
What's more certain is that the day a person with disabilities can count on only encountering the typical problems of air travel, not those foisted on them by ignorant rules that relate to their disability, isn't here yet.

Photo courtesy of Dragonair

Study finds spotty service for rail reservation system

2008-09-17T05:40:00.004-05:00

Call ahead. Let people know about your needs as a person with disabilities when traveling. Some outfits basically demand you do so.
A study in the UK of the Assisted Passenger Reservation Service that showed spotty assistance even with reservations is what makes following that advice so hard to take.
Why call ahead when a good chunk of the time it won't even help? It's discouraging.
Maybe the calling ahead is a crutch. It'd be better if carriers had to be prepared all the time for someone showing up with a disability rather than being able to forget about it until an advance call comes through -- or even forget about it if an advance call comes through.

Photo by Kettu via morgueFile.com

Can boats have universal design?

2008-09-16T05:34:00.002-05:00

I've posted on a new effort to bring universal design to boats at my Disaboom blog.

Positive effects for access seen in China due to Olympics, Paralympics

2008-09-08T08:02:00.004-05:00

Seems the Olympics, and now the Paralympics, are having positive effects for access in China. For example, in something a tourist might appreciate, news.xinhuanet.com reports:

"Starting from last week, the famed Beijing roast duck restaurant chain Quanjude began offering menus in Braille and all waiters have learned sign language to better serve impaired customers."

Northwest being sued for ADA, Rehab Act problems

2008-09-08T05:50:00.003-05:00

Well-known wheelchair athlete James Keskeny is the prime plantiff in a lawsuit being pursued against Northwest Ariline alledging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Access Act and the Rehabilitation Act. U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh dismissed the ACAA complaint but allowed the rest to go to forward. Keskeny says he was transported in a "degrading manner" by untrained airport personnel and that his wheelchair was damaged. The airline's attorneys says thee is not a cause for a federal court claim and that Congress did not intend the Rehabilitation act to apply to airlines.
I guess the judge feels differently.

Wheeling not forbidden

2008-08-06T05:49:00.002-05:00

Visiting China? Did you know there are wheelchairs -- and wheelchair pushers for a fee - available for touring there Forbidden City?
There are.

Photo of scene from the Forbidden City by Kevin Connors via morgueFile.com

Diss doesn't want to be missed

2008-08-04T05:54:00.003-05:00

Official in Diss in the UK, want to encourage tourism. They are on the right track as far I'm concerned by improving facilities at their train station -- including more accessibility.
There's nothing more hospitable -- when you really need one -- than a properly laid out rest room.

Sometimes you can kill them with kindness

2008-07-21T06:14:00.003-05:00

For a really polite dressing down of really bad taxi service for a person with disabilities read this letter from the The Press and Journal.

New accessible trains headed for Scotland

2008-07-14T05:46:00.002-05:00

Traveling by train in Scotland will be easier -- and a lot cooler looking -- when these new rail cars are in use. They are billed as being fully accessible too. Let's just hope the stations are as well.

Wheelchair user sums up airline travel nicely

2008-05-29T05:47:00.004-05:00

Anthony Thanasayan offers a great first-hand and practical look at air travel in Asia from the perspective of a wheelchair user in this The Star Online piece. Thanks for sharing Anthony. Those in the industry that don't get accessibility would do well to heed your advice.

New Wembley saves 310 seats for you

2008-03-11T05:53:00.003-05:00

Traveling to an event at the new Wembley Stadium? There are exactly 310 designated seats for people with disabilities in the 90,000 seat stadium, according to this icwales.co.uk article.
This FAQ at the stadium's Web site outlines other accommodations of note to the traveler with disabilities like parking and where those seats for the disabled are located in the stadium bowl.

Photo of stadium courtesy of wembleystadium.com

Article says Park City skiing good for those with disabilities

2008-02-19T21:52:00.004-06:00

If you're in to big time skiing and have a person with disabilities in your party, this article suggests Park City, Utah might be a place to check out:

"No worries either, if someone in your gang is disabled. The National Ability Center (www.discoverNAC.org) -- the largest adaptive sports program of its kind -- can take them skiing, bobsledding, horseback riding and more with trained instructors and adaptive equipment all for $65 a session -- less than the cost of a lift ticket. (There are scholarships available too.) If you're staying at the Canyons or Deer Valley, they'll even bring the instructors and the equipment to you."

Photo of ski lift not necessarily in Utah by kornrolla via morgueFile.com

Support for Scott Rains inclusive tourism centers project

2008-02-04T20:31:00.000-06:00

If by some weird happenstance I was designated as the person who could choose someone to set up centers to forward the cause of accessible travel by people with disabilities, I'd have a short list of the right individual for the job. But surely on that list would be Scott Rains.
So it's fortunate that the Echoing Green Foundation has accepted a proposal by Scott to create three Centers of Excellence in Inclusive Tourism in strategic locations for the second of three rounds of the 2008 competition.
Scott's proposed centers would:
* Standardize the diversity of accessibility laws,
* Disseminate minimum accessibility guidelines for hotels,
* Train travel & hospitality industry staff,
* Promote the education & hiring of People with disabilities (PwDs) in the industry.
If you're not familiar with Scott's work, visit his blog (you can read more about the above project here). If you want to hear his passion come through, watch this video.
The kind of project that Scott proposes is needed to advance the travel experience for people with disabilities. And Scott is just the person to launch them.
Photo of Scott Rains from The Rolling Rains Report

Group working on future airliner layouts for accessibility

2008-01-24T05:42:00.000-06:00

This article in UK-based Holiday Hypermarket sounds a rare positive tone about the accessibility of air travel for people with disabilities -- at least looking forward. "The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee actually has a working group that's been looking at the accessibility of airliners, in particular – the layout and configuration of new aeroplanes, so that they will be more accessible for people," Brian Seaman, spokesperson for Tourism for All, is quoted as saying. Old airliners are a lost cause. But this is the right emphasis for the future. (Photo via morgueFile.com)

Man's long trip to raise awareness of transit accessibility

2008-01-16T05:42:00.000-06:00

Jeff Preston is not taking the short cut to Ottawa, Canada. He's not taking the easy way either. He plans to travel the whole distance from London, Ontario -- almost 400 miles -- rolling in his electric wheelchair.
But Preston's journey does have a higher purpose than just getting from point A to point B. Along the way he plans to highlight the inadequacy of accessibility on public transit.
And Preston won't be accepting any explanations about accessibility being too costly.
“It’s offensive to think the rights of disabled persons are too expensive right now,” he said in this The Gazette article.
Photo of Jeff Preston by Justin Wu at The Gazette, University of Western Ontario.

Rains defines the big picture of travel by people with disabilities

2008-01-02T21:10:00.000-06:00

Scott Rains, the ultimate inclusive travel blogger, had an inspiring post at Disaboom. It's worth reading in all (his keyote speech at Presentation to ICAT 2007 held at the UN in Bangkok, Thailand). But the best part is the conclusion, which I quote at length here:

"People with Disabilities, when we travel we represent more than ourselves because we are part of a community. As a person with a disability you carry two items of unusual value -- especially in combination. Both tend to surprise those you meet as you travel. The two items are money and pride. By money I mean more than the change in your pocket. By pride I mean that confident self-determination of knowing who you are beyond any economic measures of worth.
"The very fact that you have a disability and travel suggests something about your economic condition. It indicates that you have credit, savings, education, maybe a profession that requires travel. It demonstrates more importantly that you have the ability to make decisions about the course of your life for yourself. That combination of means and dignity are potent tools of social transformation.
"Travel the world today and you will find that there is a hunger for community and solidarity among people with disabilities. As an exchange student, backpacker, business or vacation traveler, your identity as a person with a disability gives you access to faces of the tourism industry that others may not have. Some are positive. Some need improvement.
"The next two years will be a surprise to those in the industry who have not yet prepared their profit-based approach to disability. Some will be asking you to help. You have an opportunity to contribute and to shape the travel industry. That may be with the rights-based emphasis through government, education, or policy. It may on the profit-based side through invention, construction, marketing, or business creation.
"Whatever opportunity you choose, take your pride - and your money - on the road. Travel. Teach the industry and level the path for the ones who come after you!"

I can't even begin to say anything on this better than Scott already has. But I will remember his words when we travel with our son, a wheelchair user: "People with Disabilities, when we travel we represent more than ourselves because we are part of a community. As a person with a disability you carry two items of unusual value -- especially in combination. Both tend to surprise those you meet as you travel. The two items are money and pride."

Harrington book a great accessible vacation idea resource

2007-11-26T05:51:00.000-06:00

The coming of the holiday season means a lot of things, including, of course the traditions of gift-giving and receiving. To me it also means the time of year when I begin planning my next big summer vacation.
If you follow this routine too, than this is a fortunate holiday season indeed. The most recent book by Candy Harrington, editor, blogger and accessible travel expert, can let you combine both pursuits. You can give this insightful work to someone who would enjoy it or even yourself.
"101 Accessible Vacations" is a unique guidebook in that it is more a source of ideas than everything you want to know about a specific locale.
The book's organization is unique, grouped as it is around types of destinations. There are chapters on Family Friendly Fun, Historic Haunts and Off the Beaten Path, to name just a few. Says Candy: "Unlike traditional travel books that are organized geographically, 101 Accessible Vacations is organized by area of interest. ... That way you can focus on the sections that most match your travel style and area of interest. ... It’s organized so you can find an accessible vacation choice that suits your lifestyle, personality and travel tastes."
My favorite section is the one titled "Active Holidays." Because it is the most adventurous, I find it the most inspiring. It is also the most illustrative of how far accessible travel is coming. I can only imagine it wasn't too long ago that many of these adventurous and sometimes downright rugged sounding activities would not have been anything like accessible. I'm sure that it is the chapter that would most likely surprise those not familiar with the subject of accessible travel. "People with disabilities can go can really go scuba diving?" I picture them asking.
This book, for any specific location, is not an exhaustive resource. You're going to have to do other research. But the beauty of this well-done volume is it's a wealth of ideas and possibilities. For someone like me, looking to plan next year's travels, it could supply inspiration -- and enough good info to get a good feel for whether a destination is right for you -- to last for years.

Need more darrenh? Check out Disaboom too

2007-11-13T21:13:00.000-06:00

If you can't get enough of the wisdom (?) of yours truly here at Get Around Guide, you're in luck. I recently also began blogging at Disaboom, an exciting new Web site for those interested in the community of people with disabilities. I'll be writing mostly about travel by people with disabilities there as well, like I do here. But I expect to write somewhat longer, more involved posts there, than the quick update kind of posts you usually see here. Come visit.
(Photo by Alex via morgueFile.com)

Outrigger canoeing for those with disabilites -- in Rome???

2007-11-10T16:17:00.001-06:00

You might plan a trip to Rome for a lot of reasons. See the ancient sites. Visit the Vatican. Experience real Italian food. I'm sure there's more.
Add outrigger canoing to the list.
Huh?
This article reports that outrigger canoing is available in of all places Rome. And there's an added bonus to traveling to pursue this sport, be it in Rome or perhaps in a more traditional Pacific Ocean locale. Writes Marco Zoppas:

"One of the attractions of outrigger canoeing is that it is a sport accessible to all, with no age limits or language barriers. It is also growing in popularity among disabled athletes. The Makai centre is planning to add special seats to the OC4 and OC6 canoes, enabling athletes with a wide range of disabilities to join canoeing activities at some point in the future.

Another mode of travel conquered?

Photo by Princess Sarah via morgueFile.com.

Stretching access to luxury

2007-11-05T21:25:00.000-06:00

Depending on your situation, this stretch limo designed for people with physical disabilities, might provide you a way to travel in style. (Photo via businbesswire.com)

The hip joint is connected to -- frequent airport hassle

2007-11-05T21:05:00.000-06:00

Here's an airport security hassle I hadn't thought of before. Artificial joints -- which typically are metal. Speaking of his own artificial hip, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Seth Coren said: “Since I’ve gotten it, I must have traveled 100 times. I’ve gotten stopped 100 times, and I’ve gotten the full search 100 times.” (Photo by Clara Natoli via morgueFile.com)

Bad bus? Take the taxi -- on us!

2007-10-31T05:16:00.000-05:00

When public transportation doesn't work right, wouldn't it be nice to be able to get your money back or even have the fare paid for another form of transit? This Birmingham (UK) Mail story says that's happening for riders of the Travel West Midland line: "Refunds for taxis will be paid in some circumstances when a bus is more than an hour late or if a wheelchair user cannot get on a vehicle." Such a deal! (Photo by Kenn Kiser via morgueFile.com)

Parking limited to disabled at 2012 Olympic venues

2007-10-23T05:42:00.001-05:00

Planning to travel to the London Olympics in 2012 by car? Better have disabled parking privileges. Transporation plans for the 2012 Olympics say "only a small number of disabled people will be permitted to park in close proximity to car exclusion zones at event venues in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cardiff, Weymouth and Portland (Dorset)."
For everyone else, it's public transporation. Perhaps a bendy bus. (Photo of Routemaster bus by Rudi Ashdown via morgueFile.com)

Airlines more accessible in 10 years? Big shots are silent

2007-10-17T21:43:00.000-05:00

Heavy hitters in the airline industry -- Clifford Winston, Richard Branson, Gary Topping, Patrick Smith and Josh Marks -- were asked at Freakonomics to comment on what the U.S. flying experience will be like in 10 years. Their answers are extensive.
None said the industry would be better and more conveniently serving travelers with disabilities.
Disappointing. (Photo via morgueFile.com)

Determination helps Australian women see Egyptian sights

2007-10-16T08:42:00.001-05:00

Gloria McLachlan had always wanted to visit the pyramids in Egypt, but found being a wheelchair user a real obstacle. Not for her, mind you, but for those who arrange tours. No one she encountered had ever done a tour for a wheelchair user. She finally found one willing to give it a try and, with a lot of improvisation on the spot, managed to have a memorable trip. She even kept her sense of humor through many trials, as witnessed in this excerpt from an article on the The Sydney Morning Herald's Web site:
"Fortunately (or maybe not) when buying souvenirs - such as perfume at Giza ... papyrus and Alabastar at Luxor - Gloria joked these places were more likely to damage the credit card than the wheelchair."
My takeaway from reading about McLachlan's experience was there is still much to be done in this region to come close to acceptable accessibility. Those that benefit from tourism there are surely missing out. Gloria McClachlan is not alone in her ambition to see the great sites of Egypt, though she may be somewhat extraordinary in her determination to see it through. Make it accessible, and they will come, many more Glorias to damage their credit cards. (Photo by Tomasz J. Klossowski via morgueFile.com)

Passenger with disability sues airline over refusal to board

2007-10-10T06:13:00.000-05:00

Andy Gates is suing US Airways over being refused boarding for a flight to Milwaukee last June. Gates, 26, has the muscular disorder dystonia, which causes the muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. Gates says the treatment was discrimination based on what a crew member thought he was not able to do. “All I wanted to do was to safely get to my destination. I’ve flown many times alone before this incident,” said Gates. “It’s unfair that someone simply looked at me and made a snap judgment about what I can or cannot do.”
US Airways spokesperson Michelle Mohr told GA Guide: "We are aware of the lawsuit and have a copy of it, but can't offer a statement beyond that ... company policy prohibits comment on pending litigation." (Image of US Airways Airbus 319 courtesy of US Airways)

Holland America's Prinsendam retrofitted for accessibility

2007-10-09T06:05:00.000-05:00

Marilyn Lukach reports that the Holland America cruise liner Prinsendam, though not orginally outfitted for accessibility, has had features like ramps and larger elevators added. Lukach recently completed the Russian Imperial Jewels Voyage on the Prinsendam. Ports of call included Amsterdam, Netherlands, to St. Petersburg, Russia, and the countries of Germany, Estonia, Poland and locations in Scandinavia. She reports many instances of staff helpfulness along the way too. (Photo of cruise ship -- not the Prinsendam -- by Mike Rash via morgueFile.com)

Football seating in Istanbul critiqued

2007-10-02T05:55:00.000-05:00

Planning to travel to Istanbul to see Liverpool FC play its next Champions League game later in October? This article has a warning or two for you: "The disabled area for Liverpool fans is at the opposite end to where the visiting fans will be housed and is among the home supporters. Also, toilet and refreshment facilities are said to be 'extremely basic'." (Photo by Martin Cannings via morgueFile.com)

Hawaii Superferry defended for enhancing mobility

2007-09-25T21:41:00.000-05:00

Some 1,100 people in Hawaii showed up at a meeting about the controversial inter island Superferry. Opponents have a whole range of reasons to object to this service. The one advocate of the ferry cited in the article? A person with disabilities, that says the ferry gives her mobility. (photo of Hawaii scene by Sam (kahanaboy) via morgueFile.com)

Amarillo buses accessible, says radio host

2007-09-24T05:54:00.000-05:00

If you travel to Amarillo, and need to take the bus, you're in luck. The buses -- at least on the route this radio personality took -- apparently have good accessibility. But better check it out beforehand.

Heads up in the Seattle Transit Tunnel

2007-09-19T06:17:00.000-05:00

Looking for a practical tip? Here's one: Watch out for the bus mirrors in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. The floor of the tunnel was lowered eight inches to make the platform even with the new bus floors for all users, even those using a wheelchair. But drivers have notice this also puts the buses mirrors in an awkward spot. To avoid mirror vs. head injuries, the platform has a big yellow stripe people are supposed to stand behind and the Metro has added warning signs, a PA system announcement and even flashing strobe lights to the mirrors. "We're confident this will help us operate safely," said Mike Lemeshko, supervisor of transit safety for Metro. "We don't want to bonk anyone." (Bus mirror photo by Kenn Kiser via morgueFile.com)

Better beach access at Hatteras

2007-09-17T06:04:00.000-05:00

Blogger and Emerging Horizons editor Candy Harrington recently reported on an exciting development in one of my favorite places in the world -- the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Thanks to the efforts of Dave Mims, whose daughter is a wheelchair user, there's now a ramped beach access at Frisco, the first on Hatteras Island. I applaud his efforts to raise the almost $4,000 needed to fund the improvement. Let's hope the national seashore that includes the island doesn't see this as all the access that's needed and that park officials continue to fund more of these improvements even if determined people don't step forward to raise funds for every project. (Photo of Hatteras lighthouse by Darren Hillock)

GA Guide debuts resource list

2007-09-12T21:20:00.000-05:00

Here some of the more handy websites I've found while blogging on travel for people with disabilities. My hope is that eventually it may evolve into a somewhat comprehensive guide to finding the info you need out there on the web. This is very much a work in progress. Have a suggestion? Know another good site? Let me know at darrenhillock@yahoo.com.
Don't forget the other travel by those with disabilities bloggers, who are listed in the blogroll in the sidebar on the main page. All are highly recommended! (photo by Missy Red Boots via morguefile.com)

Travel info

World on Wheelz -- A site linked to a travel agent, but has some good info not connected with booking a trip with them, such as reviews of some popular destinations and travel tips.

Anxiety to Access -- A paper on experiences of travelers with disabilities in New South Wales, Australia.

Turismo @ Polibea -- E-zine on accessible tourism in Spain.

Road Trip America -- A link to a page of links! Info on Disney, beach wheelchairs locations and more.

Open Doors Organization -- A page of tips for travelers with disabilities.

Terrific Travel Guides for People with Disabilities -- A few states and cities with online travel access guides.

Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality -- "An educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission," according to the group's website.

General disability info

The National Organization on Disability -- Informative site on disabilities in general.

Ragged Edge -- Online magazine covering all aspects of living with disabilities.

Inclusion Daily Express -- Daily source of news on living with disabilities. Requires a subscription, but some content posted for free most days.

Travel books

Easy Access Australia -- The name says it all.

Wheelchairs on the Go -- An accessibility and attraction guide for those visiting Florida. Covers all parts of the state.

Access Unlimited: Your Guide to Israel -- Bills itself as the first comprehensive English accessibility guidebook to Israel.

Access Project -- Publisher of Access in London, Access in Paris, Access in Israel and Access to Football Grounds.

Fishing

NJStriper.com -- Links and tips relevant to the angler with disabilities.

Universal Design

Adaptive Environments -- Self described as: "A 27 year old educational non-profit organization committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages and abilities."

Here's advice for finding accessibility in Paris

2007-09-12T06:10:00.000-05:00

If you're a wheelchair user interested in traveling to Paris, you'll want to check out the advice dispensed on timesonline in this article. (Photo by Martin Cannings via morgueFile.com)

Buses issue in London mayor race

2007-09-12T05:57:00.000-05:00

Buses are a major issue in the campaign for London mayor. At issue is Ken Livingstone's replacement of the iconic double decker Routemasters with long "bendy buses" as they have been come to be called in the race. Challenger Boris Johnson is vowing to go back to a Routemaster type bus, though with an important difference -- accessibility. The old Routemasters weren't accessible. Opponents don't like the new buses because they say they are hard to get around and enable people to avoid paying fares. (Photo of old style Routemaster by Rudi Ashdown via morgueFile.com)

Accessible hunting platforms added to PA forest

2007-09-10T05:59:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for accessible turkey hunting, then you should check out northern Dauphin County, Penn. Two shooting platforms in non-conflicting spots along Luke's Trail in Weiser State Forest have been added this summer. "Each platform offers a remote, near-wilderness, hunting experience for the user, more than a mile from the nearest road open to the public," pennlive.com says. Another thoughtful feature: " Each of the platforms is equipped with a top rail that can be removed to provide better shooting position for wheelchair-bound hunters, an idea developed by chapter member Dennis Paul." (Photo by Malinda Welde via morgueFile.com)

Birmingham (UK) Airport makes upgrades for travelers with disabilities

2007-09-07T05:58:00.001-05:00

Birmingham International Airport (UK) is getting ahead of the EU requirement to improves services for travelers with disabilities. Airport officials there are already implementing improvements costing £1.3 million (about $2.7 million US). Included will be more people, places and equipment for assisting those with disabilities.
It's good to see some airports reacting before being dragged kicking and screaming! (Photo of airport, not necessarily BHX, via morgueFile.com)

Was it that Tammy Duckworth?

2007-09-06T06:06:00.000-05:00

An alert commenter of this Conde Nast Traveler piece wondered if a letter writer asking about travel agents specializing in travelers with disabilities was the Tammy Duckworth. The commenter was referring to the Illinois National Guard major and Iraq War vet who narrowly lost a race for a seat in Congress after a tough campaign last year. Duckworth lost both her legs as a result of a combat injury.
Was it her?

Study: Info and accessibility still problems for travelers

2007-09-05T05:59:00.000-05:00

Holiday Which? magazine conducted a study recently that showed many travel related companies still are doing a poor job of meeting the needs of travelers with disabilities. "What should be simple - clear information and accessibility - is still a huge problem," commented Lorna Cowan, editor of Holiday Which, in the article. "Many people with disabilities continue to rely on their own willpower to make sure their holidays happen."
Yes they do keep pluggin' away, don't they?

Cruises gaining popularity among blind for typical reason

2007-09-04T06:09:00.000-05:00

Here's a great article on travelers who are blind increasingly using cruise ships. Here's some excerpts:
"Although the cruise industry doesn’t keep statistics, many travel agents and organizations like the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality agree that there has been a sharp increase in cruise travel among the blind in the last five years. 'It’s grown exponentially,' said Jani Nayar, the society’s executive coordinator."
Why the growth in cruising among the blind? "Cruises’ popularity among the blind comes in part from convenience, said Jackie Hull of Outta Sight Travel, a Port St. Lucie, Fla., travel agency that puts together vacation packages for blind travelers. Normally, Hull said, a blind person on vacation would have to find his way to a hotel, then to a restaurant and later to a nightclub or concert hall for entertainment. 'On board, everything is there. It’s so accessible, you get acclimatized at once,' Hull said
You know the good part about that reasoning? Isn't that the reason a cruise is popular for a lot of folks, the convenience? So why should it be different for the blind, right?
Read the whole article; you'll learn something and read about some great people. (Photo by Michelle Schaefer via morgueFile.com)

Big money for station still doesn't bring access

2007-08-22T21:26:00.000-05:00

"It is not modern thinking to completely exclude disabled people."
That's a statement from Sian Vasey, director of Action for Equality in Ealing, UK -- a statement that most regular readers of this blog no doubt agree with. But apparently it's not so obvious back in Vasey's home area, where some 400,000 pounds (almost $800,000 US) has been designated for improvements at a rail station. Incredibly, no improvements to the non-existent access features for people with disabilities at the station will be covered by the big bucks. Vasey is torqued off. "If there is money to spend, then something should be done about disabled access, there has never been any interest in improving it," Vasey said. The reason? Cost, says the rail line. Access would be too costly.
Wrong answer! (Photo by kettu via morgueFile.com)

Travel by those with disabilites can be fraught with peril but still worth it

2007-08-22T21:18:00.000-05:00

Clive Gilbert of BBC News is a wheelchair user. So his article on travel by people with disabilities is particularly insightful and nails many points. Read the comments too, if you dare. But I want to encourage you to make the effort and take the trip. It may be more work, but it's just as rewarding -- maybe more so.

New San Francisco access guide available

2007-08-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to get the new access guide available from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. The 48-page book compiled by Access Northern California covers a load of San Francisco travel pertinent destinations and resources. And it's free.
(Photo of Golden Gate Bridge by David Ellis via morgueFile.com)

Disabled community not consulted on new India air regs

2007-08-21T21:52:00.000-05:00

Scott Rains posted recently on India's proposed Civil Aviation Requirements and amendments. Scott points out that clearly the disabled community were not consulted in formulating standards. Now what was the point of that?

Really big handicapped parking at truck stops?

2007-08-13T22:06:00.000-05:00

I certainly have used handicapped parking spots at truck stops while on road trips. We need the landing area to get our son and his wheelchair out of our conversion van. But I must say I never considered the need for handicapped parking spots for big rigs.
(Photo by Mary K. Baird via morgueFile.com)

AirAsia improves accessibility on its flights

2007-08-13T21:41:00.000-05:00

AirAsia has made some moves to better accommodate travelers with disabilities. Acquisition of two "Ambulifts" will eliminate the need to carry non ambulatory passengers onto flights. Bathrooms on planes have been improved as well, says this e-travel Blackboard article. And imagine this: AirAsia is a "low fare, no frills." They should serve as an example to other airlines that hide behind their discount business model as an excuse for not being accessible to those with disabilities.

Chicago airports to improve communication for hard of hearing

2007-08-09T21:46:00.000-05:00

cheapflights.com reports that both Chicago airports plan to install kiosks aimed at improving service for travelers with disabilities. The key feature will be "video relay for deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers."

EU to airlines: No discrimination against passengers with disabilities

2007-08-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

Take that Ryanair and your ilk! The EU has passed legislation "that will prevent airlines from refusing to accept disabled people onto flights," says the Harrow Times. The article acknowledges the inspiration came from celebrated cases such as Ryanair kicking off nine visually impaired passengers because there were too many disabled people on one flight. While your first instinct may be to just get by without a commotion this law shows sometimes making a fuss pays dividends -- eventually. (photo via morgueFile.com)

The hard way down: Part 3 of a report on Monticello

2007-08-04T08:26:00.000-05:00

Having enjoyed excellent and accessible tours of Monticello's main house (see part 1) and the area of the estate where slaves lived (part 2). The next step of our journey after leaving Monticello was to drive to the Outer Banks. But before we could do that we had to get down the mountain. We didn't realize what an adventure and exertion that would be after our otherwise flawless visit.
There were still a few other tasks to attend to at Monticello before we departed. Like, a little souvenir shopping. Then a short walk over to the bus stop, where we figured we'd take the lift equipped bus back down, as we had taken it up. First bus wasn't the lift bus. Second bus wasn't the lift bus either. I asked that driver whether the lift bus was running. He said maybe. It was a hot day, and apparently they were having some difficulty keeping the buses from overheating as they made their multiple trips up the mountain. The lift bus was in particularly bad shape, he reported. Not really knowing what else to do, we decided to wait for one more bus, which was the lift bus. Rejoice!. But not for long. As we positioned ourselves near the back, the driver informed us that the lift on the bus wasn't working. He offered to take me down and then have me follow him up the mountain in our van, but hearing about the overheating, I was reluctant to do that. He also offered the walking trail, which was about a third of a mile. Hey that sounded good. My wife and I are regular exercise walkers, so that distance seemed like nothing. Remembering we were on a mountaintop, we asked, is it difficult? The driver said seniors use it all the time. Well then let's go!
The decision to hoof it down did have one advantage. It took us by the site of Jefferson's grave, which we had not seen earlier. My youngest daughter noted that the grave had a tall pylon on the top, sort of like a mini Washington Monument. (We went to DC a couple of summers ago). She wondered what was up with dead presidents and pointy graves. (Yes, the Washington Monument isn't a grave marker, but you get the idea).
Seeing the whole discussion with the shuttle driver concerned accommodating our son's wheelchair, I'm thinking many seniors may take the path, but the driver never had. The path did have a couple of sets of stairs. These weren't too difficult for us to roll down, with two people guiding the chair. I think there were about six steps in each case. But when we left the graveyard, we found the real obstacle. A grade that made just holding back the chair from rolling uncontrollably down the rest of the path a major effort. I initially tried to do it myself, but later my wife, Karen, grabbed on too, which was a big help. I have a feeling the forest scenery would be very pleasant under the right circumstances, but I was mostly just trying to hang on and fight gravity for a third of a mile. When we got down to where we could see the visitors center, we paused for a rest and decided to take a photo. A passerby kindly offered to take a photo, which was nice because we seldom have photos of all of us. She got the pic, but dropped the camera twice, maybe because I had handed it to her and I was dripping with sweat. Luckily none of look as disgusting in the photo as we felt.
Getting down to the parking lot, we had a tasty lunch of sandwiches, hot dogs and giant chocolate chip cookies with cold, cold, lemonade and sodas at the little lunch stand there. Then we loaded up and headed for the beach (sweet car AC blasting), better educated about both Thomas Jefferson and taking accessibility for granted.

Photo 1: The photo a kind stranger snapped of us after our sweaty walk down from the mountaintop. The scenery looks really nice, but all I remember is trying to hang on.
Photo 2: Here's our favorite souvenir of the day -- a Jefferson bust frig magnet. We also picked up a Declaration of Independence replica complete with replica quill pen and a humorous children's book about some of the founding fathers, "John, Paul, George and Ben" by Lane Smith, made all the more humorous to us adults for the winking Beatles references. (Photo by Darren Hillock)

Inspecting the grounds: Part 2 of a report on Monticello

2007-07-28T07:12:00.000-05:00

Every admission to Monticello includes a tour of the main house, lasting about 30-40 minutes. As detailed in Part 1, the staff does a good job of adapting the house tour for wheelchair users. There are also two other tours you can take -- one of the extensive garden and one that takes you along Mulberry Row and explains the lives of slaves on the estate. There's no additional cost for those tours. We knew we would have time for one and opted for the latter. It was very interesting and our guide knew the material thoroughly. She fielded questions patiently and you got the feeling she could only share a part of what she really knew on the subject. I defy you to walk away from that tour and not have a lot to talk about in regards to your perceptions of the founding fathers. A bonus for me was that the tour made its way along the path above the garden, which I was also interested in seeing. So it was kind of like two tours in one for me. The plantation life tour made its way along a gravel and dirt path. The day we were there was hot, hot, hot and the ground was very dry, so the wheeling was very good. I'm not sure how it might be on a moister day. Near the end of Mullberry Row, the path curves on a slope down to the garden, so if you're on wheels, you can then view the whole garden starting on that end.

Top photo, the plantation life tour stops along Mulberry Row while the guide holds forth. (Photo by Darren Hillock) Second photo, I pose with some Jeffersonian summer squash (Photo by Mallory Hillock) .

Part 3: Coming down from Monticello -- literally.

Accessing Jefferson: Part 1 of a report on Monticello

2007-07-25T08:40:00.000-05:00

Our ultimate destination for this year's family vacation was The Outer Banks of North Carolina. But with a high schooler intent on becoming a history teacher someday along, we decided to see Monticello, the estate of founding father Thomas Jefferson, on the way down. Located in Charlottesville in southwestern Virginia, Monticello was roughly on the way between Wisconsin and the beach.
Jefferson is a difficult historical figure to access. He was a man of many contradictions -- a outspoken opponent of slavery at some points in time who nevertheless owned some 600 slaves in his lifetime. A man who pledged to his young dying wife that he would never remarry, and fulfilled that pledge, but likely fathered several children by a enslaved house servant, Sally Hemmings.
Luckily for those visiting Jefferson's home on a wooded Virginia mountaintop, Monticello is much more easily accessible than the man -- even if you have physical disabilities.
You get up to the mountaintop two ways. Walk up a third of a mile walking path or take a shuttle bus up. (More about the path option later.) We chose the bus, since we knew one of the vehicles had a wheelchair lift. When they saw our party they trotted out the lift-equipped bus, loaded us on and took us up the mountain via a curvy road that might double as a mild amusement park experience for those who don't do roller coasters.
When you buy your admission, you receive a ticket time-stamped with a tour time for the main house. Seems like the times were about 20 minutes after purchase. After the bus ride, I think we had about 15 minutes to kill, which we did in the air conditioned (and ramped) gift shop on a 90-plus degree day. Standing in line waiting for your tour, which we did for less than five minutes, was under shady trees on the hard gravel paths that encircle the house.
Having done my research beforehand, I knew Monticello was accessible. But as we approached the house, I sure didn't see how. But soon our guide pointed out the ramp to the right that wheelchair users access to get into the house. Once inside, my son and I were able to enter every room that everyone else on our tour did, with the exception of one guest bedroom where the doorway was just too narrow. Our tour guide, and some other staff inside the house standing by apparently for just such an occasion, ushered me and my son in the slightly different paths we needed to use to get to the same places the rest of our group was going to. It didn't bother me, but if you're shy this situation might bug you some, because -- while smooth -- it was far from inconspicuous. Inevitably, we had to be the first ones out of the room, and everyone had to step aside to let us out, and we then often entered through some other door or hall.
Monticello may be an architectural masterpiece, but it was of course constructed well before the era of universal design. However, the accommodations needed seemed reasonable to me.
As an aside, ever wonder how prevalent are visitors with disabilities to historical sites like Monticello? I don't know if the experience was typical, but in the 45 minutes or so we toured the house, we encountered two other tour groups with wheelchair users.

The photo shows the kids in front of the front entrance to Monticello (the opposite side of the view on the nickel). You can just see the metal ramp to the right. (Photo by Darren Hillock)

Part II: The grounds

Firsthand accessibility tales comin' at ya

2007-07-18T08:49:00.001-05:00

I'll be taking a break from relating the news of the world for travels with disabilities to relate a few personal experiences from our recent family vacation. We had a few interesting accessibility related experiences along the way -- positive and negative. Photos too. Maybe video, if I can figure it out. So be on the lookout for some firsthand tales from the road soon.

Moscow's 'potholed pavement' set for improvements

2007-07-12T08:12:00.000-05:00

Moscow sounds like a rough place if you have mobility challenges. This Moscow News article cites its "potholed pavement and roads," "heavy doors to enter buildings and the underground" and "urban transport ... equipped with impossibly high steps. Wheelchair ramps are a rare luxury.""How do the disabled people survive in Moscow?" the article asks.
The good news is that there is improvement planned. The city government has announced a comprehensive effort at improving access significantly over the next two years. The city's budget for the project is 22.5 billion rubles (about $900 million U.S.) . (Photo of Moscow scene by antoniolite via morgueFile.com)

Blogging again

2007-07-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

After my recent vacation, the plan is to get back to blogging this week. I have some material from my trip, and there's always news being made out there. Thanks for hanging in there during my silence.

Gone beaching

2007-06-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

I told myself I wouldn't let it happen this year. The week before I left on our big family vacation trip, I was going to keep blogging steady.
Yeah right.
Blogging here has been scant of late, as seems to happen to me every time. So since we leave tomorrow -- and I don't do computers on vacation -- I'll see you again in a week or so.
Thanks for reading and remember to come back.

Dynamic Leisure gets disabled vets travel gig

2007-06-07T05:46:00.000-05:00

Dynamic Leisure Corporation has been designated the exclusive travel provider for Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc. (V2v). "This agreement provides DLC the opportunity to offer a variety of travel programs to over 7 million veterans within V2v's database, and potentially 26 million American veterans worldwide," this press release says.

"We kicked the tires of most major travel wholesalers and selected Dynamic Leisure Corporation as our travel solutions partner because, in our opinion, they have the most advanced travel technology in the marketplace today," said Ken Smith, President of Veterans Helping Veterans.
VeteransDiscountTravel.com featuring vacation packages provided by Dynamic Leisure Corporation, should be available later this year. (Photo by Kenn Kiser via morgueFile.com)

Carton House, Ireland, has accessible rooms

2007-06-07T05:40:00.000-05:00

Carton House, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland, reviewed here, sounds like an impressive place. Reviewer Nancy Durrant describes it in inspiring terms. And, she points out, it is accessible: "The hotel is wheelchair accessible and there are nine interconnecting rooms with disabled showers. There is also a disabled lift so you can access spa treatment rooms and disability rooms in the leisure suite."
But the food. She really didn't like the food.

Columnist says service rules enforcement towards airlines lacking

2007-06-07T05:05:00.000-05:00

This "The Middle Seat" column by Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal is one of those bad news-good news articles. The bad news? McCartney contends the Department of Transportation is lax in vigorously enforcing customer service regulation violations by US airlines. McCartney quotes a former DOT inspector who says: "When it comes to other areas of customer service, DOT enforcement is milquetoast. There's got to be a cop on the beat, and I don't see it."
The good news? The area McCartney sees as the most vigorously enforced are access and disability related problems. He writes: "The DOT's enforcement office aggressively prosecutes airlines for violations of wheelchair- and disability-access requirements ..."
At least accessibility violations are being enforced. Won't it be grand when there aren't so many to crack down on? (photo via morgueFile.com)

Wheeling on the 804

2007-06-04T06:07:00.000-05:00

In Yachats on the Oregon coast there's the 804 trail, a one-mile wheelchair accessible path. Some glimpses of the trail are here. Impressive looking scenery!

Wildflower center has an accessible trail

2007-05-30T05:47:00.000-05:00

One trail at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas is accessible for wheelchair users. That trail also happens to the center's longest, at 1.25 miles. (Photo of bluebonnet by Michael Dana, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Letter writer clashes with seniors on bus

2007-05-30T05:42:00.000-05:00

Older folks and people with disabilities are often seen as allies when it comes to getting more accessible facilities. But maybe not in this person's neck of the woods.

Queensland train system gets $29 million upgrade

2007-05-30T05:36:00.000-05:00

The Queensland, The Netherlands government is spending big bucks -- $29 million -- to improve accessibility on Citytrain cars and stations.

Are scooters for disabled travelers only?

2007-05-29T05:50:00.000-05:00

Is it wrong for people who otherwise are able bodied to rent an electric wheelchair just to cut down on walking? That seems to be the question raised by this Associated Press story about just that trend developing in Vegas. The mobility rental company people quoted in the story I think have the ultimate answer. You can't discriminate against anyone. If someone wants to rent such a device to cut down on their walking, they should be able to. Seems lazy to me, but not unethical. I just hope there's enough of the scooters available to those who really require them and would have limited or no mobility without them. What do you think? (Photo of Las Vegas strip by Markus A. Jegerlehner via bigfoto.com)

Virgin Blue sued over carer policy

2007-05-24T05:42:00.000-05:00

Virgin Blue is back in the news for its policy of requiring that some disabled passengers travel with a care taker. Two Australians are suing over the policy. The airline says it is a matter of safety. Robin Banks, of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, who is assisting the plaintiffs disagrees. "We say, you know, it's no less a safety issue for anybody who flies," Banks said. "You know, in an emergency, you don't know who's going to end up incapable of following instructions, and you know, hopefully nobody will, but our clients are no different from any other person who's flying - they may need assistance and they may not." (Photo by Nashir Khan via morgueFile.com)

Web hotel booking service sued for discrimination

2007-05-23T05:50:00.000-05:00

Is an accessible hotel room an option to you, like say a larger bed? If accessibility is a necessity for your travels, you might want to follow a lawsuit that has been filed against Hotels.com. The plaintiffs in the case, two dancers with disabilities, contend Hotels.com ought to guarantee that a reserved room will be accessible when requested, and that to not do so is discrimination. Currently, an accessible room is simply treated as an optional amenity. The point of the suit sounds reasonable. I typically don't use a third party service like Hotels.com when making reservations, preferring instead to book directly with hotel companies themselves. To my experience, accessibility is treated as an option by most everyone. In fact, I find it fairly difficult to book an accessible room that will also accommodate the rest of our family of five. Just because of the nature of my son's disability and his size right now, we can work around this for now. But I often think that just getting a proper room booked for someone who doesn't have that option must be a pain.

Air travel for the elderly, disabled examined

2007-05-22T05:36:00.000-05:00

Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne has written a thorough piece on the state of air travel for older folks and those with disabilities, including some recommendations for the future. A couple of his key observations:
-- "Disabled persons are now recognised as agents of their own destiny and not objects of care and are considered as being equally involved in the decision making process with regard to their general welfare. The welfare of the disabled air passenger should therefore be necessarily associated with the recognition and dignity that has now been accorded to him."
-- "Guidelines need to be formulated in regard to the acceptance by the airline of elderly and disabled passengers who claim that they are self-reliant and do not therefore need an escort for the duration of their air travel."
The whole article is here. (Photo by Richard Van Binsbergen via morgueFile.com)

Alcatraz gets elevator

2007-05-21T05:47:00.000-05:00

The National Park Service has spent $3.5 million on a renovation of the infamous former prison on Alcatraz Island. Included was an elevator to improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities. (Photo of Alcatraz cell block by George Zimzores via morguefile.com)

Victoria improving accessibility

2007-05-21T05:21:00.000-05:00

Victoria, Canada is working to improve accessibility there before it hosts the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "We thought this was a tremendous opportunity to tell the disabled community worldwide, but especially North America, that we're accessible and we would like you to come and visit," said Claude Richmond, B.C.'s minister of employment and income assistance. Will it be worth the effort? "I'm told that if we got 10 percent of the disabled tourism market from the U.S., that's worth $2 billion," minister Richmond said. Sounds worth it to me. (Photo by Keith Paine via morguefile.com)

Special needs tourism focus of Middle East gathering

2007-05-16T05:37:00.000-05:00

They're talking about the traveler with disabilities at the Third International Tourism Development Forum for People with Special Needs in the Middle East this week. Lots of familiar themes are being sounded like:
-- People with disabilities are an important and growing segment.
-- Businesses that ignore this are passing on a large potential customer base.
-- Travelers with disabilities often spend more than the average traveler.
This report on the forum also lists several initiatives going on in the Middle East to attract travelers with disabilities:
-- Twenty check-in counters suited to travelers with disabilities are being installed at Dubai International Airport. Adding car parking for disabled travelers and training for staff is also underway there.
-- "The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai has made it mandatory for five-star hotels, more than 42 of the total 306 hotels operating in the Emirate, to customize about 2 percent of their rooms for people with special needs.
-- "Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, has recently provided the Dubai Airport with 10 mini-vans to be used as metered taxis for tourists with special needs and their family members."
Summing up the need for the fourm, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airlines and Group said: “From the humanitarian viewpoint, the existence of more than 30 million individuals with special needs in the Middle East necessitates for the concerned parties, namely airports, airlines, hotels, transport and tourist agencies and others, to develop special services. It calls for the setting up of new facilities that cater to special needs people to enable them to feel part of the society."
Every region should have one of these forums!

New accessible train operating in Tuscany

2007-05-15T06:12:00.000-05:00

"The Vivalto, a high capacity double-decker train, is now operating in Tuscany on the Florence-Prato-Viareggio line," says this press release. The train's carriages have low step-on platforms, areas with a "wheelchair securing hitch" and accessible toilet facilities. (Photo by Daniel T. Yara via morguefile.com)

Travel writer peeved about poor accessibility

2007-05-15T05:54:00.000-05:00

Think the needs of those with physical disabilities go largely unnoticed by the mainstream travel press? Then you might want to read this review of a resort in Nicaragua by Chicago Tribune staffer Jason George. Toward the end of his otherwise glowing review of the Pelican Eyes Resort in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua he writes: "The biggest peeve is that physically disabled travelers could have a very hard time getting around the property given its steep incline. Chris Berry, the hotel's owner, said some accommodations could be made, but calling ahead is highly recommended."
Thanks for caring about accessibility, Jason, even to the extent of getting peeved when it's inadequate!

The Beach House at Half Moon Bay has accessible suites

2007-05-11T05:38:00.000-05:00

The Beach House at Half Moon Bay is billed in this review as a "Cape Cod-style inn (that) offers an array of ocean-view rooms and beautiful grounds to take in the scenery." It also has three accessible suite among its 54 units.

Rains reports on confidence building public trans Web resource

2007-05-10T05:53:00.000-05:00

It can often be heard saying that people with disabilities ought to take advantage of the advances in public transportation accessibility. This is for no other reason than if we expect improvement to continue to be made, we need to show they will be used. Scott Rains at Rolling Rains Report has uncovered a campaign aimed at building the confidence of young people -- including those with disabilities -- to use public transportation in the UK. Visit www.mygojo.co.uk and you'll feel more confident too. (Photo by Scott Liddell via morgueFile.com)

Manchester (UK) Airport to upgrade accessibility

2007-05-10T05:42:00.000-05:00

Manchester Airport in the UK has announced the purchase of new accessibility equipment -- and perhaps even more important -- training for those working there on "passengers with restricted movement." Said Claire Longden, the airport's manager of ground services: "The decision to implement the service early gives us a great opportunity to improve the existing service in order to meet our customers' expectations for the future and to deliver an even higher quality service."
Yes improving accessibility is always about the future. (photo via morgueFile.com)

Get Around Guide launches online store

2007-05-08T05:21:00.000-05:00

Get Around Guide has launched an online store. Featured will be books and info related to travel by people with disabilities as well other items that seem like they'd be handy for travel. We're always browsing for new additions, so check back for updates now and then. The link is up at the top of the sidebar. Thanks! (Photo by Michelle Kwajafa via morgueFile.com)

Student traveler blasts the aisle chair

2007-05-04T05:33:00.000-05:00

Stacy Ellingen, a student at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (yeah Wisconsin! Yeah Warhawks!) has traveled to 40 of the 50 states, Canada and Mexico. She is a wheelchair user and takes the airlines to task in this column for not finding a way for passengers to get their own wheelchairs into airliners:
"Most airlines have accessible jet ways now, but wheelchairs still can't fit on the plane. The aisle chair they provide to get onto the plane is so small and little, that most people in chairs can hardly sit on it. Generally, people in chairs would much rather be able to take their chairs right onto the plane, and get buckled down there"
The obstacles don't deter Stacy, however: "Thanks to my wonderful parents I've been to a lot of places and experienced more things that many people will never be able to. And for that I'm very grateful."

Everything accessible at Nickelodeon Hotel, say Morgans

2007-05-04T05:17:00.000-05:00

Thinking of staying at the Nickelodean Hotel in Orlando? In this review, the Morgan family says it is accessible and shares a lot more detail.

Beach wheelchairs get plenty of use when available manufacturer claims

2007-05-03T05:38:00.000-05:00

In this press release about Neatech's introduction of its Joy on the Beach wheelchair in the US market, are a couple of statements that should make beach resort operators take notice:
-- "During the past five years the JOB has been introduced throughout European beaches and resorts with incredible success. The Italian city of Ravenna, for example, provided 50 chairs to the beaches along their Mediterranean coast. City spokeswoman, Lisa Dradi, says that 'during the first month of use, 1,200 citizens and tourists used the beach chair to access the sea and relaxation on the beach.'"
-- "A similar response was experienced by the international tour operator Ventaglio, when it introduced 80 JOBs --branded with the company name and logo on the back--into 15 of its resorts. According to Monica Corbellini, director of accessible travel programs for Ventalio, bookings of disabled vacationers increased by 13,000 in the resorts utilizing JOB."
So why is a beach wheelchair not on the premises of every US beach front resort or hotel? (Photo of JOB chair in use courtesy of Neatech.)

Futurist: Replace endurance design with universal design

2007-05-02T05:28:00.000-05:00

New retirement authority PJ Wade has this observation in a Realty Times column about how airports work for people with less than ideal mobility: "Anyone who has visited an airport recently knows the 'physical endurance' design philosophy that persists in today's travel experience: long waits in line, long walks to everything, short distances between seats on the plane. Airport services intended to improve access for travellers with disabilities frequently reveal poor design, inadequate planning and consistent inconvenience." The solution? " Less physical endurance design and more universal design. (Photo via morgueFile.com)

Study shows hotel Web sites lacking in accessibility

2007-05-01T05:34:00.000-05:00

I almost always make a hotel reservation these days via the Web. If there are concerns about an accessibility feature, a follow-up by phone to the actual location to nail down some details may be in order, but that initial reservation is typically done through the Web for me. But a recent study of how the hotel industry treats its online customers shows plenty of room for improvement when it comes to how accessible hotel Web sites are to those with visual disabilities. The Customer Respect Group found: "Careful use of colors was an area of weakness with low contrast colors used at some point for text in 79 percent of the sites. Navigation bars and buttons fared the same with 71 percent of sites using some low-contrast colors (vs. 56 percent for cross-industry averages). Color contrast affects a very large number of site users including color blind, elderly and visually impaired users." Another stat from the study that I would say doesn't work in favor of travelers with disabilities is Customer Respect Group's findings on responsiveness. In its study, 12 percent of emails were ignored. That's bad for travelers with disabilities, because sometimes you need a little more info. and a quick email might be how to try to get it. The highest three rankings for accessibility (which Customer Respect Group calls attitude in their study) are (on a scale from one to 10) Marriott International, 7.5; Global Hyatt, 6.2; and Red Roof Inn, 5.7. (Photo by Alex via morgueFile.com)

What does "particularly wheelchair-accessible" mean?

2007-04-30T05:43:00.000-05:00

The Hapuna Beach Prince is pegged by this Chicago Tribune article as being "particularly wheelchair-accessible," but without any explanation of what that means. But it does sound like a lovely place. (Photo by Jim Munnelly via morgueFile.com)

Being deaf rules out roomy row

2007-04-30T05:32:00.000-05:00

Bob McCullough reveals here that being deaf doesn't so much cramp his style as it does his long legs on lengthy flights. (Plane engine photo via morgueFile.com)

Irish tourist reviews NYC accessibility

2007-04-27T05:33:00.000-05:00

Peter Nolan, a wheelchair user from Ireland, visited New York City around St. Patrick's Day. He described his experiences here, a read worth the insights you'll gain. In summary, he had high praise for the city's public transportation, but not for the accessibility of tavern bathrooms. Said Nolan: .“Us Irish like to party and just because I’m in a wheelchair doesn’t mean I don’t like a few social ones." (Times Square NYC photo by Darren Hillock)

Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada order Dreamliners

2007-04-26T05:55:00.000-05:00

Virgin Atlantic and Air Canada are among the latest airlines to order Boeing Dreamliners, which hold the promise of offering a whole new level of accessibility. Virgin Atlantic is ordering 15 Boeing Dreamliners. Their motivation doesn't appear to chiefly be accessibility. Virgin Atlantic founder and chairman Sir Richard Branson commented: "The 787 Dreamliner symbolises the environmentally-kinder aircraft of the future – cleaner, quieter, lighter and truly the best experience in the air." Air Canada has ordered 37 of the planes, "more Dreamliners than any other carrier in the Western Hemisphere," according to this press release. (Photo courtesy of The Boeing Company)