ACCESS-ABLE TRAVEL SOURCE NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3 NUMBER 9 (September)
http://www.access-able.com
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GREYHOUND LINES--ACCESS UPDATE
According to Sherman Qualls, Greyhound's Director of ADA Compliance, the
company is doing an "outstanding" job in meeting customers requests for
accessible service. Since January 2000, they have provided lift-equipped
buses to thousands of customers giving 48-hour advance notice, as specified
under the new ADA Over the Road Bus Regulations, which go into effect for
large operators on October 30, 2000.
Greyhound already has 95 lift-equipped buses in its fleet, with more on
order for delivery in October. Each bus has 2 tie-down positions for those
who wish to remain in their wheelchairs. Between January and April,
Greyhound trained over six thousand employees in ADA sensitivity and
technical operations. A new "Access Greyhound" customer service pamphlet
will be available soon.
To arrange assistance for travel with Greyhound, call (800) 752-4841; (800)
345-3109 TDD/TTY; or (800) 531-5332 Spanish/Espanol.
Provided by Laurel Van Horn Executive Director of SATH and editor of Open
World Magazine
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PHILADELPHIA - ACCESS THE ARTS, ETC.
A GUIDE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Philadelphia, PA (July 20, 2000) --- ARTREACH, Inc. announces the
publication of Access the Arts, etc. - A Guide for People with
Disabilities. "So that people with physical disabilities and those who are
blind or deaf will have greater opportunities to experience the joy of the
arts," explained Joyce Burd, founder and Executive Director of ARTREACH, Inc.
ARTREACH, Inc. is the non-profit human service and arts organization that
creates greater accessibility to the arts for Delaware Valley's
disadvantaged, disabled and elderly-in-need as well as visitors.
Access the Arts etc. - A Guide for People with Disabilities is an
eighty-page book that includes information about physical and programmatic
access of cultural institutions for people with physical disabilities and
those who are blind or deaf. Over 75 venues are featured, providing
readers with the information necessary to make educated choices about which
cultural venues can accommodate their special needs. Information is
included about transportation, wheelchair accessibility, ticket
acquisition, phone and TTY numbers, seating and special accommodations.
Producing/presenting organizations without a permanent home are listed as
well, along with community resources.
"For people with disabilities, 'accessibility' depends upon many factors,"
said Joyce Burd, "They not only need to know if entrances are accessible,
but if there are large-print programs or TTY devices or accessible rest
rooms, and so on. This guide is a comprehensive resource for the entire
community and visitors to the area."
The guide is available for $5 per copy or $3 per copy for orders of ten or
more (plus postage and handling). It's also available on audio-cassette
for individuals who are blind. For more information about ordering your
copies of Access the Arts, etc. Call ARTREACH at 215-951-0316 or email at
artreach@libertynet.org or check out their web site at
http://www.art-reach.org.
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DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
Have you been experiencing career burnout? Do you feel like your stuff" is
controlling your life? Would you like to retire early? If you enjoy
traveling, adventure and something new every day traveling full-time in a
RV may be just for you! Now you say "That's only for the able bodied"!
Not so, there are many persons with disabilities also taking to the road
full-time. Although, this lifestyle is not for everyone, find out if it is
for you.
A recently released book "Take Back Your Life! Travel Full-Time In An RV",
gives an in-depth look at traveling full-time in an RV and is the first
book to include an entire chapter for full-timers with disabilities. It
also has an extensive resource listed for the disabled
Written by Stephanie Bernhagen who with her husband Paul and dog Tiffany
has been traveling full-time with a fifth-wheel trailer as a home since
January 1994. They were age 36, 38 and 6 when they hit the road. Take
Back Your Life offers 384 jam-packed pages full of information about the
full-timing lifestyle with perspectives from over fifty young full-timers.
You will learn about why young people chose full-timing as a lifestyle,
what the lifestyle is all about, how to prepare to hit the road, making the
transition and actually living the lifestyle. There are even 25 pages of
resources to get you on the right track.
To check out the table of contents or take a sneak peak at Chapter One, go
to Stephanie's web site at http://www.rvhometown.com/ or to find out about
order options contact stephanie@escapees.com.
For additional information about RVing and persons with disabilities check
out these web sites.
ENABLED RVER - This website is devoted to the needs and resources for RVers
with disabilities. http://maxpages.com/enabledrver
HANDICAPPED TRAVEL CLUB - The Handicapped Travel Club, Inc., was formed 26
years ago to encourage RV traveling by people with a wide range of
disabilities. The HTC encourages people with disabilities to travel, to
meet and to share information on making recreational vehicles accessible
for the disabled. "Fun and fellowship" is their motto.
http://www.sohoconnection.com/htc/
If you'd like to try out RVing before you take the plunge there is contact
information for a few companies that have accessible RVs for rent listed on
this month's What's News page at http://www.access-able.com/comingsoon.html.
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TRAVEL WORKSHOPS SPONSORED BY CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
Access-Able is still holding workshops about traveling with special needs
at Abilities Expos throughout the country.
OCTOBERS LOCATION IS
New England
Oct. 20-22, 2000
Bayside Exposition Center
Boston, Massachusetts
For FREE tickets to the Expo E-mail us at carol@access-able.com Plan on
attending and don't forget to stop by and say hi. Our booth number is 1056.
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STILL A FEW SEATS LEFT ON ESCORTED TOUR
Exciting Egypt - An Adventure in History October 31 - November 12
Trip Includes: Economy Class Air fair New York/Cairo/Luxor/Cairo/New York
- Transportation in Egypt in accessible bus or minivan - Services of Flying
Wheels escort from New York - English Speaking Guide on sightseeing tours -
11 nights accommodations at first class hotels - Breakfast and Dinner daily
For more information and cost contact Flying Wheels Travel Inc., 143 W.
Bridge St. Owatonna, MN 55060. Phone: 507-451-5005 Toll Free: 80-535-6790
Fax: 507-451-1685 Email: thq@ll.net
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WELCOME HOME - A BED & BREAKFAST LIKE NO OTHER
Welcome, H.O.M.E. (House of Modification Examples), was formed for the
purpose of improving the quality of life for persons living with physical
disabilities. By designing and building a single family home for persons
using wheelchairs and/or having other disabling conditions, they have
created a vehicle for providing information, and examples of barrier free
living.
Located 30 miles north of Milwaukee, and minutes west of Lake Michigan,
Welcome, H.O.M.E. is a "living laboratory", giving visitors the chance to
experiment with different adaptations of household devices or fixtures.
They may then choose the design that will work best for them in their own
homes.
Welcome, H.O.M.E. is more than just a house, it's a Bed and Breakfast. But,
it's not your usual B & B. It's so much more. Welcome, H.O.M.E. was built
to be visited and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of abilities or
disabilities.
RECREATION
On a wintry day a gas fireplace will glow cheerfully as you enter the Dave
& Aleen Nusbaum family room from the attached carport. Overnight guests
enjoy popping popcorn in the microwave while playing cards, board games or
reading a book in front of the fire.
You'll find wheelchair accessible hiking trails through the 17-acre
woodland. Stop at a picnic table in the woods for a private lunch until a
little ground squirrel invites himself in for a handout.
Sitting quietly on a bench along the trail encourages deer to move about
and "check you out." If you're back at the house at dusk, a doe will likely
be there too, allowing her fawns to graze just outside your windows.
MEALS
Breakfast is provided. The refrigerator is stocked with fruit, milk and
juices. Cereals and other snacks are in the pantry. Coffee, tea, and hot
chocolate are available for the making. Daily breakfast specials can be
tailored to your needs. When you make your reservation let the hostess know.
You bring the ingredients to make your lunch or dinner. In good weather,
sliding doors open to a deck with a picnic table. Or, if you prefer, just
beyond the carport is the Kayleen Brereton memorial raised fire scar for
bon fires.
ROOMS
Welcome, H.O.M.E. has two great guest bedrooms and baths. Bedrooms, with
cable TV, provide a welcome rest, after a day outdoors or traveling around.
You control the climate in your bedroom whether you like a room warm or
cool.
The Constance Squier screen porch outside each bedroom door is the perfect
spot for morning coffee as you watch the fog rise off the prairie.
The JC Penney Room is furnished with two twin beds (one a waterbed) and a
fold out futon for two. The Sara J. Miller Room has a double bed with
single size sleeper sofa.
Both bathrooms offer Kohler whirlpool tubs, one with a door the other with
a battery operated transfer chair. If you prefer a shower, we offer an easy
transfer stall with a molded seat. Grab bars are in all the necessary
areas. Sinks are designed to be reached by anyone sitting or standing. One
toilet offers a warm seat and personal hygiene unit at the simple push of a
button.
Welcome, H.O.M.E. is equipped with a lift for anyone needing help getting
in or out of bed from a wheelchair.
Now entire families can enjoy vacations together in a smoke free
environment. Or, gather your friends and plan a relaxing weekend or
mid-week visit for just $50 per night, per room.
You can take a virtual tour of this unique bed and breakfast on their web
site. http://www.hnet.net/~welcomehome/tour.htm or call 262-675-2525 for
reservations.
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HERTZ PROVIDES ACCESS
The Hertz Corporation has made a $60 million dollar investment by
eliminating barriers for travelers with disabilities to easily get from
airports to Hertz locations for rental car pick up and drop off. "Hertz
recognized that people with disabilities are a viable consumer market. The
company took the initiative to identify and accommodate the needs of people
with physical and sensory disabilities by providing access and freedom for
millions of people wishing to travel. The Solutions Marketing selected
Hertz for the September Profile in Excellence because the company's
commitment resulted in action," says Carmen D. Jones, President of The
Solutions Marketing Group.
Twenty of Hertz's airport locations offer the Easy-Access buses, a type of
lower-floored bus, equipped with a ramp, which provides access to
wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments. The buses also have
waist-high luggage compartments and ADA approved safety belts for people
using wheelchairs.
The Easy-Access Initiative enables the renter with a disability to have a
seamless travel experience. Hertz spokesperson, Paula Stifter says, "We
continually seek ways to make travel and car rental in particular, easy and
convenient as possible for all of our customers."
disability-marketing.com is the online home of The Solutions Marketing
Group (SMG). Profiles in Excellence is SMG's monthly online article which
highlights companies that have taken significant steps to serve, employ,
and market to consumers with disabilities. To read about the Hertz
Corporation's efforts, visit www.disability-marketing.com, click on
Profiles in Excellence, and select "Hertz".
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ESCORTED TOUR - NEW YORK CITY
TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE
December 5 - 12, 2000
Your adventure begins when you arrive in the "City that never sleeps" on
Dec 5th. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel
where you will get to meet the rest of the group over a light Welcome Dinner.
On the 6th the action starts in earnest with a trip to the famous Bronx Zoo
or the New York Botanical Garden. The day will be rounded out with an
evening trip to Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center for the
renowned holiday production. Day three will be another busy one starting
with a visit to the New York Stock Exchange, then on to catch the ferry for
visits to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. In the evening you'll
dine downtown with guests, New Yorkers with disabilities.
Day four starts with a tour of a newly renovated landmark, Grand Central
Station. Then spend the rest of the day exploring one of New York's finest
museums. The day is will finish up with a quick dinner and on to a
Broadway play. On day five you can shop to you drop on New York's famous
Fifth Avenue or if shopping is not your thing you can visit one of New
York's many ethnic neighborhoods, like Little Italy or Chinatown.
Sunday promise to be an exciting day starting off with attending services
at the Eastward Baptist Church, where the rocking choir is known for it's
gospel singing. Then before visiting the Cloisters (which house the
medieval collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art), the group will stop
for Brunch at Wilson's Bakery and Restaurant (a Harlem institution).
On your last full day is New York, each of you will be free to do whatever
will make the trip uniquely yours. You'll finish up the day with dinner at
a great Greek restaurant located in Times Square. Before returning to the
hotel, the group will take a late night trip up to the observation tower at
the Empire State Building, to bid farewell to the "City that never sleeps"
An accessible coach and escort will be provided throughout the tour. Some
meals and admission fees are included. For further information contact:
Travel Turtle Tours, 165 Inspirational Drive, Sedona, Arizona 86336.
Phone: 1-800-453-9195 Email: Tourturtle@aol.com
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Carol Randall
Access-Able Travel Source
http://www.access-able.com
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