May 31, 2006
The Gimp Parade
There is always something interesting going on at the Gimp Parade. Often enough it is timely and controversial.
No matter what the current post the tagline always causes me to pause and ponder:
Not only do physically disabled people have experiences which are not available to the able-bodied, they are in a better position to transcend cultural mythologies about the body, because they cannot do things the able-bodied feel they must do in order to be happy, 'normal,' and sane....If disabled people were truly heard, an explosion of knowledge of the human body and psyche would take place.
-- Susan Wendell, author of The Rejected Body: Feminist Philosophical Reflections on Disability
May 30, 2006
Win This Fight Councillor and I'm Off to Jamaica, Mon!
But tell Mr. Russell to give the man back his seat and win his vote for our side!
Senator Morris has my write-in vote the next electing in Jamaica. Or, short of resorting to election fraud, he has my word that I will try to make the sports fan haj to Jamaica (with a few of my friends) for the 2007 Cricket Cup.
"There are millions of disabled persons with disposable income but they can't travel outside of their countries because the tourist destinations are not disabled friendly," Morris said. "As the tourist mecca, Montego Bay must lead the way."
You can read the whole report at Councillor Loses Cool. I already did. Now I need to find a rulebook for cricket. Bill Bryson has, so far, been my only coach in this sport...
Bill Bryson on cricket (from "In A Sunburned Country", by Bill Bryson, first edition, hardcover, pages 105 - 108):
"After years of patient study (and with cricket there can be no other kind) I have decided that there is nothing wrong with the game that the introduction of golf carts wouldn't fix in a hurry. It is not true that the English invented cricket as a way of making all other human endeavors look interesting and lively; that was merely an unintended side effect. I don't wish to denigrate a sport that is enjoyed by millions, some of them awake and facing the right way, but it is an odd game. It is the only sport that incorporates meal breaks. It is the only sport that shares its name with an insect. It is the only sport in which spectators burn as many calories as players -- more if they are moderately restless. It is the only competitive activity of any type, other than perhaps baking, in which you can dress in white from head to toe and be as clean at the end of the day as you were at the beginning.Imagine a form of baseball in which the pitcher, after each delivery, collects the ball from the catcher and walks slowly with it to center field; and that there, after a minute's pause to collect himself, he turns and runs full tilt toward the pitcher's mound before hurling the ball at the ankles of a man who stands before him wearing a riding hat, heavy gloves of the sort used to to handle radio-active isotopes, and a mattress strapped to each leg. Imagine moreover that if this batsman fails to hit the ball in a way that heartens him sufficiently to try to waddle forty feet with mattress's strapped to his legs, he is under no formal compunction to run; he may stand there all day, and, as a rule, does. If by some miracle he is coaxed into making a misstroke that leads to his being put out, all the fielders throw up their arms in triumph and have a hug. Then tea is called and every one retires happily to a distant pavilion to fortify for the next siege. Now imagine all this going on for so long that by the time the match concludes autumn has crept in and all your library books are overdue. There you have cricket.
The mystery of cricket is not that Australians play it well, but that they play it at all. It has always seemed to me a game much too restrained for the rough-and-tumble Australian temperament. Australians much prefer games in which brawny men in scanty clothing bloody each other's noses. I am quite certain that if the rest of the world vanished over night and the development of cricket was left in Australian hands, within a generation the players would be wearing shorts and using the bats to hit each other. And the thing is, it would be a much better game for it."
Source:
http://www.cs.du.edu/~leut/quotes.html
Mexico Continues Strategic Planning for Inclusive Tourism
Inclusive Tourism (Turismo Para Todos) has an institutionalized presence in Mexico. The Seventh Encounter of the Turismo para Todos Network of Mexico will continue the strategic planning and alliance building necessary to promote Inclusive Tourism. Leaders of the movement recognize the value of destination access to the large domestic travel market in Mexico.
Meanwhile, Spain follows up on Queen Sophia's Universal Design Awards with a push toward accessible urban transport - another boon for domestic tourism.
The Dominican Republic makes its support of Universal Design known internationally as it hosts the Organization of American States gathering.
Fijar las condiciones para incentivar el desarrollo económico del país con un progreso social equitativo y justo en las comunidades y regiones de México con atractivos turísticos, así como establecer el derecho de todas las personas, en particular adultos mayores y estudiantes, para vacacionar, son los objetivos centrales del Programa “Un Turismo para Todos”, afirmó el Secretario de Turismo, Rodolfo Elizondo Torres.
Al inaugurar, en compañía del Gobernador de Veracruz, Fidel Herrera Beltrán, el Séptimo Encuentro de la Red “Un Turismo para Todos”, señaló la importancia de este programa que implementa la Sectur, el cual también busca que la sociedad eleve su nivel educativo y calidad de vida.
“Con base en este programa, ahora podemos abocarnos a realizar las alianzas estratégicas que nos llevan a mejorar la prestación de los servicios, a simplificar los puntos de contacto y, sobre todo, a lograr abatir los costos para disfrutar de la actividad turística dentro del territorio nacional”, mencionó.
Elizondo Torres señaló que el 83 por ciento de los turistas que transitan por México son nacionales y sólo un 27 por ciento corresponde al turismo internacional, datos que exigen mayores acciones y programas que fortalezcan el turismo doméstico y a ello obedece la creación de la “Política Pública de Un Turismo para Todos”.
Al respecto, el pasado 19 de mayo, el titular de Sectur firmó el Acuerdo por el cual se expide dicho documento que será publicado en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el próximo 30 de mayo.
Enfatizó que la Secretaría de Turismo se empeña en fortalecer el turismo nacional, ya que los mexicanos son los primeros que deben disfrutar nuestra riqueza cultural, nuestras playas, nuestra cultura, entre otras grandes bondades que ofrece el territorio nacional.
El Secretario de Turismo señaló que los Encuentros Nacionales de “Un Turismo para Todos” inspiran a continuar trabajando para consolidar el reconocimiento de la importancia estratégica del turismo en una política de Gobierno para más mexicanos, con base en su enorme contribución, a su bienestar económico y social y por su impacto positivo en el desarrollo regional.
• Séptimo Encuentro de la Red “Un Turismo para Todos”
Durante tres días de actividades, panelistas nacionales e internacionales, intercambiarán experiencias que generen elementos de articulación para impulsar el “Programa Un Turismo para Todos” y su adecuada aplicación en distintos puntos del país.
Algunas de las personalidades asistentes son: Jean-Marc Mignon, vicepresidente del Buró Internacional de Turismo Social (BITS); Sergio Rodríguez Abitia, miembro honorario del BITS; Arturo San Román, Presidente de la Asociación Mexicana de Parques Acuáticos y Balnearios (AMPABA); Sergio Rodríguez Herrera, Director General del Centro de Estudios Superiores de Turismo (CESTUR); Jorge Barreiro Malleiro, Gerente de Proyectos Especiales de ADO, entre otros.
Los principales temas que serán abordados se encuentran: sistema de financiamiento para el turismo doméstico; beneficios económicos, sociales y éticos del turismo para todos; beneficios de los fines de semana largos, oferta y demanda; elaboración de paquetes de bajo costo y servicios turísticos accesibles.
Source:
Turista Mexico
Los Siete Principios del Diseño Universal
http://www.sidar.org/recur/desdi/usable/dudt.php
Tecnología Asistencial y el Diseño Universal
http://www.atnet.org/advocacy/issue_disenouniversal.htm
El Objetivo del Diseño Universal
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=noNavProcessor&sec=esp&p=spanish/CommLib/UnivDesDef.html
May 29, 2006
The Oregon Coast This Summer
The Oregon Coast Beach Connection has an article on some Memorial Day getaways. Try Smelt Sands Beach and the wheelchair accessible trail there.
May 28, 2006
From the Tourism Ministry of Indonesia
Thamrin B. Bachri, Director General for Marketing of Indonesia's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has issued the following statement on the aftermath of the earthquake:
The most affected area is Bantul, indicated by the casualty rates due to home collapses. To
date, there have been no report on hotel collapse, but some
minor damage happened such as wall cracking and tiles.
Further, there has been no injured or overseas tourists nor
casualties.Yogyakarta airport, which part of building was
slightly affected, is expected to resume normal operation on
Sunday, 28th afternoon. Once open, the airport will be used
primarily for transporting relief-related goods and personnel.
All Yogyakarta linked flights are redirected to Solo and
Semarang, the closest airport locations from Yogyakarta.
May 27, 2006
Earthquake in Indonesia
eTurboNews reports on the recent Indonesian earthquake:
More than 3,000 people have been killed and thousands more injured in a powerful earthquake which has struck central Indonesia. Homes and hotels have been flattened in the ancient royal city and tourist centre of Yogyakarta.eTN spoke to the Hyatt Hotel in Yogyakarta. The Hyatt is in the north of the city and the hotel and all guests are ok.
According to the Hyatt the Sheraton Yogjakarta and Accor Ibiz hotel is in the south of the city and may have been destroyed. eTN was unable to reach anyone at the hotel and repeated calls to Starwood Corporate Communication in New Jersey were unanswered. Also no response from Accor...
eTN talked to Mr Thamrin B. Bachri, vice minister of tourism. The Ministry of Culture and tourism sent its own team to Yogyakarta and did not yet get a report. The airport in Yogyakarta is closed and flights operate to Solo (100 km away from Yogyakarta).
At present the eTN report is not posted online.
A Memorial Day Holiday Suggestion from the Great Falls Tribune
Dry Wolf Campground southwest of Stanford, Montana sits in the Little Belt Mountains. Sonja lee, staff writer for the tribune, highlights several accessibility features of the newly reopenned campsite in here article "Little Belts campground in shape for long weekend."
Not near Big Sky Country, Montana? Try the Jersey Shore .-
May 26, 2006
Happy Birthday RollingPix!
Well yes, RollingPix celebrated one year on March 25, 2006... March, May, they both begin with "M." (As you can see I keep the "belated birthday card" industry turning a profit.)
With a passion for wheelchair sports Ralph of RollingPix writes:
This project of mine is celebrating it's 1st birthday this week, and what a great year it's been. Rollingpix has opened so many doors for me. I have travelled, met great people and hopefully opened some eyes with my photography and journalism about chair athletes.
Visit Rollingpix at http://rollingpix.blogspot.com/
May 25, 2006
AMTRAK
The Christian Science Monitor has done a special report on AMTRAK here.
For those who have never traveled in or seen one of AMTRAK's wheelchair accessible cabins here are some photos.
These cabins run the width of the car. In the one pictured two seats at the window to the left of the entry door fold into a bed that was comfortable for someone six feet tall. To the right is the vanity and commode whic, no matter what you do with the room dividing curtain, is visible to everyone who enters the cabin.
May 24, 2006
Boomer Retirement Trends Include Travel and Home Remodeling
A new survey by Commonwealth bank is revealing about the retirement plans of Boomers:http://www.thematuremarket.com/SeniorStrategic/dossier.php?numtxt=7054&idrb=5 Home remodeling (a niche for Universal Design) and travel figure high in their plans.
Notice this trend also.
Baby Boomers are set to change the face of retirement as they plan to travel, take up new hobbies, spend time with family and work at least part time, according to a survey(2) released by the Commonwealth Bank.The Bank’s Lifestyle Aspirations survey also revealed that not only do almost 60 per cent expect their retirement lifestyle to be better than their parents’, more than two thirds (68 per cent) believe they will be able to afford to live the lifestyle they want.
Tim Gunning, General Manager Commonwealth Financial Planning, said, "Unlike their parents, this generation sees retirement as the chance to live life to the full and do the things they put off earlier in life due to other commitments. When it comes to financing these plans, a significant proportion of Baby Boomers are already making preparations to see them on their way."
According to the Bank’s Lifestyle Aspirations survey, in anticipation of their retirement, Baby Boomers are actively taking control of their finances: 56 per cent are building assets such as shares and property, 44 per cent are making regular additional superannuation contributions, the same percentage have sought advice from a financial planner and 43 per cent are making additional savings outside of their super.
They plan to spend their savings in retirement on things such as home renovations (40 per cent), upgrading possessions (40 per cent), eating out more (40 per cent) and their grandchildren and children (44 per cent). Travel and hobbies also feature heavily in the plans. Eighty five per cent expect to travel within Australia or overseas and 73 per cent plan to take up a new hobby.
Source:
http://www.thematuremarket.com/SeniorStrategic/dossier.php?numtxt=7054&idrb=5
Young? Disabled? Want to Travel?
Here is a chance to say something artistically.
The contest "Destination Anywhere" holds out $60,000 in prizes for fifteen artists with disabilities. Read the announcement below by VSA arts and Volkswagen of America.
Who knows, maybe you can get a ride in this cool Volkswagen!
Contact: Marcia Rhodes/VSA arts (202) 628-2800 ext. 3883 marciar@vsarts.orgVSA arts and Volkswagen of America Call for Entries:
"Destination Anywhere" - a national exhibit for young artists
with disabilities.Postmarked deadline: July 14, 2006
VSA arts and Volkswagen of America are seeking artwork from
young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, living within the
U.S. "Destination Anywhere" challenges artists to consider the
picture plan as a destination, a place where the viewer might
take a trip they never expected. Fifteen finalists will be
awarded a total of $60,000 during an awards ceremony on Capitol
Hill and artwork will be displayed in a nation-wide touring
exhibit that will debut at the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, D.C.Artwork may illustrate a destination. Abstract work that
relates to feelings or emotions, or an experience of living
with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming the
destination is also encouraged. Art must be an original work
that has been completed in the last 3 years. Eligible media
includes: paintings, drawings, fine art prints, photography,
computer generated prints, and mixed media. Artwork must be
presented in two dimensions and should not exceed 60 inches
in either direction. There is no fee to apply.Visit www.vsarts.org/VWcall for additional information
and entry instructions or contact Jennifer Colaguori, Visual
Arts Coordinator, at jenniferc@vsarts.org or 800-933-8721 ext.
3885. Alternative formats of the call for entries are available
upon request.VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in
1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where
all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and
enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and
artists with resources and the tools to support arts
programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the
accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes
increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each
year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs
through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60
countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of The
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.Marcia Rhodes
Media Relations Specialist
VSA arts
818 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
tel: 202 628-2800 ext 3883
fax: 202 429-0868
www.vsarts.org
May 23, 2006
Three Beacons of Universal Design at the Municipal Level
Congratulations to Malaga, Valencia and Tenerife for their achievements in inclusion of citizens -- and tourists -- with disabilities. Málaga, Quart de Poblet (Valencia) and Breña Alta (Tenerife) were winners of the Premio Reina Sofía de Accesibilidad Universal 2005.
From Fundacion Once:
La reina Sofía preside hoy la entrega de los Premios de Integración de las Personas con Discapacidad Maribel González/ Madrid-23/05/2006La reina doña Sofía presidirá hoy en el Palacio de la Zarzuela el acto de entrega de los Premios Reina Sofía 2005 de Rehabilitación e Integración de las Personas con Discapacidad y de Accesibilidad de Municipios, que concede anualmente el Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad.
Doña Sofía estará acompañada por el ministro de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales, Jesús Caldera, y por la secretaria de Estado de Servicios Sociales, Familias y Discapacidad, Amparo Valcarce.
El Premio de Rehabilitación y de Integración ha sido en la categoría española para la Unidad de Atención Temprana y de Rehabiltación Infantil del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Juan Canalejo de La Coruña, por ser una unidad pionera en España y por coordinar desde una institución pública a todos los agentes implicados en el desarrollo personal de los menores.
Esta unidad ofrece un servicio de atención integral dirigido a los niños con trastornos en su desarrollo y a sus familias, haciendo un seguimiento permanente y apoyando esta labor en todo momento.
En la candidatura de países iberoamericanos, el premio ha recaído en el padre Jesús Jaime Álvarez Benjumea, director del proyecto social Cebycam-CES, llevado a cabo en la localidad ecuatoriana de Penipe, Este galardón reconoce el trabajo solidario de los habitantes de esta localidad afectados por la carencia de yodo y por problemas de salud física y mental.
El jurado ha valorado la capacidad del padre Álvarez de hacer partícipe a todo el pueblo en esta tarea y la posibilidad de llevarlo a otros lugares que vivan situaciones similares.
ACCESIBILIDAD DE MUNICIPIOS
Los municipios de Málaga, Quart de Poblet (Valencia) y Breña Alta (Tenerife) han sido los galardonados con el Premio Reina Sofía de Accesibilidad Universal 2005, destinado a reconocer la labor de las ciudades españolas en la eliminación de barreras arquitectónicas y virtuales.
En la modalidad de municipios de menos de 10.000 habitantes, Breña Alta, en la isla de La Palma (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), ha sido galardonado por desarrollar actuaciones tendentes a la accesiblidad integral.
En cuanto a los municipios de entre 10.000 y 100.000 habitantes, el de Quart de Poblet (Valencia) ha sido premiado por desarrollar un programa de actuaciones tendentes a la accesibilidad al entorno urbano, a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, así como a la integración social y laboral de las personas con discapacidad en el campo educativo, ocupacional, de ocio y tiempo libre y cultural.
Entre los municipios de más de 100.000 habitantes, el jurado ha premiado a Málaga, por desarrollar una labor basada en los principios del diseño universal, transversalidad de las acciones y mejora de la accesibilidad de los servicios públicos.
En este municipio se han llevado a cabo programas diseñados para la integración social y laboral y para la accesibilidad a las nuevas tecnologías, al transporte, al entorno urbano, a los edificios y servicios públicos, a la información, a las ofertas culturales y a las actividades de ocio.
Source:
http://solidaridaddigital.discapnet.es/paginas/nacional/EJA06052302.htm
More:
http://www.malagaes.com/noticia.asp?id=1385
EU Policy: Rights of Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility When Travelling by Air
Ratified but not yet published below is the English version of the EU regulations on travel and people with disabilities. The text will be signed June 14 and two weeks later.
The regulation will take effect two years after the publication in the official journal of the EC, except for Articles 3 and 4 (on denied boarding) which will apply with effect from one year after the publication.
EUROPEAN UNION
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT THE COUNCIL
Brussels, 21 April 2006
(OR. en)
2005/0007 (COD) PE-CONS 3681/05
AVIATION 194
SOC 527
CODEC 1222
OC 990
LEGISLATIVE ACTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
Subject: REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE
COUNCIL concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons
with reduced mobility when travelling by air
COMMON GUIDELINES
Consultation deadline for Bulgaria and Romania: 02.05.2006
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
REGULATION (EC) No .../2006 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND
OF THE COUNCIL
of
concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons
with reduced mobility when travelling by air
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2)
thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
1
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,
2
Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions,
3
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty,
1
OJ C 24, 31.1.2006, p. 12.
2
OJ C XX, XX, p. XX.
3
Opinion of the European Parliament of 15 December 2005 (not yet published in the Official
Journal), and Council Decision of…
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
Whereas:
(1) The single market for air services should benefit citizens in general. Consequently,
disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, whether caused by disability, age or
any other factor, should have opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other
citizens. Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have the same right as all
other citizens to free movement, freedom of choice and non-discrimination. This applies to
air travel as to other areas of life.
(2) Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility should therefore be accepted for
carriage and not refused transport on the grounds of their disability or lack of mobility,
except for reasons which are justified on the grounds of safety and prescribed by law.
Before accepting reservations from disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility, air
carriers, their agents and tour operators should make all reasonable efforts to verify
whether there is a reason which is justified on the grounds of safety and which would
prevent such persons being accommodated on the flights concerned.
(3) This Regulation should not affect other rights of passengers established by Community
legislation and notably Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel,
1
package holidays and package tours and Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on
compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding and of
2
cancellation or long delay of flights. Where the same event would give rise to the same
right of reimbursement or rebooking under either of those legislative acts as well as under
this Regulation, the person so entitled should be allowed to exercise that right once only, at
his or her discretion.
1
OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 59.
2
OJ L 46, 17.2.2004, p. 1.
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
(4) In order to give disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility opportunities for air
travel comparable to those of other citizens, assistance to meet their particular needs should
be provided at the airport as well as on board aircraft, by employing the necessary staff and
equipment. In the interests of social inclusion, the persons concerned should receive this
assistance without additional charge.
(5) Assistance given at airports situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty
applies should, among other things, enable disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility to proceed from a designated point of arrival at an airport to an aircraft and from
the aircraft to a designated point of departure from the airport, including embarking and
disembarking. These points should be designated at least at the main entrances to terminal
buildings, in areas with check-in counters, in train, light rail, metro and bus stations, at taxi
ranks and other drop-off points, and in airport car parks. The assistance should be
organised so as to avoid interruption and delay, while ensuring high and equivalent
standards throughout the Community and making best use of resources, whatever airport or
air carrier is involved.
(6) To achieve these aims, ensuring high quality assistance at airports should be the
responsibility of a central body. As managing bodies of airports play a central role in
providing services throughout their airports, they should be given this overall
responsibility.
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
(7) Managing bodies of airports may provide the assistance to disabled persons and persons
with reduced mobility themselves. Alternatively, in view of the positive role played in the
past by certain operators and air carriers, managing bodies may contract with third parties
for the supply of this assistance, without prejudice to the application of relevant rules of
Community law, including those on public procurement.
(8) Assistance should be financed in such a way as to spread the burden equitably among all
passengers using an airport and to avoid disincentives to the carriage of disabled persons
and persons with reduced mobility. A charge levied on each air carrier using an airport,
proportionate to the number of passengers it carries to or from the airport, appears to be the
most effective way of funding.
(9) With a view to ensuring, in particular, that the charges levied on an air carrier are
commensurate with the assistance provided to disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility, and that these charges do not serve to finance activities of the managing body
other than those relating to the provision of such assistance, the charges should be adopted
and applied in full transparency. Council Directive 96/67/EC of 15 October 1996 on access
1
to the groundhandling market at Community airports and in particular the provisions on
separation of accounts, should therefore apply where this does not conflict with this
Regulation.
OJ L 272, 25.10.1996, p. 36. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the
European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
(10) In organising the provision of assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility, and the training of their personnel, airports and air carriers should have regard to
the Code of Good Conduct in Ground Handling for Persons with Reduced Mobility of the
European Civil Aviation Conference ("ECAC"), as set out in ECAC document 30, Part I,
Section 5 and its associated annexes at the time of adoption of this Regulation.
(11) In deciding on the design of new airports and terminals, and as part of major
refurbishments, managing bodies of airports should, where possible, take into account the
needs of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility. Similarly, air carriers should,
where possible, take such needs into account when deciding on the design of new and
newly refurbished aircraft.
(12) Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on
the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free
1
movement of such data should be strictly enforced in order to guarantee respect for the
privacy of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, and ensure that the
information requested serves merely to fulfil the assistance obligations laid down in this
Regulation and is not used against passengers seeking the service in question.
(13) All essential information provided to air passengers should be provided in alternative
formats accessible to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, and should be in
at least the same languages as the information made available to other passengers.
OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003.
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
(14) Where wheelchairs or other mobility equipment or assistive devices are lost or damaged
during handling at the airport or during transport on board aircraft, the passenger to whom
the equipment belongs should be compensated, in accordance with rules of international,
Community and national law.
(15) Member States should supervise and ensure compliance with this Regulation and designate
an appropriate body to carry out enforcement tasks. This supervision does not affect the
rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility to seek legal redress from
courts under national law.
(16) It is important that a disabled person or person with reduced mobility who considers that
this Regulation has been infringed be able to bring the matter to the attention of the
managing body of the airport or to the attention of the air carrier concerned, as the case
may be. If the disabled person or person with reduced mobility cannot obtain satisfaction
in such way, he or she should be free to make a complaint to the body or bodies designated
to that end by the relevant Member State.
(17) Complaints concerning assistance given at an airport should be addressed to the body or
bodies designated for the enforcement of this Regulation by the Member State where the
airport is situated. Complaints concerning assistance given by an air carrier should be
addressed to the body or bodies designated for the enforcement of this Regulation by the
Member State which has issued the operating licence to the air carrier.
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
(18) Member States should lay down penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation
and ensure that those penalties are applied. The penalties, which could include ordering the
payment of compensation to the person concerned, should be effective, proportionate and
dissuasive.
(19) Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely to ensure high and equivalent levels of
protection and assistance throughout the Member States and to ensure that economic
agents operate under harmonised conditions in a single market, cannot sufficiently be
achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale or effects of the
action, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty . In
accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation
does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
PE-CONS 3681/05 WW/GU/jr
DG C III EN
(20) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in
particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
(21) Arrangements for greater cooperation over the use of Gibraltar airport were agreed in
London on 2 December 1987 by the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom in a joint
declaration by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. Such arrangements
have yet to enter into operation,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Purpose and scope
1. This Regulation establishes rules for the protection of and provision of assistance to
disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility travelling by air, both to protect them
against discrimination and to ensure that they receive assistance.
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2. The provisions of this Regulation shall apply to disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility, using or intending to use commercial passenger air services on departure from,
on transit through, or on arrival at an airport, when the airport is situated in the territory of
a Member State to which the Treaty applies.
3. Articles 3, 4 and 10 shall also apply to passengers departing from an airport situated in a
third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty
applies, if the operating carrier is a Community air carrier.
4. This Regulation shall not affect the rights of passengers established by
Directive 90/314/EEC and under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
5. In so far as the provisions of this Regulation conflict with those of Directive 96/67/EC, this
Regulation shall prevail.
6. Application of this Regulation to Gibraltar airport is understood to be without prejudice to
the respective legal positions of the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom with
regard to the dispute over sovereignty over the territory in which the airport is situated.
7. Application of this Regulation to Gibraltar airport shall be suspended until the
arrangements included in the Joint Declaration made by the Foreign Ministers of
the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom on 2 December 1987 enter into operation.
The Governments of Spain and of the United Kingdom shall inform the Council of the date
of entry into operation.
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Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "disabled person" or "person with reduced mobility" means any person whose mobility
when using transport is reduced due to any physical disability (sensory or locomotor,
permanent or temporary), intellectual disability or impairment, or any other cause of
disability, or age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and the adaptation to his
or her particular needs of the service made available to all passengers;
(b) "air carrier" means an air transport undertaking with a valid operating licence;
(c) "operating air carrier" means an air carrier that performs or intends to perform a flight
under a contract with a passenger or on behalf of another person, legal or natural, having a
contract with that passenger;
(d) "Community air carrier" means an air carrier with a valid operating licence granted by a
Member State in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992
1
on licensing of air carriers;
(e) "tour operator" means, with the exception of an air carrier, an organiser or retailer within
the meaning of Article 2(2) and (3) of Directive 90/314/EEC;
OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 1.
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(f) "managing body of the airport" or "managing body" means a body which notably has as its
objective under national legislation the administration and management of airport
infrastructures, and the coordination and control of the activities of the various operators
present in an airport or airport system;
(g) "airport user" means any natural or legal person responsible for the carriage of passengers
by air from or to the airport in question;
(h) "Airport Users Committee" means a committee of representatives of airport users or
organisations representing them;
(i) "reservation" means the fact that the passenger has a ticket, or other proof, which indicates
that the reservation has been accepted and registered by the air carrier or tour operator;
(j) "airport" means any area of land specially adapted for the landing, taking-off and
manoeuvres of aircraft, including ancillary installations which these operations may
involve for the requirements of aircraft traffic and services including installations needed
to assist commercial air services;
(k) "airport car park" means a car park, within the airport boundaries or under the direct
control of the managing body of an airport, which directly serves the passengers using that
airport;
(l) "commercial passenger air service" means a passenger air transport service operated by an
air carrier through a scheduled or non-scheduled flight offered to the general public for
valuable consideration, whether on its own or as part of a package.
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Article 3
Prevention of refusal of carriage
An air carrier or its agent or a tour operator shall not refuse, on the grounds of disability or of
reduced mobility:
(a) to accept a reservation for a flight departing from or arriving at an airport to which this
Regulation applies;
(b) to embark a disabled person or a person with reduced mobility at such an airport, provided
that the person concerned has a valid ticket and reservation.
Article 4
Derogations, special conditions and information
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3, an air carrier or its agent or a tour operator
may refuse, on the grounds of disability or of reduced mobility, to accept a reservation
from or to embark a disabled person or a person with reduced mobility:
(a) in order to meet applicable safety requirements established by international,
Community or national law or in order to meet safety requirements established by the
authority that issued the air operator's certificate to the air carrier concerned;
(b) if the size of the aircraft or its doors makes the embarkation or carriage of that
disabled person or person with reduced mobility physically impossible.
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In the event of refusal to accept a reservation on the grounds referred to under points (a)
or (b) of the first subparagraph, the air carrier, its agent or the tour operator shall make
reasonable efforts to propose an acceptable alternative to the person in question.
A disabled person or a person with reduced mobility who has been denied embarkation on
the grounds of his or her disability or reduced mobility and any person accompanying this
person pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article shall be offered the right to reimbursement
or re-routing as provided for in Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. The right to the
option of a return flight or re-routing shall be conditional upon all safety requirements
being met.
2. Under the same conditions referred to in paragraph 1, first subparagraph, point (a), an air
carrier or its agent or a tour operator may require that a disabled person or person with
reduced mobility be accompanied by another person who is capable of providing the
assistance required by that person.
3. An air carrier or its agent shall make publicly available, in accessible formats and in at
least the same languages as the information made available to other passengers, the safety
rules that it applies to the carriage of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility,
as well as any restrictions on their carriage or on that of mobility equipment due to the size
of aircraft. A tour operator shall make such safety rules and restrictions available for flights
included in package travel, package holidays and package tours which it organises, sells or
offers for sale.
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4. When an air carrier or its agent or a tour operator exercises a derogation under
paragraphs 1 or 2, it shall immediately inform the disabled person or person with reduced
mobility of the reasons therefor. On request, an air carrier, its agent or a tour operator shall
communicate these reasons in writing to the disabled person or person with reduced
mobility, within five working days of the request.
Article 5
Designation of points of arrival and departure
1. In cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users Committee where one exists,
and relevant organisations representing disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility, the managing body of an airport shall, taking account of local conditions,
designate points of arrival and departure within the airport boundary or at a point under the
direct control of the managing body, both inside and outside terminal buildings, at which
disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility can, with ease, announce their arrival at
the airport and request assistance.
2. The points of arrival and departure referred to in paragraph 1, shall be clearly signed and
shall offer basic information about the airport, in accessible formats.
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Article 6
Transmission of information
1. Air carriers, their agents and tour operators shall take all measures necessary for the
receipt, at all their points of sale in the territory of the Member States to which the Treaty
applies, including sale by telephone and via the Internet, of notifications of the need for
assistance made by disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility.
2. When an air carrier or its agent or a tour operator receives a notification of the need for
assistance at least 48 hours before the published departure time for the flight , it shall
transmit the information concerned at least 36 hours before the published departure time
for the flight:
(a) to the managing bodies of the airports of departure, arrival and transit, and
(b) to the operating air carrier, if a reservation was not made with that carrier, unless the
identity of the operating air carrier is not known at the time of notification, in which
case the information shall be transmitted as soon as practicable.
3. In all cases other than those mentioned in paragraph 2, the air carrier or its agent or tour
operator shall transmit the information as soon as possible.
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4. As soon as possible after the departure of the flight, an operating air carrier shall inform
the managing body of the airport of destination, if situated in the territory of a Member
State to which the Treaty applies, of the number of disabled persons and persons with
reduced mobility on that flight requiring assistance specified in Annex I and of the nature
of that assistance.
Article 7
Right to assistance at airports
1. When a disabled person or person with reduced mobility arrives at an airport for travel by
air, the managing body of the airport shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of the
assistance specified in Annex I in such a way that the person is able to take the flight for
which he or she holds a reservation, provided that the notification of the person's particular
needs for such assistance has been made to the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator
concerned at least 48 hours before the published time of departure of the flight. This
notification shall also cover a return flight, if the outward flight and the return flight have
been contracted with the same air carrier.
2. Where use of a recognised assistance dog is required, this shall be accommodated provided
that notification of the same is made to the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator in
accordance with applicable national rules covering the carriage of assistance dogs on board
aircraft, where such rules exist.
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3. If no notification is made in accordance with paragraph 1, the managing body shall make
all reasonable efforts to provide the assistance specified in Annex I in such a way that the
person concerned is able to take the flight for which he or she holds a reservation.
4. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply on condition that:
(a) the person presents himself or herself for check-in:
(i) at the time stipulated in advance and in writing (including by electronic means)
by the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator, or
(ii) if no time is stipulated, not later than one hour before the published departure
time,
or
(b) the person arrives at a point within the airport boundary designated in accordance
with Article 5:
(i) at the time stipulated in advance and in writing (including by electronic means)
by the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator, or
(ii) if no time is stipulated, not later than two hours before the published departure
time.
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5. When a disabled person or person with reduced mobility transits through an airport to
which this Regulation applies, or is transferred by an air carrier or a tour operator from the
flight for which he or she holds a reservation to another flight, the managing body shall be
responsible for ensuring the provision of the assistance specified in Annex I in such a way
that the person is able to take the flight for which he or she holds a reservation.
6. On the arrival by air of a disabled person or person with reduced mobility at an airport to
which this Regulation applies, the managing body of the airport shall be responsible for
ensuring the provision of the assistance specified in Annex I in such a way that the person
is able to reach his or her point of departure from the airport as referred to in Article 5.
7. The assistance provided shall, as far as possible, be appropriate to the particular needs of
the individual passenger.
Article 8
Responsibility for assistance at airports
1. The managing body of an airport shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of the
assistance specified in Annex I without additional charge to disabled persons and persons
with reduced mobility.
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2. The managing body may provide such assistance itself. Alternatively, in keeping with its
responsibility, and subject always to compliance with the quality standards referred to in
Article 9(1), the managing body may contract with one or more other parties for the supply
of the assistance. In cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users Committee
where one exists, the managing body may enter into such a contract or contracts on its own
initiative or on request, including from an air carrier, and taking into account the existing
services at the airport concerned. In the event that it refuses such a request, the managing
body shall provide written justification.
3. The managing body of an airport may, on a non-discriminatory basis, levy a specific
charge on airport users for the purpose of funding this assistance.
4. This specific charge shall be reasonable, cost-related, transparent and established by the
managing body of the airport in cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users
Committee where one exists or any other appropriate entity. It shall be shared among
airport users in proportion to the total number of all passengers that each carries to and
from that airport.
5. The managing body of an airport shall separate the accounts of its activities relating to the
assistance provided to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility from the
accounts of its other activities, in accordance with current commercial practice.
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6. The managing body of an airport shall make available to airport users, through the
Airport Users Committee where one exists or any other appropriate entity, as well as to the
enforcement body or bodies referred to in Article 14, an audited annual overview of
charges received and expenses made in respect of the assistance provided to disabled
persons and persons with reduced mobility.
Article 9
Quality standards for assistance
1. With the exception of airports whose annual traffic is less than 150 000 commercial
passenger movements, the managing body shall set quality standards for the assistance
specified in Annex I and determine resource requirements for meeting them, in cooperation
with airport users, through the Airport Users Committee where one exists, and
organisations representing disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility.
2. In the setting of such standards, full account shall be taken of internationally recognised
policies and codes of conduct concerning facilitation of the transport of disabled persons or
persons with reduced mobility, notably the ECAC Code of Good Conduct in Ground
Handling for Persons with Reduced Mobility.
3. The managing body of an airport shall publish its quality standards.
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4. An air carrier and the managing body of an airport may agree that, for the passengers
whom that air carrier transports to and from the airport, the managing body shall provide
assistance of a higher standard than the standards referred to in paragraph 1 or provide
services additional to those specified in Annex I.
5. For the purpose of funding either of these, the managing body may levy a charge on the air
carrier additional to that referred to in Article 8(3), which shall be transparent, cost-related
and established after consultation of the air carrier concerned.
Article 10
Assistance by air carriers
An air carrier shall provide the assistance specified in Annex II without additional charge to a
disabled person or person with reduced mobility departing from, arriving at or transiting through an
airport to which this Regulation applies provided that the person in question fulfils the conditions
set out in Article 7(1), (2) and (4).
Article 11
Training
Air carriers and airport managing bodies shall:
(a) ensure that all their personnel, including those employed by any sub-contractor, providing
direct assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have knowledge of
how to meet the needs of persons having various disabilities or mobility impairments;
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(b) provide disability- equality and disability- awareness training to all their personnel
working at the airport who deal directly with the travelling public;
(c) ensure that, upon recruitment, all new employees attend disability-related training and that
personnel receive refresher training courses when appropriate.
Article 12
Compensation for lost or damaged wheelchairs,
other mobility equipment and assistive devices
Where wheelchairs or other mobility equipment or assistive devices are lost or damaged whilst
being handled at the airport or transported on board aircraft, the passenger to whom the equipment
belongs shall be compensated, in accordance with rules of international, Community and national
law.
Article 13
Exclusion of waiver
Obligations towards disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility pursuant to this Regulation
shall not be limited or waived.
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Article 14
Enforcement body and its tasks
1. Each Member State shall designate a body or bodies responsible for the enforcement of
this Regulation as regards flights departing from or arriving at airports situated in its
territory. Where appropriate, this body or bodies shall take the measures necessary to
ensure that the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility are respected,
including compliance with the quality standards referred to in Article 9(1). The Member
States shall inform the Commission of the body or bodies designated.
2. Member States shall, where appropriate, provide that the enforcement body or bodies
designated under paragraph 1 shall also ensure the satisfactory implementation of
Article 8, including as regards the provisions on charges with a view to avoiding unfair
competition. They may also designate a specific body to that effect
Article 15
Complaint procedure
1. A disabled person or person with reduced mobility who considers that this Regulation has
been infringed may bring the matter to the attention of the managing body of the airport or
to the attention of the air carrier concerned, as the case may be.
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2. If the disabled person or person with reduced mobility cannot obtain satisfaction in such
way, complaints may be made to any body or bodies designated under Article 14(1), or to
any other competent body designated by a Member State, about an alleged infringement of
this Regulation.
3. A body in one Member State which receives a complaint concerning a matter that comes
under the responsibility of a designated body of another Member State shall forward the
complaint to the body of that other Member State.
4. The Member States shall take measures to inform disabled persons and persons with
reduced mobility of their rights under this Regulation and of the possibility of complaint to
this designated body or bodies.
Article 16
Penalties
The Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation
and shall take all the measures necessary to ensure that those rules are implemented. The penalties
provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The Member states shall notify those
provisions to the Commission and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment
affecting them.
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Article 17
Report
The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council by 1 January 2010 at the
latest on the operation and the effects of this Regulation. The report shall be accompanied where
necessary by legislative proposals implementing in further detail the provisions of this Regulation,
or revising it.
Article 18
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the
Official Journal of the European Union.
*
It shall apply with effect from .......... , except Articles 3 and 4, which shall apply with effect
**
from .......... .
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at,
For the European Parliament For the Council
The President The President
* Two years following the date of publication in the Official Journal.
** One year following the date of publication in the Official Journal.
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ANNEX I
Assistance under the responsibility of the managing bodies of airports
Assistance and arrangements necessary to enable disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility to:
– communicate their arrival at an airport and their request for assistance at the designated
points inside and outside terminal buildings mentioned in Article 5,
– move from a designated point to the check-in counter,
– check-in and register baggage,
– proceed from the check-in counter to the aircraft, with completion of emigration, customs
and security procedures,
– board the aircraft, with the provision of lifts, wheelchairs or other assistance needed, as
appropriate,
– proceed from the aircraft door to their seats,
– store and retrieve baggage on the aircraft,
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– proceed from their seats to the aircraft door,
– disembark from the aircraft, with the provision of lifts, wheelchairs or other assistance
needed, as appropriate,
– proceed from the aircraft to the baggage hall and retrieve baggage, with completion of
immigration and customs procedures,
– proceed from the baggage hall to a designated point,
– reach connecting flights when in transit, with assistance on the air and land sides and
within and between terminals as needed,
– move to the toilet facilities if required.
Where a disabled person or person with reduced mobility is assisted by an accompanying person,
this person must, if requested, be allowed to provide the necessary assistance in the airport and with
embarking and disembarking.
Ground handling of all necessary mobility equipment, including equipment such as electric
wheelchairs subject to advance warning of 48 hours and to possible limitations of space on board
the aircraft, and subject to the application of relevant legislation concerning dangerous goods.
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Temporary replacement of damaged or lost mobility equipment, albeit not necessarily on a
like-for-like basis.
Ground handling of recognised assistance dogs, when relevant.
Communication of information needed to take flights in accessible formats.
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ANNEX II
Assistance by air carriers
Carriage of recognised assistance dogs in the cabin, subject to national regulations.
In addition to medical equipment, transport of up to two pieces of mobility equipment per disabled
person or person with reduced mobility, including electric wheelchairs (subject to advance warning
of 48 hours and to possible limitations of space on board the aircraft, and subject to the application
of relevant legislation concerning dangerous goods.
Communication of essential information concerning a flight in accessible formats.
The making of all reasonable efforts to arrange seating to meet the needs of individuals with
disability or reduced mobility on request and subject to safety requirements and availability.
Assistance in moving to toilet facilities if required.
Where a disabled person or person with reduced mobility is assisted by an accompanying person,
the air carrier will make all reasonable efforts to give such person a seat next to the disabled person
or person with reduced mobility.
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May 22, 2006
"Universal Design Features" as Code for Bad Design
Adrienne Schmitz is director of residential community development at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C. below she writes on the demographics affecting housing trends. In an otherwise helpful article there is the phrase "universal Design features."
Too often the phrase "Universal Design features" is used as an oxymoron.
Design is a comprehensive process providing unity and coherence to a project. Inserting outside "features" or "elements" may or may not be appropriate but the need to do so, and more troubling still, the need to identify them as Universal Design, would indicate that the project itself is designed to be accommodating to less than the full range of potential users. In fact, there is no such thing, no such canon of prefabricated solutions or products, as "Universal Design elements." Universal Design is a set of seven principles and their specific application ought to generate unique elements that are consistent to the ovearll project design.
Universal design is a grammar not a lexicon.
If a specific design solution developed in a universally designed context is transplanted into a project that is fundamentally exclusive (i.e. not inclusive of the full spectrum of users from the conceptual & design phase; not Universal Design) then what we have is no different than a retrofit.
Piecemeal insertion of such elements reveals that there was an error at the design level; that inclusion was an afterthought. Such projects may approximate the obsolete "accessible design" approach of "special" accommodation but, like New Urbanism as currently practiced, are flawed.
Housing trends reflect changing demographics
Today's home shoppers demand better homes and neighborhoods than ever, and developers are meeting the challenge. The best communities are places where people can build their lives -- where everything they need -- schools, stores, jobs and meaningful social relationships -- are nearby.Driving America's housing trends are changing demographics. The nation's population is getting older and more diverse, with recent immigrants make up a growing share of the mix. Households are increasingly made up of smaller families, non-families and single people. A majority of women now hold jobs outside the home. All of these factors influence the kinds of homes and neighborhoods people want.
Less than a quarter of all households are the "traditional" married couples with children, while more than a quarter consist of a single person. Despite decreasing household size, the average size of new homes keeps increasing -- 2,140 square feet today, up from about 1,600 square feet 20 years ago.
Just looking at averages, however, doesn't get at the complexity of changes in the marketplace. While the majority of home buyers still choose large houses, often in far-flung suburban developments, growing numbers are settling into townhouses, semi-attached small-lot homes and multifamily homes.
Housing affordability is a growing problem, not only for lower-income households but for the middle class. Nationally, the median price of a new home is $230,000, but averages mask the problem. In some of the largest, most active markets, the median price of a new home is more than $500,000.
The baby boomer generation (those born between 1945 and 1966) is so large that its changing needs will continue to shape housing for some time. While many baby boomers will remain in their current homes, some will downsize or add a second home, either in a resort or an urban location. As they age, baby boomers will require homes and neighborhoods designed for physical limitations. Universal design addresses those needs. Homes with open floor plans, wider doorways, brighter lighting, and more convenient appliances, showers and shelving enable people in wheelchairs or with vision difficulties to stay self-sufficient.
In St. Louis, an 80-unit apartment building called 6 North was built on an urban, former warehouse site chosen for its access to transit, employment and amenities. Units include universal design features and about half are restricted to moderate-income residents.
The children of baby boomers are as large a force as the baby boomers themselves. Sometimes called the echo boom, this group now moving through early adulthood faces serious challenges with housing affordability. Both baby boomers and their grown children are fueling a back-to-the-city movement, buying or renting elegant older town homes and apartments and hip new lofts in center-city neighborhoods.
Recycling old buildings is a significant trend in cities where historic structures offer high ceilings, wood floors and elaborate moldings. Old buildings and neighborhoods are so desirable that some new projects emulate old ones: Trendy "loft apartments," bring the character of rehabilitated old industrial buildings to new construction.
At the same time, many suburban regions are developing new, urban-style districts to appeal to those who want urban character and amenities in a suburban location. The New Urbanism (also called "Traditional Neighborhood Development") is making its mark on planning and development: denser developments; smaller, clustered residential lots that conserve usable open space; mixed-use town centers that combine shops, offices and residences; and the integration of public transit into development.
A noteworthy example is Stapleton, the 4,700-acre redevelopment of Denver's old airport. Stapleton combines a broad range of housing types and all of the amenities and services that make a town. Streets are in a traditional grid pattern that promotes walking.
Consumers place a growing emphasis on "green," or environmentally friendly housing. Alcyone in downtown Seattle is a rental apartment complex that combines energy-efficient construction and utilities, low-volatility paints and carpets, and transportation alternatives for residents -- transit access, bike storage, and car sharing options. A rooftop vegetable garden is irrigated with recycled rainwater.
Source:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060521/OPINION/605210396/1002
May 21, 2006
Grand Coulee Dam: A Model for Tourist Destination Interpretive Centers?
Some travel tesimonials have more wieght with me than others. Caroll maher recently wrote in the Olympian about the interpretive center at Grand Coulee dam:
Having one hand, I still could interact with every exhibit. I am looking forward to returning and trying the iPod audio description of the exhibits.
She went on to explain:
Formations Inc., of Portland, Ore., designed and fabricated the exhibits. Prior to the construction of the interactive exhibit, Wendy Christensen from the Pacific Northwest construction office of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and officials from Formations met or contacted people with a wide variety of disabilities to assist in the planning process. A panel including knowledgeable folks with mobility, hearing, speech and vision disabilities was consulted during the development process
You can read her entire account here.
May 20, 2006
Rolling Through Paris
Charis Dunn-Chan gives some travel tips for Paris at "A Wheelchair Tale of Two Cities."
May 19, 2006
It's Time to Visit Tempe, Arizona!
I received an announcement of a new accessibility guide for Tempe. Soon I hope to have a copy for review ( annd then sneak in a trip down).
In the meantime:
Access Tempe, First Accessibility Guide in Arizona
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Toni Smith, Communications Manager
Phone: 480-894-8158
E-mail: toni@tempecvb.com
Tempe, AZ – The Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has just released Access Tempe, a comprehensive guide to Tempe’s and Arizona State University’s (ASU) accessible features. Access Tempe was produced to help answer the needs of Tempe’s residents and travelers with disabilities.
The 48 page, four-color guide covers a wide array of categories from accommodations, dining and attractions, to information on local City services, local disability organizations, transportation and ASU. To ensure accuracy, the City of Tempe’s ADA and Accessibility Specialist conducted surveys of Tempe accommodations, restaurants, city buildings, parks and recreation centers. Access Tempe will soon be available online at www.tempecvb.com Access Tempe is the result of a unique partnership between the Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau, The City of Tempe, Arizona State University and Arizona Public Service (APS). It is the first accessibility guide in Arizona and one of the few in the country. According to the 2000 census, 22,308 (15%) Tempe residents have at least one disability. Arizona State University has one of the largest enrollments of students with disabilities in the U.S. In addition to being distributed locally, The Tempe CVB will promote Access Tempe nationally and internationally to leisure and business visitors. For more information call the Tempe CVB: 480-894-8158 or The City of Tempe American Disabilities Act/Accessibility Specialist: 480-350-2704.###
May 18, 2006
Where Do the Pros Go?
Today I'm in Dallas. After a less than satisfactory experience last night at the Euless, Texas Microtel (the worst being loose grab bars, improperly installed in the bathtub) I am enjoying a restful evening at the Fort Worth Microtel.
But I was asking myself, "Where do the pros go to research inclusive travel for their own agenecies?"
Travel professional Philip Scott has his eyes on Fort Meyers and southwest Florida for inclusive travel. Read
"A Tour For Tour Operators, Travel Writers: Foreigners Take SW Florida Snapshot."
May 17, 2006
News from Ararat, Australia
Public accessible transportation is at least as important to visitors with disabilities as their local cousins. Planners forget that universal design has the added fiscal impact of allowing travelers with disabilites to discover a place.
Here's a news bit from Ararat, Australia.
Is my geography off or didn't Ararat used to be closer to where Noah disembarked from his famous cruise?
Inclusive Travel Goes Mainstream in the Disability Rights Establishment
Press Release: May 17, 2006
National Council on Disability Calls for Tougher Standards for Accessible Airline Self-Service Kiosk Systems
(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)WASHINGTON, May 17, 2006 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) --National Council on Disability (NCD) today released an NCD Position Paper on Access to Airline Self-Service Kiosk Systems -- http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2006/kiosk.htm -- calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to adopt an updated Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) standard for accessible design applicable to these kiosk systems and that DOT then initiate settlement negotiations with covered air carriers and airports to bring their kiosk systems into full compliance.
According to NCD chairperson Lex Frieden, "U.S. air carriers and airports have obligations under federal accessibility laws and regulations to provide cross-disability access to their kiosk systems. Those carriers and airports operating kiosk systems not in conformity with the Americans with Disabilities Act's standard for accessible design, which is also ACAA's standard, are out of compliance."
"Advances in information technology (IT) have enabled the airline industry to improve the quality and efficiency of its services delivery while reducing operating costs. But the airlines would leave travelers with disabilities out of the IT loop, failing to offer them the same benefits and convenience of service available to other travelers. The airlines' resistance to providing customer services through fully accessible kiosks and Web sites disregards the capacity of accessible IT to empower people with disabilities to do for themselves," Frieden concluded.
Kiosk technology is an essential component of the IT-based customer self-service business model that is pervading the air-travel industry. Automated kiosks employed by the industry (frequently called self-service or check-in kiosks) are networked peripheral IT devices whose interfaces give consumers direct access to companies' centralized customer-service systems.
The air carrier industry has failed to acknowledge its legal obligations to provide equal access to passengers with disabilities, advances in access technology, and the significant economic benefit the industry derives from air travelers with disabilities.
Although no airline-kiosk vendor serving the U.S. market has included accessibility among its product features, vendors confirm that they foresee no significant technical obstacles to development and deployment-using existing access technology-of fully accessible kiosk systems. A leading authority on accessibility technology estimates that the costs of access hardware and software modifications for a fully accessible system would not exceed one to two percent of the overall cost. However, the airline industry has yet to acknowledge the need for such a product.
For more information, contact Mark Quigley at 202-272-2004 or 202-272-2074 TTY.
May 16, 2006
"Is it Getting Easier to Travel with a Disability?"
Judith Cameron says, "No." Read her story published in the Telegraph, " Not Quite Access to all Areas."
May 15, 2006
The Swedish Institute and Inclusive Destination Development
Special thanks are in order to freelance journalist Helena Bornholm and the Swedish Institute for the article "Sweden – Accessible to all Tourists."
Even more encouraging is the news Helena reports on destination development:
Six years ago, the Swedish Parliament resolved to make Sweden accessible to everyone. Building laws were tightened and tougher requirements were imposed on both official and private bodies to create accessible milieus. In short, the demands are meant to “simply eliminate obstacles in official premises and public spaces.” They are expected to be in place by 2010 at the latest...The city of Stockholm has begun an accessibility project, which is actively working to make street environments accessible and easy to navigate for persons with mobility impairments.
Let's hope the slow start means that extensive planning and resources have been allocated to make this a success.
Source: http://www.sweden.se/templates/cs/Article____14605.aspx
May 14, 2006
Still Time for Stuttgart and the Mercedes-Benz Museum Opening
If you are able to get to the May 18, 2006 opening of the the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart the staff there is certain you will find it wheelchair-friendly.
Auotweb.com.au notes:
The seven Legend rooms, which guide visitors through the history of the automobile and its times in chronological order, are linked by an around 80-metre long, smooth ramp. This is designed to be equally convenient for the handicapped, with numerous imperceptible transitions to level sections so that wheelchair users are safely and comfortably conducted through the building. With the exception of the first and last, which are devoted to the invention of the automobile and motor racing history, all the Legend rooms are laid out on the same principles: along the outside of a curved, clover-leaf wall, the ramp sweeps down to the vehicle display in its historical context. While the visitor is already able to see down to the exhibits, a chronological table on the left wall illustrates events in corporate history in the light of their historical period. This gallery shows the background against which epoch-making innovations in automobile engineering were made.
Source:
http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_106732/newsarticle.html
May 13, 2006
Explore the Lower Sunshine Coast
Candy Harrington isn't the only one in North America exposing accessible travel destinations. Ellen Frank has written Sticks and Wheels: A Guide to Accessible Travel on the Lower Sunshine Coast (CDN, BN 0-9780465-0-1, Ouzel Publishing, Gibsons, B.C.)
Reviewer Jennifer Sommersby Young writes, "Frank’s guidebook is a handy, unassuming, coil-bound companion to creating your best day on the Sunshine Coast—and it’ll keep your focus on the fun and not on the size of the bathroom stalls." (Although the book does have a chapter, “The Best and Worst Toilets of the Sunshine Coast”)
She also notes:
The book’s website, www.sticksandwheels.net, seems to be in a construction holding pattern. The “Reads and Resources” section at the back of the book lists their related site as a spot to stop for travel planning help, but it’s not quite there yet. I’d recommend that you check back now and again to see if anything’s progressed.Beyond planning for accessible adventure on the Sunshine Coast, this guide serves as a good reference for anyone looking to take in any number of annual events and festivals, including the Gibsons and Pender Harbor jazz festivals, Sea Cavalcade, Sunshine Coast Drag Races, and the Wood Duck Wilderness Festival.
Source: http://westcoaster.ca:8080/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=662
Find the book at Sticks & Wheels.
Then go out and write your own for your part of the world!
May 12, 2006
Universal Design for Sustainable and Inclusive Development
The official English translation of the Carta do Rio / Declaracion de Rio is available below.
RIO CHARTER UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
Having met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 12, 2004, in the International Conference on Universal Design, Designing for the 21st Century, as women and men from various countries in Latin America, including professionals, representatives of NGOs and various sectors of civil society, universities, employees of government institutions, and international and multilateral agencies, we hereby agree to the following declaration:
1. The purpose of Universal Design is to serve needs and make possible social participation and access to goods and services by the widest possible range of users, contributing to both the inclusion of persons who have been prevented from interacting in society and to their development. Examples of such groups include: poor persons, persons marginalized for reasons of culture, race, or ethnicity, persons with different types of disabilities, very obese persons and pregnant women, very tall or very short persons, including children, and all those who for different reasons have been excluded from social participation.
2. We conceive of Universal Design as generating accessible environments, services, programs, and technologies that are equitably, safely, and autonomously usable by all individuals � to the widest extent possible � without having to be specifically adapted or readapted, based on the seven underlying principles, as follows:
3. We acknowledge the value of the emerging concept of Inclusive Development, which attempts to expand the vision of development, recognizes diversity as a fundamental aspect in the process of socioeconomic and human development, claims a contribution by each human being to the development process, and rather than implementing isolated policies and actions, promotes an integrated strategy benefiting persons and society as a whole. Inclusive Development is an effective tool for overcoming the world�s prevailing social exclusion and thus for achieving progress in eradicating poverty.
4. We conceive of Sustainable Human Development as a productive way of understanding social policies, considering the links between economic growth, equitable distribution of its benefits, and living in harmony with the environment.
5. We see that poverty and social exclusion affect millions of people worldwide, prevent human development and a decent life with quality � and that in Latin America and the Caribbean this situation affects over half of the population. We are also convinced that exclusion and poverty, together with inequality, diseases, insecurity, environmental pollution and degradation, and inadequate design are public hazards affecting many people and threatening everyone.
6. Within the prevailing context of development based on exclusion, we pose the following challenges:
7. We emphasize that the current application of inadequate design to programs, services, and infrastructure generates inaccessibility and perpetuates conditions of exclusion for the future. We find it unacceptable that public resources continue to be used to construct any kind of barrier.
8. We agree that Universal Design should become an indispensable component in policies and actions to promote development, in order for it to be truly inclusive and to effectively contribute to the reduction of poverty in the world.
9. We also agree that in order to make progress towards Universal Design for Sustainable and Inclusive Development, all new actions will require the following:
� be planned with a balance between legal, human-rights, economic, technological, and local cultural issues;
� meet the community�s real needs;
� include participation by stakeholders;
� incorporate Universal Design criteria in order to prevent investments from generating extra costs for adaptations needed in the future;
� apply locally available materials and technologies at the lowest possible cost;
� plan for maintenance with local means; and
� provide adequate training to allow increasingly extensive application of Universal Design.
10. We are convinced that in order for Universal Design to become an instrument at the service of Inclusive Development, it is necessary that all stakeholders in these issues (states and governments, private sector, civil society, civil society organizations, universities, professionals, and international and regional agencies) play active roles, in keeping with the following lines of action:
� Governments should make efforts to achieve legal instruments for Universal Design to be applied permanently and as a cross-cutting component of national development plans and public policies.
� The private sector should be attracted to apply Universal Design to products and services, and the theme should become a public interest matter.
� Universities should promote Universal Design for training the professions related to this concept, fostering research that allows the expansion, application, and development of Universal Design.
� Professionals directly related to Universal Design should furnish technical guidelines in order to achieve its more effective and efficient application, focused on local development and social inclusion.
� The organizations currently most aware of the need for Universal Design should contribute to spreading the concept to other sectors of civil society and play an active role in social vigilance in order to make on-going progress in accessibility and inclusion through its effective application.
� International and regional agencies should make progress in the legal framework with the support of international and regional technical standards and guidelines promoting the sustainable application of Universal Design at the service of Inclusive Development.
� Multilateral lending agencies should make Universal Design a development issue and promote its advancement, practical application, research, and dissemination with economic resources and adopt it as a basic standard for designing projects and as a requirement for the approval of loans to countries.
11. We feel that all efforts and actions in this direction will be stronger and more effective to the extent that we move towards a common agenda for Universal Design and Inclusive Development and build alliances and partnerships between the different sectors and stakeholders. Yet it is still necessary to create networks to promote these issues, to contribute to their spread and constructive debate, and to empower the various efforts.
12. Finally, we hereby state that we are deeply convinced that if we work to build a world guided by the principles of Universal Design and Inclusive Development, it will be a better, more peaceful, more inhabitable, and more equitable world and certainly one with better quality of life.
Rio de Janeiro, December 12, 2004.
May 11, 2006
I am looking for an accessible B&B in Texas for next week...
...and Candy Harrington, author of Emerging Horizons magazine & blog as well as Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, came to my rescue -- as usual!
Take a look at her new book There Is Room at the Inn.
For more information email Candy Harrington candy@emerginghorizons.comNew Guidebook Features Wheelchair-Accessible B&Bs
Ripon, CA May 11, 2006 --Need help finding a wheelchair-accessible inn or B&B? Then pick up a copy of There Is Room at the Inn; the first guidebook devoted entirely to accessible inns and B&Bs. Penned by the editor of Emerging Horizons, this new title focuses on the needs of wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
This handy resource contains 117 properties in 40 states and features a wide selection of lodging choices from Victorian Inns and quaint B&Bs to mountain retreats, a dude ranch and even two safari parks.
Says author Candy Harrington, "Most people think that B&Bs are not accessible at all. This book proves otherwise, Granted it took a bit of research to find the inns included in the book, but they are out there."
Unlike other B&B guidebooks, There Is Room at the Inn includes access details on each property. Each listing includes a detailed description of the access features of the property, with emphasis on the access features in the accessible guestrooms. As in Emerging Horizons, the emphasis in There Is Room at the Inn is on describing the access so that readers can make appropriate choices.
"I certainly recognize that even among wheelchair-users, there are a wide range of access preferences and needs," says Harrington. "Add slow walkers to the equation and that range dramatically increases. In short, what is accessible to one person may not even be useable to the next. That's why describing the access is so important -- so people can make appropriate choices."
Of course, there is a lot more to access than just ramps and roll-in showers. Attitudinal access is just as important as physical access. To that end, this book also contains comments from innkeepers regarding their own attitudes about access. These comments help readers get a real feel for the personality of the individual properties (and the innkeepers).
Additionally Harrington includes accessible sightseeing suggestions for each property. Says Harrington, "In most cases people like to go out and see things when they stay at a B&B, so I've included a number of accessible suggestions with each listing."
Also included in the book is an access checklist, so travelers know the right questions to ask innkeepers. This handy tool will help people find even more accessible properties. Innkeepers will also find this book very useful, as it includes "A Note to Innkeepers", a short chapter which offers insight into this growing market and some suggestions on how to make inns and B&Bs more appealing to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Published by Demos Publishing, There Is Room at the Inn is the first book of its kind and it's a must-have resource for wheelchair- or scooter-users, slow walkers, travel agents, CILs and libraries. It's a great follow-up to Harrington's first title, Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers.
There Is Room at the Inn is available at bookstores, through the publisher (800-532-8663) or on-line at EmergingHorizons.com/inn. Visit http://EmergingHorizons.com/inn/ to read a sample chapter, see the table of contents or for more information about There Is Room at the Inn or Candy Harrington.
May 10, 2006
Web Resources for Universal Design
Here's a list of guides on building or altering homes to suit the needs of the elderly or disabled.
AARP Guide to Understanding Universal Design
Very complete Web site includes room-by-room advice and narrated slideshows of homes employing universal-design principles
http://www.aarp.org/families/home_design
National Association of Home Builders' Directory of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists
Searchable directory of remodelers and contractors who have been trained to understand the home modifications often needed by the older adult population
http://www.nahb.org/directory.aspx?sectionID=686&directoryID=188
The Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University
The leading resource for research and information on universal design provides stock floor plans for houses and detailed plans for home modifications
http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud
Practical Guide to Universal Home Design
Commonsense, illustrated introduction to universal design with checklist of what to consider when buying, building, or remodeling a home
http://www.tcaging.org/downloads/homedesign.pdf
Universal Design Checklist, Kansas State University
Short checklist of universal-design basics for residences, compiled from multiple sources
http://www.ksu.edu/humec/atid/UDF/ud_checklist.htm
Lifease LivAbility Questionnaire and Report
Personalized report ($19.95) offers suggestions as well as links to products tailored to your specific living situation and physical abilities
http://www.lifease.com/lifease-livability.html
Homes for Easy Living: Universal Design Innovations
Complete with resources and examples, this is the Web site of an award-winning consultant specializing in single- and multifamily universally designed housing
http://www.homesforeasyliving.com
Network of Care, Alameda County, Calif.
Searchable database of more than 21,000 assistive tools for the elderly or disabled
http://alameda.networkofcare.org/aging/assistive/index.cfm
Lowe's Home Improvement How-To Library: Universal Design
Room-by-room recommendations for remodeling projects that can help you around the house
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=HTindex/universalDesign_index.html&rn=RightNavFiles/no.html
May 09, 2006
Types of Tourism: "Health Tourism"
The tourism industry segments the general market of travelers in order to understand its market. Seniors, families, students, various nationalities or ethnicities, luxury travelers as well as people with disabilities all fit into that universe. Wikipedia's entry on tourism got me to thinking about "Health Tourism."
Now, anything dealing with medicine and disability runs the risk of controversy and hijacking into arguments about limits of the "medical model of disability." However, there is an actual industry around travel for medical purposes -- and tourism while at the destination - that is quite competitive. Some basics are discussed at the blog Jigsaw Puzzle:::::: .
Further Reading:
http://tngicubehealthcare.blogspot.com/2005/02/global-health-trade.html
May 08, 2006
Multi-Sensory Travel
The article "Multi-Sensory Travel" (reprinted below) appeared on March 12, 2005 at the Travel & Disability section of Suite 101.com. For a complete list of articles see the column to the left or go to the welcome page at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/travel_with_disabilities
Jackie Hull has hospitality in her veins. Since eighth grade, when her parents ran a little country inn in northern New Jersey and her favorite subject was geography, she has been a natural for the industry. Here she speaks with Travel & Disability editor, Scott Rains, on her experiences creating Outta Sight Travel � a unique resource pioneering multi-sensory travel.
You have been involved in the travel industry for a long time but not always with a clientele of blind and visually impaired travelers. What inspired you to become an expert in inclusive travel?
In 1999, I met Gary Metzler through our mutual involvement in the local LIONS club. Gary is totally blind and also uses a hearing aid. The LIONS are noted for helping the blind and I felt it would be hypocritical for me to not help one of our own, so I offered him my assistance if needed. We started "seeing" each other and got married in September of 2000.
Shortly after we started going together, I was invited to the inaugural celebration of the Carnival Triumph. Our party was sitting in the theatre enjoying a beautifully orchestrated show - the costumes were magnificent, the choreography was fabulous, they featured lasers and pyrotechnic displays, and the stage set was phenomenal. All of a sudden it felt like I was slapped on the face and it dawned on me that Gary would not be able to appreciate any of this. That's when I realized that it would be necessary to start "looking" at things differently.
Travel agents often have questions about serving clients with disabilities. I have heard from some who are genuinely puzzled why anyone who can't see would go "sightseeing." How do you educate travel agents and suppliers about the needs of your clients?
Gary started to travel more and more with me. One afternoon he was sharing his experiences with a counselor at the local blind resource center and she asked why he wanted to travel when he couldn't "sight-see." That's when we decided that it was necessary to go beyond "sight-seeing" and experience the world with a multi-sensory approach.
Gary enjoys the sounds and smells of the destinations. He thoroughly enjoys experiences - things like riding in a Cable Car in San Francisco, the streetcars in New Orleans and the double-decker buses of London. We have one particular story - it's funny now, but at the time it was a very horrific experience.
We had transportation passes for the buses and trains in London. We had an extremely busy day and were pretty tired so we decided to take a double-decker bus several blocks rather than walk. I was assisting Gary onto the bus when the bus took off. He was on the platform; I was on the curb. I was too tired to walk the distance, but adrenaline allowed me to run after the bus until its next stop. Meanwhile, I was scared that I would lose him. I realized that I never told him the name of the hotel or its address. A passenger assisted Gary at the next stop and we clung to each other sobbing uncontrollably.
The travel industry has changed recently but you seem to have discovered a way to fill an unmet need and thrive.
After 9-11, the travel industry took a major hit.
Less than two months after, Gary went to Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, Florida where he was teamed up with Dr. John, a beautiful yellow Labrador retriever. Our travel experiences started to take on a new twist.
Shortly after this, the brick and mortar agency that I was affiliated with for many years closed, and we started OUTTASIGHT Travel. This is when we realized that in the United States we, as service animal users, are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are allowed to travel with a guide dog virtually anywhere we would like to - as long as we're in the US. However, once we leave the country, the protection of the ADA does not go along with us as an umbrella. This is when we realized that different countries have different laws and we started to research the requirements to enter other countries.
Give us a sense of the things you look for as you plan an itinerary and select suppliers.
Many major companies have been extremely proactive in adhering to accessibility standards. Cruise lines are providing Braille signage and many have departments that deal exclusively with accessibility issues. It is important to find destinations that go beyond sightseeing. When selecting a motor coach tour, you may want to stay away from companies that drive by and see. You want to select a company that will stop so that the traveler can experience the destination. When selecting a cruise, you want to make sure that a service animal team is allowed into the country and what documentation may be necessary in order to get there. Why would you choose an itinerary that won't allow you to disembark when you get there?
In the three years that Outtasight has been in business, we have gotten very active with the Society of Accessible Travel and Hospitality - aka SATH - and have continued to use resources available to us through the American Council of the Blind and Guide Dog Users, Inc. All three organizations assisted us when we were told by a (now defunct) cruise line that we could not bring our dog with us on the cruise - it was to leave from a US port and its destination was not a guide dog friendly port of call. We had to threaten them with the Department of Justice, and just days before our expected date of departure, they stated that they would allow us on the cruise.
Some destinations require specific paperwork, which will verify that the animal is disease and parasite free. Others have quarantine periods. Jamaica has a six-month quarantine; personally I wouldn't recommend Jamaica as a cruise ship port of call since the guide dog team can't leave the ship together. Even in some countries that allow the animals with no quarantine or restrictions, not all public places will allow them. We were denied a reservation at a Best Western hotel in the Bahamas even though a guide dog is allowed to go into the country with proper documentation.
I am sure you have the opportunity to put together dream travel packages for your blind clients. Can you tell us about that?
Everyone's dream vacation is different. Some may like beach; some may like mountains. Some may be active; others may be restful. Just as you would with a sighted client, you need to qualify your potential traveler. We have a blind friend who runs a minimum of five miles a day with her guide dog. She wouldn't be happy vegging out - and I know Gary would not be at all happy if we did a hiking, white water rafting vacation.
The dream vacation that has been the most rewarding has been cruising.
Not only does a cruise give you excellent value, but it includes, several destinations, super cuisine, sensational entertainment, a friendly and safe environment and familiarity. Once on board, everything is there for you.
You don't have to hail a cab to take you to the theatre or restaurant. You don't have to pack and unpack every time you get to a new destination. I have a few suggestions when selecting a cruise. To be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, it would be wise to choose an itinerary that embarks and disembarks in an American port. Your itinerary should include destinations that are accessible to the service animal team - suggestions would be an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, Canada and New England, Mexico or Alaska.
If cruising is not your cup of tea, my other recommendation would be to travel to a destination, base yourself there, then branch out. By doing this, you don't have to re-acclimatize yourself to a new hotel every day and the staff gets to know who you are.
What services or resources can you suggest that are especially helpful to blind travelers?
We have the great fortune of being able to provide information to our clients in "accessible format." Gary is a certified access technology specialist and has the ability to translate print into electronic format, large print and even Braille. Gary can be seen in the Cruise Line International Association video - "Selling Strategies" where he is shown using his Braille embosser.
There is an excellent resource tool, called Globetrotting Pets, a book written by Dr. David Forsythe, which lists almost every country in the world and what they require for a person to enter with their pets. This is a great reference because even though a service animal is not a "pet," it gives contact information for the government agencies in charge of importation of animals.
The Travel Institute has just added a course on Accessible Travel to their curriculum. This excellently presented material was prepared by Roberta Schwartz, CTC, the Director of Accreditation and Professional Studies of SATH. I would highly recommend any travel professional to take advantage of this educational opportunity.
Support can come from your local chapters of the American Council of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind. These consumer groups know the market you are questioning and are a most valuable resource. The Guide Dog Users, Inc. is another group that specializes in issues that their members experience.
In my personal opinion, the best source of information available to the consumer, the travel provider, and the hospitality industry is the Society of Accessible Travel and Hospitality. SATH is a group comprised of well-traveled, educated, and caring professionals. If they don't have an answer, they will use their extensive networking system to try to find one. You can visit SATH at www.sath.org. In January of every year, SATH holds its annual Congress in Miami. This is the most dynamic travel industry event because not only are the participants eager to share - they are also a group who cares. Their motto, "Disability is Not Inability," says it all.
You make travel sound challenging � but worth the effort.
Why would a blind person want to travel when they can't "sightsee?" Once again, we go back to the multi-sensory approach to travel.
When you think of some of your favorite vacations, what are some of the things that come to your mind? Was it that great comedian that entertained you at a comedy club in Las Vegas? Could it have been that absolutely sumptuous meal that you experienced at Fisherman's Wharf, or the fish 'n chips in Londontown? Do you remember slipping into those down duvets and nesting into the heavenly beds? How about the thrill of Space Mountain? These are all experiences that have become fond memories, and none of them require sight.
May 07, 2006
Universal Design as Metta
As Buddhists, Zagrodnik and her business partner Scott Thomas see their work as a well-planned holistic view of human nature and their environment.
“In a spiritual sense, we are just being responsible human beings.” “Universal” should in no way be taken to mean “impersonal.” The key term in universal design is “flexibility” and it's never too late to incorporate this idea into your home, either by remodeling storage space to be more accessible, or rearranging furniture throughout the house to allow rooms to be used by multiple people for multiple purposes. There's a lot of beauty in universal design–both in theory and in actuality. “Because the underlining idea is conscientious planning, our designs also use more natural light and windows, and gradual levels to accent space, which can really be beautiful.” Ultimately, universal design means eliminating distinctions between "abled" and disabled. The concepts of ageless design don't have the stigma that the public may attach to recognizable “handicap” facilities.
Source:
There's No Place Like Home When You Do It Right
by Kate Bartkiewicz
Vision Magazine
http://www.visionmagazine.com/5_06/innerart.htm
May 06, 2006
Universal Design & Visitability Conference @ Ohio State University
July 13-14, 2006 will be the Universal Design and Visitability: From Accessibility to Zoning Conference.
The event is sponsored by the Ohio State University in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, the Kirwin Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, are sponsoring a two-day seminar on universal design and visitability. Planners, designers, planning commissioners, elected officials, disability professionals and the general public all can benefit from this conference.
See: http://knowlton.osu.edu/ped/universaldesign.htm
May 05, 2006
Accessible Housing Intended for Multigenerational Living
If its on the Internet and its about Universal Design eventually it comes to my desktop. Even with that constant flow of information certain articles stand out.
Lynda Guydon Taylor caught my attention with her concise description, "...Universal Design, which means accessible housing intended for multigenerational living." Read her whole piece, Home Showcase: Comfort in a Rustic Ranch House at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
If you read Spanish you may appreciate this announcement of an upcoming event (May 6-7) published in Alto Aragon:
Barbastro debatirá sobre la accesibilidad de las ciudades para la tercera edad
HUESCA.- El urbanismo y, en especial, el enfocado a hacer las ciudades más accesibles para las personas mayores y, en general, para todos los que vivimos en ellas, será uno de los protagonistas de las Jornadas Técnicas que se celebrarán de forma paralela a “Ilusionarte” 2006, el Salón de los Mayores en el Medio Rural, que se celebrará en el recinto ferial de Barbastro los días 6 y 7 de mayo.“Entorno urbano y rural accesible” es el título de la ponencia que pronunciará el arquitecto Mariano Calle Cebreros, miembro del Colegio de Arquitectos de Madrid y autor, entre otros muchos estudios, del ‘Libro Verde sobre la accesibilidad’. Calle Cebreros es un especialista en la accesibilidad y el diseño universal de las ciudades para eliminar elementos que puedan originar situaciones de peligro: pavimentos, aceras, señalización, así como otros objetos del mobiliario urbano.
No obstante, las barreras no están únicamente en las calles, sino también en nuestras casas. Rosa Regatos, arquitecto técnico del Centro Estatal de Autonomía Personal y Ayudas Técnicas, CEAPAT, centro tecnológico dependiente del IMSERSO, dará algunas sugerencias de cómo convertir nuestro hogar en una vivienda accesible, es decir, la adaptación funcional de nuestro hogar. Se trataría, por ejemplo, de una serie de adaptaciones técnicas para mejorar la adaptabilidad de un domicilio, cómo hacer el baño, la cocina, el salón...
Source:
http://www.diariodelaltoaragon.es/noticias/detalle.php?id=166756
May 04, 2006
Baby Boomers and the Challenge of Generations X & Y
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has some observations about travel industry trends:
The Baby Boomer segment of the travel market, in terms of expenditure, will continue to grow over the coming decades, while Generation X is fast becoming a driving force.The smaller Generation Y tends to stay at home, having become "slaves to the screen".
Delegates to the 55th Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference learned this during the April 25 plenary session on "Baby Boomers and the Challenge of Generations X & Y", moderated by Editor of PATA Premier Partner magazine TIME International.
Asian Demographics CEO & Director Dr Clint Laurent said Asia is not a "young market", as many may think. For example, China (PRC)'s one-child policy has created a numeric imbalance between older and younger generations in the same way that the Baby Boomers generation has in Japan.
Dr Laurent said the region holds multiple segments based on age and affluence, and he grouped countries with similar demographics:
** Japan has the largest and most affluent Baby Boomer market
** The over-40 segment in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Korea (ROK) is climbing the fastest
** 1% of China's 200 million Baby Boomers have a "reasonable sum of money and time"
** India has the youngest market.
Japan Travel Bureau Foundation Managing Director-Marketing Mr Hidetoshi Kobayashi presented statistics for the Japanese market that show Baby Boomers and Generation X driving the country's outbound travel. Mr Kobayashi said Generation Y is less eager to travel, preferring to purchase goods. Travel must compete with home entertainment and the Internet for the attention of Generation Y, he said.
High-yield Australian and New Zealand Baby Boomers spend AU$200-AU$300 per person, per day, according to Roy Morgan Research International Director-Travel, Tourism & Leisure Ms Jane Ianniello. Though they mostly travel to English-speaking countries, Ms Ianniello said that conversion rates for Asia Pacific destinations are very high, because they are close.
DERTOUR Director-Africa/Middle East/Asia Pacific Ms Petra Fraatz said that German Baby Boomer travellers to the Asia Pacific require flexibility, as they prefer to create their own holiday packages. She said generations X and Y are more difficult to predict.
Ms Fraatz said that population development over the next 30 years shows a growing Baby Boomer market, while the younger market is continuously shrinking.
SOURCE: www.PATA.org
Posted by rollingrains at 11:00 PM
May 03, 2006
Access U 2006 from Knowbility
Travel information must be available to travelers with disabilities also and the web ihe most popular sources of travel information. Web designers have the opportunity to annually hone their ability to reach the inclusive travel market and more at Access U 2006 on May 11 and 12.
(Austin, TX) – May 1, 2006 – More than 350 technology professionals will converge on St. Edward’s University to learn how to make web sites and software that is accessible to everyone – including people with disabilities. Knowbility’s 4th annual Access U is geared toward web professionals in both the public and private sector. The conference provides more than 20 conference sessions and two days of hands-on training on how to make technology and the Internet more accessible.
This year’s conference will take place May 11-12, 2006 Access U 2006 sponsors include St. Edward’s University, the DLRP (Disability Law Resource Project), ABILITY Magazine and Wells Fargo Bank. Individuals can register online to attend Access U 2006 at www.knowbility.org/conference.
Knowbility started Access U in 2002 in response to the previously unfilled need for technology professionals to have reliable hands-on accessibility training to help them meet state and federal mandates. Just as automatic doors and ramps create access to physical space required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there are technology design techniques that allow access to cyberspace for people with disabilities. As state and federal agencies adopt accessibility requirements, technology companies that perform government contracts must ensure that they can meet these standards.
“Technology professionals come from all over the US, Canada, and even from England to take these classes," said instructor Rhodes Gibson of Go9 Media. “Legal mandates and standards compliance is just part of it. The universal design techniques that Access U teaches are becoming the cutting edge industry standard because they also provide competitive advantage in many other ways. Accessible design reduces files sizes, adapts a web site for mobile browsing, improves general usability, and aids search engine ratings.”
These and other benefits have broadened the interest and increased attendance in Knowbility’s unique series of training sessions. Access U 2006 comes as Texas state agencies are working hard to comply with state law, Texas HB 2918, which passed the 79th Texas State Legislature in 2005 and that requires Texas state agencies to make information available and provide access to online services to all individuals, regardless of disability. HB 2819 also requires that agencies adopt rules to develop and maintain state websites so that all individuals, regardless of disability can view, access and understand provided information. State agencies must comply by September 1, 2006.
Texas HB 2819 is based on Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal agencies to allow disabled employees and members of the public the same online availability and access to information and function that any other member of the public may have.
“Access U 2006 is the only conference solely dedicated to educating web professionals about accessible technology design,” said Sharron Rush, Executive Director of Knowbility, Inc. “We have planned a series of activities - including workshops, an audio-described movie and dinner at Alamo Drafthouse, and interactive discussion over lunch with world leaders in accessibility - that we expect will spark the imagination of our attendees. Through the years we have found that innovative technology practitioners are quick to implement solutions once they understand the barriers experienced by people with disabilities. We are building a community of best practice through which we all continue to learn from one another.”
About Knowbility
Knowbility (www.knowbility.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 to support the independence of children and adults with disabilities by promoting the use and improving the availability of accessible information technology. Knowbility provides programs and services that directly help the blind visualize the world around them, help the deaf communicate with the hearing world, and help those with mobility impairments “travel” via the Internet. Knowbility’s training and advisory services help companies learn to tap into the growing market of people with disabilities – a market that Fortune magazine estimates at $1 trillion annually.
Media Contact:
Rachel Jordan
512.965.3774
Rachel@Launc-Marketing.com
May 02, 2006
Want to be a Travel Agent?
Travel agencies may be disappearing from the mall but travel agents have adapted.
Here is an advertisement for A-1 Travel Vacation making an appeal to retiring Boomers. Let's hope that the new crop of agents continue to bring the wisdom of Universal Design and Inclusive Tourism to the travel industry.
May 01, 2006
"Universal Design...is Anything but Universal"
Alex Cukan writes about the best shower of her life -- a luxuriously large, universally designed one at the Ramada Renaissance in Washington, DC. Home builders, contractors, and realtors all know that the "home spa" approach to bathrooms is here to stay and is one of the best returns on investment when remodeling a home for resale.
Wouldn't standardizing hotel showers as roll-in size begin to meet guests' expectations of comfort? I have had travel agents tell me that cruise ship passengers have faked disabilities just so they can get the wheelchair-sized showers. Why not make comfort and style ubiquitous?