ACCESS-ABLE TRAVEL SOURCE NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 2 NUMBER 8
http://www.access-able.com
***********************************************************************
***********************************************************************
STILL CABINS LEFT - DEAF AND HEARING CRUISE
Nov 5,1999, Beasley Travel Inc. is doing a Deaf and Hearing Cruise aboard
the Big Red Boat out of Port Canaveral, Florida. Deaf people are coming
from all over the USA as well as Canada to join the group. Interpreters
will be with the group to interpret the shows as well as other activities.
Beasley Travel Inc. has been in business for 7 years in Florida. In the
past 2 years, the have hired and trained 4 outside travel agents that are
Deaf and 2 that are hearing impaired.
The prices for this cruise start at $358.50 dble occ. and this does include
the port charge. Take a look at their web page for more information
www.onlineagency.com/4beasley or contact:
Carol Beasley
Beasley Travel Inc.
Toll Free 1 877 4BEASLE (877 423-2753)
Florida Relay 1 800 955-8770
Beasleyinc@aol.com
******************************************************************************
THE PROBLEM WITH MISINFORMATION
By Candy Harrington
The mainstream media is certainly paying a lot of attention to accessible
travel these days. In the past few months I've been interviewed by
reporters and writers from a variety of different publications; and
although they all have their own unique questions, there is one question
they all seem to eventually ask. "What's the biggest problem facing
travelers with disabilities?" Most are surprised by my answer. They expect
something controversial or political like "airlines cause too much damage
to wheelchair s" or "hotels won't guarantee accessible rooms" or "tourist
attractions aren't accessible". True, These are problems, but not the
"biggest" problem. The biggest problem actually starts before most
travelers even leave home. The biggest problem is the alarming increase of
misinformation about accessible travel. It seems to be spreading like
wildfire; on the internet, from person to person and even in print media.
So what's wrong with a little misinformation? Well if you rely on it and
accept it as the truth, you may be in for a surprise when you take off on
your holiday and find it's incorrect. Furthermore, misinformation may even
discourage you from exploring a locale that is indeed very accessible. In
most cases, no information is better than incorrect information. As with
all rumors and gossip, the best way to fight misinformation is with the
truth. That's what I intend to do here. Listed below are some of the more
common bits of misinformation I've come across; along with my comments and
some resources to help you ferret out the truth.
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL IS ONLY POSSIBLE IN THE UNITED STATES. Wrong! Access
doesn't end at the US borders. In fact, some places even have stricter
accessibility standards. Take Australia for example. heir maximum ramp
slope for assisted or power wheelchair access is 1:14, and for manual
wheelchair access is 1:20. The US standard is the steeper 1:12 for all
access ramps. Australia provides detailed (and free) access information,
including mobility maps. They also have 2 national databases that contain
accessibility information on accommodations, tourist attractions and
recreational facilities. So, don't automatically rule out a foreign
destination just because you think it may not be accessible. Keep an open
mind and do your research. You may be surprised with the results.
ONLY THE EXPENSIVE PROPERTIES HAVE ACCESSIBLE ROOMS. Not true any more!
All new properties (constructed after 1-26-92 in the US) must be built
accessible. So check out budget hotels built after 1992 for the most
accessible rooms.
THE ADA COVERS AIR TRAVEL. False! Air travel is covered under the Air
Carriers Access Act (ACAA) in the US. Learn your rights under this
legislation. Call 888-860-7244 for your free "New Horizons" booklet, which
contains valuable information about the ACAA.
AIRLINES CANNOT DENY BOARDING TO A PASSENGER WITH A DISABILITY. Also false.
The ACAA only covers US airlines. Foreign airlines can deny boarding to
wheelchair-users for "safety reasons". It has been known to happen, so use
caution when booking with foreign airlines.
AIRLINES ARE LIABLE FOR ALL DAMAGE DONE TO ASSISTIVE DEVICES. Not true.
Under the ACAA (covering US airlines) the liability limit for assistive
devices is $2500 for domestic flights and $9.07/lb. for international
flights. Make sure you have additional coverage if the value of your
assistive device exceeds these limits. (Since this was first published
rulings regarding increase liability are being finalized watch for updates.)
The bottom line is, if something doesn't sound right, investigate it
further. Recently a travel agent told me this horrifying story. A man
called her after he had booked a group tour to Europe with another travel
agent. The man used a power wheelchair and required assistance to transfer.
He was feeling a little anxious about his upcoming tour because no
arrangements for accessible transportation or lodging had been mentioned.
He confronted his travel agent with his fears and she told him, "Don't
worry, all of Europe is completely accessible". This should have sent up a
big red warning flag!! Fortunately the second travel agent told the man
the truth. He canceled his tour, and hopefully found another travel agent.
So ask around, do your research and if something just doesn't sound right,
ask for a second opinion. And if somebody tells you, "All of Europe is
completely accessible", run (or roll) as fast as you can in the opposite
direction!!
Note: This editorial which first appeared in the summer issue of "Emerging
Horizons" the accessible travel newsletter and was copied with permission.
Emerging Horizons is published quarterly, the annual subscription cost
$11.95 (Outside USA $16.95)
To subscribe or obtain a sample copy contact:
Candy & Charles Creative Concepts
P.O. Box 278
Ripon, CA 95366
Phone/fax: 209-599-9409
Email: horizons@candy-charles.com
Web site: http://emerginghorizons.com
*****************************************************************************
SWITZERLAND - ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES FOR RENT
Founded in 1962 by Rudolf Hochreutener with only one single car, Mietauto
AG is today the most comprehensive car rental service in Switzerland. They
are also the only rent a car company which offers cars for travelers with
disabilities. Their base is in Winterthur, about 15 miles out of the
airport of Zuerich - Kloten and they offer airport transportation.
They offer two types of vehicles, vans that can handle up to 16 seated
passengers or up to 8 seats and two wheelchairs. The second option is a VW
Golf automatics 3 doors with speed and brake controls at the steering wheel.
These VW Golfs were reconstructed especially for the operation by persons
with a variety of special needs. In addition to hand controls, the built-in
brake-pedal for the left foot makes it possible to drive the car with
injured left or right leg.
For more information contact:
Mietauto AG
Auwiesenstrasse 55
CH-8406 Winterthur
Tel.: +41 52 202 30 30
Fax.: +41 52 203 12 21
daniel.hochreutener@mietauto.ch
www.mietauto.ch
******************************************************************************
NEW SERVICE OFFERS THE FREEDOM OF TRAVEL
To preserve the fun and freedom of traveling for senior citizens, the
disabled, and others with special challenges, occupational therapist Abbie
Gail Herndon has created TRAVEL CARE COMPANIONS, the only service of its
kind that matches travelers with qualified companions to handle clients'
health, safety, transportation and social needs.
"Traveling is a vital part of everyone's quality of life," explained
Herndon, who holds a Masters degree in counseling and served on the
Governor's Advisory Council on Aging in Wisconsin for five years. "When
people lose their independence, their interest in life goes downhill very
quickly, physically, emotionally, and mentally. This new service frees them
up to continue going places and doing things, to make them feel they're
still a
part of society. Traveling with a qualified companion takes all the fear
and worry out of traveling."
Travel Care Companions matches its clients' personal needs with experienced
companions that have been carefully screened and tested to handle a wide
range of potential travel and social scenarios. All companions are CPR
certified, licensed and bonded, including background checks. Many are
registered therapists or RNs, depending on the requirements of clients.
Above all, companions are chosen for their trustworthiness, attitude,
disposition, resourcefulness, and ability to get along with others.
Potential clients are distinguished by the level of assistance required,
from those completely independent and seeking simple companionship, to
others requiring help with dressing, bathing, transfers, and feeding.
For more information on Travel Care Companions, call (760) 804-0746,
Email: info@travelcarecompanions.com or visit their website:
www.travelcarecompanions.com
*****************************************************************************
FEATURE TOURS PAGE - This month we are highlighting viewing of fall foliage
in the northeast section of the U.S. If you have never experienced a New
England autumn now is the time. We show several routes though Vermont's
country side which offers spectacular vistas of the fall colors. Locations
of covered bridges and other historic sights are noted along with
suggestions for accessible accommodations.
******************************************************************************
LINKS
CHAIRBOUND - Share your experiences, you will be able to benefit by
comparing, learning and helping others that have the same or similar
disability. Everyone can express their opinion on a wide range of topics
from living with a disability to employment to sexuality to accessibility
concerns and you can submit questions of your own. Participate and come
back often for a new question. http://www.chairbound.com
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - This newly developed page is official website for the
resort of Southport, England. The site includes Southport Access Group's
"Wheelchair user's brief guide to Southport":
http://www.visit-southport.org.uk/info/access.html
****************************************************************************
Regards,
Carol Randall
Access-Able Travel Source
http://www.access-able.com
[Find...] |
[Map...] |
[News...] |
[Info...] |
[RSAC] |
[ICRA] |
[ This web site does NOT uses cookies ] |
| Our friend web sites (support or financing): | EDC-Consulting | | Web4Unity | | Time Management |