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ACCESS-ABLE TRAVEL SOURCE NEWSLETTER
VOLUME IV NUMBER 4 (April)
http://www.access-able.com
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Teacher or Student
I have learned some excellent travel tips from the very people that I offer
travel tips to. Here is an example. A woman attending one of my travel
workshops in Northern California told me that she cannot sleep in a
horizontal position. She indicated renting a hospital bed and having it
delivered to the hotel works, but is very expensive. Piling pillows to
raise herself up on a standard bed doesn't work well and sleeping in a
overstuffed chair with her feet propped up is not very comfortable.
What she has found works well her and for a reasonable cost, is she
contacts a
Rent-A-Center or like store located in the area that she will be traveling
to. She speaks with the manager and arranges with them to have a recliner
chair delivered to the hotel she will be staying at. It works quite well
for sleeping and is less costly then ordering a hospital bed from a medical
equipment store. Most hotels are very cooperative and are happy to work
with the vendor. The only problem she has run into is that it can make
getting around the world a little tight.
Another option that I discovered is that some suite hotels have recliners
in their rooms. So I guess we are all teachers and students. If you have
discovered something that has made travel with a disability easier, drop us
a line.
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AMTRAK DISABILITY DISCOUNT
Amtrak offers a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare to persons
with physical or mental disabilities. Official documentation of disability
required. There are further conditions, so please contact an Amtrak ticket
agent or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for further details. TDD/TTY service is also
available from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (all time zones) at 1-800-523-6590.
Their web site is www.amtrak.com
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NEW OPTIONS - ALASKA
FEATHERED NEST BED & BREAKFAST
This B&B is actually a 900 square foot apartment where your kitchen will be
stocked with the fixings for your breakfasts. Situated in southeast Alaska
on the Inside Passage it is located, in the town of Petersburg on the
island of Mitkof and can only be reached by boat (ferry) or plane. The
commercial fishing industry has been Petersberg's lifeblood since it was
settled during the years surrounding the beginning of the 20th century.
This and the fact that it is located right next to Tongass National Forest
makes it both a sport fisherman's and a nature lover's paradise.
The apartment has wheelchair access via both a portable and permanent ramp
system. The doors are all extra wide. The kitchen has an open area under
the sink and cook-top so a person in a wheelchair could work at the counter
easily. The bathroom has a roll-in full size shower with a fold down
bench. The toilet is raised and grab bars are in the shower area and next
to the toilet. The sink is a pedestal style that allows someone to sit and
use. The bedroom has a California king adjustable firmness bed and there
is plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. This apartment was just
completed in December 2000.
For more information contact Feathered Nest Bed & Breakfast P.O. Box 683,
Petersburg, Alaska 99833. Phone: (907) 772-3090 Email:
nest@featherednestbandb.com WebSite: http://www.featherednestbandb.com
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUUISETOURS
The new rail cars, called Wilderness Express, are the first products
launched by Royal Celebrity Tours, the land tour company created last year
by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which owns Royal Caribbean International
and Celebrity Cruises. The new dome cars will be used on the ground
portions of the new Alaska Cruisetour options that are being offered
starting in the 2001 season.
According to Royal Caribbean International, "The Wilderness Express rail
cars boast the most dome glass of any double-deck rail cars in the world,
outdoor 360-degree viewing platforms, extra wide seats that recline and
rotate and onboard dining. The cars are also equipped with dome-level
ADA-compliant seating, allowing physically challenged travelers to access
both levels - a first in the industry."
"These magnificent new rail cars will significantly enhance our guests'
vacation experience in Alaska," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "The rail cars themselves, combined with the depth
of experience and knowledge that the Royal Celebrity Tours team brings to
this new company, will provide our guests with an even broader array of
exciting Alaska experiences."
For more information contact their reservations number 800-327-6700 and ask
for the "Alaska Travel Desk" or contact your Travel Agent.
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VACATION HOME IN YOSEMITE PARK
Since you're coming to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Why not
stay in the most beautiful accommodations? There is a mural of Yosemite
Valley that adorns the carport wall, an art gallery in the entry area and.
Best of all, the colorful rooms with soaring ceilings and wonderful views
all tell you that this 1,700 sq. ft. home was designed by an artist.
The great room is wheelchair accessible & has beautiful, one of a kind
gallery furnishings. The TV/VCR has satellite reception and there are lots
of videos for all ages. You'll particularly enjoy the special Yosemite
videos. And though there are occasional power failures, you needn't be
concerned because there is an automatic generator.
Enjoy the sunset view from the deck as you prepare your meal on the gas
barbecue. Utilize the fully equipped, modern kitchen which is accessible.
Later, enjoy the stars: no streetlights & no street noise here.
There are three bedrooms, one of which is accessible and has direct access
to the deck. It has its own accessible bathroom that has a tub shower
combination, a flexible hose showerhead and a shower seat. Check with
owner for further details to determine if it will work for you.
For more information or reservations, please contact Kay Pitts at (209)
372-8517 or 1-800-396-3639 fax: 209.372.4241. (office hours: 9am - 6pm
Pacific Time) Email: kpitts@inreach.com
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TRAVEL WORKSHOPS
Access-Able Travel Source is pleased to announce that thanks to Continental
airlines we will again be holding workshops for travelers with disabilities
each day of this year's Abilities Expos.
For more information, cities, dates and how to get free tickets to the show
in your area check here http://www.access-able.com/dates.html.
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DESERT DELIGHT
When you visit Las Vegas, NV, you have numerous opportunities to gamble,
not only in the incredible new theme casino/resorts but also by playing
slot machines in just about every venue imaginable. But you won't be
gambling with you accommodations if you are a wheelchair-using veteran
staying at the American Wheelchair Veterans Association (AWVA) facility.
Located in northwest Las Vegas and removed from the mainstream, the AWVA
"motel" is just the doctor ordered for relaxing in a quiet, completely
wheelchair accessible environment. The apartment complex is within sight
of the Stratosphere and only a hop and skip from the Fiesta, which offers
bingo and has lots of poker machines. The food at the buffet is excellent.
The Fiesta also has an 18-screen movie theater.
Next door to the Fiesta is the western-themed Texas, which has a large
variety of slot machines, fabulous food, and is easy for wheelchairs to get
around in. Shoppers will find Meadows Mall only about two miles south of
the AWVA complex.
Built in 1992, the AWVA facility consists, of three units. On entering
your "apartment," you will be amazed at the spaciousness and pleased with
its furnishings, cleanliness and accessibility.
The price of this great escape! Absolutely free to wheelchair-using
veterans, but PVA members have priority. Stays are limited to one week.
Cal-Diego Paralyzed Veterans Association founder Jim smith is the driving
force behind this project. "I needed another challenge," he says. "When I
asked people where they would like to go on vacation, everyone said,
'Vegas!' So here we are."
To finance the cottages, AWVA accepts donations and holds fund-raising
activities. "We do what we must to keep this going." Smith says.
Contact: American Wheelchair Veterans Association, 5355 Medre Mesa, Las
Vegas, NV 89108. Phone (702) 631-1900.
This information first appeared in PN Magazine.
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A BRITISH JOURNEY
BY FLYING WHEELS TRAVEL
June 4th to June 18th
You tour will start just outside of London at either Heathrow or Gatwick
Airports where you will meet the rest of the group and your Flying Wheels
tour director. You'll start your trip with a tour of Stratford-on-Avon
including Shakespeare's birthplace and Ann Hathaway's Cottage. In the
afternoon you will visit The Heritage Motor Center which houses the largest
collection of British cars in the World.
The next day it's on to York for a guided walking/wheeling scenic tour and
a visit to the York City Art Gallery. In the morning you will start your
day with a train ride on the North York Moors, In the afternoon you will
head to the Royal Armories in Leeds. Then the group will continue north
where you will visit the English Lake District, Chester, the Roman walled
city and the scenic north coast of Wales, before turning south. Before
leaving Wakes you will spend a day visiting and taking in the sights of
Cardiff, the capital. While you are staying in the area you will tour the
towns of Bath and Bristol.
Then you will start the final leg with a drive across the plains of
Salisbury to visit Stonehenge. After a lunch stop in Salisbury with its
impressive cathedral the group will go on to London. There you will spend
three days seeing the sights in and around London before you leave for home.
For more information and costs contact Flying Wheels Travel, 143 West
Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060. Phone 800-5346790 or 507-451-5005 Email
thq@ll.net Web site: www.flyingwheelstravel.com
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RV RENTALS - GERMANY
Rolling-mobile Inc. in Germany can fill the needs of people with special
needs everywhere. They are an Internet based company in Schonaich, Germany,
near Stuttgart, that is dedicated to providing wheelchair accessible motor
homes, vans, and car rentals to people in Germany and abroad.
Run by Edgar Datene and his wife Simone, they know the importance of
transportation for people with special needs when vacationing or visiting
Europe. Since a 1992 car accident, Edgar has been paralyzed and needs to
move by wheelchair. They love to travel the world but have realized the
difficulty in finding wheelchair accessible vehicle rentals.
Rolling-mobile is your one-stop business for handling your needs for
dependable, quality, and affordable rentals that are professionally set up
for wheelchair access. They offer two types of motorhomes for rent, a RV
Peugeot J5 and RV Mercedes Benz 310 D
Be independent, visit their web at
http://www.rolling-mobile.com/english/englishindex.htm and discover how
they can help your stay in Europe to be a memorable one. If you have
questions, you can write: info@rolli-mobil.de or phone them at:
+49-7031-657771 Fax number: +49-7031-750930
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This month's FEATURED DESTINATION is Peru. It is actually a three part
series on Peru. Check it out at http://www.access-able.com/featuretours.html.
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Carol Randall
Access-Able Travel Source
http://www.access-able.com
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