Rolling Rains Report:

Sydney: Inclusive Tourism Portal Opens

The inclusive tourism market incorporates people with disabilities and those who are ageing and who have access needs (mobility, vision, hearing and communication). Significant numbers of Australians and people from overseas have disabilities – 600 million worldwide. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 4 million Australians have a disability [1]. Based on the National Visitor Survey 88 per cent of these people travelled within Australia in the previous year, 7 per cent travelled overseas and most travelled in independent groups with an average size of 4.1 people. The accessible tourism market has recently been valued at $4.8 billion to the Australian economy [2] with significant latent demand.

Yet, finding tourism experiences and day trips that are accessible has been a major issue for people with disabilities and those with access requirements. Many disability organizations provide member created word of mouth lists, tips and stories to help others plan their day trips and holidays more easily. However, these information systems are incomplete and problematic.

A prototype Web “portal”, www.sydneyforall.com, aims to make it easier to find accessible destination experiences around Sydney for those with access needs.

The portal reflects the findings of a research project and seeks to provide accessibility information about key tourism experiences that people can enjoy when they are in Sydney. The area covered by the portal includes The Rocks, Circular Quay, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain. It also includes the Sydney Fish Markets, a ferry trip to Manly and a visit to North Head.

The research project was sponsored by the Sustainable Tourism Co-operative Research Centre, Tourism NSW, the Tourism and Transport Forum and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change. The project was led by Associate Professor Simon Darcy of the University of Technology, Sydney.

One key feature of the portal is its ability to provide information to people with vision impairment. The portal has been developed to meet international W3C Web Accessibility standards and was independently assessed by Vision Australia to verify compliance with those standards.

The information provided on the portal was gathered by people with disabilities actually experiencing the attraction and documenting that experience. Information was also provided by the attraction, many of which have implemented strategies to improve their access for people with access needs. For example, the Sydney Opera House has not only started to improve mobility access but also access for people with vision and hearing impairment.

The web portal offers information by icon, text, photographs and links to additional information. It embraces ‘wayfinding’ maps, transport, parking, toilets and most importantly the experience itself. The portal will also help providers within the tourism industry plan to market collaboratively, improve their services and encourage more tourists with disabilities to visit them.

As this is a test site and will be reviewed at the end of three months, feedback on the portal and suggestions are welcome. People can complete the independent survey that is linked to the portal, or you can contact either the researchers directly on accessibletourism@uts.edu.au or sydneyforall@tourism.nsw.gov.au

The long-term aim is to have a more expansive portal that will assist people to plan their holidays and will incorporate detailed transport, accommodation and disability support information.

[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2004). Disability Ageing and Carers Summary of Findings, 2003 (Cat No. 4430.0). from http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/

[2] Dwyer, L., & Darcy, S. (2008). Chapter 4 - Economic contribution of disability to tourism in Australia. In S. Darcy, B. Cameron, L. Dwyer, T. Taylor, E. Wong & A. Thomson (Eds.), Visitor accessibility in urban centres: Technical Report 90040 (pp. 15-21). Gold Coast: Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (forthcoming).

Printable .pdf version:

Download file

________________________

Further Information, please contact:

Dr Simon Darcy, University of Technology, Sydney – 61 2 9514-5100 Simon.Darcy@uts.edu.au

Bruce Cameron, Easy Access Australia – bruce_eaa@bigpond.com

Web Portal Front Page http://www.sydneyforall.com/

Bicycle Technology: Testbed for New Wheelchair Design

Behind the scenes (sorry, Nondisclosure Agreements in effect), some interesting "Green Wheelchairs" are in development. Take some hints from bicycle designers:

Cardboard Bike
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/06/17/cardboard.bike/

Bamboo Bikes
http://www.bamboobike.org/Home.html

From The Natural Standard web site:

http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=/monographs/herbssupplements/patient-bamboo.asp

Cane and bamboo may be alternative basic construction materials for orthotic and prosthetic appliances. Bamboo night splints and upper limb splints are believed to be effective, and bamboo walkers, crutches and wheelchairs are remarkably useful, inexpensive and lightweight.

Accessible Hiking Trails?

Several readers specialize in outdoor access and even maintain public web sites on the accessibility of trails. The following grant offer from the American Hiking Society might be enough to convince a hiking-oriented non-profit to do something significant to improve trals accessibility:

The American Hiking Society ( http://www.americanhiking.org/ )
2009 National Trails Fund is open for applications. The National
Trails Fund is the only privately funded, national grants pro-
gram dedicated solely to building and protecting hiking trails.
Now in its eighth year, the fund has awarded nearly $382,000 to
105 grassroots organizations all over the United States working
to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in America.

American Hiking will be awarding two different types of National
Trail Fund grants in 2009:

1) American Hiking Society Trail
Grants, which will range from $500-$4,999 each; and
2) Nature Valley Trail Grants, which will be for $5,000 each. Twenty
applicant organizations for the Nature Valley Trail Grants will be
selected as prospective grant recipients and will be featured on
Nature Valley's Web site ( http://www.wheresyours.com/ ). Nature
Valley Trail Grant award winners will be chosen by public vote
from October 1 through 31, 2008. The top ten projects will each
receive $5,000.

Hiking Society Seeks Applications for Trail Grants

Deadline: August 15, 2008

The American Hiking Society ( http://www.americanhiking.org/ )
2009 National Trails Fund is open for applications. The National
Trails Fund is the only privately funded, national grants pro-
gram dedicated solely to building and protecting hiking trails.
Now in its eighth year, the fund has awarded nearly $382,000 to
105 grassroots organizations all over the United States working
to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in America.

American Hiking will be awarding two different types of National
Trail Fund grants in 2009: 1) American Hiking Society Trail
Grants, which will range from $500-$4,999 each; and 2) Nature
Valley Trail Grants, which will be for $5,000 each. Twenty app-
licant organizations for the Nature Valley Trail Grants will be
selected as prospective grant recipients and will be featured on
Nature Valley's Web site ( http://www.wheresyours.com/ ). Nature
Valley Trail Grant award winners will be chosen by public vote
from October 1 through 31, 2008. The top ten projects will each
receive $5,000.

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Projects
that will be considered for the 2009 grants are as follows: proj-
ects that have hikers as the primary constituency, though multi-
ple human-powered trail uses are eligible; projects that secure
trail lands, including acquisition of trails and trail corridors
and the costs associated with acquiring conservation easements;
projects that result in visible and substantial ease of access,
improved hiker safety, and/or avoidance of environmental damage;
and projects that promote constituency building surrounding
specific trail projects -- including volunteer recruitment and
support.

Visit the American Hiking Society Web site for complete program
guidelines and the online application system.

RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15013896/americanhiking

Wild Iris Course: Traveling with Disabilities

Wild Iris Medical Education offers a useful course entitled, Traveling with Disabilities and authored by Anne M. Becker, MS, RN, CNS and Miriam R. Breslauer, BS, MS.

The course is free through June 30, 2008

Here a description of the learning objectives:

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

* Discuss the special needs of disabled travelers using various modes of transportation.
* Describe the role and duties of a healthcare professional who assists a disabled traveler.
* Identify three groups of disabilities that may affect a person's ability to travel alone.
* List examples of advance preparation for the trip of a disabled traveler.
* Summarize the elements of a medical documentation travel file.
* Identify the disability-related challenges to traveling on a commercial vehicle.
* Identify potential hazards at vacation destinations that may affect a disabled person's ability to function in a crisis.

For the course see:

http://www.nursingceu.com/courses/219/index_nceu.html

Reality Tour Takes You to Socorro, Brazil

Reality Tour in Brazil contacted us to let us know that the trip I recently took to Socorro in Brazil is part of the itinerary that they regularly offer. Contact them for more details.

What is included:

• 2 overnight stays in São Paulo at Hotel Caesar Business Paulista, with breakfast,
• 6 days in Socorro at Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos (Farm-hotel) with all meals, (breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee and dinner),
• A historical city tour through São Paulo City (adapted executive van),
• Transfer from the international airport to the hotel (adapted executive van),
• Transfer from São Paulo City to Socorro City (adapted executive van),

What is not included:

• Air transportation,
• Lunch and dinner in São Paulo,
• Personal expenses,
• Entertainment and adventure tours and activities which are available as options in Socorro,
• All drinks and meals other than those included in the item above “What is included”,
• Any services not specified in the item above “What is included”.

Itinerary:

• (Saturday)
Transfer Airport / Hotel,
12:00 a. m. – Check in – Hotel Caesar Business,
Afternoon – Historic City tour in São Paulo Coty,
Evening – Free.

• (Sunday)
Morning – Free,
12:00 a. m. – Check out – Hotel Caesar Business,
1:30 p. m. – Departure to Socorro City,
3:30 p. m. – Check In – Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos.

• (Sunday to Saturday)
Monitored activities at Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos.

• (Saturday)
2:30 p. m. – Check out – Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos,
3:00 p. m. – Transfer Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos / Hotel Caesar Business,
5:00 p. m. – Check in – Hotel Caesar Business,
Evening free.

• (Sunday)
Morning – Free,
12:00 a. m - Check out – Hotel Caesar Business,
Transfer Hotel / Airport.

Price:

• Doublé package (couple)
• $ 3.245,13
• £ 2.109,97

• Extra adults or Doublé package (maximum of 8)
• $ 2.120,84
• £ 1.378,97

Child under 4 years old: free

Extras
• All extra expenses at the hotels will be paid at the moment of check-out,

No show
• The sum paid as down payment for confirmation of reservations will not be returned in case of absence, unless justified, in accordance to the policies of the hotels and the emitting agency,

Description of the hotels
• Caesar Business Hotel Paulista
Situated in Paulista Avenue, the Caesar Business Hotel Paulista is a few blocks away from the major financial institutions, the MASP Museum, Trianon Park, movie theaters and restaurants.

• Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos
Considered one of the best Farm-hotels in Brazil, the Campo dos Sonhos (Dreams Field) is a tourist complex fully equiped to ensure total comfort and entertainment for the whole family. Its restaurant offers a varied menu, in which the most remarkable are typicla doshes from the country side in Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo. It offers also comfortable apartments for people with physical disabilities, as well as many activities - entertainment, adventure and tours under the guiding and supervision of highly qualified guides and appropriated equipments.

We remain at your full disposition for any other information you need.

Sincerely yours,

CONTACT REALITY TOUR

Solange Barbosa - Brasil
Phone: 55 (12) 3672-3427
Adress: Rua Bom Jesus, 183 – Centro – Tremembe – SP
E-mail: realitytour@uol.com.br

Joedson Nunes - Europa
Phone: 07505969717
Adress: 208 Borough High Street Flat B London SE1 1JX
MSN e Email: nunes_op@hotmail.com
Skype: jtnunes

Gregory Cowen on Accessibilty Work in Mongolia

VSO Mongolia volunteers and staff extricated ourselves from work for a couple of days to go to a green valley in the Mongolian countryside to take stock of what we have achieved, in our annual volunteer conference.

Gathering over thirty volunteers from Africa, The Philippines, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia and Britain, with placements as far afield as Bayan Ulgii, Choibalsan and Darkhan, everyone seemed pleased to get together. On the second day I assisted Nickson Kakiri in leading a session on mainstreaming disability in all of our work here, and we discussed and (re)discovered issues of disabilities, rights, exclusion and working with various challenges. We reflected on some positive work done in the last year, including work on universally accessible buildings, and a recent accessibility audit of the Equal Step Camp, our conference venue, in this remote village apparently known only by its train siding, 'Point 290'.

The camp had recently installed a ramp and accessible toilet, and its generous volunteers, on our arrival, had also erected a ger and made us some great meals, a horhog, and a bonfire. VSO's scarce funds seemed in this case to have been directed towards a very promising locally owned and highly sustainable enterprise.

Most of the conference sessions were held in a wooden hall, which worked well with improvised flipcharts and the occasional powerpoint presentation. As Secure Livelihoods Programme volunteer coordinator, I led a session - on a grassy riverbank - which included an update of all livelihoods volunteers' work, where we later returned at dusk to wade in the river, like the local horses.

TIA Campaign: Media Reports On Benefits of Travel

To the extent that the Travel Industry Association takes seriously the disability community as a travel market the following letter from Roger Dow, TIA President and CEO, is a hopeful sign:

As you may know, TIA has been sharing information in recent months on the personal benefits of travel and taking a trip. I am happy to note that the media is beginning to report on the contributions travel makes to individuals, as illustrated in articles in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

I was also introduced recently to a blog called Sure To Meet, which provides tips and information on business and social networking. It highlighted how face-to-face meetings are still best for building relationships. I want encourage you to help us get the word out by passing along the articles and the information we’ve compiled.

Through the Benefits of Travel, TIA provides a one-stop shop for survey results and facts that demonstrate how travel benefits everyone personally in the areas of:

* relationship building,
* career success and productivity, and
* health and wellness.

In addition, there is an interesting "Other Important Facts" section. All of this information is also available online at www.tia.org/Benefits.

Let’s work together to help everyone better understand that when we travel, the benefits are everywhere.

Best regards,
Roger Dow, TIA President and CEO
Travel Industry Association

Autistic Toddler and Family Removed from Plane

Coverage of plummeting airline service continues to include excellent case studies revealing the details of counterproductive social responses to disability. Here an incident involving intimidation combined with physical overstimulation by the flight crew resulted in a predictable panic response from a passenger with autism. There appears to be some disconnect occurring in American's customer service training regarding the simple facts of certain disabilities.

Julie Deardorff tells the story behind an American Airlines flight departing from the Raleigh- Durham International Airport. Here she reports:

But the mother, Janice Farrell, told Crump that the flight attendant made matters worse.

"She kept coming over and tugging his seatbelt to make it tighter, 'This has to stay tight'. And then he was wiggling around and trying to get out of his seatbelt. And she kept coming over and reprimanding him and yelling at him," Farrell said.

One of the pilots came back to the cabin with a stern warning and Farrell says the frustration level escalated.

She says Jarrett picked up on that and things only got worse.

"He just melted down. He saw me getting upset. He was upset. He was on the floor rolling around," she said.

Deardorff's advice is sage:

But the prevalance of autism is increasing and society must learn how to handle the special needs of people who are on the spectrum.

For the full article:

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2008/06/autistic-toddle.html

Australia: Renovating a House for Disability Access

Following Universal Design Renovations blog gets more and more interesting as the construction process progresses. The title of one post, Starting to Look Like a House, captures the sentiment.

Revolução no turismo -- O Poder do Consumidor (Portuguese)

Para diretor do Ministério do Turismo, Diogo Demarco é preciso que grandes empresas, governos, entidades e consumidor final exijam empresas certificadas no setor.

O consumidor irá impulsionar uma verdadeira revolução no setor de turismo quando começar a exigir a certificação das empresas das empresas do setor, acredita Diogo Demarco, diretor do Departamento de Qualificação e Certificação e Produção Associada ao Turismo, do Ministério do Turismo.

Revolução no turismo passa por consumidor exigente

Segundo ele, a certificação dos estabelecimentos e das empresas que trabalham com turismo só acontecerá de fato à medida em que grandes empresas, governos, entidades e o consumidor final exijam que empresas sejam certificadas para a aquisição de produtos.

“Quando uma Petrobras exigir que seus funcionários só se hospedem em hotéis certificados, será uma correria pela certificação”, diz. Demarco lembra que o Rio de Janeiro está vivendo uma situação parecida provocada por uma exigência do Comitê Olímpico Internacional. “Eles querem uma lista de hotéis por classificação. Todo mundo começou a correr atrás para conseguir uma classificação”. Atualmente no Brasil há apenas 18 hotéis classificados por classe no País, segundo o representante do Ministério do Turismo.

De acordo com o diretor, a proximidade com a Copa do Mundo de 2014 já está fazendo com que algumas empresas estejam procurando as certificações necessárias. “Não é fácil certificar o setor de serviços. Quando falamos de produto é fácil conseguir uma padronização por tamanho, tipo, etc. Mas o serviço prestado é subjetivo”.

Dival Schmidt, consultor do Sebrae Nacional, lembra as dificuldades nos anos 80 para implementação da ISO. “A Europa restringiu a compra de produtos que não tivessem a ISO. Foi uma correria e tanto no Brasil”. Segundo ele, a certificação no turismo exige campanhas de esclarecimento à população, nos moldes das campanhas sobre epidemias, como Aids e Paralisia Infantil.

Os dois especialistas participaram no último sábado (21) da palestra 'Certificação no Turismo: Desafios e Perspectivas', durante a terceira edição Salão do Turismo, realizado entre 18 e 22 de junho no Parque de Exposições do Anhembi, em São Paulo.

Normas no turismo

Atualmente existem 67 normas técnicas em vigor no setor de turismo, sendo que apenas 10 não foram publicadas. Desse total, 28 foram elaboradas a partir do apoio direto do MTur a projetos de formulação dessas regras.

A consulta às normas pode ser feita pelo endereço http://www.abntnet.com.br, pelos sites do MTur e da ABNT (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas). Para realizar a consulta, o usuário terá que fazer um cadastramento, prestando informações como nome completo, CPF e RG e motivo de interesse.

Desde 2003, o Ministério do Turismo aposta em programas de capacitação e certificação para pessoas, produtos e empreendimentos nos segmentos do turismo, mais especificamente em turismo sustentável, turismo de aventura e competências profissionais. Vale lembrar também que o Brasil conta com 40 mil profissionais certificados nos diferentes ramos do turismo. A maioria deles é de garçons e cozinheiros.

Projetos

Um acordo de cooperação técnica assinado no ano passado entre Sebrae, Ministério do Turismo (MTur) e Instituto Brasileiro de Turismo (Embratur) prevê investimentos de cerca de R$ 21,5 milhões para o turismo nacional, com foco no desenvolvimento das micro e pequenas empresas. As ações têm prazo de dois anos, com a possibilidade de renovação pelo mesmo período.

O convênio se baseia no Plano Nacional de Turismo 2007/2010 e pretende utilizar a capacidade do setor para promover inclusão social. Pela parceria, serão realizadas ações como capacitação dos profissionais, incentivo para adoção das melhores práticas de gestão e fortalecimento do trabalho desenvolvido pelos órgãos estaduais de turismo e pelas empresas do setor.

O acordo também terá investimentos para a criação de um banco de dados do setor turístico e para a produção do Guia do Empreendedor do Turismo, entre várias outras iniciativas.

O trabalho conjunto do Sebrae e do MTur ainda aborda a questão ambiental, com o objetivo de promover a sustentabilidade no entorno das áreas de preservação e dos parques nacionais. Os especialistas em turismo hoje chamam a atenção para a necessidade de conciliar o potencial turístico com o respeito à ecologia e à preservação ambiental.

Fonte: Portugal Digital

Festival de Turismo -- Foz do Iguaçu (Portuguese)

Começa a terceira edição do Festival Internacional de Turismo, em Foz do Iguaçu, PR. O evento, que teve início nesta quarta-feira, 25 de junho, e acontece até sábado, dia 28, espera receber cerca de 2.500 profissionais ligados a indústria do turismo. Com sede nas instalações do Hotel Boubon Cataratas, o evento inclui a realização do II Fórum Internacional do Iguassu e o III Encontro Paranaense de Pesquisadores em Turismo (EPHTUR), além de uma Feira de Turismo que vai ocupar 1.500 metros quadrados do centro de convenções do Hotel Bourbon Cataratas.

O evento tem por objetivo constituir-se em uma ferramenta de negócios envolvendo toda a cadeia de serviços do setor turístico mundial. Nesta terça-feira, dia 24, acontecerá a abertura da III Mostra de Excelência em Serviços e a Apresentação do Festival ao Trade local, um momento de integração que estimulará a participação dos atores locais no Festival, além de oportunizar a demonstração das qualidades e competências adquiridas pelos jovens do Projeto Trilha Jovem - Turismo e Inclusão Social.

Localizada no centro da América do Sul, a cidade de Foz do Iguaçu, destino turístico mundialmente consagrado, possui em seu entorno três aeroportos internacionais, com vôos diretos a Buenos Aires, Chile, Uruguai, Paraguai, Bolívia, além dos grandes centros brasileiros, o que possibilita uma grande mobilidade de visitantes de todas as partes. A estimativa da comissão organizadora é que o III Festival Internacional de Turismo supere a edição anterior, que contou com a participação de aproximadamente dois mil profissionais do turismo do Brasil e de todos os países do Mercosul, além de comitivas do Peru, Equador, México e Estados Unidos.

Conforme indicativos levantados pela equipe técnica, a segunda edição do festival proporcionou a movimentação de cerca de US$ 9 milhões em negócios. Dos quase dois mil participantes, 40% eram agentes de viagens, tendo ainda a participação de estudantes, professores, profissionais de diversos meios de comunicação e autoridades convidadas, dentre elas entidades representativas do setor e empresários do turismo local, regional, nacional e internacional. Informações através do web site www.festivalinternacionalturismo.com.

Fonte: Hotel On Line

Blogswarm: Writing on the Travel, Universal Design, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a historic document because of the unprecedented prominence that it gives to Inclusive Tourism and Inclusive Destination Development.

To hone in on those topics when reading the CRPD head straight for Chapter 30 entitled, Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. Then backtrack to Chapters 18 through 21 for Liberty of movement and nationality through Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information.)

The manual Human Rights. Yes! published by the University of Minnesota provides simple analyses and is helpful for those preparing to advocate for ratification of CRPD. Chapter 14 The Right to Sport and Culture has a section called Tourism that is its module on disability and travel.

Before I offer a critique let me begin by noting that two of the three citations for the section are my research so rather than coming across as uncharitably harsh on someone else’s work let me admit that this section would have been better if my original work had provided the authors with a more well-rounded argument.

There are also particular experiences in my own life that make a critique of Human Rights. Yes! and similar tools of special significance to me.

As an undergraduate at the University of Washington I was recruited to do statewide education on Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. I declined the position but retained a keen interest in the process of public education on the rights of my community. As a professional educator at Santa Clara University I was involved in university administration of compliance plans during the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Over the intervening decades I have had numerous opportunities to observe how seemingly small errors in the public education and enforcement processes related to major disability rights legislation can have disproportionately disappointing consequences.

Without serious, systematic, and coordinated efforts to communicate the intent, scope, and consequences of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this historic moment will slip away and its promise remain unfulfilled.

Human Rights. Yes! succeeds at best practices in course design through good sequencing, defined scope, specific learning goals, appropriate language level, and clear graphic design. In the discussion of tourism it makes clear the unique role of the CRPD in the area of tourism and disability:

Responsible tourism development and tourism that respects the human rights of persons with disabilities must consider inclusion in planning, designing, and implementing tourism projects. Most important, disabled peoples organizations must participate in such processes and need to engage in accessible tourism advocacy. The CRPD, which is the only major international human rights treaty to explicitly mention tourism, requires States to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to tourism and tourist services.

That is it:

• Affirms Inclusive Destination Development (which is in turn founded on Universal Design)
• Assigns legitimacy to disabled peoples organizations (DPOs)
• Specifies consultative and transparent planning and management processes
• States that the CRPD is unique among human rights treaties in addressing tourism
• Observes that States are required to assure access to tourism and tourist services

Critiquing the training module on tourism as a stand-alone tool and doing so in light of the paragraph quoted and outlined above I find the module’s sidebar to be incomplete and unrepresentative of what it aims to address, namely “The Barriers Faced by Tourists with Disabilities”:

• Inaccessible airport transfer and ill-trained airport staff
• Lack of accessible transport
• Inaccessible hotel rooms
• Professional staff not trained to inform and advise about accessibility issues
• Lack of information about a specific attraction's accessibility (e.g., museums, castles, exhibitions)
• Non-adapted toilets in restaurants and public places
• Inaccessible restaurants and tourist attractions
• Inaccessible streets (e.g., no curb cuts, cars blocking wheelchair access
• lanes)
• Lack of disability equipment rental (wheelchairs, bath chairs, toilet raisers,
• electric scooters)

All these are barriers commonly faced. The question is, “By whom?” The underlying problem is two-fold.

First the examples overwhelmingly reflect those with mobility impairments. Second the examples do not capture the important distinction between physical accessibility (well represented in the examples) and program accessibility (overlooked). (Program accessibility means access to all programs and services offered to non-disabled people once physical barriers are eliminated.)

This list of barriers is followed immediately by “Exercise 14.5: Speaking Up for Accessible Tourism.“ The learning objective of the exercise is, “To examine discrimination in tourism and tourism development and to consider how to take action against it.” I have not field-tested this exercise in role-playing a presentation to a “Tourism Development Board” but I would make some predictions based on experience.

My assumption is that the intended goal of the exercise is to (learn to) convince the board to use their authority in the interest of travelers with disabilities. The chapter’s introductory section stipulates the participation of DPOs for any solution to be legitimate. This suggests a solution-oriented presentation incorporating the foremost cultural product of disability culture for addressing the built environment - the seven principles of Universal Design. Yet the exercise does not present Universal Design either in isolation or as a component of Inclusive Destination Development thus making the logical link to the Board’s area of authority for destination management.

I would predict that by failing to prepare participants with these conceptual tools and by norming the exercise on an implicit person with a mobility impairment the exercise would most frequently result in:

• A laundry list of anecdotal stories of barrier encountered during travel
• A preponderance of physical and attitudinal barriers being recounted
• Superficial reference to or application of Universal Design as a set of mandated measurements (building code specifications) rather than as the design approach with no pre-mandated design solutions
• A scarcity of solutions presented (actionable items that are within the domain of the Board)
• Low participation by exercise participants with non-mobility related disabilities

In fairness to the authors of Human Rights. Yes! the topic of Universal Design is discussed in Chapter 2 on Accessibility. The seven principles are listed. The exercise there explicitly encourages reflection on Universal Design as applied to “people with physical, sensory, learning, intellectual, psycho-social, and multiple disabilities.” Barriers to accessibility are broken down into the four categories of physical, informational, institutional, and attitudinal. However, it would be helpful to review, in Chapter 14, the principles of Universal Design introduced 12 chapters earlier and add some intellectual scaffolding to help participants transition from four abstract categories of barriers to the solution-oriented distinction between physical and program accessibility in tourism. Such a modification would improve the exercise.

For legislative milestones such as CRPD to be sustainable they must be either 1) constantly supported by the legal mechanisms such as monitoring, enforcement, and modification 2) find sustainability outside the legal system or 3) both.

The purpose of the Second International Conference on Inclusive Tourism (ICAT 2007) held in Bangkok in November of 2007 was to promote a rights-based approach to tourism. Citing the the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights –based Society for Persons with Disabilities (BMF), Biwako Plus Five and the Plan of Action for Sustainable Tourism Development in Asia and the Pacific (Phase II 2006-2012). The message of its opening keynote, “Inclusive Tourism: A New Strategic Alliance for the Disability Rights Movement,” was that the most promising means of sustaining inclusion in tourism outside the legal system is the travel and hospitality industry itself. In fact, the claim was made that the industry is moving rapidly to self-standardize to meet the burgeoning demand for travel by persons with disabilities.

The grassroots and institutional efforts of individuals and DPOs around the world to promote ratification of and educate the public on the implications of CRPD play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s support. That support will be effective and durable to the extent that DPOs succeed in speaking with a unified voice that reflects distilled cultural wisdom such as Universal Design and represents the current experience of their constituency.

However, their constituencies also have ongoing direct access to the industry as consumers, guests, consultants, travel industry employees, academics, and focus-group participants. The legitimacy of DPOs depends on paying attention to the groundswell of interest in this topic by people with disabilities.

A strategy for success in establishing Inclusive Tourism and inclusive Destination Development practices involves careful attention to constituent education on the part of DPOs. It should provide consumers with disabilities with awareness of their rights. It must also make them competent to offer solutions consistent with the overall interests of those in their community with disabilities other than or more extensive than their own. Careful attention to the training we provide on this subject within our own community can make sustainability of the gains promised by CRPD a reality.

One approach to sustainability of the promise of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is under discussion at the Geotourism Challenge here:

http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/5952

Post War El Salvador

Former guerrilla fighters in El Salvador are helping to boost the
country's income through tourism. Claire Marshall reports on BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7452192.stm

Renovando con Diseño Universal (Spanish)

Desde PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE:

Más de 21 millones de personas, en su mayoría adultos mayores, visitan al médico cada año como consecuencia de accidentes en el hogar. Con la intención de reducir esa cifra, el "Home Safety Council" declaró a Junio como el Mes de la Seguridad en el Hogar, que insta a las personas a crear un ambiente más seguro en el hogar y evitar caídas, incendios, o envenenamientos.

(Para ver este reporte presentado por AARP dirígete a: http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=35276)

Cada vez más contratistas están incorporando -tanto para la construcción como para la renovación de las viviendas- los principios del "Diseño Universal", que promueve simplificar la vida de las personas utilizando artículos electrónicos y productos de fácil uso para todas las personas, sin importar sus edades o capacidades.

Una reciente encuesta de AARP reveló que unos 70 millones de "boomers" planean vivir en sus casas el mayor tiempo posible, por lo que AARP junto a la Asociación Nacional de Constructores de Casas decidió comenzar a certificar a especialistas en "Envejecimiento en el Hogar".

Para obtener más recomendaciones acerca de cómo renovar su vivienda y hallar un especialista en "Envejecimiento en el Hogar" visite www.aarp.org/homedesign, o visite www.homesafetycouncil.org para consejos acerca de cómo aumentar la seguridad en sus hogares.

Fuente:
http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=35276

Trip Wolf & Travolution

Travolution is a valuable information source for those who watch the travel industry and trends like "travel 2.0" (think Web 2.0 + travel).

TripWolf.com is a travel 2.0 "social guide" to travel - especially the growing trend toward independent travel.

Here Jennifer at the TripWolf blog interviews Kevin May of Travolution in a piece called Travel Trends.

And, as an Easter egg for those who read "below the fold," here is the URL to the secret backdoor entrance into TripWolf while it is still in private beta:

http://www.tripwolf.com/invite/backdoor

Look for me there as "RollingRains" and add me as a Friend.

Sneak preview: Jennifer is also preparing an interview on the Rolling Rains Report

Related story: http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002303.html

Follow-up on Story of Trapped Wheelchair Users

This news item by Matt Kersten apears in the Greymouth Star. It follows th story of Shirley and Roy Dyer whop were trapped for 11 hours on a Tranz Alpine train in New Zealand:

The owner of the Tranz Alpine passenger train has promised to better accommodate disabled people in the future — if and when it introduces new carriages on the Christchurch-Greymouth service. Taylorville man David Brooks filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in February after his cousins — Shirley and Roy Dyer, from Rolleston — were left on the Tranz Alpine train for 11 hours because there was no facility for them to disembark at Greymouth.

Mr Dyer suffers severely from multiple sclerosis and Mrs Dyer is a double amputee paraplegic. Mr Brooks was not happy with the facilities for disabled people on the train. Representatives of Tranz Scenic, which runs the Tranz Alpine, the Human Rights Commission, Mrs Dyer and Mr Brooks met last month to discuss the experience.

At the meeting, Tranz Scenic representatives assured the pair that any new rolling stock for the train would contain many of the features present in recently introduced carriages operating on the Wairarapa rail line, between Masterton and Wellington. Toll NZ general manager of corporate affairs Sue Foley said that was a “No 1 priority”. “Out of any of our long distance trips, that is definitely our main focus.” Facilities would include a wheelchair hoist, dedicated positions for wheelchairs to be located and secured, and easily accessed toilets.

Tranz Scenic representatives also said a number of changes had been made to the ticket booking process to ensure passengers with special needs were clearly identified prior to their travelling. Mr Brooks said he found the meeting had been “constructive”, noting that the problem had never been with the staff involved.

Source:
http://www.greystar.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2140&Itemid=43

Hilary Lister Sails

At national Public Radio Melissa Block interviews sip and puff sailor Hilary Lister.

Have a listen here "Quadriplegic Attempts Solo Sail Around British Isles"

Seminar on Expansion of Tourism for Socio-economic Development in India, 24-26 June, in Guwahati, Assam

ESCAP and the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the
Government of India's Ministry of Tourism, are organizing a Seminar on
Expansion of Tourism for Socio-economic Development in India, 24-26
June, in Guwahati, Assam.

The seminar aims to strengthen the capacity
of India to formulate and implement appropriate policies, strategies
and programmes to enhance the role of tourism in socio-economic
development. Participants will include officials of government
agencies, representatives from the tourism industry including
airlines, hotels, tour operators and travel agents, and members of the
Network of Asia-Pacific Education and Training Institutes in Tourism.

Marta Gil (English; Portuguese)

Marta Gil is president of Amankay Research Institute (Amankay Instituto de Estudos e Pesquisas)

She will become host of the popular Brazilian radio program Breaking Down Barriers - Access for All (Derrubando Barreiras - Acesso para Todos). She replaces current host Mara Gabrilli as Mara assumes her city council responsibilities for São Paulo taking a 3-month hiatus from the program.

Parabems (Congratulations) to my friend Marta! We hope to hear lots of reporting on inclusion in tourism.

The following announcement on the change in host is in Portuguese.

Na próxima segunda-feira, 16 de junho, o programa Derrubando Barreiras - Acesso para Todos, apresentado pela Mara Gabrilli, recebe o nutricionista Alfredo Galebe. Este é um programa muito especial, pois Mara se despede - temporariamente, de acordo com a lei eleitoral - do comando do programa. Nos próximos 4 meses, quem fará uso do microfone do Derrubando Barreiras - Acesso para Todos é a socióloga e consultora na área da pessoa com deficiência, também uma das fundadoras da Rede Saci e do Amankay, Marta Gil.

"É uma responsabilidade e tanto que estou assumindo. Vou manter o programa seguindo a mesma linha mantida pela Mara. Espero que os ouvintes gostem", afirma a nova apresentadora. Para Mara Gabrilli, é difícil se despedir deste que considera um filho seu. "Eu entendo que posso ajudar mais as pessoas com deficiência atuando na Câmara Municipal. Mas é muito difícil me despedir dos ouvintes, mesmo que temporariamente", concluiu.

Mara diz tchau ao programa - ao qual deve retornar depois de 3 de outubro - fazendo sua última entrevista com o nutricionista Alfredo Galebe. Em comemoração ao dia dos namorados, Mara traz aos estúdios da Rede Eldorado AM, Alfredo, seu namorado, com a proposta de derrubar mais uma barreira: mostrar que as pessoas com deficiência namoram, sim, e têm vidas afetiva e sexual ativas.

Esse programa vocês não podem perder!

Derrubando Barreiras - Acesso para Todos / Apresentação: Mara Gabrilli

Todas as segundas-feiras, às 16 horas. Reprise aos sábados, 13 horas.

Rádio Eldorado AM (700 kHz)

Ouça também pela internet www.radioeldoradoam.com.br .

Para participar, mande e-mail para o derrubandobarreiras@redeeldorado.com.br .

Mais informações:

Claudia Carletto

Assessora de Imprensa

Vereadora Mara Gabrilli

55 11 3396-4899

55 11 8385-3443

claudiacarletto@camara.sp.gov.br

www.vereadoramaragabrilli.com.br

Megabus Claims to be Green & Accessible Too

According to this article in the Epoch Times:

New Jersey-based Megabus.com offers affordable, fuel-efficient travel and handles its reservations strictly via the Internet. On Tuesday the company announced on its website its latest upgrade: double-decker buses. These vehicles, produced by Belgian company Van Hool, are the first double-decker buses in the United States used for intercity travel....

The double-decker buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, video, reclining seats, and seatbelts for safety. They are also readily wheelchair-accessible. Space is economized, as luggage is stored at the rear of the vehicle.

For the full article:

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-6-18/72023.html

Oportunidade em Turismo: Intérpretes de LIBRAS (Língua Brasileira de Sinais) (Portuguese)

Estamos recrutando 12 intérpretes de LIBRAS (Língua Brasileira de Sinais) para trabalharem em nossos navios, na temporada de 2008/2009.

Eles ficarão embarcados (contratação CLT) e à disposição para auxiliarem os passageiros surdos.

Gostaria que vocês divulgassem essas vagas e, tendo alguma indicação, podem passar meu telefone/email para que os interessados me procurem.

A ajuda de vocês é importantíssima, pois são vagas diferenciadas e temos um prazo curto para preenchê-las.

REQUISITOS:

Fluência em LIBRAS

Certificação Pró-Libras (por enquanto, é imprescindível, mas caso algum intérprete não o tenha, peça para me procurar, de qq jeito).

Salário: a definir

Para mais informações/dúvidas, podem me ligar.

Obrigada!

Eneida Lima

Recursos Humanos

CVC - Matriz

Tel.: 55 -11-2191.8708 / Fax: 55-11-2191.8786

eneidalima@cvc.com.br

www.cvc.com.br

A Sneak Preview: TripWolf.com

You can huff and you can puff and you still can't get in at TripWolf.com -- well, not unless you got one of the limited pre-beta invitations.

But don't worry. It won't be very long at all now until the site's front door opens and Rolling Rains blog readers can see what the travel pack at this new " travel 2.0" site out of Germany has created.

Expect the unexpected.

You will find the usual Friends, Favorites, Photo upload options, Google mashups, user-generated reviews, ratings, private messaging, and almost wiki-like freedom of access to content creation.

However, this is some sophisticated stuff. The site makes good use of the Marco Polo resources. You will also find a unique workspace/workflow metaphor using Scrapbooks. Scrapbooks hold media that you want to drop into your personal Journal entry or Trip report (not yet implemented) and can be shared as .pdf in a JIT ( just-in-time) publication. Pretty foxy!

I recommend orienting yourself to the site's features and workflow with the video on the homepage. Then head on over the entry for Glacier Bay National Park and see what has been going n behind closed doors.

Then, give TripWolf.com an accessibility shakedown cruise and send your feedback to their IT team.

Reportaje Sobre RollingRains.com y Tour Watch (Spanish)

Por la Jorgelina aparecia noticias en España al sito TermómetroTuristico.es hoy sobre el movimiento de turismo que incluye todos.

Tour Watch: una red social dedicada al turismo y a la discapacidad cuenta de nuestro red social para professionales, professores y estudiantes de turismo.

Gracias Jorgelina!

Porque no vienes disfrutar nuestro "Day on the Beach" en Santa Cruz, California dia 19 de julio:

http://www.dayonthebeach.org/

The GADA* (Go Anywhere, Do Anything™) Belt

I stayed with Craig and Andrea Kennedy during the 2008 SATH Congress in Florida. It has been an act of discipline but I have kept quiet about their new product the the GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything™) Belt. Today they released the press release that follows.

Having fallen out of my wheelchair at some of the most unpredictable times I could certainly see the value of the non-intrusive protection and restraint system that Craig was testing at the congress. Especially in sports and outdoors situations this product make sense for even the most agile wheelchair users.

The GADA* (Go Anywhere, Do Anything™) Belt released June, 1st 2008
You GADA Have One!

Access Anything owners and renowned disability & travel experts and adventurers, Craig & Andrea Kennedy are set to launch their newest innovation, The GADA Belt, which is a side guard, clothing protector, and sports belt for manual wheelchair users that also improves seating posture, at the Southern California Abilities Expo in Anaheim, California on May 30, 31 & June 1.

Steamboat Springs, CO, (May 26, 2008): Beginning on May 30th, 2008 manual wheelchair users will be able to purchase the latest innovation in wheelchair seating products, The GADA Belt, at the Abilities Expo in Anaheim, California.

“The GADA Belt was born from ten years of personal experimentation after many falls and after ruining pair after pair of pants. As active as I am, I really felt like I needed a seat belt for my chair,” says Craig Kennedy, President of Access Anything.

The GADA Belt, named after the company’s motto Go Anywhere, Do Anything™, is a soft, secure, waterproof side guard set/clothing protector for manual wheelchairs that is also used as a sports belt, and is great for maintaining proper seating posture. This multi-functional device was designed to replace the hard-plastic side guards that typically come with manual chairs (and can cost as much as $300) and gets rid of the need for separate, single-strap lap belts often used by wheelchair athletes in sports such as tennis, basketball, and rugby. The GADA Belt’s soft canvas design reduces skin damage and breakdown, and actually improves the handling and performance of your chair while playing sports and recreating outdoors. This product is currently designed to fit all Quickie and Ti model manual wheelchairs. Design modifications for other models such as Invacare, Lasher Sport, Colours, Kushcall, and Flight Ultralight are underway and GADA belts will be available for these brands soon.

For active wheelchair users and business men and women that need to look professional, the GADA Belt also keeps clothing clean & dry, and is a great way to keep business jackets neatly tucked in. And for people with hip and/or pelvic alignment issues, the GADA Belt has been recommended by physical therapists to help correct and ensure good posture and alignment.

Craig and Andy Kennedy are travel consultants and writers specializing in marketing and education for all aspects of disability travel including recreation, adventure, eco travel, and ADA rights and interpretation. They started Access Anything in 2003 and have published two travel guides for people with disabilities, Access Anything: Colorado (Fulcrum Books, 2005), and Access Anything: I Can Do That! (Outskirts Press, 2007). They are considered the premier experts on adventure travel for people with disabilities in the United States today. For more information or to purchase your own GADA Belt, visit www.gadabelt.com, www.accessanything.net/onlinestore, and http://www.accessanything.net/text/AATraveler_0508.pdf .

Disability Right Fund Opens

From a press release:

BOSTON, MA – The Disability Rights Fund—a groundbreaking grantmaking collaborative supporting the human rights of people with disabilities—today announced its first grants competition.

The broad objective of the Fund -- which was launched by the Open Society Institute, The Sigrid Rausing Trust, the United Kingdom Department for International Development, and an anonymous donor on the first anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) -- is to empower disabled persons organizations in the developing world and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union to effectively implement and monitor the CPRD.

In 2008, the Fund plans to give out a total of USD $700,000 in one-year grants ranging from USD $5000 - $50,000 and aimed at awareness-raising, strengthening coalitions and networks, and rights advocacy.

To be eligible for this year’s grants program, applicant organizations must be based in and conduct the majority of their activities in the following seven countries: in Africa, Ghana, Namibia and Uganda; in Latin America, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Peru; in Asia, Bangladesh. In these countries, the Fund will support Disabled Persons’ Organizations activities that advance the human rights of persons with disabilities at country-level.

Interested organizations are urged to review the full eligibility criteria and application details posted at the Fund’s website, www.disabilityrightsfund.org. Any questions on the proposal process should be directed to info@disabilityrightsfund.org by July 15. The deadline for applications is August 15.

Disability Rights Fund Steering Committee Co-Chair, William Rowland, President of the World Blind Union, stated "The Disability Rights Fund heralds an innovative partnership between donors and persons with disabilities. The flow of new resources to support our struggle for rights is a development of major significance."

####
Contact: Diana Samarasan, Director

Telephone: 617-261-4593

Email: dsamarasan@disabilityrightsfund.org

El Fondo Sobre Derechos de Personas con Discapacidad abre su período de subvenciones a OPDs en 7 Países (Spanish)

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA:

BOSTON, MA – El Fondo Sobre Derechos de Personas con Discapacidad, una iniciativa colaborativa que apoya los derechos humanos de las personas con discapacidad – anunció hoy su primera competición por subvenciones.

El objetivo amplio del Fondo – que fue lanzado por el Open Society Institute, el Sigrid Rausing Trust, el Departamento para el Desarrollo Internacional del gobierno británico, y un donante anónimo, en el primer aniversario de la Convención Sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (CDPD) de las Naciones Unidas – es el de empoderar a organizaciones de personas con discapacidad en el mundo en desarrollo y la Europa del Este/antigua Unión Soviética, para la implementación y monitoreo efectivos de la CDPD.

En el 2008, el Fondo tiene planificado otorgar un total de USD $700,000 (dólares estadounidenses) en subvenciones de un año de duración que varían desde los USD $5,000 hasta $50,000, dirigidos al aumento de la concientización, el fortalecimiento de alianzas y redes, y la defensa de derechos.

Para poder optar al programa de subvenciones de este año, las organizaciones aplicantes deben tener su sede y realizar la mayoría de sus actividades en alguno de los siguientes siete países: en África, Ghana, Namibia y Uganda; en América Latina, Ecuador, Nicaragua y Perú; en Asia, Bangladesh. En estos países, el Fondo apoyará actividades de las organizaciones de personas con discapacidad que contribuyan al avance de la CDPD a nivel de los países.

Se alienta a que las organizaciones interesadas revisen los criterios de eligibilidad y los detalles para aplicar que se encuentran en el sitio de Internet del Fondo: www.disabilityrightsfund.org. Cualquier pregunta acerca del proceso para realizar propuestas deberán dirigirse a: info@disabilityrightsfund.org a más tardar el 15 de julio de 2008. La última fecha para enviar aplicaciones es el 15 de agosto de 2008.

William Rowland, Co-Presidente del Comité Coordinador del Fondo Sobre Derechos de Personas con Discapacidad, quien también funge como Presidente de la Unión Mundial de Ciegos, declaró “El Fondo Sobre Derechos de Personas con Discapacidad ha constituído una asociación innovadora entre donantes y personas con discapacidad. La canalización de nuevos recursos hacia la lucha por reivindicar nuestros derechos, es un desarrollo de importancia significativa.”

Contactar a: Diana Samarasan, Directora

Teléfono: +1-617-261-4593

Correo Electrónico: dsamarasan@disabilityrightsfund.org

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The following article in English and Thai on the UN CRPD was forwarded by Saowalak Thongkuay of Disabled People's International (DPI). Saowalak is an important facilitator of Inclusive Tourism in SE Asia and DPI a diligent institutional ally in this work.

Fine words without actions are meaningless but actions usually only come about after fine words have been written - Victoria Brignell celebrates a new UN convention

คำพูดหรู ๆ โดยไม่ทำอะไรนั้นไร้ความหมาย แต่การกระทำนั้นก็มักเกิดขึ้นหลังจากที่เราได้คำพูดหรู ๆ แล้ว

โดย Victoria Brignell celebrates a new UN convention

Last month the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force. It may not be a snappy title but it marks an important development in disabled people's pursuit of equality. Sixty years after the original UN Declaration on Human Rights was launched, disabled people have finally gained their own charter and full recognition that they too have human rights.

เมื่อเดือนที่แล้วอนุสัญญาว่าด้วยสิทธิคนพิการเริ่มมีผลบังคับใช้ ชื่ออาจจะไม่เตะตานักแต่ก็ถือว่าเป็นการพัฒนาที่สำคัญด้านความเสมอภาคของคนพิการ เป็นเวลากว่า 60 ปีแล้วที่องค์การสหประชาชาติมีประกาศด้านสิทธิมนุษยชน ท้ายที่สุดคนพิการก็ได้รับการยอมรับในเรื่องสิทธิมนุษยชนด้วยเช่นกัน

Disabled people are one of the last "vulnerable" social groups to be given the protection of a specific human rights convention. While women, ethnic minorities, children and migrant workers all received one years ago, disabled people have had to wait until the 21st century for this moment.

คนพิการเป็นกลุ่มเสี่ยงทางสังคมกลุ่มสุดท้ายที่ได้รับการคุ้มครองด้านสิทธิมนุษยชนโดยอนุสัญญา ในขณะที่ผู้หญิง กลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ เด็ก ลูกจ้างอพยพมีอนุสัญญาของตัวเองตั้งนานแล้ว แต่คนพิการต้องรอจนกระทั่งถึงศตวรรษที่ 21 เลยทีเดียว

In a way, this isn't surprising. No international treaty has ever come about without a long and hard campaign. But in order to campaign, people need to be able to take part in demonstrations, attend meetings, sign petitions, write letters and lobby politicians. You can only do these things if you have a reasonable level of education, access to transport and the ability to make your voice heard. Sadly, the vast majority of disabled people in the world are denied such luxuries.

แต่ก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องน่าแปลกใจเท่าใดนัก ไม่เคยมีอนุสัญญาฉบับใดเลยที่ไม่ต้องใช้เวลานานในการรณรงค์เรียกร้อง แต่ในการรณรงค์นั้น ประชาชนต้องเข้ามามีส่วนร่วมในการเดินขบวน ประชุม ยื่นข้อเรียกร้อง เขียนจดหมายและล๊อบบี้นักการเมือง เราจะทำแบบนี้ได้ก็ต่อเมื่อเรามีระดับการศึกษาที่ดีพอควร เข้าถึงระบบขนส่งมวลชนและต้องมีความสามารถในการที่จะทำให้เสียงของเราดังพอให้คนอื่นได้ยินได้ แต่ก็น่าเศร้า คนพิการส่วนใหญ่ในโลกนี้ไม่มีโอกาสทำเช่นนั้นได้

Imagine for a moment that you are a paralysed person living in a slum somewhere in Africa. Without a welfare state, you can't afford a wheelchair so you are stuck indoors much of the time, only able to travel as far as anyone is prepared to carry you. Your chances of finding employment are virtually non-existent, so you don't have any income of your own. You can't afford to pay carers so you are totally reliant on your family and friends for support. Somebody in this situation is hardly in a position to be able to campaign for a human rights treaty.

สมมติว่าเราเป็นคนพิการอัมพาตอยู่ในสลัมในแอฟริกา หากไม่มีรัฐสวัสดิการ เราก็ซื้อวีลแชร์ไม่ได้ ก็เลยต้องอยู่แต่ในบ้าน ไปได้ไกลที่สุดก็เท่าที่คนอุ้มจะสามารถพาไปได้ โอกาสที่จะหางานทำก็ไม่มี ก็เลยไม่มีรายได้ เราไม่มีทางจ่ายค่าคนดูแลได้ เพราะฉะนั้นเราก็ต้องพึ่งพาอาศัยญาติหรือเพื่อน คนที่มีสภาพเช่นนี้คงยากนักที่จะออกมารณรงค์เรื่องสิทธิในสนธิสัญญาได้

But I believe there is another reason why we have had to wait so long for this new convention. Disabled people's rights are different from other kinds of rights. Ending discrimination against women, for example, involves changing attitudes (a major challenge in itself) but there are relatively few cost implications. In contrast, eliminating discrimination against disabled people means not only combating prejudice but also adapting buildings, redesigning public transport and investing in social care. All this requires resources which developing countries simply do not have. Any cash-strapped government is unlikely to actively push for a treaty which would require them to spend money, especially when they have so many other demands on their tight budgets.

แต่ก็มีอีกเหตุผลหนึ่งที่เราต้องรออนุสัญญานี้นานมาก สิทธิของคนพิการนั้นแตกต่างจากสิทธิประเภทอื่น ๆ ยกตัวอย่างเช่น การยุติการเลือกปฏิบัติต่อผู้หญิง ต้องเกี่ยวข้องกับการเปลี่ยนทัศนคติ แต่ก็มีค่าใช้จ่ายที่เกี่ยวข้องไม่มากนัก ในทางตรงกันข้าม การขจัดการเลือกปฏิบัติต่อคนพิการไม่ได้หมายความถึงการขจัดทัศนคติที่ไม่ดีอย่างเดียวเท่านั้น แต่ต้องมีการปรับเปลี่ยนอาคารสถานที่ ออกแบบระบบขนส่งมวลชนใหม่และต้องลงทุนในการดูแลสังคม ทั้งหมดนี้ต้องใช้ทรัพยากรมาก ซึ่งประเทศกำลังพัฒนาคงทำไม่ได้มาก รัฐบาลที่มีหนี้สินคงไม่อยากผลักดันให้อนุสัญญานี้ผ่านเพื่อที่ตัวเองจะต้องเสียเงินเพิ่ม โดยเฉพาะเมื่อยังมีความต้องการที่จะใช้งบประมาณเพื่อการอื่น ๆ อีกมากมาย

It's therefore something of a miracle that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the end only took four years to negotiate. Four years might sound a long time but that makes it the fastest negotiated human rights treaty in history. And on the opening day for signing the convention, 81 countries put their names to it - a record at the opening for any UN treaty. At the time of writing, 129 countries have signed it.

ด้วยเหตุนี้มันจึงดูเหมือนปาฏิหาริย์ที่อนุสัญญาว่าด้วยสิทธิคนพิการใช้เวลาเพียง 4 ปีในการพัฒนา แม้ว่า 4 ปีจะดูเหมือนนานแต่มันก็เป็นอนุสัญญาด้านสิทธิมนุษยชนที่เสร็จเร็วที่สุดในประวัติศาสตร์ และในวันที่เปิดให้ลงนาม ก็มีถึง 81 ประเทศที่ร่วมลงนาม เป็นสถิติใหม่ของสนธิสัญญาของยูเอ็น ในขณะที่เขียนอยู่นี้ 129 ประเทศได้ลงนามแล้ว

However, before we start popping the champagne corks, it's worth noting that only 27 countries have so far ratified the convention. As with any UN treaty, once it's been signed, the next step is to ratify it. Ratification is essential for the convention to be effective because it is ratification that makes the initial pledge binding and enforceable under national law. Yet many significant countries have still not ratified it including the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, USA, Australia and Canada. I find it rather amusing that Ecuador, Namibia and San Marino have ratified it but none of the UN Security Council have done so.

อย่างไรก็ตาม ก่อนที่เราจะเริ่มการรณรงค์ เราก็ควรจะรู้ไว้ว่าตอนนี้มีประเทศที่ให้สัตยาบัน (ratification) ไปแล้ว 27 ประเทศ ตามระเบียบของยูเอ็นนั้น หลังจากลงนามแล้ว ขั้นต่อไปก็คือการให้สัตยาบัน การให้สัตยาบันนั้นเป็นหัวใจสำคัญที่จะทำให้อนุสัญญามีผลบังคับใช้ในกฎหมายของประเทศต่าง ๆ ที่ให้สัตยาบัน น่าแปลกใจว่าประเทศสำคัญ ๆ อย่างเช่น อังกฤษ ฝรั่งเศส เยอรมัน สวีเดน อิตาลี่ อเมริกา ออสเตรเลียหรือแคนาดายังไม่ได้ให้สัตยาบันเลย น่าขันทีเดียวที่ประเทศอย่างเช่น เอกวาดอร์ นามิเบีย แซนมาริโน่ได้ให้สัตยาบันแล้ว แต่ไม่มีสภาความมั่นคงของยูเอ็นทำเช่นนั้นเลย

And how much difference will the new convention actually make to the reality of disabled people's lives? You could easily argue that it's just the latest in a long line of international initiatives regarding disability. In 1981 we had the "World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons". This was followed in 1993 by the "Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities". And then in 1995 they unveiled the "Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons". Despite these worthy ventures, millions of disabled people worldwide still face discrimination in education, employment, health care and decision-making.

แล้วอนุสัญญาจะทำให้เกิดความเปลี่ยนแปลงต่อชีวิตคนพิการได้อย่างไร? คุณคงจะเถียงทันทีว่ามันคงอยู่ท้ายสุดของงานด้านคนพิการในระดับนานาชาติเป็นแน่ ในปี 1981 เรามีแผนปฏิบัติการโลกด้านคนพิการ แล้วในปี 1993 เราก็มี “กฎมาตรฐานเพื่อความเสมอภาคทางโอกาสของคนพิการ” ต่อมาในปี 1995 เราก็มี “ประกาศด้านสิทธิของคนพิการ” แม้ว่าจะมีสิ่งเหล่านี้ คนพิการหลายล้านคนทั่วโลกก็คงยังคงถูกเลือกปฏิบัติในด้านการศึกษา การจ้างงาน สุขอนามัยและการตัดสินใจ

Cynics might also point out that, 27 years after the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women came into force, women's rights are still violated all over the world. Every day, countless women are subjected to rape, trafficking, forced marriage, restrictions on their movements, female genital mutilation and laws weighted against women. (In Algeria, the police still consider it acceptable for a husband to forbid his wife to travel and in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to vote or drive cars.). If there are disabled people out there who have doubts about the value of the new convention, then they do seem to have some justification for their skepticism.

คนที่ชอบเย้ยหยันอาจชี้ให้เห็นว่า 27 ปีหลังจากที่มอนุสัญญาว่าด้วยการขจัดการเลือกปฏิบัติต่อสตรี (CEDAW) มีผลบังคับใช้ สิทธิของสตรีก็ยังคงถูกละเมิดทั่วโลก ในทุก ๆ วัน สตรีนับไม่ถ้วนถูกข่มขืน ถูกหลอกไปค้ามนุษย์ หย่าร้าง ห้ามไม่ให้เคลื่อนไหว การตัดอวัยเพศ และกฎหมายที่ให้น้ำหนักกับชายมากกว่า (ในประเทศอัลจีเรีย ตำรวจเห็นว่าสามีสามารถห้ามไม่ให้ภรรยาออกไปเที่ยวได้ และในซาอุดิอาระเบีย ผู้หญิงถูกห้ามไม่ให้ออกเสียงลงคะแนนหรือขับรถ) หากคนพิการคนหนึ่งจะสงสัยว่าอนุสัญญานี้มีค่ามากขนาดนั้นจริง ๆ หรือ เขาก็มีเหตุผลที่จะสงสัยเช่นนั้นได้

Nevertheless, we should acknowledge that the convention has the potential to be a highly useful tool in the struggle to improve disabled people's lives. It's the first legally binding treaty to clearly set out the obligations on states to avoid discrimination against disabled people in all its forms, and to create a society in which disabled people can fully participate. For example, the convention requires states to take measures to ensure personal mobility, access to work, justice, the physical environment, and information technology.

แม้ว่าจะเป็นอย่างนั้น เราก็ควรทราบไว้ว่าอนุสัญญามีศักยภาพสูงที่จะเป็นเครื่องมือให้เราพัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิตของคนพิการ สนธิสัญญานี้เป็นฉบับแรกที่กล่าวไว้อย่างชัดเจนว่ารัฐจะต้องหลีกเลียงการเลือกปฏิบัติต่อคนพิการในทุกรูปแบบ และต้องสร้างสังคมที่คนพิการสามารถมีส่วนร่วมได้อย่างเต็มที่ ยกตัวอย่างเช่น อนุสัญญา (หรือสนธิสัญญา) กล่าวไว้ว่ารัฐต้องมีมาตรการในการให้การเข้าถึงงาน ความยุติธรรม สภาพแวดล้อมทางกายภาพรวมถึงข้อมูลข่าวสารและเทคโนโลยีแก่คนพิการ

It’s difficult to overestimate the scale of the challenge ahead. Global disability statistics make bleak reading. According to the World Health Organisation there are 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. Eighty per cent are estimated to live in developing countries, yet 90 per cent of rehabilitation measures take place in industrialized countries. Only two per cent of disabled children in developing countries receive an education and a recent World Bank study indicated that disability is a bigger barrier to school participation than gender and household economic status. In many countries - including India, Thailand and Vietnam - more than three-quarters of disabled adults are out of work. Research commissioned for the UN World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled People suggests that 350 million people with disabilities live in areas where essential services needed to help them are not available. Achieving change will require a Herculean effort.

เป็นการยากที่จะบอกว่าเราต้องใช้ความพยายามอีกเท่าไร จากข้อมูลขององค์การอนามัยโลก มีคนพิการ 650 ล้านคนทั่วโลก ประมาณ 80 เปอร์เซ็นต์อาศัยอยู่ในประเทศกำลังพัฒนา อีกกว่า 90 เปอร์เซ็นต์ของการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพอยู่ในประเทศอุตสาหกรรม มีเพียง 2 เปอร์เซ็นต์ของเด็กพิการในประเทศกำลังพัฒนาได้รับการศึกษา จากการศึกษาของธนาคารโลกเมื่อเร็ว ๆ นี้ชี้ให้เห็นว่า ความพิการเป็นปัญหาสำคัญในการเข้าถึงการศึกษามากกว่าปัญหาเรื่องการมีส่วนร่วมในเรื่องของเพศสภาพและสถานะทางเศรษฐกิจของครัวเรือน ในหลาย ๆ ประเทศ เช่น อินเดีย ไทยและเวียดนาม มากกว่า 3 ใน 4 ของคนพิการวัยทำงานไม่มีงานทำ คณะทำวิจัยของแผนปฏิบัติงานโลกด้านคนพิการของยูเอ็นชี้ให้เห็นว่า คนพิการ 350 ล้านคนอยู่ในพื้นที่ที่ไม่มีบริการที่จำเป็นสำหรับคนพิการ การเปลี่ยนแปลงต้องใช้ความพยายามอย่างใหญ่หลวง

The UN is right to describe the new convention as "a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity". Yes, fine words without actions are meaningless but actions usually only come about after fine words have been written. I know I would rather live in a world with the convention than one without it.

ยูเอ็นทำถูกแล้วที่มีอนุสัญญาใหม่เพื่อส่งเสริม คุ้มครองและรับประกันสิทธิมนุษยชนและเสรีภาพขึ้นพื้นฐานของคนพิการ และเพื่อส่งเสริมให้เกิดการเคารพในศักดิ์ศรีความเป็นมนุษย์ ก็จริงที่ว่า คำพูดหรู ๆ โดยไม่ทำอะไรนั้นไร้ความหมาย แต่การปฏิบัติก็มักเกิดหลังจากคำพูดหรู ๆ เหล่านั้น ฉันจึงขออยู่ในโลกที่มีอนุสัญญาดีกว่าไม่มีอะไรเลย

PS: Here's a quiz question for you. Which country was the first to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? Answer: Jamaica. I'm sure you're as surprised by that information as I was.. .

ป.ล. คำถาม – ประเทศใดให้สัตยาบันอนุสัญญาว่าด้วยสิทธิคนพิการของยูเอ็นเป็นประเทศแรก? คำตอบ – จาไมก้า น่าแปลกใจจริง ๆ

Victoria Brignell
June 2008

Source:
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/crips-column/2008/06/rights-disabled-convention

Andrew Shelley's World Tour on Xable.com

When I read about Andrew Shelley's accomplishments I wonder if isn't secretly trying trying to raise the annual amount people with disabilities from the US spend on travel by a few million dollars from his own pocket. Take some time to listen to this interview of his worldwide journey.

Then check out his site Beyond the Chair at http://www.btcmovie.com/

Acessibilidade, Um Exemplo a Ser Seguido... (Portuguese)

"Pérolas do Dicas do Pernambuco", um boletim eletrônico, publicou o seguente por Rita de Cássia Nogueira Lima Promotora de Justiça de Habitação e Urbanismo

ACESSIBILIDADE, UM EXEMPLO A SER SEGUIDO...

Parabenizo a promotora pública Rita de Cássia Nogueira Lima, que escreveu esta pérola...

ESTADO DO ACRE - MINISTÉRIO PÚBLICO

PROMOTORIA DE JUSTIÇA ESPECIALIZADA DE HABITAÇÃO E URBANISMO

RECOMENDAÇÃO Nº 01/2008

Dispõe sobre as providências administrativas necessárias para o cumprimento da legislação de acessibilidade de portadores de deficiência ou com mobilidade reduzida, nos edifícios públicos e de uso coletivo, no mobiliário urbano, nas vias e espaços públicos localizados no Município de Rio Branco.

O MINISTÉRIO PÚBLICO DO ESTADO DO ACRE, por meio da Promotoria Especializada de Habitação e Urbanismo, representada pela Promotora de Justiça signatária, no uso das suas atribuições constitucionais e legais, previstas na Constituição Federal (art. 127, "caput", e art. 129, II); e, com fundamento na Lei n.º 8.625/93; na Lei nº 7.853/89, regulamentada pelo Decreto n.º 3.289/99; nas Leis n.º 10.048/2000 e n.º 10.098/2000, regulamentadas pelo Decreto n.º 5.296/2004, bem como fulcrado nas normas de acessibilidade prescritas pela ABNT – NBR-9050, sobre acessibilidade a edificações, mobiliário, espaços e equipamentos urbanos; e,

CONSIDERANDO que a Constituição Federal atribui ao Ministério Público a função de zelar pelo efetivo respeito aos direitos individuais indisponíveis e coletivos assegurados na Carta Magna, bem como a defesa da ordem jurídica, do regime democrático e dos interesses indisponíveis (CF, art. 127 e Constituição Acreana, art. 106); e, ainda, pugnar pelo efetivo respeito aos Poderes Públicos e pelos serviços de relevância pública aos direitos assegurados na Carta Magna, promovendo as medidas necessárias à sua garantia, cabendo à Instituição Ministerial, dentre outras medidas, velar pela celeridade dos procedimentos administrativos, inclusive, EMITINDO RECOMENDAÇÕES AOS PODERES ESTADUAIS E MUNICIPAIS, BEM COMO AOS ÓRGÃOS DA ADMINISTRAÇÃO PÚBLICA ESTADUAL OU MUNICIPAL, DIRETA OU INDIRETA, NOS TERMOS DO ART. 27, IV, DA LEI N.º 8.625/93.

CONSIDERANDO que a Carta Magna estabelece como um dos fundamentos da República Federativa do Brasil a dignidade da pessoa humana (artigo 1º, inciso III), e, como um dos seus objetivos fundamentais "promover o bem de todos, sem preconceito de origem, raça, sexo, cor, idade e quaisquer formas de discriminação" (art.3º., inciso IV), além de expressamente declarar que "todos são iguais perante a lei, sem distinção de qualquer natureza" (Princípio da Igualdade), premissa básica e consentânea dos direitos fundamentais das pessoas com deficiência (art. 5º, caput, e inciso XLI).

CONSIDERANDO que a cidade cumpre sua função social quando propicia o bem-estar de todos os seus habitantes (art. 182, da Constituição Federal).

CONSIDERANDO que constitui um dos objetivos da Política Nacional para a Integração da Pessoa Portadora de Deficiência, nos termos do Decreto nº. 3.298/99, o acesso, o ingresso e a permanência da pessoa portadora de deficiência em todos os serviços oferecidos à comunidade; assegurando a referida Lei (n.º 7.853/89), àquela época, há mais de 20 (vinte) anos, no art. 2.º, parágrafo único, inciso V, "a", "na área das edificações: a) a adoção e a efetiva execução de normas que garantam a funcionalidade das edificações e vias públicas, que evitem ou removam os óbices às pessoas portadoras de deficiência, permitam o acesso destas a edifícios, a logradouros e a meios de transporte".

CONSIDERANDO que, corroborando o já estabelecido pela Lei n.º 7.853/89, foi editada a Lei n.º 10.098/2000, que disciplinou a necessidade de adequação de logradouros públicos, edifícios públicos e privados, transportes coletivos, etc., visando a sua acessibilização às pessoas com deficiência, tendo sido regulamentada pelo Decreto nº 5.296/2004, que além de determinar a forma pela qual deve ser feita essa acessibilização, definiu prazos, diferenciados de acordo com a natureza do bem a ser tornado acessível, para sua realização.

CONSIDERANDO, assim, que é dever do Estado promover ou realizar a adaptação dos logradouros e edifícios públicos, objetivando propiciar acessibilidade ao portador de deficiência ou àquele com mobilidade reduzida, conforme estabelecido nos arts. 227, § 2º, e 244, ambos da Constituição Federal, na Lei nº 7.853/89, regulamentada pelo Decreto 3.298/99, na Lei nº 10.098/2000, regulamentada pelo Decreto n.º 5.296/2004, bem assim no art. 92, § 2.º, da Lei Orgânica do Município de Rio Branco.

CONSIDERANDO, ainda, que o direito a acessar edifícios e circular livremente pelas ruas e praças da cidade está diretamente ligado ao princípio constitucional da liberdade, sendo a acessibilidade um direito fundamental social como se encontra elencado na Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil, constituindo-se, pois, consectário do mais básico dos direitos, o de ir e vir, fundamental pilar de cidadania e dignidade.

CONSIDERANDO, neste sentido, o disposto na Lei Estadual n.º 1.058/92, que estabelece: "Art. 1.º A construção de prédios e logradouros de uso público deverá ser adaptada às pessoas que portam os mais diversos tipos de deficiência. Art. 2.º - Entende-se por adaptação toda e qualquer medida que venha facilitar o acesso, o deslocamento e a permanência, bem como o uso das instalações pelas pessoas que portam deficiência."

CONSIDERANDO, da mesma forma, o que preceitua o art. 1.º da Lei Municipal n.º 1.142/94: "Fica obrigado que os projetos arquitetônicos dos prédios públicos e privados comerciais, construídos no Município de Rio Branco, permitam o livre acesso de deficientes físicos, com detalhes arquitetônicos como rampa, larguras das portas, corrimões, banheiros adequados, telefones, etc., visando o perfeito atendimento.".

CONSIDERANDO, também, que, nos termos do art. 2.º, da supracitada Lei: "A Prefeitura não concederá alvará de construção nem habite-se aos projetos que não cumprirem o estabelecido no artigo anterior"; e, em complementação, estabelece o art. 3.º, da Lei n.º 1.142/94, que o disposto nos artigos anteriores se aplica também aos projetos de reforma e ampliação.

CONSIDERANDO que, além das normas citadas, o novo Plano Diretor de Rio Branco – Lei Municipal n.º 1.611/2006, preceitua, no art. 7.º, inciso VII, que "... constituem-se funções sociais do Município de Rio Branco: VII – garantir às pessoas portadoras de deficiência física condições estruturais de acesso a serviços públicos e particulares de freqüência ao público, a logradouros e ao transporte coletivo."

CONSIDERANDO que o Decreto n.º 5.296/2004 impôs o prazo de 30 (trinta) meses, a partir da publicação do referido Decreto (02.12.2004), para a adaptação às normas de acessibilidade das edificações de uso público já existentes, concernentes a: edificações administradas por entidades da administração pública, direta e indireta, ou por empresas prestadoras de serviços públicos e destinados ao público em geral, incluindo, aí, as instituições financeiras; locais de reunião, esporte, espetáculos, conferências; instituições de ensino público; nos termos da ABNT NBR 9050:2004, cujo prazo, portanto, de há muito se expirou, ou seja, há quase 01 (um) ano, mais precisamente, em data de 02.06.2007 (art. 19, § 1.º).

CONSIDERANDO, ainda, que, nos termos do aludido Decreto, no que diz respeito ao mobiliário urbano (espaços públicos), o prazo para implantação da referida legislação de acessibilidade, era imediato, ou seja, a partir da publicação do Decreto n.º 5.296/2004 (02.12.2004).

CONSIDERANDO, deste modo, que, nos termos do art. 15, do Decreto n.º 5.296/2004, e art. 1.º, da Lei n.º 10.098/00, o planejamento e a urbanização das vias, praças, dos logradouros, parques e demais espaços de uso público, estão sujeitas aos efeitos das normas técnicas de acessibilidade da ABNT: construção ou adaptação de calçadas para circulação livre de barreiras, rebaixamentos de meio-fio com rampa acessível, elevação de calçadas para travessia em nível, instalação de piso tátil direcional e de alerta, instalação de vegetação e mobiliário urbano.

CONSIDERANDO que, não obstante a clareza das imposições estabelecidas pela legislação supracitada (não existe discricionariedade), tem se observado, no âmbito do Município de Rio Branco, que os responsáveis por seu cumprimento optaram, ao longo dos últimos anos, por ignorá-la, perpetuando a situação de exclusão à qual é submetido o segmento das pessoas com deficiência e com mobilidade reduzida; fato que tem sido constado, inclusive, em obras recentes executadas pelo Poder Público Municipal e Estadual, concernente à construção de praças e passeios, a exemplo da Avenida Ceará, Nações Unidas e Isaura Parente, com desenhos pintados de forma errada, ausência de piso tátil e direcional, dentre outras irregularidades.

CONSIDERANDO que calçadas bem arrumadas facilitam o trânsito de pessoas portadoras de deficiência ou com mobilidade reduzida, e, principalmente, impedem muitos acidentes que poderiam ser evitados se estas estivessem padronizadas e em perfeito estado de conservação.

CONSIDERANDO, como referido alhures, que, no caso das edificações de uso público, a violação dos dispositivos legais informados é ainda mais contundente, haja vista que o prazo para que fossem realizadas as adaptações dos prédios de uso público já existentes, a teor do Decreto n.º 5.296/2004 (art. 19, § 1.º), já se encontra vencido, sem que qualquer providência fosse ou esteja sendo tomada por parte do Poder Público

no sentido de garantir a todos, sem discriminação, o seu impostergável direito de "ir e vir".

CONSIDERANDO, também, que as iniciativas de acessibilidade favorecem não apenas os deficientes físicos, o que, por si só, já seria suficiente para sua efetiva implantação, mas laboram, também, em prol de toda e qualquer pessoa com mobilidade reduzida, aqui entendida como aquela que, temporariamente, tem reduzida a sua capacidade de locomoção, tais como: crianças, pessoas idosas, obesas, anãs, grávidas, pessoas com carrinho de bebê ou acompanhadas por criança de colo, a pessoa engessada com muleta, entre outras.

CONSIDERANDO, neste mesmo prisma, que, segundo estudos científicos, apenas com o processo de envelhecimento, a probabilidade de que uma pessoa tenha algum tipo de incapacidade chega a ser de 10% (dez por cento) até os 21 anos, eleva-se a 36% (trinta e seis por cento) em pessoas na faixa etária de 55 a 64 anos, atingindo 72% (setenta e dois por cento) naquelas com mais de 80 anos.

CONSIDERANDO, nesta esteira, que inúmeras pessoas têm deficiências em diferentes níveis, e a não observância da legislação de acessibilidade implica em uma dificuldade de acesso para que esses cidadãos estabeleçam contatos e troquem informações, exerçam uma atividade produtiva e rentável, encontrem formas alternativas de lazer e aprendizado, aumentem as suas relações sociais, em resumo, torne possível a construção de uma vida mais digna e feliz.

CONSIDERANDO, noutro giro, que qualquer argumento de natureza econômica que possa ser levantado para justificar a não acessibilidade dos edifícios, logradouros públicos e mobiliários urbanos nesta Capital, será inócuo e injustificado, pelo simples fato de que o prazo concedido pelo Decreto Federal n.º 5.296/2004 foi mais do que suficiente, sendo certo que, caso houvesse sensibilidade e, principalmente, respeito ao princípio da legalidade, o planejamento arquitetônico e financeiro para tanto teria sido realizado e, conseqüentemente, as obras necessárias teriam sido feitas.

CONSIDERANDO, sobremaneira, o contido no Inquérito Civil n.º 043332-2005, em trâmite nesta Promotoria de Habitação e Urbanismo e Promotoria Especializada de Cidadania e Saúde Pública, que versa sobre o cumprimento da legislação de acessibilidade, onde se verifica que o Município de Rio Branco não vem observando com regularidade as normas de acessibilidade, nem, tampouco, exigindo a sua observância.

CONSIDERANDO que a administração pública municipal deve adotar ações programadas visando à fiscalização das edificações de uso público e coletivo já existentes, de forma a dar efetivo cumprimento à legislação de acessibilidade.

CONSIDERANDO, por fim, que o Município de Rio Branco não vem exigindo a adaptação dos prédios de uso público e de uso coletivo já existentes; e, quando provocado pelo Ministério Público, limita-se, tão-somente, a realizar as vistorias requisitadas, ou seja, sem que seja tomada por ele qualquer providência ante a constatação de irregularidades, visando saná-las.

RECOMENDA:

1. AO MUNICÍPIO DE RIO BRANCO – Poder Executivo, através do Prefeito Municipal:

1.1. Providencie, no prazo máximo de 180 (cento e oitenta) dias, a adaptação de todos os edifícios públicos sob sua administração, de acordo com as especificações da NBR ABNT 9050, em cumprimento ao disposto nos arts. 227, § 2.º e 244, ambos da Constituição Federal, artigo 19, § 1º, do Decreto Federal nº 5.296/2004, bem como da Lei Estadual n.º 1.058/92, da Lei Orgânica do Município de Rio Branco e da Lei Municipal n.º

1.142/94.

1.2. Tornar acessíveis os edifícios de uso público e coletivo, teatros, cinemas, auditórios, estádio, ginásios de esporte, casas de espetáculos, salas de conferências e similares, estabelecimentos de ensino de qualquer nível, etapa ou modalidade, públicos ou privados, na forma do disposto no art. 23, "caput", e § 8.º, do Decreto Federal n.º 5.296/2004, ou seja, no prazo de 30 (trinta) meses, para as edificações de uso público, que venceu em data 02.06.2007; e, 48 (quarenta e oito) meses, para as de uso coletivo, cujo prazo se expira em 02.12.2008.

1.3. Definir os alinhamentos prediais e de meios fios.

1.4. Adotar todas as medidas necessárias a garantir o direito de uso dos passeios e logradouros públicos (mobiliário urbano), com a devida acessibilidade e respeito à dignidade humana, na forma do artigo 16, do Decreto nº 5.296/2004, cujo prazo para adequação era imediato, a partir da publicação daquele Decreto (02.12.2004); providenciando, também, a retirada de quaisquer obstáculos que se encontrem sobre os passeios e logradouros públicos, tais como churrasqueiras, ferro-velho, comércios informais, garagens, obras e materiais de construção, oficinas mecânicas, metalurgias, lavagens de automóveis e demais atividades comerciais.

1.5. Estabelecer padrões arquitetônicos, expedindo normas ou prescrições técnicas, para as calçadas no município de Rio Branco com material e dimensões apropriadas ao tráfego de pessoas, obedecendo aos dispositivos de acessibilidade determinados na Norma Técnica NBR 9050, atentando-se não somente, mas, principalmente, à reserva da faixa destinada ao mobiliário urbano (espaços necessários à colocação de árvores, postes de iluminação, sinalização de trânsito, lixeiras e outros elementos), e a reserva de faixa livre para circulação de pedestres, no que diz respeito à largura mínima e inclinações; bem como aplicar medidas administrativas sanciona tórias àqueles que não construírem os passeios em conformidade com tais normas.

1.6 Promover campanhas publicitárias, visando conscientizar e informar a população sobre os padrões arquitetônicos e as normas técnicas especificadas no item 1.5.

1.7. No exame de projetos arquitetônicos para fins de aprovação, exigir que proprietários, arquitetos, engenheiros e responsáveis técnicos firmem declaração, acompanhada de relação dos itens e elementos construtivos sujeitos às regras especiais de acessibilidade, afirmando que a obra projetada, no que se refere a portadores de deficiência e de mobilidade reduzida, atende às prescrições das normas técnicas brasileiras da ABNT e da legislação pertinente.

1.8. No licenciamento de obras, o servidor responsável deverá verificar e atestar o atendimento da exigência prevista no item 1.7, procedendo da mesma forma, no que couber, em relação aos projetos elaborados pelas Secretarias de Estado das áreas de Infra Estrutura, Obras Públicas e Habitação, Saúde, Educação e Segurança, enfim, para todas as obras públicas, em face do disposto no art. 57.º, do Código de Obras do Município de Rio Branco, Lei Municipal n.º 611/1986.

1.9. Para efeito de emissão de certificados de conclusão, exigir declaração de proprietários, arquitetos, engenheiros e responsáveis técnicos de que a obra foi concluída com atendimento das regras de acessibilidade do portador de deficiência, bem como atestado da veracidade desta afirmação assinado pelo servidor responsável pela vistoria final.

1.10. Em cumprimento ao estabelecido na Lei nº 7.853/89, regulamentada pelo Decreto 3.298/99, na Lei nº 10.098/00, regulamentada pelo Decreto n.º 5.296/2004, bem assim na Lei Estadual n.º 1.058/92, na Lei Orgânica do Município de Rio Branco, art. 92, § 2.º, e na Lei Municipal n.º 1.142/94, a instituição de ações programadas de fiscalização dos prédios existentes, com agendamento de prioridades, prazos, locais e responsáveis pelas vistorias.

1.11. Remeter à Promotoria de Justiça de Habitação e Urbanismo, no prazo de 30 (trinta) dias, relatório acerca das medidas tomadas em conformidade com esta Recomendação.

2. AO ESTADO DO ACRE - SECRETARIAS DE ESTADO DE INFRA-ESTRUTURA, OBRAS PÚBLICAS E HABITAÇÃO, SAÚDE, EDUCAÇÃO E SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA:

2.1. Providenciem, no prazo máximo de 180 (cento e oitenta) dias, a adaptação de todos os edifícios públicos sob sua administração, de acordo com as especificações da NBR ABNT 9050, em cumprimento ao disposto no artigo 19 § 1º, do Decreto Federal nº 5.296/2004, bem como da Lei Estadual n.º 1.058/92, da Lei Orgânica do Município de Rio Branco, e da Lei Municipal n.º 1.142/94.

2.2. Tornar acessíveis os sanitários dos edifícios de uso público, bem como teatros, auditórios, estádio, ginásios de esporte, casas de espetáculos, salas de conferências e similares, estabelecimentos de ensino de qualquer nível, etapa ou modalidade, sob sua administração, na forma do disposto no Decreto Federal n.º 5.296/2004.

2.3 A observância, no que couber, das orientações previstas nos item 1.7 e 1.8 desta Recomendação, quando da aprovação de projetos arquitetônicos e do licenciamento das obras de responsabilidade própria, conforme art. 57.º e seguintes do Código de Obras do Município de Rio Branco.

2.4. Atuar conjuntamente com os órgãos municipais competentes pela execução de calçadas e colocação dos elementos de arborização (SEDOP, SEMEIA, RBTRANS), quando da realização de tais obras pelo Estado.

2.5. A remessa à Promotoria de Justiça de Habitação e Urbanismo, no prazo de 30 (trinta) dias, de informações a respeito das medidas tomadas em conformidade com esta recomendação.

A Promotoria de Justiça de Habitação e Urbanismo coloca-se à disposição dos órgãos Recomendados para discutir sugestões visando ao aperfeiçoamento das ações estabelecidas.

Impende ADVERTIR, igualmente, que o não cumprimento da presente RECOMENDAÇÃO, com a tomada das devidas providências, implicará, sem prejuízo da responsabilidade administrativa, no ajuizamento da competente ação civil pública, inclusive, por improbidade administrativa, conforme prevê o artigo 11, inciso II, da Lei n.º 8.429/92.

Por fim, tendo em vista que as atividades de engenheiros e arquitetos são fiscalizadas pelo Conselho Regional de Engenharia, Arquitetura e Agronomia - CREA/AC e que referidas profissões, além de fundamentais para a efetivação da acessibilidade, caracterizam-se "pelas realizações de interesse social e humano", recomendando o respectivo Código de Ética que os profissionais devem interessar-se "pelo bem público e com tal finalidade contribuir com seus conhecimentos, capacidade e experiência para melhor servir à humanidade", em conformidade com a Lei nº 5.194, de 24 dezembro de 1966 e a Resolução nº 205, de 30.09.71, do CONFEA - Conselho Federal de Engenharia, Arquitetura e Agronomia; e, ainda, que, para aprovação ou licenciamento ou emissão de certificado de conclusão de projeto arquitetônico ou urbanístico deverá ser atestado o atendimento às regras de acessibilidade previstas nas normas técnicas de acessibilidade da ABNT, na legislação específica e no Decreto n.º 5.296/04, conforme o disposto no art. 11, § 2º, do citado diploma legal; encaminhe-se cópia desta Recomendação ao CREA/ACRE, para conhecimento e providências a seu cargo, no que se refere à estrita observância por parte dos engenheiros e arquitetos à legislação de acessibilidade.

Remeta-se cópia, também, para conhecimento, às entidades privadas e órgãos públicos de defesa do portador de deficiência, especialmente, à Associação dos Deficientes Visuais do Acre - ADEVI; Centro de Apoio ao Deficiente Visual – CEADV; Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais - APAE; à Associação Riobranquense de Deficientes Físicos – ARDEF; à Pastoral da Pessoa com Deficiência; bem como à Secretaria

Municipal do Trabalho, Cidadania e Assistência Social; à Câmara Municipal; ao Tribunal de Justiça; ao Estado do Acre (Governo) – Poder Executivo; à Procuradoria-Geral do Estado do Acre; à Secretaria de Estado de Cidadania e Assistência Social; à Assembléia Legislativa; à Defensoria Pública do Estado; à Procuradoria-Geral de Justiça e à Corregedoria do Ministério Público; à Coordenadoria de Defesa do Meio Ambiente, Habitação e Urbanismo; à Promotoria de Justiça Especializada de Cidadania e Saúde Pública; e, à Procuradoria da República no Estado do Acre – Procuradoria Regional dos Direitos do Cidadão.

Publique-se,

Notifique-se,

Cumpra-se.

Rio Branco, 23 de maio de 2008.

Rita de Cássia Nogueira Lima

Promotora de Justiça de Habitação e Urbanismo

Entidades de Classe, Conselhos Regionais, Instituições de Ensino, Comissões especiais que tratam deste assunto no Sistema Confea/CREAs, que tal encaminharmos por ofício às Prefeituras, órgãos Públicos, Ministério Públicos, Promotores públicos locais, as mesmas proposituras deste boletim para que as demais autoridades constituídas tomem ciência e repitam em suas cidades os mesmos procedimentos, que esta brilhante promotora nos concede. Isto sim é cidadania.

Engenheiro Civil Marcio de Almeida Pernambuco – CREA 0600905790

***************************

Copyright© "Pérolas do Dicas do Pernambuco" é um boletim eletrônico,

Distribuído gratuitamente por e-mail: tiragem 10.000 exemplares.

Envie-nos um e mail com artigos, sugestões, ou solicite o boletim e comece a recebê-lo mensalmente.

Engenheiro Civil Marcio de Almeida Pernambuco - email : engpernambuco@uol.com.br.

Todos os direitos reservados - Permitida a reprodução se e quando comunicada ao autor e citada a fonte.

Progress in New Zealand: Research Results in New Outdoor Access

The Department of Conservation (DOC) on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand is sitting up and taking notice of access tourism.

DOC manages more than 1.9 million hectares (about 4.7 million acres) of land on the West Coast, which is about a quarter of New Zealand's protected public land. Within its 600 km (373 mile) long West Coast boundary are two kiwi sanctuaries, five national parks, two Wilderness Areas and a World Heritage Area. The West Coast has remarkable collection of natural features which includes rainforests, glaciers, wetlands and an ocean habitat that is home to the world's stronghold population of Hector's dolphin. DOC also looks after more than 150 actively managed historic places on the West Coast ranging from historic buildings to mining sites. This richness of natural and made-made heritage attracts about 1.2 million visitors per annum to the region, but to date, little attention has been paid to tourism for PWDs.

A report by Dr. Sandra Rhodda of Tai Poutini Polytechnic on access tourism on the West Coast (http://www.tpp.ac.nz/taipoutini/report.asp?id=4#item) and a talk given by her at the New Zealand Eco Tourism Conference in 2007 highlighted the issues for people visiting the coast with some level of disability. The report highlighted specific design elements required at sites that need to be taken into consideration where tourism operations are providing facilities for people with mobility difficulty. These include ensuring appropriate surfaces in car parks and on footpaths, providing access through kerbing and channelling, having suitable access to toilets, and removing barriers at the entrance to tracks.

The examples of issues faced by people with mobility difficulties outlined in the report highlighted the need for DOC to have a whole of site design approach when carrying out upgrades to facilities and attention to detail. As a result, DOC has carried out some projects to improve access for PWDs and is planning to undertake further work at front country sites in the coming years.

Work completed in the last twelve months includes:

• Knights Point, South Westland: provision of parks for PWDs; sealing of the footpath to new viewpoint; provision of accessible toilets. The design brief included wheelchair access through kerbing and channelling (previously, footpath was gravel, there was no break in the kerbing, and no provision for PWDs parking).

• Pororai Walk, Punakaiki. New sealed car park at the eastern side of the State Highway now provides a safe access to the Pororari Walk and a picnic area which includes wheel chair access. A short walk up the Pororari River has been resurfaced providing people with limited disability the opportunity to enjoy this valley. Previously, people who use wheelchairs did not have access to this location.

Work planned for the future includes:

• Ship Creek, South Westland. Upgrade of short walks. Improve access for PWDs (mobility) to both the Dune Lake walk and Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk. This will involve redesign of the car park, boardwalk to the beach, resurfacing of the swamp forest walk, and identifying any impediments to those who use wheelchairs e.g., lack of manoeuvrability on the track.

• Lake Matheson, South Westland. Development of a design for a new car park and toilets at Lake Matheson. Design elements in the brief are to cater for those with disability. The project also includes upgrading the walking track from the car park to the jetty viewpoint. Currently sections of the walk are to steep and the viewing area at the jetty needs to be improved.

• Cape Foulwind, Buller. Planned upgrade of the toilet facilities.

• Various short walks. Upgrade of two of the 6 kilometres (about 4 miles) of accessible walks to reduce grade, widen surface where required, compact surface, removal of loose material, and remove gated structures where present.

• Improving access to some of the DOC visitor centres, particularly doorways at the entrances to these buildings.

“Given that currently about 17% of Kiwis report a disability, and given that this number is probably going to rise steeply because of our ageing population, it is timely that DOC on the West Coast is improving access. Already about half of tourists in New Zealand are 45 years old or older. Because the worldwide population is ageing the same as here, these improvements can’t help but act as a draw card for both international and Kiwi tourists who need an accessible tourism product” said Rhodda.

Overstream and a Site Visit: A Strategy for Public Input on Accessibility

Cumverland island, Georgia is open for suggestions on accessibility. Have a look at the video below and offer them your insights. Notice the ability to add both comments and captioning at Overstream.com

Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island.
Pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the
stories of both man and nature. (from Park web site)

Recently a group from the Shepherd Center tested the Island's accessibility. That included a 45
minute ferry ride, tour of the Island and time on the beach. The Park
Superintendent and staff would like to make some changes to improve access,
but the Regional office is slow to respond and needs to hear from YOU.

Our adventure is at http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ngeprjsmr8al

More about the Park at http://www.nps.gov/cuis/

WRITE: David Vela, Regional Director, 100 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303,
(404) 562-3123

Travel Show

Oak Park resident Beatrice Leonard is developing a television show for people with disabilities.

"We're the ears, eyes and legs of folks with disabilities until they can get there, to show them that it's possible," Leonard said.

Here's a review of her interview by Monique Caradine and a video clip.

Blind resident producing travel TV show

April 30, 2008

By CHRIS LAFORTUNE clafortune@pioneerlocal.com

Oak Park resident Beatrice Leonard hopes the television show she's developing will help disabled people understand there are many aspects of life accessible to them.

"We're the ears, eyes and legs of folks with disabilities until they can get there, to show them that it's possible," Leonard said. Karyn Calabrese, owner of Karyn's Raw Cafe gives Oak Park resident Beatrice Leonard a tour during filming of Leonard's TV program "Travellers With Disabilities Having Fun." Leonard, the show's host, is blind.

Leonard is producing the show "Travelers With Disabilities Having Fun." She's already shot several segments, including one on a Royal Caribbean cruise in January.

Right now, Leonard is still working to find a sponsor and a place to televise her program. She's spoken to a couple local stations, and hopes to be on television by the end of the year.

The idea to put together a television show first came to Leonard, who is blind, three years ago. Someone she knew suggested Leonard organize trips for people with disabilities.

Herself an avid traveler, Leonard said people were often surprised to see her out taking part in activities with her family.

"It's getting my people out of their comfort zone," Leonard said. "We live in a visual society, and we need to let them know there are some things we are able to do."

The show doesn't just feature the blind. During her January cruise, Leonard said she was accompanied by a little person who needed to use a wheelchair.

Leonard, the show's host, plans to visit local sites and places throughout the country, including a guide dog school in New York. She also plans to interview other disabled people about their travels.

One person she said she wants to interview is Greg Polman, a manager at The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Leonard works with Polman on the Chicagoland Radio Information Services through Chicago Lighthouse.

Polman took a recent trip to Egypt, spending 10 days touring temples, tombs, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.

"I always wanted to go to Egypt," Polman said. "I like history, and it's one of the oldest civilizations in the world. I wanted to see it myself."

Polman, who is blind, said his tour guide did a fine job of explaining what everyone was touring. And he was able to touch hieroglyphics in some places, smell the camel he rode on and relax on a barge traveling the Nile River.

"A lot of it is atmosphere," he said. "You can feel the enormity of it, going up and down the steps, going inside various chambers in temples and tombs."

Source:

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/riverforest/lifestyles/currents/922163,op-tvshow-043008-s1.article

Voyages Jules Verne

A website designed for a major luxury travel brand by digital design agency Fortune Cookie has cruised to success at two major design awards. Kuoni’s luxury travel brand Voyages Jules Verne (VJV) has received two prestigious awards for excellence in web design (www.vjv.co.uk).

Earlier this month, VJV and Fortune Cookie celebrated success at the 2008 Travolution Awards, where the luxury travel brand picked up the ‘Best User of Technology (Tour Operator)’ award.

Disabled Gamers” Comprise 20% of Casual Video Games Audience

I am reproducing this press release from PopCap Games in its entirety below. It reports on a study on video game-playing by PwD. It would be interesting to relate these fact about computer use to strategies for improving services in travel & hospitality for customers with disabilities

Seattle, Washington – June 11, 2008 – Tens of millions of disabled consumers have gravitated to "casual” video games as a source of relief or distraction from their infirmities, as well as a sense of accomplishment or belonging, according to a new survey conducted by Information Solutions Group on behalf of PopCap Games. According to the survey, more than one in five (20.5%) players of casual video games have a physical, mental or developmental disability; this compares to 15.1% of the American population overall who are disabled, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Over three quarters of the more than 2,700 disabled consumers who participated in the study described their disabilities as "moderate” or "severe,” and the benefits to, and methods of play by, disabled gamers vary considerably from those of non-disabled casual gamers.

Compared to the casual gamer population as a whole (which industry estimates peg at 300 million to 400 million players worldwide), those with disabilities play more frequently, for more hours per week, and for longer periods of time per gaming session. They also report that they experience more significant benefits from playing and view their game-playing activity as a more important factor in their lives than do non-disabled consumers.

Profile of Respondents
A total of 13,296 casual game players responded to the survey, with 2,728 respondents (20.5%) identifying themselves as "mildly” (22%), "moderately” (54%) or "severely” (24%) disabled. Of those, 46% indicated that their primary disability was physical, 29% said it was mental, and 25% stated they had a developmental or learning disability. Over two thirds (69%) of disabled respondents were female, and a third (35%) of all respondents had another person — parent, adult offspring, spouse, guardian or caregiver — assist them in taking the survey.

The most common types of disabilities and medical conditions cited by respondents, by category, were:
• Physical: Rheumatoid Arthritis/Osteoarthritis (14%); Fibromyalgia (11%); Multiple Sclerosis (7%).
• Mental: Moderate/Severe Depression (41%); Bipolar Disorder (16%); Anxiety Disorder (15%).
• Developmental/Learning: ADD/ADHD (46%); Autism (15%); Dyslexia (11%).
The majority (61%) of those survey respondents with a physical disability are age 50 or older, while slightly more than half (52%) of those with a developmental/learning disability are under 18 years of age.

Perceived Benefits of Play
Fully 94% of disabled players of casual games said they believe playing casual games "provides physical or mental benefits” — compared to 80% of casual game players overall. The most common benefits cited by disabled gamers (when asked to choose as many as applied) were stress relief (81%), mood lifting (69%), distraction from issues related to disability (66%), improved concentration (59%) and mental workouts (58%). Interestingly, the top benefits varied significantly based on the type of disability; the top three benefits by disability type were:
• Physical: Stress relief (84%) and distraction from issues related to disability (73%)
• Mental: Stress relief (87%) and mood-lifting (78%)
• Developmental/Learning: Improved concentration (79%) and improved coordination/manual dexterity (73%)
Those with developmental/learning disabilities cited learning (pattern recognition, spelling, typing skills) far more often (61%) than those with disabilities that were mental (26%) or physical (23%).

Furthermore, 77% of disabled players said playing casual games provides them with "additional benefits over and above what a typical non-disabled player might experience.”

Of the "additional benefits,” responses were numerous and varied, often citing deeper sensations of achievement and "belonging,” or distraction from loneliness and/or chronic pain. As one respondent put it, "Our son with Attention Deficit Disorder does not really remember he has a disability when he is playing.” Dr. Carl Arinoldo, a Stony Brook, New York-based psychologist of 25 years' experience who has treated patients with a range of physical and mental disabilities, agrees: "With some forms of depression, a person may be very focused on something that clearly amounts to a misperception of reality. So the chance to distance themselves from the perceived negative situation and relax may allow them to think more clearly and consider the situation later in a more realistic manner.”

Gary Robinson, a 58-year-old North Carolina resident with severe physical disabilities, states "Games like Bejeweled and Peggle, with simple controls that are also mentally challenging and engaging are ideal for me, because my mind moves as quickly as the next guy's but I type with a mouth-stick. In some ways, games like these are the greatest thing that's appeared on the computer scene for people like me.”

Playing Habits
Among all disabled gamers, nearly two thirds (64%) said they play casual games every day, and an additional 28% play several times per week. By comparison, 57% of casual game players overall say they play daily. In terms of time spent playing, disabled gamers are more "avid consumers” than the average casual game player:
• 60% of disabled gamers play casual games for five or more hours per week, (vs. 52% of casual gamers overall)
• 40% of disabled gamers play for 10 or more hours per week (vs. 29% of overall casual gamers)
• 24% of disabled gamers play for 16 or more hours per week (vs. 13% of overall casual gamers)

Gary Robinson estimates he spends four or more hours each day playing casual games. "Let's just say that playing the games helps my whole well-being; sometimes they give me a direct and immediate purpose in life, and that's an important sensation to have every so often.”

When asked to choose the single most frequent time for playing casual games, 26% of survey respondents with physical disabilities, and 29% of those with mental disabilities, indicated "late at night, before bed,” compared to just 11% of those with developmental/learning disabilities. The latter group indicated weekends (30%) was the time they played most often. This is presumed to be due to the large number of children in the category.

Playing Preferences
Almost half (44%) of all disabled gamers indicated that they had recommended playing casual games to others with significant disabilities, and more than a tenth of respondents (11%) said that a "physician, psychiatrist, physical therapist or other medical professional had prescribed or recommended playing casual games as part of the treatment” for their disability.

As for solitary versus companion game play, 44% of disabled gamers said they played casual games with other people at least part of the time. Of those, more than one in four (28%) said they played casual games with other disabled individuals. Among respondents with developmental/learning disabilities specifically, 60% said they played casual games with other people.

When asked to pick their favorite categories of casual games, disabled gamers' choices closely mirrored those of non-disabled players, with "puzzle” (84%), "word and trivia” (61%) and "arcade” (59%) being the three most-cited genres. "Card” (54%) and "hidden object” (51%) games rounded out the top five categories among disabled gamers.

Casual Vs. Hardcore
Only 26% of disabled casual gamers said they also play traditional, "hardcore” video games; among those respondents with physical disabilities specifically, that figure dropped to 18%. Among all disabled gamers who also play hardcore games, 25% said they played hardcore games on a daily basis — compared to 64% who play casual games daily.

Survey Methodology
This international research was conducted by Information Solutions Group (ISG; www.infosolutionsgroup.com) for PopCap Games. These results are based on online surveys completed by 2,728 respondents randomly selected between April 2 and April 17, 2008. In theory, in 19 cases out of 20, the results will differ by no more than 1.9 percentage points from what would have been obtained by seeking out and polling all PopCap.com users. Survey subjects were presented with exhaustive lists of various types of disabilities by category in order to assist in accurately categorizing themselves. For the purpose of this survey, a disabled person is defined as one who has a significant medical condition or a physical, mental, developmental or learning impairment/disability. This includes, but is not limited to, medical conditions that affect mobility, vision, hearing and learning. It also includes chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome; mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety; and developmental disabilities, such as ADD/ADHD (recently re-diagnosed as AD/HD – Predominantly Inattentive Type), dyslexia and autism.

About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of "casual games” — fun, easy-to-learn, captivating computer games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 200 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C. and Dublin. Its games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 10 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap's games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, mobile operators and developers, and game device manufacturers.
# # #
The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are listed at www.popcap.com/ trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or its licensors and may be registered in some countries. Other company and product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and are used for the benefit of those owners.

PR Contacts:
North America:
Garth Chouteau
garth@popcap.com
415-602-8147

International:
Cathy Orr
corr@popcap.com
+353 1 480 6286

Summary: Alaskan Travelogue

"There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ~ Kenneth Grahame

Except maybe reflecting on it afterwards!

Below are links to each Rolling Rains post on exploring Glacier Bay, Alaska. Starting with:

Cruising in Alaska
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002267.html

It Would be Easier if…
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002269.html

Meet Annie Mae
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002270.html

Reporting from a Different Perspective
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002271.html

Journaling and Natural Beauty
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002272.html

Food – the Key to Nautical Tranquility!
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002273.html

Photos from Glacier Bay
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002274.html

My First Kayak Trip ( or Ode to the McKinnon Hugger and Crew of the Sea Wolf!)
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002283.html

Return from Kayaking Glacier Bay, Glacier Bay, Alaska
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002282.html

Sound Sketch – Multisensory Travel to a Glacier
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002287.html

Transfers – Aboard and Abroad
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002289.html

Resources on Glacier Bay, Alaska
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002288.html

Why Go?
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002231.html

After Tourism Alaska – Ripples of Inclusive Destination Development
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002276.html

“This I Believe” by Colin Bates ( A Man Who has Discovered the Core value of Disability Culture – Interdependency )
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002276.html

Co-Dependent Arising: Retrospective on Wheelchair-Accessible Cruising
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/002290.html

Co-Dependent Arising: Retrospective on Wheelchair-Accessible Adventure Cruising

"The glory of God is humankind fully alive." ~ St. Irenaeus

As I hurriedly prepared for this trip an expected theme formed in my mind around the word "transfers." I anticipated movement from wheelchair to plane, plane to ship, ship to kayak and through it all movement further from daily patterns. What remains with me are still life vignettes and moments outlined against the movement of time. The transfers I recall in retrospect are more substantial than the simply physical.

Awe is the healthy human response to the expansive beauty of wilderness such as Glacier Bay, Alaska. It was evident in my shipmates aboard Sea Wolf. Curiosity, joy, gratitude, resolve, and camaraderie further marked the voyage as a time outside the ordinary.

This trip was the co-creation of all who set up the conditions for it to unfold. The foresight of Sea Wolf owner Kimber Owen who adapted the ship for wheelchair access set up the equalizing environment. The selection of wildlife-viewing sites was expert. The skill of the crew and the humanity of all who shared the trip made it easier to feel fully alive.

Even with huge grizzlies and powerful mountain goats, fluking whales and racing Dahl's Porpoises I leave holding onto the image a pair of hands that look like mine -- thin, curled, weak -- helping me put on a borrowed pair of gloves. What in another place appears only to be weak is what revealed the invincible resiliency of interdependence. Weakness exposed to weakness.

Awe is a healthy human response to a human fully alive. Disability is a medium of revelation. Glory in paradox.

"This I Believe" by Colin Bates ( a Man Who has Discovered the Core Value of Disability Culture -- "Interdependency" )

I believe in helplessness.. We are all helpless to each other...

Most of the people that I know are embarrassed by what they can't do on their own

- Colin Bates

Listen to someone who has overcome his lack of disability to share in the wisdom of our culture -- the culture of the disability community:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91244099

It is a hopeful sign that the impulse behind the electoral mantra "Change!" can be cultivated at its cultural roots rather than simply "xeroxed".

Apologies to my Disability Studies and crip activist colleagues who may find Bate's lexical choices awkward or his TAB status as illegitimizing his core assertion as a violation of "Nothing about us without us." I have been practicing "clarification of thought", "corporate theological reflection," "cultural work," "projetos de conscientização," and other transgressive acts of social transformation since long before our cultural-linguistic reality had a self-awareness; long before our democratic tool of self-naming was subverted by the parodying label "political correctness." We are not so fragile as to be divided by argument over a newcomer's struggle to find the right words and images to describe the resiliency of a culture of interdependence.

Bate's personal achievement of cultural autonomy through crossing over to the heart of gimp culture is to be celebrated as strengthened solidarity for all of us.

Customers & Human Resource Development

"I am a customer. I am paying for your service and I expect my needs to be met!" This is what we, those who have a disability, should make perfectly clear before going on a trip.

That trip is a process. We imagine it. We plan it. We do it. It is essential that transportation, lodging, and tourism attractions are accessible. If any one of those links fails the trip does not take place. It is like renting a car without a steering wheel.

The greatest lack in Argentina? The transportation network transportation and cars to rent to get to a hotel.

The big step forward? The quantity of hotels with accessible rooms. National Parks with physical and programmatic accessibility for visitors with disabilities.

The challenge? Human Resource training -- The best ramp is useless if the worker does not know how to take care of his or her guest needs.

Nélida Barbeito, Tourism Professional
Argentina
From Clarin.com

Clientes y Capacitación de Recursos Humanos (Spanish)

Por Nélida Barbeito, Lic. en Turismo y Asesora en viajes y accesibilidad desde el Clarin.com:

"Soy un cliente. ¡Pago por su servicio, y lo quiero acorde a mis necesidades!"

Esto deberíamos vociferar quienes tenemos alguna discapacidad antes de iniciar un viaje. El viaje es un proceso: lo imaginamos, lo planeamos y lo realizamos. Para ello hay que considerar los aspectos que deben ser accesibles: traslado al aeropuerto, al hospedaje y a los atractivos. Si falla un eslabón, el viaje no se concreta. Es como alquilar un auto sin volante.

¿La gran falencia en Argentina? El transporte terrestre de enlace (para llegar al hotel, al atractivo), y los autos de alquiler. ¿Un gran avance? La cantidad de hoteles que construyen habitaciones accesibles y los parques nacionales, en especial las concesiones, que ofrecen dispositivos especiales.

¿El desafío? Capacitación de recursos humanos. De nada sirve la mejor rampa si el anfitrión no sabe cómo atender las necesidades de sus huéspedes.

Fuente:

Desafíos para un turismo accesible
http://www.clarin.com/suplementos/viajes/2008/06/08/v-01689293.htm

Beijing Olympics: Isn't Cross-Cultural Communication Fun?!

This wonderful article on the Olympics and Paralympics appeared on NineMSN. So many potential training contracts and translation case studies revealed in one short expose!

And, as Eleanor Lisney appropriately points out over at Freewheeling.info, the author might benefit from similar deeper reflection on context and cultural diversity:

Disabled people can be unsocial, stubborn, controlling, defensive and have a strong sense of inferiority, according to an official Beijing Olympics guide set to spark outrage in the disabled community.

The Olympic manual for volunteers in Beijing is peppered with patronising comments, noting for example that physically disabled people are "often" mentally healthy.

Volunteers at the Olympics and Paralympics are instructed not to call Paralympians or disabled spectators "crippled" or "lame", even if they are "just joking".

The document, which indicates the Chinese hosts could use a swift education in political correctness, says the optically disabled "seldom show strong emotions".

"Physically disabled people are often mentally healthy," adds a copy of the guide, obtained by AAP.

"They show no differences in sensation, reaction, memorisation and thinking mechanism from other people, but they might have unusual personalities because of disfigurement and disability.

"For example, some physically disabled are isolated, unsocial, and introspective; they usually do not volunteer to contact people.

"They can be stubborn and controlling; they may be sensitive and struggle with trust issues.

"Sometimes they are overly protective of themselves, especially when they are called crippled or paralysed."

Volunteers are instructed never to "stare at their disfigurement".

"A patronising or condescending attitude will be easily sensed by them, even for a brain damaged patient (though he cannot control his limbs, he is able to see and understand like other people).

"Like most, he can read your body language," says the 2008 volunteer guide.

"Show respect when you talk with them.

"Do not use cripple or lame, even if you are just joking.

"Though life has handed many difficulties to them, disabled people are often independent and self-reliant.

"Volunteers should offer assistance on a basis of equality and mutual respect...

"Disabled people can be defensive and have a strong sense of inferiority."

China's treatment of the disabled has in the past angered swimming great Dawn Fraser, who cited it as one reason she won't be going to Beijing.

She said in April she had seen disabled athletes spat on in the streets in Beijing during university games in the mid-1990s.

Volunteers at the Beijing Games are also given some very specific instructions on how to sit, stand, walk and talk properly.

A handshake should last from three to five seconds, the manual states, and the body and arm should form a 60 degree angle.

An "appropriate" personal space on social occasions is from 1.2 to 3.6 metres, but for work colleagues it is 1.2 to 2.1 metres, and 2.1 to 3.6 metres is good for strangers.

When sitting, volunteers are told to avoid hooking the chair with one foot ("low-class and boorish"), stretching out their legs ("rough"), crossing the legs in a "4" shape ("cocky and impolite") and continually changing positions ("underbred").

When standing, the guide warns against shaking any part of the body ("careless"), putting two hands in pockets ("frivolous"), crossing both arms ("defensive"), standing with two arms or one arm akimbo ("offensive") and standing with two legs crossed ("too easygoing").

It says taking steps too large or too small looks "strained", though it does not specify how large the step should be.

The Olympics run from August 8-24, while the Paralympics follow from September 6-17.

Source:

http://optuszoo.news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=569510&rss=yes&_cobr=optus

Discrimination in Travel Insurance?

The following news comes from Only Finance.com:

Travel insurers have been accused of contravening the Disability Discrimination Act by unfairly treating 9 million sufferers of medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, and Parkinson’s disease etc in the UK.

Managing Director of karmainsurance.com, Brian Wright who made the allegation, said they flout the law which requires insurers to justify their action if they wished to differently treat people with medical conditions from others.

Reminding that premiums ought to be based on actuarial statistics and thorough knowledge of a condition, he said the opposite is usually what happens.

“As soon as people with pre-existing medical conditions ask for a travel quote, discriminatory assumptions are made and they’re faced with higher insurance premiums or no quote at all,” he explained.

In a recent survey by Parkinson’s Disease Society, in a sample of 10,000 respondents, it was found that 27 per cent of people had either been quoted increased premiums for travel insurance or refused cover.

This was in spite of the fact that Parkinson’s does not affect longevity.

Also, another study revealed that diabetics had been given quotes four times more expensive than the normal price.

For the full story see:

http://www.onlyfinance.com/Travel-Insurance-News/12749064-Travel-Insurers-Accused-of-Breaching-Disability-Act.aspx

<--!

Mr Brian said a situation whereby insurers stigmatise those with pre-existing conditions should be challenged. “They take a one size fits all approach, believing specific conditions present the same symptoms and are at the same stages.”

But their argument or judgement often crumbles under scrutiny as they have no statistical proof to justify their assumption, he said.

Although most people heading off on holidays and wanting to purchase cover do not see their condition as medical but a normal way of life, the expert said insurers often refuse to accept this position.

He thus called on the industry to reconsider its risk assessment, pricing strategies and intrusive medical screening processes so as to make insurance policy accessible and affordable to everyone.

--!>

Museum Accessibility News

On June 3, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the terms of a settlement agreement with the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., to make the museum more accessible to people with visual impairments. Ray Bloomer, director of education for the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University, provided DOJ and the museum staff with technical guidance on the accessibility needs and expectations of visitors who may be blind or have low vision.

Ray Bloomer, a 30-year veteran of the National Park Service, said the settlement agreement requires the museum to provide for increased program access by including such design features as the provision of tactile maps of the museum and floor plan that visitors can borrow; qualified audio describers for any requested museum audiovisual presentations, computer interactives or exhibits; qualified readers to read labels in all exhibitions; and a representative sample of objects, models and/or reproductions of objects to communicate the main themes of the exhibitions for tactile examination, accompanied by audio description. Bloomer has advocated for such measures for the past 20 years and expects the agreement to result in design improvements in other museums.

"This is a wake-up call to other museums," Bloomer said. "It lets people with disabilities, in particular those who are blind or have low vision, know that they have a right to receive equal benefit and enjoyment of the museum experience."

Bloomer lost his sight at age 17 and has since become one of the nation's most prominent experts on museum access for people with disabilities. He has worked to improve access for people with visual impairments and advocated for universal design on projects such as the Statute of Liberty restoration, Trail of Tears exhibit at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah, Okla., and the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center exhibit hall in California.

NCA, part of the IU Bloomington School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation's Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies, provides training, technical assistance and research on the inclusion of people with disabilities in parks and recreation. To learn more, visit www.ncaonline.org/.

Bloomer can be reached at 812-856-4422.

Source:

Indiana University press release
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/8343.html

Candy Harrington on the Air Carriers Access Act

Candy's work in this field is legendary. Her multiple books, magazine Emerging Horizons, and behind-the-scenes support of the travelers with disabilities market keeps our work in focus. Read here her analysis of amendments to the US Air Carriers Access Act.

Terceira Edição do Salão do Turismo - Roteiros do Brasil (Portuguese)

De 18 a 22 de junho, será realizada em São Paulo a terceira edição do Salão do Turismo - Roteiros do Brasil.

O Núcleo de Conhecimento apresentará uma palestra com Ricardo Shimosakai falando sobre Turismo Adaptado, juntamente com um dos participantes do projeto de acessibilidade e inclusão do Ministério do Turismo na cidade de Socorro. A palestrá acontecerá no dia 21/junho (sábado) às 14:00. Mais informações acesse o seguintes site http://www.salao.turismo.gov.br/

De 18 a 22 de junho, será realizada em São Paulo a terceira edição do Salão do Turismo - Roteiros do Brasil.

Promovido pelo Governo Federal por meio do Ministério do Turismo, o evento apresenta o turismo brasileiro para quem quer viajar ou fechar bons negócios. Os visitantes poderão conhecer os roteiros turísticos das 27 Unidades da Federação e adquirir pacotes a preços e condições especiais para visitá-los nas suas próximas viagens. Poderão ainda ver e comprar o artesanato, os produtos da agricultura familiar e a gastronomia típica, além de assistir a manifestações artísticas de diversas regiões do País.

Além disso, o público poderá assistir a debates e palestras, e conhecer casos de sucesso, trabalhos científicos e projetos relacionados ao turismo.

O Salão está dividido em diversos módulos de atividades: Feira de Roteiros Turísticos, Vitrine Brasil (produção associada ao turismo), Rodadas de Negócios, Núcleo de Conhecimento, Missões Promocionais (Caravana Brasil e Press Trip).

O Núcleo de Conhecimento apresentará uma palestra com Ricardo Shimosakai falando sobre Turismo Adaptado, juntamente com um dos participantes do projeto de acessibilidade e inclusão do Ministério do Turismo na cidade de Socorro. A palestrá acontecerá no dia 21/junho (sábado) às 14:00. Mais informações acesse o seguintes site http://www.salao.turismo.gov.br/

Ricardo Shimosakai
Consultor de Turismo
Turismo Adaptado
tel: 55(11) 9854-1478
email: ricardo@turismoadaptado.com.br

After Touring Alaska - Ripples of Inclusive Destination Development

If my travelogue did not make it clear already let me compliment the arrangements made by Sherri Backstrom of Waypoint Yacht Charter Services in Bellingham Washington and the foresight and commitment shown by Kimber Owen, owner of the wheelchair-friendly Sea Wolf. Articles will appear in various publications. One went off to Sandra Vassallo at ebility.com in Australia this morning and two more are in process.

Pioneers like Kimber and Sherri shift cultures.

To get to the Sea Wolf ported in Gustavus, Alaska we flew in a six-seater prop bush flight from Juneau on Air Excursions. Not quite adept at accommodating passengers with mobility limitations the pilot's brute-force solution to not having the proper equipment landed me on the floor as I noted on May 24. They won't make many more mistakes like that -- and accessibility will improve for those who will increasingly come for early-season cruises on the Sea Wolf (i.e. after June 1 Alaska Airlines flies jets into Gustavus with a more polished passenger loading protocol.)

The night before the cruise we stayed at Annie Mae Lodge. The meal was sumptuous and the welcome was like family. The owners have built a stylish Alaskan lodge and given great detail to accessibility. My room had a roll-in shower. I can recommend Anni Mae. As our community provides them with business we will see the trend to inclusion spread to other venues including the towns single - but inaccessible - grocery store.

Alaska is on the "Must Visit List" of many travelers. To take the trip yourself contact:

Sherri Backstrom
Waypoint Yacht Charter Services
contact@waypointcharter.com

www.waypointcharter.com/accessible_travel.htm
t 888-491-2949 or 360-656-5934

Why Go?

There is an inconspicuous daily service called "Why Go" that provides thought-starter quotes and photos related to travel. This one landed on my desk recently. Returning from cruising Glacier Bay, Alaska with short stays in Juneau and Seattle the reflection seemed appropriate. On this particular excursion it was as much the wonderful companions as the spectacular physical beauty that was transformative:

As you may know, I spent the last three months in Africa. A wondrous, magical place. But as shadows lengthen across the KBHR window, thoughts turn to homecoming. Journey’s end. Because in a sense it’s the coming back, the return, which gives meaning to the going forth. We really don’t know where we’ve been until we’ve come back to where we were. Only, where we were may not be as it was because of who we’ve become. Which, after all, is why we left.

- Bernard in “Northern Exposure,” Episode 3.21
contributed by Luci

Resources on Glacier Bay, Alaska

One of the disadvantages of traveling on short notice is the inability to research deeply into the history and offerings of a place before visiting it for the first time. For those are considering an accessible cruise in Glacier Bay here is a list of links on the natural history of the region:

Glacier Bay National Park
http://www.nps.gov/glba/

Explore-a-Park: Glacier Bay
http://www.glacierbay.org/

Alaska Magazine: Ancient Ice
http://www.alaskamagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=36

Transfers -- Aboard and Abroad

All the activities, food, and conversation delayed me from exploring the two upper decks of Sea Wolf. The lift from the first to second deck is short -- just enough for me to fit.

The lift was definitely higher tech than the Alaskan Elevator in Elfin Cove!

And then sometimes the whole point was to not go anywhere at all!