Rolling Rains Report:

Macau: Does the Diversity Strategy Include Travelers with Disabilities?

Image by Tianyake via Flickr

This article from PATA News:

Macau tourism continues drive to diversification

Macau's tourism industry continues to move towards diversification. That's a key messages to emerge from this week's Macau Government Tourist Office annual press conference.

MGTO Director Joao Manuel Costa Antunes explained that diversification of tourism products and source markets are the main objectives for this year. "MGTO will utilise tourism resources to enhance the development of cultural tourism. Thematic tour routes will be developed to attract visitors of different interests, while multi-destination tourism itineraries will be explored to build up a regional tourism brand," he said. The MGTO is also planning a series of promotional activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary in December of the establishment of Macau SAR.

Source:

http://www.pata.org/newsatpata

Australia Supports Disablity & Development

The Australian Government has for the first time made people with disability a priority for Australia's international development program.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob
McMullan, will launch Australia's first strategy to guide
Australia's aid program in supporting people with a disability in the
developing world.

An estimated 10 per cent of the world's population, or around 650 million people, live with a disability. Of these, about 80 per cent live in developing countries.

"Australia is committed to including people with disability in the
fight against global poverty and supporting them to improve the
quality of their lives," Mr McMullan said.

"People with a disability are among the poorest and most vulnerable in
developing countries," he said.

The new strategy, 'Development for All', aims to improve quality of
life for people with disabilities, strengthen prevention efforts and
promote international leadership on disability and development.

It also seeks to improve understanding of disability and development
across the Asia Pacific region.

"With good leadership, attitudes towards people with disability can
change, services can be improved and people's lives can be transformed
– not only the lives of the person with a disability, but their
families and those around them," Mr McMullan said.

People with a disability face many barriers preventing them from
participating in society, and are more likely to be socially excluded.
Women and children with disability often face the greatest challenges.

The Australian Government recognises that poverty and disability are
linked and is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development
reach those who are most excluded.

Australia has recently ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, and, in addition to launching the strategy
is also preparing a national disability policy to be released in 2009.

Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/media/release.cfm?BC=Media&ID=5342_2977_992_462_1249

Once Greece "Gets It"

The Greek Minister of Tourism Spiliotopoulos predicts that Greece will weather the current economic downturn well. With tourism development projects underway emphasizing ecological sustainability and diversity of projects it requires only a half-step forward until the country emerges as a global leader offering both sides of the sustainability coin -- ecological and social; green and Universal Design.

Sustainable development is today very high on the Ministry of Tourism agenda. “We are already blessed to have turned our back to massive tourism developments in the past. In contrary to some of our Mediterranean competitors, our coasts are still today relatively untouched and immune from large accommodation units of concrete,” Minister Spiliotopoulos said.

The tourism ministry has been carried out projects to diversify Greece tourism products, especially by targeting specialized activities. Investments have been made for 14 new marinas around the country, the renovation of over 200 hotels, the development of agro-tourism, city break tourism or the launching of labels for boutique hotels as well as eco-friendly hotels. Promotion is also accelerated for less known regions such as Macedonia, Thrace or Epirus. “All these projects show that above all, we care about sustainability of tourism for our own future. We do not have inexhaustible resources.

Malaysia: Disabled in a Dilemma Over Inconvenient Travel Environment

Mr. Francis Siva is President of ILTC (Independent Living & Training Center of Malaysia) comments on
ongoing problems with inclusion of Malaysians with disabilities sparked by a recent Star Metro article on unfulfilled promises related to public transit - and thus inclusive tourism.

See Disabled in a Dilemma Over Inconvenient Travel Environment

Review From Buenos Aires

Nelida Barbeito is an Argentine expert in travel and inclusion. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English having done university-level work in Canada and speaking or writing frequently in Brazil. Recently she presented a workshop on inclusive tourism in Buenos Aires and has done this review of the Tango bar El Barracas.

Accessible Oregon: Stay at Kallak'ala Retreat

Arwen Bird rents Kallak'ala Retreat - a private home in Netarts Bay, Oregon adapted to accommodate her needs as a wheelchair user. Head to the Pacific Ocean while you are there!

Find more photos like this on Tour Watch

Craig Grimes on Travel in India

Between jumping curbs and chasing luggage Craig Grimes has begun a travelogue on our tour through India to train the travel industry. Posts begin here:

http://www.craiggrimes.com/2008/07/30/the-red-fort-and-taj-mahal-agra-india/

Dancing in Hungary

A video from http://www.gordulotanc.hu

Taj Mahal

As a travel agent colleague here in New Delhi commented, "India is not a destination for beginners."

I agree. Infrastructure, attitude, language differences all combine to make this "adventure travel" even within your five-star hotel. Stories will follow but here is a photo of a visit to the iconic tourist destination - Taj Mahal

Incedible India: An Incredible Opportunity to Adopt Universal Design

At ETurboNews:

The Incredible India campaign has taken off for the country making the tourism sector witness huge buoyancy in recent times. The marketing strategy has helped India achieve unprecedented growth in terms of both volume and value.

Foreign tourists arrivals to the country have grown at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15.86 percent touching almost 4.2 million in 2007, an increase of 12.4 percent compared to 2006. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism registered a cumulative annual growth rate of 30.97 percent in the same period with figures for 2007 closing at $ 11.956 billion – an impressive spike of 33.8 percent over 2006. Domestic tourism continues to surge, showing more than encouraging trends with tourist visits over 461 million in 2006. By 2010, with the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi, India expects to hosts 10 M tourists.

Everything seems perfect. The problem: lack of rooms.

But all rooms are not created equal. Some discriminate by design.

Will these rooms be accessible by national standards? Not if they are 1 and 2 star venues. And maybe not even if they are 3, 4, or 5 star class unless enforcement drastically improves.

At the same time the Minimum Hotel Accessibility Recommendations prepared by Rollon Travel can offer simple solutions for all hotel rooms if followed. Download file

For the full story: http://www.eturbonews.com/3813/incredible-india

"NicAbility": A New Column on Accessibility for Expats in Nicaragua

Craig Grimes writes a column on accessibility for the Nicaraguan English language paper the NicaTimes

He paints a memorable picture with lines like:

I" have four wheel on my wheelchair but I seem to spend most of my tme on just two, popping wheelies overt the cracks and crevices in the street."

For the full article:

http://www.craiggrimes.com/2008/07/01/nicability/z

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/

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

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

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

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.

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

Sound Sketch -- Multisensory Travel to a Glacier

The diesel motor rumbles vibrating the ship until we anchor. Even so, this expansive wildness is never silent.

At night we drop anchor. No silence here either. We are at the confluence of the three chutes of the 65 mile long "Y" that is Glacier Bay. The long narrow spaces surrounding us pulse with the sound of living glacier.

The sound signature of glacial motion comes with startling clarity and frequency to where we roll on the sea swells. Sound travels to us down three geologic auditory canals. Sounds are guided down every unobstructed valley and inlet to this place. They roll along the water's surface and sheer rock mountain corridors.

Night falls. We listen to the conversations of mountains from this centerpoint of a world disappearing.

Appropriate, perhaps, that glaciers retreating at a lightning pace -- the fastest glacial retreat in the world -- would produce the sound of thunder. "Sumdum" in Tlingit.

My First Kayak Trip (or Ode to the McKinnon Hugger and Crew of the Sea Wolf!)

After years of trepidation about the stability of kayaks I finally got in one using this theatrical "high seas" entry method.

The Sea Wolf is out fitted with a surprisingly comfortable and secure device called the McKinnon Hugger. It uses an ingenious caliper action and, when attached to the ship's davot (arm & winch) becomes a surprisingly effectives way for quads like me to kayak.

Britain's Camping, Caravan and Holiday Parks 2008 Guide

This publicity piece for Britain's Camping, Caravan and Holiday Parks 2008 guide (British Tourist Board) reports:

There are more than 1,000 places listed to stay, with short breaks and offers, David Bellamy Conservation Award winners are listed, there are colour maps, a guide to events and attractions, ideas for days out and you are also able to choose sites with National Accessible Scheme accommodation at a glance if that is what is required.

The National Accessible Scheme has mobility impairment symbols, and also for visual and hearing problems.

Inclusion in Adventure Sports Makes Inroads in Nepal

High-risk sports are not everyone's cup of tea but stories like these do fix a destination in the minds of some intrepid travelers with disabilities:

Twenty-eight-year-old Sita KC took to the skies today becoming the first disabled person in Nepal to be airborne without the help of an engine.

KC, who is suffering from spinal paralysis and cannot use her limbs waist downwards, went paragliding with Swiss national Sebastian Baqeun in tandem for a 50-minute flight under the aegis of Sunrise Paragliding. She went into launch mode from Sarangkot cliff of Pokhara.

"I was thrilled beyond words after touching down," KC told this daily. "It is just not possible to describe the feeling of elation on getting airborne, and that too in a location like Pokhara. Looking at others paragliding, I had been yearning for a long time to do so."

KC said, "There are several friends of mine who are also disabled in some way or the other. All of them and the doctors and staff at Hariyo Khark Hospital here encouraged me to give wings to my dream. I am grateful to them."
Employed at the hospital as a counsellor, KC said many of her disabled friends also wanted to go paragliding and added that they felt inspired by her effort.

Sunrise Paragliding coordinator Rajesh Bomzan said KC had proved that disability was no deterrent if a person was determined to do something. He added he was happy that she chose his organisation as a platform to prove her point.

Hospital superintendent Sandra Boan lauded KC for her daring and expressed happiness that it went off successfully. "Positive thinking has the power to elevate a person above her or his disability," she said.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aFanata0scqzpca3Sa4ta.axamal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20080429

Constructing a Tourist Exodus From Israel?

The age inversion overtaking many developed countries is playing out this way in Israel right now as the hospitality industry there foolishly fails to take note of the trend. Locked into a "compliance mentality" where the only motivation to accommodate travelers with disabilities is in response to legal mandate, they consider travelers with disabilities as a cost center rather than a growth market:

As Israel braces itself for what the Tourism Ministry predicts will be the biggest summer for tourism in the state's 60-year history, activists for disabled rights are expressing anger over the lack of hotel facilities for those with special needs.

"There is such apathy here," Miami resident and regular visitor to Israel Michael Zwebner told The Jerusalem Post this week. "It's really surprising that the laws [on disabled access] are not taken seriously and there is no enforcement as such." *

The argument goes (with no awareness of its Alice-in-Wonderland quality of topsy-turvy logic):

"We checked out the demand for these types of rooms and saw that requests are very low," [Shmuel Zurel, director-general of the Israel Hotels Association] said. "It's difficult for hotels to rent out such rooms to a person who doesn't have disabilities." *

And why is the demand low? Simple. They didn't build it so we didn't come.

And who is "we"? Partly it is the 42 million Americans who spend $13.6 billion annually on travel.

And why are these "special" rooms difficult to rent out to Temporarily Able-Bodied People? Because they were not built using Universal Design. They are merely made accessible - and that as an afterthought. The rooms are stigmatized as is the very language used. People with disabilities are not "special." They are customers. And they are going elsewhere.

Source:

Disabled tourists to find 'unfriendly' hotels

New Site for People with Disabilities on Public Spaces in New England That Handicap PwD

Hattie Bernstein of the Nashua Telegraph reports on a new resource for slow walkers and those with impairments. She writes that the site, oxymoronically named www.NEHandicap Access.com:

...provides information about access to public places in New England for anyone who depends on a wheelchair, crutches, braces, a walker or a cane for mobility.

The site, www.NEHandicap Access.com, which lists restaurants, parks, museums, stadiums, theaters and other public venues, has been up and running for only a few weeks.

[Site owner Jerry] Biddle, who retired for medical reasons and uses a wheelchair, said his "epiphany" was a family vacation; while visiting his son in Connecticut, he and his wife booked a room at a nearby hotel that advertised itself as "accessible."

"I couldn't get into the room," Biddle said. "I could get into the handicapped bathroom, but I couldn't get to the bed."

Thanks to Kel Smith for the tip on this story!

From Tourism-Review.com

A special issue of the magazine Ethical has been published on Barrier-Free Tourism. The 13 page pdf download is available here.

Articles include:

Tourism Accessible for All in Europe
0,6 Mb

For those who associate tourism only with holiday and leisure and luxury it should be mentioned that tourism is a sector of remarkable economic importance. The European tourism economy contributes to about 5 % (depending on its definition up to 11 %) to the GDP of the European Union and provides between 8 and 24 million jobs (depending on the definition of the sector). Furthermore, it should be taken into account that tourism is indispensably linked with travel...

Case Study: Economic Advantages of Accessible Tourism in Germany
0,3 Mb

In November 2002 Germany's Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour commissioned a project group, comprising the University of Münster and the consulting firms NEUMANNCONSULT and Reppel + Lorenz, to conduct a study on the economic impulses of accessible Tourism for All. For the first time reliable data and statements were brought together, which represent the customer’s potential and manner regarding accessible Tourism in Germany...

Merging Architecture and Accessibility
0,4 Mb

In the Nordic countries, improving disabled people's access to museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions has been an important consideration for a number of years. It is evident that museum buildings and the way displayed objects are presented should embrace all visitors; one of the challenges confronting museums at the turn of the twenty-first century is to ensure the greatest possible accessibility for all without compromising the architectural expression...

Providing Services in an Accessible Manner
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Access is about the absence of barriers to the use of facilities. Although this is usually seen in terms of physical access or access to informa¬tion and communication, poorly trained staff can represent a serious barrier for disabled people if they are unable to provide services in an appropriate, non-discriminatory way...
Barrier-Free Asia?

Rail Travel Woes

Until Universal Design is ubiquitous stories like these will continue where claims of accessibility turn out to be based on inadequate definitions of the word and explanations like "they needed someone with them to care for them" do not pass for acceptable customer service. Travel advice from Stuff.co.nz:

Shirley and Roy Dyer, who live in Rolleston, near Christchurch, said they could not even use the toilets on the 11-hour trip from Christchurch to Greymouth and back last Friday.

When the train pulled into the Greymouth railway station, Shirley Dyer said she and her husband did not want to get off because it was such a hassle getting back on. "It took about half an hour to get on the train in Christchurch so we didn't want to go through that again.

Barreras Arquitectónicas en Monetideo (Spanish)

Reportaje sobre la vida (no) acessible en Uruguay en el diario El Pais Digital:

Aunque hay 65 mil personas con discapacidad motriz, sólo hay cuatro edificios, una calle y dos ómnibus pensados para ellos. Las barreras arquitectónicas discriminan tanto que únicamente el 16,5% de las personas en silla de ruedas tienen trabajo.

continúa

PNUD: Projetos sociais na área de turismo no Brasil (Portuguese)

A revista Envolverde reporte:

ONU quer turismo contra pobreza no Brasil

Por Rafael Sampaio, do Pnud

PNUD pretende obter recursos do governo espanhol para projetos nessa área; proposta de apoio ao PAC também será discutida.

O PNUD vai propor ao governo espanhol acordos de cooperação para implantar projetos sociais na área de turismo no Brasil. A idéia é aproveitar o potencial do setor para desenvolver programas de capacitação, geração de emprego e preservação do meio ambiente. A proposta será apresentada nesta semana, durante reunião entre a Espanha e representantes de escritórios do PNUD na América Latina.

“O Brasil tem grande potencial para turismo, e a atividade pode ter impacto positivo na redução da pobreza, pois pode gerar empregos e conhecimento”, avalia Maristela Baioni, representante do PNUD Brasil no evento, que acontece nesta terça e na quarta-feira, em Cartagena, na Colômbia. “O movimento do setor privado espanhol no Brasil pode ser acompanhado de cooperação para projetos”, afirma.

A sugestão do PNUD é que a cooperação na área de turismo seja definida como uma das áreas prioritárias na parceria entre a agência da ONU e o governo espanhol. O PNUD formularia e apresentaria projetos relacionados ao setor para serem implantados com apoio da Espanha, maior doador do PNUD internacional.

O PNUD Brasil também vai propor um projeto para fortalecer o PAC (Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento), que poderia ser inserido em uma linha de apoio já aprovada pelo governo espanhol, relacionada a parcerias entre o setor público e privado. O projeto, ainda em elaboração, prevê monitorar o programa do governo para verificar seu impacto na redução da pobreza, além de mapear as potencialidades de empresas e outras instituições privadas para parcerias.

Outro projeto que o PNUD Brasil vai apresentar na reunião é ligado à violência. A idéia é escolher uma comunidade em um município violento e desenvolver, por cerca de quatro anos, um trabalho com outras agências da ONU. “A partir daí, pode-se por em prática ações de educação para infância e combate ao tráfico de drogas, por exemplo”, sugere Maristela.

Is Tourism Accessible in Sri Lanka?

I have been working with Dr Ajith Perera of Idiraya in Sri Lanka to create educational materials on Inclusive Tourism. Needs are still great there for accessible infrastructure rebuilding following the tsunami. Progress toward accessibility seems quite slow from reports received. So, maybe the Sri Lankan Tourism Ministry would like to hear of positive experiences by travelers with disabilities who have visited the beautiful island:

Please note that a major web upgrading initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism is also underway. We call on all tourism industry stakeholders to keep sending us snippets of news so we could include them in the weekly newsletters, we will bring to you on an improved format.

Sri Lanka Tourism wishes to thank all stakeholders for their wonderful support and assistance and wishes to invite them to get involved with 'Sri Lanka calling'. Please send your articles to stories@srilanka.travel

Disability in Indonesia

Bunga Sirait offers an insider's look at accessibility in Jakarta:

Back in 2000, former president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) announced the start of a National Public Accessibility Movement, a government-backed drive to provide more access for people with disabilities. At the time, Gus Dur had personal experience of the difficulties faced by Jakarta’s disabled. He himself suffered impaired vision, while his wife, Sinta Nuriyah, had for some years been confined to a wheelchair following a serious traffic accident.

As a pilot project, Gambir train station was equipped with 21 standard facilities for disabled people. Ramps were installed, along with talking elevators, a ‘special help bell’, train schedules in Braille and lowered phone booths (for the wheelchair-bound). Toilets and parking spaces were reserved for people with disabilities.

Eight years on, and this is what you’ll find at Gambir: the elevators don’t even look like they’re working, let alone talking. Same thing with the dusty ‘special help bell’ hung on one of the entrance gates. An officer standing nearby points to a dark booth with the big sign ‘Customer Service’ written on it. ‘There,’ he says. ‘When this button is pushed, someone from the office is supposed to come and help. But I don’t think they’ve been doing that, not for a while.’ And if you’re looking for the schedules in Braille and the phones, good luck!

For the full article:
http://insideindonesia.org/content/view/1046/47/

Samartha Travels in Mumbai has Rentals: Do India in a Lift Van!

Prasad Phanasgaonkar of Mumbai runs a car rental agency. He also has Muscular Dystrophy. They built this lift-equipped van.

Check out their web site at http://www.samarthatravels.com/

Pilzen (Plzeň) in the Czech Republic

When my Polish ancestors came to the United States from the old country they landed in Pilsen - a district of Chicago. As Director of University Ministry at Benedictine University I worked with some remarkable students to build a service learning relationship with that district, birthplace of Benedictine University's St. Procopius Monastery and now a Mexican neighborhood.

Watching the charming video called "Once" tonight with a Czech character I began to wonder how accessible the original Pilzen (Plzeň) is now in the Czech Republic. This encouraging piece on public transit came up in an Internet search:

As would be expected in the Czech Republic, Tatra cars dominate the tram fleet, which is painted in a pleasant yellow-based scheme. The ubiquitous T3 car forms the backbone of the service, operated in both one- and two-car formations. Very unusually - and maybe uniquely - some T3 cars have been 'diced and spliced' to produce an articulated set with a low-floor section. The method would appear to be to remove the rear portion from one car and the front portion from another, then sandwich the two remaining sections around a newly-constructed low-floor piece. This highly ingenious practice not only provides disabled access but would also appear to benefit capacity, too - an important consideration as Plzen's trams appear to be well-used.

Other resources:

Sport Relax Handicap Plzeň
The association was established in Plzeň in 2003 with the goal of enhancing the quality of life of disabled persons, those stricken with diseases, and mainly those among children and youth. Our core activities include trips, charity concerts, sports and cultural events. With the aim of combining culture and education, we have founded Atelier

El Cisne Magazine in Uruguay Begins to Take up Inclusive Tourism

To read this site in Uruguay, El Cisne, you will need to know Spanish but, even for those who do not, it is encuoraging to see the site promoting inclusion in tourism with these articles in their Turismo section.

Quotes:

Casi la mitad de los parques naturales de España no son accesibles

El 44% de los parques naturales no son accesibles para personas con discapacidad, y el 40,2% carecen de centros de interpretación, según las conclusiones de una investigación realizada por Consumer.es. Estas cifras contrastan con las referidas a los parques nacionales, espacios naturales que gozan de la máxima protección y que son accesibles casi en su totalidad (a excepción del Parque Nacional de las Islas Atlánticas, en Galicia), si bien en el 50% de los casos presentan dificultades para las personas con problemas de movilidad al menos en parte de su superficie

<

strong>Hacer accesible el turismo beneficiaría al 35% de los ciudadanos europeos

El coordinador de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Oficina de Accesibilidad de Bélgica, Steven Vos, afirmó durante su intervención en el 'II Congreso de Turismo para Todos ENAT' que, teniendo en cuenta a las personas con discapacidad, a los mayores, a las mujeres embarazadas, a las familias con niños pequeños y a quienes tienen otras limitaciones, 'alrededor del 35% de todos los europeos pueden beneficiarse de las mejoras de la accesibilidad en el turismo', como las instalaciones y los servicios accesibles. "No obstante, sólo un porcentaje muy pequeño del mercado se ocupa de las necesidades en materia de turismo accesible", agregó Vos. Este experto belga comentó que hay una gran cantidad de hoteles, servicios de transporte y lugares turísticos que "no son físicamente accesibles" para muchas personas con discapacidad y personas mayores. "Falta información precisa y accesible, los empleados no están capacitados para proporcionar servicios adaptados a las personas con discapacidad, y el personal de los servicios de turismo a menudo carece de formación sobre los medios para satisfacer las necesidades de accesibilidad de los turistas con discapacidad", agregó Vos. Por su parte, la directora de Ocio y Bienestar del Reino Unido, Susan Thomas, hizo un llamado a los estados miembros de la UE para que compartan "las buenas prácticas", armonicen los criterios de accesibilidad y fomenten y permitan que todos los servicios relacionados con el turismo "elaboren y apliquen planes de acción sobre accesibilidad para mejorar la experiencia de los viajes y el turismo del cliente".

Venice by Wheelchair

Julia Malone & Pat Broderick are out traveling again. Read Julia's report on Venice at the Atlantic Journal-Constitution:

If there were ever a glorious tourist destination that seemed out of reach to someone in a wheelchair, it must be Venice — where going a couple of blocks often means crossing steep, stepped bridges.

Pat Broderick had always dreamed of going to Venice, Italy, but was daunted by accessibility. Surprisingly, it proved not to be that big of a challenge. Here she is at San Marco's square.

Just getting there can be a challenge that requires negotiating docks, stairs and, of course, boats.

Even for Pat Broderick, who has wheeled through Egypt, South America and Nepal, the watery island city of Venice had long remained an unfulfilled life goal.

But the intrepid traveler refused to give up on her dream. So the two of us took off on a quest to conquer Venice and its aura of inaccessibility.

Jakarta: Disabled People Report on the Perils of Travel

Bunga Sirait contributed the following story to the Jakarta Post:

Ramaditya Adikara, 26, works as a composer for giant video game corporation Nintendo. He does all his work from home, but he goes out a lot and alone for other freelancing jobs. Like many other disabled people who rely on public transportation, Rama, has heart-wrenching stories to tell about being a blind guy cruising the streets of Jakarta.

"I fall from angkot (public minivans) all the time. You would think they would help disabled people. But, even though I use a stick (and it's clear I am disabled), they take no notice of me," Rama said.

Considering the broken sidewalks and pot-hole riddled streets of the city, it is not surprising Rama also said he had tripped countless times.

One time a car actually ran over his stick when he dropped it crossing the street.

"Usually there's someone around to lend a hand, but if it's an empty street, you're on your own," said Rama, who dreams that someday Jakarta will have a guide dog service like the one he used when he lived in Japan for "two wonderful years".

"It's a real dog that goes everywhere with you -- just like a friend. There are certain hand gestures or codes they can understand if we want them to take us to the station, shopping, crossing the street," he said. "The service is provided by the government, free of charge. All you have to do is call and say you need one.

"You should be able to go out alone even if you are blind or confined to a wheelchair. Disabled people need to go to work, to go wherever they want ... It's the government's responsibility to make this city accessible to all," said Ariani Mun'im, the chief of the Indonesian Disabled Women's Association (HWPCI)

Although there are bylaws that regulate accessibility, facilities such as street ramps, rails, audible traffic signals and Braille instructions are extremely limited in Jakarta, moreover in Indonesia.

An accessibility survey in Bandung revealed that only one audible traffic signal was found in the city; and this was possibly the only one in the country.

"So far I would say TransJakarta is the most accessible form of public transportation here. The announcement indicating which stop will be next is quite helpful, and I can tell the officers are trained to handle us, (people with disabilities)," Rama said.

Unlike Rama, Henny Santoso rarely uses public transportation. "I do take buses once in a while. But is was easier back in the days when Jakarta wasn't so crowded," said Henny who is disabled from polio, which she contracted when she was 4.

The champion of the 1995 Paralympic Games in Taiwan for tennis relies on her driver to get around the city.

"I can't imagine going anywhere in Jakarta on one of those buses."

That includes TransJakarta. "It's too much an effort," Henny said.

"People have told me horrible stories about getting on the bus. First, the ramp was too steep and the handrails weren't satisfactory. Even regular people find it hard to get up the ramp, imagine how hard it is for people in wheelchairs," she said.

"The second thing is, you just can't get in. Not every entrance door is wide enough for a wheelchair. That means we need someone to carry us, fold the wheelchair, unfold the wheelchair, and put us back on the seat. Where's the accessibility? We've been told to live independently. Given the circumstances, how can we possibly do that?"

Budi, 29, a former professional swimmer, uses crutches to get around. He remembers his days at art school (IKJ) when he had to take the bus home, but none of the drivers wanted to stop.

"I was lucky I had great friends. If I waited for too long, my friend would stand in the middle of street when the bus was coming so it would stop and I could get in."

Budi believes society has a misperception of disabled people, which breeds discrimination. "People think just because we're disabled, it's difficult for us to find jobs, therefore we don't have money, so we might not be able to pay when we use their service. That's how the chain goes," he said.

"If I wanted to waste my time thinking about how badly people treated us, I'd say we are treated worse than second-class citizens."

Rama echoed what Budi said but expressed hope: "More than the improvement of facilities, what I really hope is that our society can respect and help disabled people, because seeing the condition of our country, it'd be so hard just to depend on the physical facilities.

"Public education is crucial or else the facilities that were made for us will be ineffective."

Henny related her experience in a mall some years ago: "We were looking for a space to park, so we go to where they have this wheelchair sign. It turns out the space is being used by another person who is not disabled, and the parking officer doesn't lift a finger to help. An officer like him is supposed to tell people they have to respect the rules," she said

"Show some sensitivity," Henny added. She remembers the time when she went to see a movie with some friends: "They put us in the very front row. They didn't have any ramps -- hence the front row was our best bet. Nobody ever offered us any assistance on how we could get better seats. So there we go watching the film, heads tilted, with the light streaming onto our faces. "It seems that nobody thinks about how to make things more comfortable for the disabled."

Source:

The Jakarta Post

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20071205.V03&irec=2

Spain & Inclusive Tourism: Ara Lleida

Ara Lleida presents Inclusive Tourism in the typical European fashion as a "social benefit that ought to be available to all." This "rights-based" orientation may be somewhat foreign to those in the United States. It should not be. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) affirms transportation accessibility as a right. Tourism is a specific case of that right to transportation access. In fact, in Asia, the UNESCAP Biwako Plus Five document explicitly calls for promotion of Inclusive Tourism as goal of regional development policy.

Take a look t Ara Lleida's approach to inclusion on the Iberian Peninsula available here in Spanish

Où partir quand on est une personne handicapée... (French)

"La France, pays du tourisme, est encore très en retard", déplore la Fnath (Fédération nationale des accidentés de la vie, 200.000 adhérents), malgré l'obligation d'accessibilité inscrite dans la loi 2005 pour les établissements accueillant du public, et le développement récent de l'offre commerciale, sites web et guides.

Lire l'article:

http://informations.handica.com/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-2307.php

Accessible London - and a Few Other Places

It's a sign that Inclusive Tourism has caught on when Spain's premiere disability & travel e-zine, Polibea Turismo, features a story on accessibility in London. You can read about Artsline in the latest issue. Artsline's CEO, Alan Kerr, writes tha the organization was was founded in 1981 and now has an online database with information on over 1,400 accessible arts and entertainment venues in London.

Next door, Accessible Portugal, writes about BritRail, Eurail and new EU-wide air transportation regulations for people with disabilities. Somewhere on the ocean DeafMom writes about the first all deaf cruise - the Deaf Freedom Cruise. Across the pond, Global Access News has a story about wheelchair travel in Outer Mongolia! And, if you have been reading your subscription to Candy Harrington's Emerging Horizons, you would know that "New Orleans is Open for Business."

From all the press one might guess that we're a community on the move!

Senderos de La Palma - Canarias

El Cabildo de La Palma ha presentado las ocho rutas de la Red de Senderos Insular, aptas para hacer uso de la silla Joëlette . Gracias al proyecto Tourmac, Ader y el Cabildo se dispone de 5 sillas (se ceden a las personas que hayan realizado un curso de capacitación para su empleo; en caso de tratarse de visitantes deben acreditar conocer su uso)

Senderos Accesibles (con silla Joëlette )

Dificultad baja:
-entorno de La Laguna de Barlovento I ( 2,9 km y tiempo estimado de 1.30 h)
-desde el Centro de Visitantes de La Caldera , al Pino de La Virgen ( 4,5 Km y tiempo estimado de 1.30 h)

Dificultad media:
-cercanías del Llano del Jable, en El Paso ( 5 km y tiempo estimado de 2 h)
-barranco de Izcagua, en Puntagorda ( 2,5 km y tiempo estimado de 1.30 h)
-Montaña de Las Varas, en Garafía (con 6 km y tiempo estimado de 2.30 h)
-Montaña El Caldero, entre El Paso, Mazo y Breña Baja ( 9 km y tiempo estimado de 3.30 h)

Dificultad Alta
- La Laguna de Barlovento II ( 9 km y tiempo estimado de 2 h)
-Volcán Teneguía, en Fuencaliente (con 6,5 km y tiempo estimado de 3.30 h).
Las personas interesadas en solicitar la cesión de las sillas Joelette deben ponerse en contacto con Ader o el Cabildo.

Cabildo Insular de La Palma
Consejería de Infraestructura y Medio Ambiente
Avenida Marítima, nº 1
38700 Santa Cruz de La Palma. La Palma - Canarias.
Tel: 922 423 350
Email: florenzo@aderlapalma.org

ADER LA PALMA
C/. Plaza Pedro Pérez Díaz, s/n. 38730 Villa de Mazo. La Palma
Tel: +34 922.42.82.52 Fax: +34 922.42.84.76
E-mail: ader@aderlapalma.org
www.aderlapalma.org

Información turística sobre La Palma : www.tourlapalma.com

Disabled Advocates Push Disney World, SeaWorld to allow Segways

The JFA Daily (10/15/07) cites an Orlando Sentinel report that Disney World and SeaWorld will not allow Segway users. This turns out to be a difficulty for visitors like James Nappier.

When James Nappier, a petty officer in the Navy Reserve, first rode his new Segway scooter out into his Loxahatchee neighborhood, he felt emotions that were rare since he got home from Iraq.

On the two-wheeled, electric scooter, he could get around easily.
That felt like personal freedom. Standing on the upright vehicle,
he could look neighbors in the eyes, not the belt buckles. That
felt like equality.

"It's been a godsend, because I can get out and get around on it,"
said Nappier, 49, who suffered leg- and arm-nerve damage in a May
2004 mortar attack in Ramadi, Iraq.

"I try to take it all the places here I can."

But he can't take it everywhere. Disney and SeaWorld Orlando won't
allow visitors to use Segways, citing safety concerns.

"We're not turning people away," Disney World spokeswoman Kim
Prunty said. "We're turning away a particular form of
transportation."

...

To read the entire article, go to:
http://www.aapd.com/News/transportation/071015os.htm

More on the popularity of Segway travel:
http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/6518

Guy Fisher Does New York

Guy Fisher demonstrates the best of this site's Flickr.com Travel With a Disability Photo-Sharing section by uploading a photo essay today.

Yankee Stadium, Empire State Building, John Mayer concert (backstage even!), Ellis Island, and the ever invigorating dash from one side of the street to another in NYC. He's done it all -- and lived to tell:

John Hockenberry once wrote that "New York City will probably always require an aggressive mix of physical and social skills to get a wheelchair off the street and back onto it." Navigating the crowds and traffic in Times Square will definitely put your wheelchair skills to the test. We ended up taking several trips through the square, and I enjoyed the challenge of dodging pedestrians, mixing into the flow of the crowds and jockeying for a straight shot to the curbcuts. On our last trip through the hurly-burly, I went ahead and turned the traffic bollards that lined the streets into my own private wheelchair lane.

I especially appreciated his reflections on the history of disabled immigrants here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guyfisher/1439611399/in/pool-rollingrains/

Access to Utah

If you live in Utah you are in luck. The Utah Adaptive Recreation Network (UARN) links inclusive leisure and recreational initiatives. From the web site of one of its member organizations Common Ground Outdoor Adventures:

Common Ground Outdoor Adventures' mission is to provide life-enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. We provide adaptive equipment and support, which enable people with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreation alongside their peers. These experiences reduce stereotypes, raise awareness, and empower people to realize their full potential. Our trips are not only accessible physically but also financially.

Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina is one of California's Channel islands. Originally, so say geologists, a resident of Mexico in the Baja California area, the Channel Islands make their way northward at a speed of about 2 inches per year.

We caught up with Santa Catalina Island off Newport Beach about 26 miles across the sea. The island is undergoing restoration to its unique native state and has strict limits on growth. It is a hilly terrain with tourist attractions in the main town Avalon centered around watersports - not all of which are accessible.

Santa Catalina

On His Way to Nicaragua

Craig Gimes, of Accessible Barcelona, is on his way for an extended stay in Nicaragua. You can follow his preparations and later his travelogue at Accessible Everything. Meanwhile, as he plans, packs, and double-checks he is looking for insight from seasoned travelers:

If anyone has traveled in this part of the world and has any useful information regarding tips for disabled people I would very much appreciate it.

He has already tapped the breadth of experience that Gordon Rattray has to offer at Accessible Adventure Travel. You can catch up with Craig at Planning for Nicaragua 1 and Planning for Nicaragua 2

Projeto Viaja Mais Melhor Idade Inicia Vendas de Pacotes

Hoje Projeto Viaja Mais Melhor Idade inicia vendas de pacotes. Veja www.viajamais.com.br

Os pacotes e o treinamento das agências participantes tomam conta da inclusão?

Na próxima segunda-feira (27/08) começam as vendas dos pacotes do Viaja Mais Melhor Idade, projeto do Ministério do Turismo (Mtur) para estimular e promover viagens de pessoas acima de 60 anos, aposentados e pensionistas. Para saber onde e como comprá-los, o público poderá acessar o site www.viajamais.com.br ou contatar a Central de Atendimento por meio do telefone 0800 77 07 202, que funciona todos os dias das 8 às 22 horas.

Pelo endereço, o visitante terá informações sobre as agências participantes e os pacotes disponíveis. Assim, poderá fazer sua consulta dentre os 14 destinos do projeto e encaminhar sua solicitação a uma agência, ou se preferir, ir pessoalmente aos estabelecimentos credenciados. As primeiras saídas estão programadas para 13 de setembro.

Pela central de atendimento telefônico, também serão fornecidas informações gerais sobre o projeto. O serviço contará com 120 atendentes, treinados por uma equipe técnica da Associação Brasileira das Operadoras de Turismo (Braztoa) e do Mtur. Serão aceitas apenas ligações de telefones fixos.

No início de agosto, mais de 600 pessoas, entre operadores e agentes de viagens, receberam treinamento especial para conhecer as características dos produtos e dos consumidores da melhor idade. Os profissionais foram orientados também para o processo de comercialização dos pacotes. Atualmente no endereço www.queremosviajar.com.br está disponível a versão online, que dará capacitação e credenciamento necessários para aqueles que não fizeram o treinamento presencial.

Fonte: Mercado e Eventos

Do sitio:

O VAI BRASIL é um projeto criado pelo MTur – Ministério do Turismo, em parceria com a Associação Brasileira das Operadoras de Turismo - BRAZTOA e a Associação Brasileira das Agências de Viagem – ABAV com o intuito de fomentar a comercialização de pacotes turísticos em períodos de baixa ocupação nos diversos destinos do Brasil. Os serviços turísticos do VAI BRASIL são disponibilizados ao público, com condições especiais de preços, por meio do website http://www.vaibrasil.com.br

OBJETIVOS ESPECÍFICOS

* aumentar a oferta e a procura para os períodos de baixa ocupação, a fim de minimizar os efeitos da sazonalidade
* aumentar a ocupação da oferta existente
* estimular a articulação entre as empresas do trade turístico e seu comprometimento com as ações do VAI BRASIL
* manter os empregos atuais, diminuir a rotatividade e ampliar a oferta de vagas
* fortalecer o papel do setor turístico como gerador de renda e de desenvolvimento social
* dar oportunidade a todos os integrantes da cadeia produtiva do turismo de divulgar seus produtos em escala nacional

FATORES DE SUCESSO

Pela primeira vez no Brasil um projeto conseguiu mobilizar toda a cadeia produtiva do turismo para dinamizar a produção e comercialização de produtos turísticos no país, por meio de uma estratégia que leva em consideração os interesses de todos os integrantes envolvidos no processo, sem alterar as relações de mercado. O VAI BRASIL privilegia o funcionamento da cadeia produtiva e, principalmente, gera novos clientes e cria oportunidades para a inserção de novos fornecedores e prestadores de serviços turísticos em escala nacional.
Ao reduzirem suas tarifas, os integrantes da cadeia produtiva do turismo ampliam suas oportunidades de negócios no período de baixa ocupação e permitem a uma maior parcela da população viajar pelo Brasil, aumentando assim seus lucros.
Outro fator de sucesso do VAI BRASIL é o apoio do Ministério do Turismo por meio do aporte financeiro para o desenvolvimento da ferramenta eletrônica – website – e sobretudo pela deflagração de uma campanha em todo o país que incentiva o acesso ao sites.

PARTICIPANTES DESTE PROJETO

Nesta fase do projeto podem participar as operadoras de turismo, agências de viagens, companhias aéreas, meios de hospedagem, empresas de receptivo, locadoras de veículos, parques de diversões e empresas de assistência de viagem. Para as fases seguintes, espera-se que outros parceiros, como instituições financeiras, administradoras de cartões de crédito, conventions & visitors bureau, empresas de transporte rodoviário, bares e restaurantes também venham a aderir ao projeto.

ATRIBUIÇÕES DO PARTICIPANTE NO VAI BRASIL

Os fornecedores e prestadores de serviços turísticos devem cadastrar e atualizar seus insumos no website VAI BRASIL, no ambiente B2B Agências de viagens devem fornecer aos clientes informações sobre as opções de pacotes recebidas pelo sistema e interagir com as operadoras para orçar o custo dos produtos e efetivar reservas e vendas Operadoras turísticas devem consultar as tarifas dos insumos cadastrados no ambiente B2B, formatar os pacotes turísticos, cadastrá-los para que sejam divulgados no website e atender às demandas geradas pelo projeto, por meio das agências de viagens

Update on Inclusive Travel from the BBC

Clive Gilbert writes, "Despite a new European law to prevent airlines from discriminating against disabled people, planning a holiday can be a fraught exercise for a wheelchair user." Read his observations at "Ticket, passport, wheelchair..."

Loren Worthington: Access Arizona

Loren Worthington has several new reviews up at his blog Access Arizona. Take a virtual trip and plan a vacation with:

Montezuma Castle
http://accessarizona.blogspot.com/2007/07/montezuma-castle.html

Mogollon Rim - Lakes Vista Trail # 622
http://accessarizona.blogspot.com/2007/06/mogollon-rim-lakes-vista-trail-622.html

Happy Jack Lodge & RV
http://accessarizona.blogspot.com/2007/08/happy-jack-lodge-rv.html

Pinetop-Lakeside Interpretive Trail
http://accessarizona.blogspot.com/2007/08/pinetop-lakeside-interpretive-trail.html

Tonto Natural Bridge
http://accessarizona.blogspot.com/2007/08/tonto-natural-bridge.html

India: “The disabled cannot be denied air passage”

Ananth Krishnan reports in The Hindu on the questionable air travel policy and policy development procedure that is currently being challenged throughout India. On the positive side the regulation, specifies:

According to the new requirements, “no airline shall refuse to carry physically challenged or incapacitated persons or persons with disabilities,” as long as they “do not pose a threat” to the safety of other passengers or the evacuation procedure for the aircraft.

Airlines will also not be permitted to limit the “number or types” of disabled passengers on a particular flight, except “where required for operational reasons.” The procedure for limiting disabled passengers will also be documented. Airlines will now also have to run “sensitisation and developing awareness” training programmes for staff.

Disability rights experts in transportation are providing their colleagues in India with curricula and resources to develop best-of-class trainings drawing from worldwide experience.

Those with training resources to share may send them to Mahesh Chandrasekar below.

On the negative side:

Dhanasekharan, a representative of Vidyasagar, told The Hindu that the August 15 deadline did not give disabled rights groups enough time to respond to the recommendations. “We were shocked to discover that the deadline was to day [August 15],” Mr. Dhanasekharan said. “By just putting it on the DGCA website, how can they expect all of us to be aware of it?” Vidyasagar has written to the DGCA asking it to extend the deadline for implementing the new requirements. “Before they put the requirements into effect, the DGCA has to have a consultation with disabled groups as after all we are the stake-holders,” Mr. Dhanasekharan said. “They clearly seem to not want any suggestions from us.”

Source:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/08/16/stories/2007081660221000.htm

Send training materials to:

C. Mahesh
Advocacy Coordinator
CBR Forum
14, CK Garden
Wheeler Road Extension
Bangalore - 560 084
Tel - 080- 2549 7387 or 2549 7388

advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.com

Rafting the River Jacarepepira, Brazil

In this film clip by Aventura Especial we follow founder Dada Moreira as he accompanies a trip down the level 3-4 rapids of Jacarepepira River near Brotas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The captioning track does not seem to be working. Roughly Dada explains that Brotas is a watersports haven offering a wide variety of eco-adventure possibilities for people with disabilities. In this clip we follow a rafting trip.

After a warmup exercise and seated in the Zodiak he comments on his sitting stance as an adaptation to his disability. The guide comments how fulfilling it was for himself and last week's group of blind rafters to make the adaptations necessary to enjoy this sport.

With a team building shout, "1-2-3 Aventura especial", they are off down the river.

At the end Dada interviews one rafter who enthusiastically plans to bring her deaf sister next time. He closes with a comment that disability should not deter anyone from enjoying the thrill of being out in the natural environment.

More Reading:

http://www.brotasbrasil.com.br/

Tourism Expanding at Mount Geumgang in North Korea

When I visited South Korea in March I was surprised to learn that Hyundai has been running cruises into the archetypal center of the historic Korea -- which lies inside North Korea. The site, Mount Geumgang, has a bit of tourism infrastructure built up. Other plans for tourism include a much-delayed passenger train to leave from near where this photo was taken in South Korea and proceed into the North.

eTurbo News reports today:

Hyundai Asan, the South Korean operator of privatized tours in North Korea, has announced its plans to spend US$3 billion by 2025 to develop its tourism complexes in the North's east coast into a major tourist destination.

The company said it plans to develop the coastal area from North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan to Haegeumgang, near Mount Geumgang, where it has built a mountain resort.

Mt. Geumgang, divided into three parts--Naegeumgang (inner, western part), Oegeumgang (outer, eastern part) and Haegeumgang (seashore), has long held a spiritual allure for Koreans and will now be accessible daily starting this summer season, instead of three times a week in the past.

Located just north of the border between the two Korea's east coast, the complex has attracted 1.5 million visitors since 1998, up to now mostly consisting of South Koreans. Official records show 8,000 other visitors came from 48 countries. "This year we are targeting 400,000 visitors," said Yoon Man-joon, CEO of Hyundai Asan.

Full story:
http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/5942

Tom Chun on The San Francisco Bay Area

I’ have lived in the Bay Area for a couple decades now and there still are lots of places I have yet discovered. So when the opportunity arose to play a role as a local tour guide, I couldn'’t pass the opportunity.

With my beautiful and intelligent international guest, Mariana Coelho, I would discover and re-discover many things that I didn’'t know about my own local area.

First off was a visit to Point Lobos State Park, which I had never been to. Although many parts of the scenic park was non-accessible, there were a few trails that were relatively easy to push through, which allowed wheelchair users to view California’s' coastal magnificence.

Although I consider the USA as having better accessibility for those with physical limitations, I believe we still have our challenges. After visiting the usual tourist hot spots in San Francisco, I realized that things change as years go by and you have to return to appreciate them once again. It’s like revisiting a good novel or movie.

The newly constructed DeYoung Museum had an amazing 360 degree view of the Golden Gate Park and the surrounding area. I will have to return again to see the new mammoth Academy of Science when it re-opens. Newer, generally means better access to me.

Being a brief tour guide, reminded me that I have yet to see and do many of the attractions in my surrounding area. Having traveled to most major cities in the U.S., the San Francisco Bay Area is still the most beautiful in my opinion.

And just to think that I live here, I am blessed. Whether you use a wheelchair or not, you should take advantage of where you live!

LAX Compromises the Safety, Security and Health of Passengers

The Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy interviewed 275 passenger service workers at LAX. It seems that the poor service for passengers with disabilities is only the tip of an iceberg according to Richard Clough of the Los Angeles Business Journal:

Los Angeles International Airport compromises the safety, security and health of passengers, because of an inefficient contracting system for passenger services, according to a new study.

Less than a quarter of the security workers in the airport have received training on conducting plane searches, and even fewer have been trained to identify fake identification documents. In the event of an emergency, only one in ten workers have been trained to handle evacuation and emergency procedures, according to the survey.

“Instead of a trained, experienced and professional workforce, many passenger service workers are unprepared for major emergencies,” the report says. “In order to improve security and service quality at its airports, Los Angeles World Airports should increase its oversight of service contractors that operate on airport property.”

Read their report, Under the Radar

Desenho Universal & a Qualidade dos Serviços Turísticos para a Melhor Idade (Portuguese)

Tem ouvido ja da programa Viaja Mais - Melhor Idade?

O Projeto Viaja Mais - Melhor Idade, a ser lançado no próximo mês de agosto, oferecerá pacotes de viajem aéreo ou rodoviário, com produtos customizados de nível turístico superior e luxo.

O pagamento pode ser efetuado através de cheque, dinheiro, cartão de crédito e/ou débito, além de crédito consignado via Banco do Brasil e Caixa Econômica Federal para viagens no valor de até 3 mil reais, que podem ser parceladas em até 12 vezes com juros de 1% ao mês.

A programa vai estimular a adotacao do Inclusive Tourism com Desenho Universal tambem:

Entre outros benefícios, o programa contribui para o fortalecimento do mercado turístico interno, estimula a atividade em períodos de baixa ocupação, eleva a qualidade dos equipamentos e serviços turísticos, estrutura os destinos e diversifica a oferta turística brasileira, e promove o desenvolvimento da pequena e média empresa, que são a maioria na atividade turística nacional.

Como sabe a industria:

Os “avós de antigamente” já não são mais os mesmos. Com espírito jovem e muita animação eles resolveram que depois de ter trabalhado a vida toda, não há nada melhor do que tirar férias merecidas e duradouras e ocupar seu tempo viajando.

E como ja disse, cumplido com o meu contrato com SeniorNet estou pronto voltar pelo Brasil escrever para o mercado norteamericano do roteiro Viaja Mais - Melhor Idade!

Recursos:

Balneário Camboriú

Ceará

Maceió

Manaus

Para

"Renovando Sempre"

Articulo de 2004 analizando acontecimentos em Santos para a "melhor idade"

How Accessible is Monticello?

Not sure? Read Darren Hillock's new post at the Get Around Guide, Accessing Jefferson

O 3º Encontro "São Paulo, Meu Destino" (Portuguese)

São Paulo, Meu Destino 2007 promove workshops de capacitação para agentes de viagens e operadores.

O 3º Encontro "São Paulo, Meu Destino", organizado pela São Paulo Turismo e com o apoio do São Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau, irá promover cursos de capacitação para os mais de 800 profissionais de turismo do Brasil e da América Latina esperados durante os dias 10 e 12 de agosto.

Os três workshops acontecerão no dia 11 de agosto, sábado, no Palácio de Convenções do Anhembi, na capital paulista e contarão com a expertise das profissionais Luciana Canto e Carolina Negri, da SPTuris.

Para os agentes de viagens e operadores, os treinamentos versarão sobre os atrativos e a capacitação no destino São Paulo. Já os organizadores de eventos poderão conhecer mais sobre o programa "São Paulo, Fique Mais Um Dia". O São Paulo Convention também apresentará sua filosofia de trabalho e a logística para atrair eventos à cidade.

Durante o evento, estarão presentes autoridades de todo o país, operadores de quase todos os estados brasileiros e representantes do Chile, Espanha, México, Argentina, Peru e Uruguai.

"Nosso objetivo é mostrar uma São Paulo diferenciada aos operadores e agentes de viagens, que são os nossos interlocutores diretos com os potenciais visitantes. Para isso, eles devem viver esta cidade de forma intensa e emocional e criar produtos criativos e inusitados para o público", explicou Caio Luiz de Carvalho, presidente da São Paulo Turismo.

O evento tem início na noite de sexta-feira, dia 10, com a recepção dos convidados de fora de São Paulo no Museu na Língua Portuguesa, região central da cidade. No sábado, o dia começa com palestras de profissionais renomados - a publicitária Bia Aydar (MPM), Gilberto Dimenstein (jornalista), Adriana Cury, também publicitária (McCann-Erickson) e o profissional Lula Vieira já estão confirmados - para palestrar sobre temas que vão de compras na cidade a oportunidades existentes na capital paulista.

Na parte da tarde, os agentes e operadores participarão de rodadas de negócios. Serão organizadas mais de 40 mesas de trabalho. Além disso, os profissionais também poderão visitar a quadra da escola de samba Unidos de Vila Maria. Na ocasião será escolhido o samba enredo da escola para o carnaval 2008. Por fim, no domingo, dia 12, eles farão roteiros turísticos já oferecidos pela cidade.

Informações no site www.spmeudestino2007.com.br

Fonte: Mercado e Eventos

Site de hospedagem sobre São Paulo (Portuguese)

Um serviço exclusivo para quem procura hospedagem no estado de São Paulo. Este é o diferencial do www.saopaulo.tur.br que apresenta conteúdo específico para o turista que percorre o estado a negócios ou lazer. Com informações sobre hotéis, pousadas e pontos turísticos possibilita a busca por destino - Capital, Interior, Litoral Norte e Sul -, roteiros dos circuitos paulistas, e acesso a mapas de ruas, rodovias e imagens satélites de todas as cidades paulistas.

Em seu conteúdo, o guia de hotéis tem mais de 1400 registros, localizado em 645 cidades detalhadas de A a Z. Acrescenta indicações turísticas e o aspecto regional. Em seu primeiro ano, completado em abril, o site recebeu mais de 1,5 milhão de visitantes, com média de cinco mil por dia.

Mercado Modelo (BA) & Casa da Cultura (PE) (Portuguese)

Como foi aqeula musica por Daniela Mercury, "I don't want to stay here. I want to go back to Bahia!"

O mercado Modelo, em Salvador (BA), é uma espécie de máquina de baianidade. Funciona assim: você entra por uma porta turista paulista --ou mineiro, ou alemão-- e sai pela outra porta meio baiano.

É que, pelos corredores desse mercado, o visitante entra em contato com todos os clichês baianos de uma vez só. Então, ao sair de lá, palavras como dendê, iansã, berimbau e tudo o mais que forma o léxico do turismo em Salvador parecem tão familiares como pai e mãe, cachorro e casa. Todos os dias, 2.000 turistas passam por esse processo de baianização.

Pois e. E quantos sao cadeiristas com nos -- o novo setor brotando no turismo?

O mercado baiano pasara por renovacoes. Sera acessivel?

Em Recife a Casa da Cultura, un mercado semelhante, e espetacular. Passei o meu ultimo dia em Pernambuco curtindo o velhao carcel

Da porta quase-acessivel genta ve o Lampiao marcando o grande nao-passa-cadeirista do premeiro andar. Nao preciso ninguem proteger a santidade do segundo andar -- a Casa falta elevador. E dize que a minha casa esta cheio dos tesouros turisticos do primeiro andar.

Caminhadores: Ecoturismo Acessível Para Todos (Portuguese)

De uma olhada nos eventos do ONG Caminhadores e veja os fotos do evento "Ecoturismo Acessível Para Todos aqui.

A nossa, Ong Caminhadores, realizou mais uma etapa do projeto Turismo na Redenção, onde pessoas em cadeira de rodas puderam conhecer os pontos históricos do mais famoso parque de Porto Alegre, usando a cadeira de trilha com uma só roda.

Nessa 5ª edição contamos com mais de 40 parceiros, todos mostrando o que cada instituição faz.

Vários convidados andaram na nossa cadeira de trilha e no dia 10 de junho estaremos realizando mais uma etapa do projeto "Ecoturismo Acessível Para Todos", no parque natural do Morro do Osso.

O sucesso deste evento, aconteceu graças ao belo trabalho voluntário do comitê gestor do Dia da Solidariedade, e de todas as instituições que participaram e apostam nesse grande evento.

Access Centres Turkey

Access Centres Turkey is filling a niche in that country that has long gone unmet. With Europeans retiring to Turkey the government and local investors have been looking for technical advice on Universal Design for several years. Let's hope that Inclusive Destination development takes hold in Turkey.

http://www.accesscentres.com/en_resorts.php

One wonders what other major architectural mistakes were made if the PR photo of the lobby includes stairs as the main path of travel.

The UK's Mobility Roadshow -- July 19, 20, & 21

This year’s Mobility Roadshow that takes place on 19, 20 and 21 July at Kemble Airfield near CirencesteK, UK. So, if you are not in the neighborhood for the 13th annual Day on the Beach in Santa Cruz, California then the Mobility Roadshow is the only other place to be that weekend!

Over 30 accessible hotel, cruise, travel and holiday operators from around the world are attending the show. Prestigious names include InterContinental Hotels, which is launching a new ceiling track hoist facility, Royal Caribbean Cruises, P&O Cruises and Virgin Holidays join operators from Egypt, Cyprus, Holland, Majorca, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Turkey and of course the United Kingdom.

The annual Mobility Roadshow is the world’s largest event of its kind. As well as adapted vehicles to test drive, from around 200 exhibitors there will be scooters, trikes and wheelchairs, mobility aids for indoor and outdoor living and recreation, plus a large number of information and charity organisations offering information and impartial advice. This year also sees a new Sports Arena and Flying Zone with opportunities to take part.

Source:
Easier Travel
http://www.easier.com/view/Travel/Holidays/article-125883.html

Why Make a Trip to Pichincha in Ecuador?

Maybe it is simply to ride a horse at Fundación Amor & Energía “AM-EN”:

AMEN is a non-profit making charity. Most of the people who receive therapy cannot afford to pay for the sessions. AM-EN relies almost exclusively on international grants and donations.

The Foundation Amor y Energía (love and energy) AM-EN is an independent, non- profit charitable organization committed to the social development of handicapped children and young people.

Since its establishment the foundation has worked in the area of the rehabilitation of people with disabilities through riding therapy and other conventional and alternative therapies.

Based in a developing country of in South America , AM-EN was founded in 1995 by the German citizen Heidi Paliz. The United Nation Voluntary Fund for Disability sponsored it from 1999 until 2005. Their mandate was as a training project at a national level in and sub regional level in Central America.

Children, whose physicians had stated would never be able to speak or walk, have, after some time at the Foundation, started to make their first steps and pronounce their first words.

AM-EN also rescues horses, which are often badly treated in South America . Many of these older horses can earn their living through working with the handicapped children.

More information:

Fundación Amor & Energía “AM-EN”
P.O.Box 17-22-20016
Quito, ECUADOR
Tel.: (593) 2 2440 444 / 099 19 34 74

Travel Abroad Testimonials from the Disability Community

Documentation of Inclusive Travel is catching on all over.

If you have not been therre recently, you may want to visit TransitionsAbroad.com for their section on Travel & Disability. Here's a catalog of their offerings:

Simon Says Teach Abroad by Melissa Mitchell

The Accessible Himalayas by Mary Ann Davis

18 Tips for International Travelers: Survival Strategies for Going Abroad: A Guide for People with Disabilities by Laura Hershey

Accessible Melbourne by Anne Vize

Disability Travel in Egypt by Lynn Atkinson

Accessibility Overseas: Is There a Way to Get There? by Sharon Gerlach

Adventures in Teaching from a Wheelchair in Venezuela by Marie Sharp

Young Adults with Disabilities Explore World by Pamela Houston

Study Abroad in Ireland by Johana Schwartz

Study Abroad with a Disability by Beth Ocrant

Abroad with a Disability: Prepare Yourself for the Unexpected by Jennifer Kettler

Resources for Study Abroad with a Disabilities in Europe by Tracy Scharn

Study Abroad and Accessibility: Overseas Experience leads to Activism at Home by Shannon Cun Lin Huy

Diversity in Study Abroad: Ways to Include Underrepresented Communities in Exchange Programs by Carole Patterson

Travel With a Purpose by Pamela Houston

Why Not Visit the U.K.? by J. E. Killick

Paris by Wheelchair by David W.E. Smith

Disability Travel Abroad Checklist by Barbara Ballard

Traveling with a Service Dog by Tracy Scharn

Source:

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/disability/index.shtml

Universal Studios Theme Park in South Korea: Universal Design?

Will Korea do justice to its citizens? Will it do justice to its tourists? Will the new Korean Universal Studios theme park incorporate state of the art inclusion by incorporating Universal Design -- starting today?

Universal to open theme park in South Korea

SEOUL: Universal Studios plans to open a theme park in South Korea, betting that rides and spectacles based on movies such as Spider Man and King Kong will draw in more and more affluent people in Asia's fourth largest economy.

Becoming the latest Hollywood film studio to expand in Asia's burgeoning entertainment resort market, Universal Studios said yesterday it would build the South Korean park by 2012, which could be larger than its parks in Hollywood and Japan.

The project, announced a day after another US film giant Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) unveiled a plan for a Shanghai park, highlights Hollywood's accelerating push to take the world's most popular entertainment to the world's most populous region.

Source: Malaysia Star
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/23/business/17809328&sec=business

After the tremendous welcome that I was given throughout Korea two weeks ago as a representative of the international community of travelers with disabilities I can only hope that the answer to these questions is an unqualified, "Yes."

For those who may not have read my piece on theme parks from December 6, 2004 at Suite101.com I have reprinted it below.

Theme Parks, Imaginary Worlds, and Real Access

How many theme parks can you name? Disneyland, Six Flags, Marine World, and Great America are some better-known US theme parks. Tivoli in Denmark, Huis Ten Bosch in Japan, and GRS Fantasy Park in Mysore, India might turn up on your list if you are a theme park connoisseur. Cadbury World, Hershey Park and Hershey World might also come to mind if chocolate is your passion.

Now, turn the question around. How do those theme parks name you? That is, who are you allowed to be once you enter the magic of a theme park?

What is a theme park?

It is first a park. Extent and boundaries define a park. A park occupies space in a particular location. Unlike a nomadic circus or a traveling carnival it has permanence of place. We go to a park.

A park is a physical space that can be marked. Parks create frontiers -- the contrast between "inside" and "outside."

The frontier is also a psychological and social space, as anyone who lives near a national border, knows. Reality changes somehow when we cross a frontier or when we pass into a park.

The tension between inside and outside creates anticipation for the traveler - a spirit of pilgrimage that can only be satisfied by arrival at the goal. For the traveler with a disability arrival may not be easy - and it is most likely only the start of new kind of tension.

This fact is captured in the title of the very first study in English on the travel behavior of consumers with disabilities. The article, "From Anxiety to Access" by Simon Darcy of Australia, launched the field of inclusive travel as a topic for academic study in the English-speaking world.

Simon revealed to the travel industry what those of us with disabilities who travel want as consumers. We want exactly the same thing that other travelers want! That is not a difficult concept - "exactly the same thing." As visitors to a theme park we want to be "inside." We want the magic to work on us.

The psychological-social definition of "inside" changes depending on the type of park. So, let's consider the varieties of park - park typology.

Kinds of Parks

One type of park may be offer nothing more than the features of its location.

These parks exist to guarantee access to some location that is often entirely natural. The site may be only slightly modified for human use if at all. Once inside the park boundary we move in order to observe nature. Examples include:

# Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone National Parks in the US
# Ngongoro, Kilimanjaro, or Serengeti in Tanzania

Another type of park may exist to preserve a place that is entirely manmade because of its historical or cultural purpose. In this sort of park observation is secondary to preservation. In fact, entry into some buildings may be entirely prohibited - or the preserved architectural features, such as stairways for example, may make entry difficult or impossible for someone with a mobility disability.

A third type of park may obliterate the original local features that were either built or natural. This is often the strategy taken by theme parks. Theme parks create a coherent artificial space. By doing so theme parks acquire a degree of ethical responsibility not shared by the previous types of park.

Degrees of Responsibility

Theme parks have a responsibility to be 100% accessible.

Why? Because they can be 100% accessible in the way that the natural environment of a national park or the historically authentic environment of an enclave of the past cannot. Theme parks have a responsibility to be accessible because of the definitions of disability and of discrimination.

Some individuals carry a certain deficit in capacity. In English we call the lack of capacity a "disability." Some modifications change the environment making it useable only to those with that capacity. To build a system, building, product, or ideology that does not allow for the participation of persons with differing capacities is to discriminate, to isolate, to leave "outside."

We call the lack of access through design "a handicap." A handicap is a socially constructed reality that prevents social participation on the basis of difference in capacity.

Medicine may have something to say about improving capacity. Universal Design is the solution to the lack of access.

Universal Design

Universal Design starts with the fundamental assertion that people with disabilities are consumers. Universal Design is about engineering the full inclusion of the widest range of consumers - offering them appropriate choices in the marketplace and the dignity of participation.

In the end, the meaning of inclusion is social participation. Social participation is the second psychological meaning of "inside."

A theme park that "names" a visitor as anything but a full participant in every activity that it offers names the visitor an "outsider." It breaks the magic.

Magic by Design

Theme parks tell a story. Their magic comes from allowing visitors to participate in their story.

The measure of theme park accessibility is not simply physical accommodation for those with ambulatory disabilities; Braille signage for the blind; or auditory amplification for the deaf. The park must arrange all those things toward the goal of full participation by carriers of those differences in capacity; those disabilities. The architecture, the paths, the music, the signs, the staff and the returning visitors all work together to teach the visitor how to be an actor "inside" the theme park.

The key question is, do all those elements work together to allow visitors of every degree of capacity to play every available role in the theme park story?

Can a child with a developmental disability be the protagonist? The princess? The clown? Can the visitor with a mobility impairment be he adventurer conquering ride after ride? Facing wild animals like a hero? Can the person who does not take in information visually or auditorially find their stage cues as they play out the park's fantasy?

The next time you visit a theme park - or build one - think beyond the minimum requirements set out by the Americans with Disabilities Act in the US or the relevant building and safety codes in your country. Imagineer an environment where the differences in capacity between children and seniors are bridged. Stage a world where those with disabilities and those enjoying those temporary phases of life where they are not experiencing one can recreate side by side. Name yourself as hero.

Bring home a memento of a place that still might only exist in fantasy - but can still come true by design if the story escapes.

URLs for Further Reading:

From Anxiety to Access by Simon Darcy

http://tinyurl.com/27ap6

Accessible South Korea

What happens when you put together an anthropologist (Christian Park), a journalist (Hyunjung Park), the owner of South Korea's only specialized Inclusive Outbound Tourism agency (Ho Sug Park), and the editor of the Rolling Rains Report "fresh" from a 12 hour flight SFO-ICN (San Francisco - Incheon Airport Seoul, South Korea)?

Well, since the flight included the outstanding attention to detail supplied by Singapore Airlines - and the entourage in Seoul was gracious enough not to be irked by a delayed arrival - the result was an interview full of smiles, laughs, and interesting questions.

Watch for Ms. Hyunjung Park's piece in the travel section of The Hankyoreh.

South Korea's Accessible Travel Pioneer, Ho Sug Park.

Random Acts of Kindness on the Road: Embracing the Korean "Peace Zone"

Technically, so they tell me, peace has never been declared with North Korea. So, as I struggle with Asiana Airlines to provide me with even a modicum of service, images of conflict and war come easily to mind. Add to that the fact that after a brief rest in Seoul tomorrow I will be off to Imjingak with a reporter from Chosun Ilbo and the chair of DPI's sub-committee on Imjingak accessibility.

Reading the independent, pro-unification newspaper Hankyoreh set my thinking down a more peaceful path.

There is Free Hugs campaign in Korea. Virally transmitted by an online video of some Australians doing the same these random acts of human contact seem to be just the cure for disability aversion. As the Hankyoreh article reports on the video of this April 20, National Disabled Persons' Day event:

In many cases, it seemed like it was people’s first experience to hug a person in a wheelchair, as they tried to figure out how to bend their knees and lower their heads in the right way so that they could look their hugging partner in the eyes. After the hugs, both parties always wear bright smiles.

Gratitude and Inclusive Travel

Stacy Ellingen, writing in the Fond du Lac Reporter manages to touch on both Visitability and Inclusive Tourism in one short commentary:

Traveling when you have a physical disability can present different challenges. From simple things, such as finding an accessible restroom to dealing with places where there are only flights of stairs, traveling anywhere when you're in a wheelchair can prove interesting.

I have both a power wheelchair and a manual wheelchair. I use my manual chair when we go to relatives' houses (because they're not accessible) and when we fly places. When I was a lot younger, we used my manual chair more than we do now because it was a lot easier for my parents to move me around — I was smaller, and I was young enough that freedom wasn't an issue.

You can find the entire article here.

Ricardo -- Airborne!!

Ricardo Shimosakai is a Brazilian consultant on Inclusive Tourism who regularly provides material to the Rolling Rains Report.

Here is what he also provided to the Brazilian travel agent's association professional magazine. Looks like fun, amigo!

The the Brazilian travel agent's association is known as ABBTUR (Associação Brasileira de Bachareis em Turismo)

Irish Eyes Smiling on New York's Accessibillity -- or Not

“Don’t get me wrong, I had a great holiday and people are so friendly, but there were just some parts that proved challenging for me,” commented Peter Nolan from Co. Carlow. Peter, who uses a wheelchair, reported that "being a tourist in New York had its ups and downs."

In the Irish Voice read April Drew's article "Disabled Tourist Rates New York" for some stories that reveal NYC through the eyes of an irish St. Patrick's Day visitor.

The Magnificent Taj Mahal Eludes Persons with Disabilities – The Experience of C. Mahesh

It was my pleasure to meet Aqeel Qureshi in Taipei at the first International Accessible Tourism Conference. Now we all have an opportunity to share in his work through Disability News India.

Always attuned to the development of Inclusive Tourism, Aqueel leads the April issue with "The Magnificent Taj Mahal eludes 'Persons with Disabilities' – based on personal experience of C. Mahesh"

Mahesh Chandrasekar has written about, and equally as important, has illustrated with photographs the famously inaccessible Taj Mahal.

This piece is not his only contribution to the disability community. Mahesh maintains a site at: http://www.geocities.com/mahesh_mobility/

My gratitude to Mahesh for permission to reproduce his photographs here.

DisabledGo: UK Access Guide

There have been some recent upgrades to Gregory Burke's Inclusive Travel website DisabledGo.com. More than the continuned improvements to graphical quality and navigation is an assertion of unique value.

The following distinctions about their mission reveal the emergence of a second stage of maturity in this market -- differentiation between stable businesses that exclusively serve travelers with disabilities:

What we do

The information provided by DisabledGo in the Detailed Access Guides is designed to provide the broadest range of fine-grain access information for a wide range of disabled people. It is the most in-depth disabled access information guide ever. The information is designed to empower disabled people to make their own informed decisions as to the usability of the venue based on their own particular access requirements.

You may find venues which are totally unsuitable for your disability but they will have relevance for other people's impairments. Additionally, our research has shown that sometimes it is as important to know what is not accessible to your own individual circumstances as to know what is. That way, journeys are not wasted and evenings are not ruined.

What we don't do

Although DisabledGo's Detailed Access Guides convey a lot of pertinent information, they are not Access Audits. The purpose of an Access Audit is to carry out a physical assessment of a building and service and make recommendations. DisabledGo does not make recommendations. Instead, DisabledGo's Researchers record a wide range of detailed access information - "we say it as we see it" - so that disabled people are in control by having independent, reliable information from which they can decide whether they wish to go to that venue.

http://www.disabledgo.info/Methodology.asp

A Barrier-Free Resort: Inclusive Design at Work in the Virgin Islands

Multi: Design for People does excellent work. They are defining the field of sustainable Inclusive Destination Development.

Here's one more affirmation of that through their presentation posted at Slideshare.net

inclusive+travel accessible+travel barrier+free+travel inclusive+design rolling+rains travel
resorts

Global Access Travel E-Zine

The latest issue of Global Access Travel e-Zine is out and here is one of the stories:

Scenic Prague has so much access to offer disabled travelers and soon that will include more accessible trams. Last month, the city debuted their newly renovated wheelchair-accessible tram. As funding permits, more accessible trams will be put to service. Prague hopes to have only accessible trams on-line by 2013. Learn more at this link to the “Prague Post.”

http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2007/02/14/trams-aid-disabled-riders.php

Access in Minsk, Belarus?

Perhaps a reader can educate me. I do not yet know what resources are available in Minsk, Belarus for travelers with disabilities. The excerpt below from an article at the MDA site is old -- but is the information obsolete yet?

I discovered this hotel advertising accessibility and see from this post at MyTravelGuide.com that the donations left at the Monument of Mothers Tears goe to disabled veterans.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT: FORMER SOVIET UNION Audrey Falk, a former teacher who became a full-time artist in 1991, has FSH dystrophy. She has made several trips to the former Soviet Union, including a visit to Vitsyebsk in Belarus to attend an international artists' symposium honoring painter Marc Chagall.

I've been in many places in the former Soviet Union. Unfortunately, the only accessibility is from crumbled curbs - purely by accident. There are no curb cuts.

About three years ago, we brought a motorized cart to give to a friend's son in Belarus who has Duchenne dystrophy. People just stopped in their tracks when they saw him using it. I've had the same experience with crowds gathering around me in my motorized cart. They've never seen anything like it.

People with disabilities there just tend to stay in their flats. And what's terrible is that most of them don't have elevators or, if they do, the elevators don't work.

In the airport at Minsk, there was one wheelchair. The person operating it didn't know how to use it properly. He almost took me down a curb facing forward. I don't speak Russian so I had to use sign language to say, "Turn around."

Everywhere you go there are steps, and steps, and steps, even in new buildings. One night in Vitsyebsk, I had to go up on a stage with the other artists. My husband helped me up the steps, but everyone could see what a struggle it was for me to get on the stage.

After that in Vitsyebsk, wherever there were steps, there would always be someone who would appear, almost like magic, to help carry me in a chair. It just got to be routine that there'd always be two men to carry me and the chair up and down steps. They did it in the most natural way, so it wasn't uncomfortable, as if they just had a sense of what needs to be done.

The people are extraordinarily thoughtful. They have a government which cares nothing about creature comforts. But the people are generous and caring, and I have a lot of admiration and for them and their culture.

Source:

http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/q33abroad.html

Subway Maps of the World

Here is a link to useful portal of subway maps from around the world:

http://www.amadeus.net/home/new/subwaymaps/en/index.htm

Thanks to my collagues at Ticket to Travel travel agency for this tip.

Rural Accessible Tourism: Mark Your Calendars

Encuentro Iberoamericano Sobre Turismo Rural Accesible - ACTUR 07
LUGAR: Centro "Costa Salguero" Ciudad de Buenos Aires - Argentina
FECHA: 26 al 29 de mayo 2007

Look for the Accessible Rural Tourism Conference at the Centro "Costa Salguero" Buenos Aires - Argentina May 26 - 29.

Conference site:
http://www.actur.com.ar/expo/inicio.html

Defintions of accessible agrotourism (Spanish):
http://www.actur.com.ar/fundamentos.html

From the web site:

* JORNADAS EMPRESARIALES Y PROFESIONALES

Las Jornadas ACTUR ´07 tendrán lugar en el Auditorio Salas 1 y 2.
Tienen como objetivo, formar y capacitar al sector turístico sobre la mejora de la competitividad y la accesibilidad al turismo rural.
Participarán en las Jornadas disertantes argentinos y extranjeros expertos en la temática del turismo rural y la accesibilidad.

* Sábado 26 - Auditorio Centro Costa Salguero - Ciudad de Buenos Aires
* Domingo 27- Auditorio Centro Costa Salguero - Ciudad de Buenos Aires
* Lunes 28 - Estancia El Silencio - Ciudad de Cañuelas - Provincia de Buenos Aires
* Martes 29 – Ciudad de Tandil - Provincia de Buenos Aires

Las jornadas tiene como un atractivo para los participantes inscriptos la incorporación de la degustación de la Gastronomía Regional Argentina

En la inauguración el 26 de mayo de 2007 se disfrutará de un desayuno argentino, con la presencia de más de 200 productores los cuales presentarán sus delicias.

Durante todo el evento habrá: Degustación y cata de vinos.

ACTUR 07 Virtual

Este evento reviste un carácter profesional y de difusión destinado al acercamiento entre personas con intereses y motivaciones afines que no pueden participar presencialmente del I ENCUENTRO IBEROAMERICANO SOBRE TURISMO RURAL ACCESIBLE -ACTUR ´07-

Contacts:

# JORNADAS / Turismo Accesible
FUNDACIÓN TURISMO PARA TODOS
Luis Grünewald
E-mail: actur07@actur.com.ar

# HOTELES / PAQUETES - TURISMO
DownUnder Travel
Maipú 812 Piso 7 "D" (1006) Buenos Aires
TE +54 11 4115 0115
Silvina Rios - Jorge Carlos Salatino
E-mail: silvinarios@downunder.com.ar
E-mail: jorge.salatino@downunder.com.ar

Kim Chee and Eatability

I know that some without fireproof palates will ask if "eatability" is an adjective describing the spicy Korean food "kim chee." Here it is meant as a noun.

If kim chee is the heart of Seoul's cuisine why can't a traveler find a sole site like Australia's Eatability to guide them to this delight?

Korean entrepreneurs: There's a business opportunity here. Who will create Eatability Korea? An online guide to accessible restaurants in Korea would be an important piece of Inclusive Destination Development and market building on the country.

Is Korea Accessible?

The truth? I'm not sure yet.

But I'll report on what I find after I return from speaking at the Active Aging Conference May 14 - 16 in Namhae, Korea hosted by WellAging

Meanwhile, I am scouring Tour2Korea.com for travel tips and diversions.

US National Park Access

If you had an America the Beautiful Access Pass you might want to use it to visit the Delware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Here is information on accessibility.

For more in formation on the Access Pass see the USGS here.

Is Paris Acccessible?

Global Access News has published Paris Passerelles - Wheelchair Accessible Travel In Paris - 2003 and the follow-up piece Wheelchair Accessible Travel in Paris – 2005. Search through the article archive here to find many more informative articles from around the world.

Accessible Canal Tours: The Willow Trust, UK

Over at Travel With a Disability photographer who contributes as Lumpen Heap has shared a find:

The Willow Trust is a charity that offers freedom for the disabled on the water by providing days out for children and adults with learning and physical disabilities and those who are seriously ill.

The Trust has two boats based at Saul Junction, and guests can enjoy the excitement of adventure and the therapy of tranquility in beautiful surroundings - all travelling totally free of charge.

For more on the Willow Trust see:

http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/studies/willowtrust.htm

Transylvania via Wizz Air

I'm no Goth. Scarey movies aren't my genre. After seeing a few as a youngster quoth this less-than-brave-one, "Nevermore!"

But I have written here more than once that Transylvania holds some appeal and fuels a quest for reliable information on its accessibility. Robert Reid provided no new insights on inclusion in that part of the world but his recent report does reaffirm its appeal:

Most travelers heading to Transylvania envisioning wing-flapping vampires first think of Brasov, the cobbled Saxon town near the so-called Dracula Castle at Bran. Or Sighisoara, where the real Dracula (Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler) cut his teeth in the 15th century.

But lesser-known Targu Mures is Transylvania's new big gateway and up-and-coming highlight. Budget airline Wizz Air started direct Budapest-Targu Mures service in July (currently $22 each way), making the cool hub of Transylvania more accessible to all of Europe.

Targu Mures' location couldn't be better.

For the full article see:
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/158559

For an update on the Romanian trekker, Vasi Stoica, see:
http://www.govasigo.ro/press.html

There Is Room at the Inn: Inns and B&Bs for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

The Chicago Tribune reviews Candy Harrington's latest book: There Is Room at the Inn: Inns and B&Bs for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Source:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/4219745.html

Daily Travel

Greg Livadas profiles John Bateman-Ferry, Luticha Doucette, and Victor and Christopher Hilderbrant, on life post-disability in Rochester, NY.

Doucette recently visited a new car dealership in Henrietta. They displayed a wheelchair symbol at one entrance, but it didn't have automatic door openers (which aren't required by the ADA).

"Having that sign there is very misleading," she said. "When I see a newer building, there should be as much accommodation as possible. That frustrates me when they don't do that.

"People who have disabilities want to get around like everyone else."

See:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061008/NEWS01/610080328/1002/NEWS

Wheelchair access: Many venues comply but problems remain

Greg Livadas
Staff writer

(October 8, 2006) — John Bateman-Ferry views the world from a different perspective than most adults: one often filled with curbs, stairs and high counters.

Since suffering a spinal cord injury in 1978, every door, cracked sidewalk and narrow parking spot makes him think about how he's going to get his wheelchair to where he wants to be, whether it's a restaurant, a theater or just across the street.

"I'm always looking ahead," he said. "Am I going to be able to go from one side of the street to the other?" A curb more than 2 inches high, for example, would be a problem for him to push his wheelchair over. Others using electric wheelchairs or scooters might have trouble crossing a barrier of one-quarter of an inch.

A Democrat and Chronicle reporter, investigating the challenges facing wheelchair users when they go out in public, followed Bateman-Ferry, 46, of Victor and Christopher Hilderbrant, 30, of Greece to a dozen local venues. They found problems ranging from the inconvenient to the dangerous — crumbling curbs, bathroom stalls too small to use and hot water pipes that could burn legs.

In our survey, even a simple visit to the zoo's new elephant exhibit was a chore. Returning to his car, Bateman-Ferry needed to be pushed uphill because the slope was too steep for him to maneuver it himself.

Merely using the sidewalk was hazardous: Potholes and broken glass could puncture wheelchair tires.

The trips illustrated what disabled people already know: Although nearly all of the venues complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, many could be safer and more accessible.

Other findings:

# Restroom doors were at times difficult to open, faucets can be hard to turn on, paper towels can be out of reach and uninsulated pipes under sinks can burn legs.

# While the ADA requires bathroom stalls to be 60 inches wide, that remains too narrow to allow someone to pull alongside a toilet in a wheelchair, rendering the toilet useless to many wheelchair users.

# Ramps providing access to some buildings are steep.

# Some designated wheelchair spaces in theaters are on an incline, which would make wheelchairs roll and their users tip forward. Not every wheelchair has brakes.

Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy, who has heard complaints of poorly plowed sidewalks, vows to better understand the importance of accessible sidewalks this winter. He plans to get in a wheelchair after a snowfall to see how navigable city walkways are.

But, for those who use a wheelchair every day, snow isn't needed to make Rochester a tough place to navigate.

Luticha Doucette, 23, of Henrietta has used a wheelchair since being injured in a car accident when she was 22 months old. She's seen improvements in accessibility in the past few years, "but it's not where I'd like it to be."

Older buildings remain inaccessible for her. She'd like to visit more nightclubs in Rochester, but most have stairways with no ramps or elevators. Some wheelchair entrances are the service entrances or loading docks.

"Sometimes my friends will scout out a place ahead of time," she said.

Doucette recently visited a new car dealership in Henrietta. They displayed a wheelchair symbol at one entrance, but it didn't have automatic door openers (which aren't required by the ADA).

"Having that sign there is very misleading," she said. "When I see a newer building, there should be as much accommodation as possible. That frustrates me when they don't do that.

"People who have disabilities want to get around like everyone else."

Getting around

Driving his car with hand controls, Bateman-Ferry always looks for the blue handicapped logo designating automatic doors or elevators, ramps and accessible parking. After parking on Broad Street, he reached to his back seat and grabbed his wheelchair frame, then its seat cushion, and placed them on the ground outside his car door. Then he got the right wheel and snapped it on the frame, and did the same with the left wheel. He slid from behind the steering wheel to his wheelchair, then closed the car door and looked for a curb cut to get to the safety of a sidewalk.

At times, that safety is several car lengths down the street past oncoming traffic.

Bateman-Ferry endures this routine each time he drives somewhere, and it adds a few minutes to his commute.

The battle wasn't over once he reached the sidewalk, however. The sidewalks along Broad Street near South Avenue were crumbling, leaving loose pieces of concrete and holes.

"This is western New York. I understand we have weather issues," Bateman-Ferry said. "But that (chunk of loose concrete) is either going to break your ankle or stop my wheelchair."

The bumps were so severe that Bateman-Ferry had to alternate pushing his wheels and holding on to a bottle of water and notebook he carried on his lap.

"This is the bane of my existence, trying to carry stuff," he said. "This is as bad as not having a path of travel."

A need for access

Nearly one in five Americans — more than 51 million — suffers from some form of disability, with 12 percent having a severe disability, according to the U.S. census. Of those, 2.7 million people age 15 and older use a wheelchair, and it's a number that is expected to rise as medicines improve, allowing people to live longer with disabilities.

A 2004 American Community Survey by the Census Bureau showed more than 84,000 people, or 12.5 percent of Monroe County's population, living with a disability. That survey does not include people living in nursing homes or residential schools.

Locally, no census has ever been taken to determine how many wheelchair users there are. Some may not want to be identified, for fear of becoming targeted.

"There hasn't been any real effort," Hilderbrant said. "It took advocacy just to get us included in the 2000 general census."

And the needs of wheelchair users may put other disabled people at a disadvantage. A curb cut that helps a wheelchair user may pose a problem for a blind person walking with a cane.

Bateman-Ferry, who lobbied for the passage of the ADA, witnessed the law being signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. The ADA was intended to prohibit discrimination against the disabled in employment, access to local and state government agencies and their programs, and public access to businesses.

Bateman-Ferry says a major gap remains in terms of employment of the disabled, but he has seen many more buildings become accessible in recent years.

Hilderbrant, who is director of advocacy for the Center for Disability Rights, says new construction with aesthetic designs such as cobblestones may be viewed as improvements to some but make traveling in a wheelchair difficult.

Hilderbrant and others who are disabled have been consulted for major projects in advance, such as PAETEC Park. Any new construction needs to follow the ADA's accessibility guidelines, which often are copied for local building codes for minimum requirements.

"PAETEC was built better than code," Hilderbrant said. "We were asked to consult with the designers. Living the experience, we knew it could be better than code."

A family bathroom was installed, which would be easier for an attendant to take someone in a wheelchair to the bathroom, and handicapped parking spots were redistributed to provide accessible parking in useful areas, Hilderbrant said.

The law requires "reasonable accommodations" to provide equal access, but a small business that doesn't have access for a wheelchair would not be required to build a ramp or install an elevator if it proved to be a financial hardship.

A store, for example, doesn't have to have all merchandise where it can be reached from a wheelchair, as long as a store employee is available to get an item upon request.

When attending a sporting event or going to a theater or a restaurant, Bateman-Ferry wants to sit next to his family. Will they be able to sit together? Will he have to sit in an aisle? Those questions are always on his mind.

Emergency exits

Most able-bodied people figure there will be an easy exit from a theater or business in case of emergency. But if you're in a wheelchair, getting out isn't an option if you have to rely on an elevator during a fire. On Sept. 11, 2001, Bateman-Ferry was in Ronald Reagan National Washington Airport, preparing to fly home after a presentation he made in Washington when he saw the World Trade Center burning on a TV in an airport lounge.

"The airlines announced a ground stop and we should wait for more information. Then we were ordered to evacuate," he said. "As a wheelchair user, I got no specific information or direction as how to exit."

A police officer told him not to use an elevator, but he did. "It was a big risk, but my senses told me to get out," he said. "I was the last person I saw leaving the airport. It was an uneasy feeling."

Outside, he could see and smell the Pentagon burning. He took a train to where relatives picked him up hours later.

Locally, public buildings such as the Hall of Justice warn visitors to take the stairs in case of an emergency. For wheelchair users, they would have to wait in the stairwell for help, or crawl down the stairs if they were able to.

Some local theaters give wheelchair users an option of transferring into a stationary seat. Hilderbrant may opt to sit in a theater chair, but he won't let the ushers move his wheelchair away. It's almost a part of him, and if he needs to leave in a hurry, he wants to have it nearby.

Slow improvements

Sarah Gilmour, a Henrietta lawyer and CDR board member, recalls only two local lawsuits involving violations of the ADA on accessibility for wheelchairs. As a result, ramps were built at a Rochester restaurant and Irondequoit physical therapy office.

Gilmour, who has used a motorized scooter for 20 years, said she has seen more awareness about accessibility issues over the years.

"It used to irritate me you could go down the sidewalk and take a curb cut to get into the street and there may not be a curb cut on the other side of the street," she said. "Now it's more consistent."

Still, problems exist. Parking lots that aren't level make it difficult to unload wheelchairs. And parking spots aren't always wide enough to allow a door to fully swing open, especially if a wheelchair van and ramp are used.

But Gilmour said most businesses, if not accessible, will go out of their way to help customers if they know about special needs in advance.

"Most places are willing to do that," she said. "But you don't take anything for granted. Never assume something is accessible. You really have to call ahead to avoid being stuck and inconveniencing the people you're with."

strong>Source:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061008/NEWS01/610080328/1002/NEWS

Suvarnabhumi: The Airport That Crash Landed on Visitors to Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Thailand's public embrassment.

As in similar post-tsunami and post-Katrina rebuild debacles it was the disability community that raised an early warning signal. Citing the principles of Universal Design -- and predicting the damage to national prestige & local economics resulting from ignoring them -- advice went unheeded with the expected results:

Suvarnabhumi: A traveller's lament

by Pravit Rojanaphruk

Published on October 1, 2006

As flight TG 401 touched down at the futuristic-looking Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday night, the inefficiency of this new Bt150-billion facility took me and other passengers by surprise.

The impressive view from the outside, of architectural structures bathed in blue light, gave way to appalling design flaws and apparent mismanagement by officials.

"It's a new airport, so why did we have to board a bus [after deplaning]?" asked a fellow THAI traveller from Singapore.

Less than two minutes later we were stuck in a bottleneck at the only escalator from the ground floor up to the first floor. We wondered why more planning wasn't put into such a crucial matter.

Then after a considerable hike past a few duty-free shops, I arrived at the hi-tech immigration desk. It was speedy and convenient. But as I got through the counter and proceeded to find out where to reclaim my luggage, my eyes were dazzled by four flashing TV monitors with letters so tiny that anyone over 40 or with reading difficulties would have a hard time deciphering the messages.

After a few minutes of eye-straining search, I discovered that I had to go to carousel 18. But wait! When I got there, the overhead display said the luggage coming through belonged to flights from Siem Reap and Seoul, not Singapore!

There weren't enough luggage carts and it took me 10 minutes to get one.

So which computerised monitors should I trust?

I hung around with other passengers whom I recognised from our flight until one Westerner finally got his luggage. "Amazing," he said to me, as I asked if he was on that THAI flight from Singapore, to make sure that this was where my suitcase would emerge.

Then there was a sign on a pillar next to the conveyor belt printed on A4 paper. "Temporary toilet". The lack of enough toilets appeared to be haunting the new airport on Day Two.

But there was more travail to go through. The arrival lobby is too small. People squeeze together forming a wall so you can't see if someone came to pick you up.

Then I couldn't figure out where to hail a metered taxi. There was no sign and I ended up having to ask for information at an AOT counter. The woman there was pushing a pricey limousine service, but eventually caved in and told me to head one level down.

"But the queue down there is very long," she warned me. The taxi queue was actually twice, if not thrice, longer than those at Don Muang.

Why? Partly bad coordination and partly because this is a single-terminal airport. The taxi pick-up points must actually be fewer than at Don Muang, which has one domestic and two international terminals. And there was no proper sign telling you this is where you should wait!

While in line, two THAI passengers complained to me. One, an elderly gentleman who flew in from Brisbane, said he waited an hour and a half for his luggage to arrive. When he inquired about it with THAI ground staff, they didn't have a clue as to how long he had to wait.

"It was a long walk," he said, referring to the mega-long terminal and hall.

Another Thai passenger said the exit gate at the arrival hall was simply "miniature", which didn't make any sense.

Nobody seems to want to explain why this new gateway is not laid out better and more conveniently than the 92-year-old complex at Don Muang. I couldn't help wonder why AOT has to force thousands of travellers to undergo such a trying experience.

In the first few days they may claim that many things are not functioning properly because it's still new. But the management's attitude was self-congratulatory even though they should be profusely apologetic and do their best to meet travellers' expectations.

I couldn't see or feel a sense of excellence and a service mindset from them. Suvarnabhumi may end up becoming just another expensive airport that's better to look at than to use.

Perhaps a new management team that is more concerned and attentive to travellers' needs and satisfaction, comforts and convenience might improve things. A few executives deserve - not only to be shifted or reassigned - but fired.

Almost Artfully Done: The Lancaster Arts Hotel

Reading about the Lancaster Arts Hotel has me imaging a dressed down version of Hobart, Tasmania's impressive Henry Jones Art Hotel.

The Jones was not spectacularly accessible -- bathroom counters with no legroom under them for wheelchair users -- but it didn't seem to flaunt such obstacles as stairways or exhibit confusion about what might constitute an accessible bathroom. In fact, their combination of Braille and illuminated signage throughout the building was artistically compelling.

Jane Holahan writes of the Lancaster Arts Hotel in Lancaster Luxury: Former Tobacco Warehouse Becomes Arts Hotel:

Twelve of the rooms feature whirlpool baths, four have handicapped accessible bathrooms and all other rooms feature walk-in showers.

From those of us who regularly use our own whirlpool baths at home, "What could you possibly have done to make these twelve bathrooms inaccessible? And more importantly, why go through the trouble to do so?"

From those who prefer roll-in showers (and the rusty wheelchair bearings they inevitably seem to cause on my chair at least), "What did you do to make all the other "luxury" showers walk-in but not roll-in?"

From those who can do simple math, "Why the quotas?"

It may be simply that the reviewer is not familiar with the language and principles of Universal Design.

On the other hand, the owners and architect at the Lancaster Arts Hotel seem quite proud of their handiwork. I would assume they would be at pains to see press coverage of their hotel accurately portray their grasp of Universal Design if they had in fact applied it.

A Universally Designed hotel is in itself a work of art and a social statement worthy of appreciation and esteem. An arts hotel that excludes by design -- or by mere adherence to ADA quotas -- relegates its "art" to mere ornamentation hung on the walls. (And it loses clientelle.)

Florida / Brasil: Turismo nos Estados Unidos

Este sitio nao tem muito para portador pois o que existe esta em Portugues!

Tudo que voce precisa saber sobre turismo na Florida. Dicas sobre as cidades turisticas mais quentes na Florida. Sem duvida, Orlando, Tampa, Miami e Key West sao cidades predominantes quando se trata de turismo na Florida, Estados Unidos.

SE ESTIVER COM DEFICIENTES
Sempre ha entradas especiais nas atracoes, inclusive informacoes e material audiovisual. Tambem ha cadeiras motorizadas para alugar na entrada.

Mais:

http://www.floridabrasil.com/turismo.html

Proud to be Proven Wrong

Over at the Rolling Rains photo-sharing site, Travel With a Disability, I jokingly mentioned to photographer Brian, "End of Level Boss," that sightseeing the Great Wall of China was not likely to be a passtime for travelers with disabilities.

I am glad to have been proven wrong by Huang Jianming and this video:

From video caption:

A man who lost his legs in a train accident climbed the Great Wall of China. Huang Jianming had both legs amputated in 1994, after he fell out of a speeding train carriage.

He climbed the Great Wall for two hours by using the sheer strength of his arms, pushing himself up the cobble stoned steps in front of hundreds of bemused tourists. "I lost my legs 12 years ago and what I have been through in the past 12 years is strong proof that when you have confidence and a strong will, you can do wonders," said Huang

The accident totally changed Huang's life. Without legs, his wife deserted him when he lost his livelihood, but he remained determined to live a normal life. "I hope when these tourists see me, a half man, climbing the Great Wall and enjoying being a real man, they will th

Source:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8051402628032399140&q=disability&hl=en

Two other ways to see the Great Wall of China:

Airborne at the end of the Jinshinling to Samatai walk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF43ctM3aCE

"Overview"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuRn7YC6Pzg

Seeing Rome by Wheelchair

There is a helpful discussion specifically about visiting Rome, Italy at SlowTravel,.com. Here is the link to a thread on the discussion board.

Apoie essa idéia..!

Surf Especial are making waves in Brazil!

You may need Google and a Portuguese dictionary to catch the finer points but the overall story is that Robson Careca, after paralysis from an automobile accident in 1998, has launched a disabled surfers association in Brazil.

Inclusive Tourism and Accessible Adventure Travel is establishing itself. Surf Especial is just one more example of the new wave!

Ever Been to Nerja?

Nerja is on the Mediterranean Coast of Spain about 55 km (about 35 miles) from Malaga, in the direction of Motril and Almeria. Not coincidentally, Nerja is where you will find Casa Charlotte.

http://www.casacharlotte.com/

Your hosts at Casa Charlotte are Frans & Nuttee

Contact Information:

C. San Pedro,16
E 29780 Nerja-Malaga
Phone. + 34. 606 96 68 96 & + 34.95 252 1121
Skype : casacharlotte

e mail: casacharlotte@hotmail.com

CASA CHARLOTTE : http://www.casacharlotte.com

Eatability

When in Sydney do as the locals do. Check out Eatability!

Agreement on Accessibility Issues with the Madonna Inn

From USNewsWire.com:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A settlement agreement reached with Madonna Inn Inc. under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will make the landmark roadside Inn more accessible to people with disabilities, the Justice Department announced today.

"People with disabilities too often face unreasonable barriers to enjoying many things most of us take for granted, such as traveling and staying in a hotel or motel," said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "Today's settlement is a positive step towards ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy fully the freedom to travel."

Each of the 108 rooms in this well-known lodging facility located just off the 101 freeway on California's Central Coast is uniquely decorated with a special theme and color scheme, including the five designated accessible rooms (Golfer, Vintage, Mt. Vernon, Rose, and Desert Sands). The Inn has agreed to remove barriers to access in each of the designated accessible rooms. In the future, should the Inn grow and expand, the settlement requires additional accessible rooms to be added in compliance with the agreement. The Inn will also provide different bed types in three of the rooms (or two rooms that adjoin from the inside for the price of one); equipment to make rooms accessible to individuals with hearing and vision disabilities; and it will provide additional amenities such as a patio or fireplace in at least two of these rooms.

In addition, the agreement will provide greater access to other spaces and elements throughout the Inn and restaurant. The agreement also provides that the Inn will modify its guest reservation policies to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to stay at the Inn.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the ADA or the agreement can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY), or access its ADA Web site at http://www.ada.gov.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

Source:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=70962

Haben wir heir eine Liste...

...auf Deutsch von Zugänglichkeit für Reisende.

But the same list includes resources for travelers speaking French, Italian, English. I can see at least one important URL missing... but this is one useful resource published by Mobility International Switzerland!

I can also see that they need financial sponsorship (and perhaps volunteer translators?). Head over . Maybe you can help them out at Reisefachstelle für Menschen mit Behinderung und für die Tourismusbranche

See their Bulletin Board here.

El Pollo Patagónico: Photography for Social Change

Flickr.com is alive with photographic expression - everything from point & shoot images of a 2 year old's birthday party to this carefully staged parody of wheelchair X-treme sports from an artist named "PolloPatagónico" (the Patagonian Chicken).

Without his permission yet to publish his work the best I can do is offer these links:

X-Treme [parody]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollopatagonico/206286557/

And his moving testimonial:

http://www.flickr.com/people/pollopatagonico/?relcreate=1

Here's a link to PolloPatagónico's profile:
http://www.flickr.com/people/pollopatagonico/

You can see all of PolloPatagónico's contacts here:
http://www.flickr.com/people/pollopatagonico/contacts/

And photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollopatagonico/

Y' anous! Access to France

Your French does not need to be perfect to take advantage of Y' anous! portal -- but it helps. The site covers the disability scene in the country with contributions on travel and leisure.

Yanous.com is the first French-speaking electronic magazine and portal dedicated to disabled people and disabilities. It reports the current events about the topic "handicap" in France, features an international press release, columns about every day's life, sport and leisure activities, specialized materials and information about various physical and mental deficiencies, a wide panorama opened on the life and the necessities of the handicapped people in France and worldwide. Yanous! is made by a professional team of handicapped and valid journalists. All its members work remotely and communicate through the Internet. Yanous! has about ten headquarters distributed through France: those of its journalists and co- workers.

Yanous! is dedicated to each handicapped person, her family and friends as well as the professionals working upon the topic. It was created by the founders of the netmag "Le Petit Handinaute" (www.handinaute.org) which acquired a great reputation among disabled websurfers and organizations thanks to its various, critical, constructive and sometimes impertinent actions for a full integration of disabled people in Society. Our entrance into the third millennium will happen with this assertion of existence: "Y'a nous! - There we are! - We do exist!"

Let Katja's Research Help You Travel to Germany

Katja Stokely has compiled some useful resources on accessible travel to Germany at her site, Broken Clay Journal. Look here.

Notice that she has also been translating Chistiane Link's Behindertenparkplatz travelogue to India.

Bill Hinchberger and BrazilMax

This weekend the RollingRains Travel With a Disability photo & discussion group was launched at Flickr.com. This week I want to profile just a few of the more than 35 people who joined in the first three days.

Bill Hinchberger, Editor of BrazilMax has an impressive CV - and an impressive web site. For sheer visual impact - whether or not you plan a trip to the country - BrazilMax is well worth the visit. Like many Rolling Rains readers Bill is also generous with his impressive specialized knowledge. He is truly the "Go to Guy" for reliable information on all aspects of Brazil if you are an English speaker.

So it was a particular honor to have Bill be the first to introduce himself in the Discussion section at the Flckr group Rolling Rains - Travel with a Disability. He writes:

I'll paste in my thumbnail bio below. Before that, I'll just note that BrazilMax - www.BrazilMax.com - is interested in accessible travel in Brazil. It would be nice to produce a little guide on the subject sometime. If anyone has ideas on how to make that happen, we're interested in hearing them. We also invite posts on our travel forum: brazilmax.com/forum/forum.cfm?FID=4

Here comes the thumbnail bio:

Bill Hinchberger is the founding editor of BrazilMax, www.BrazilMax.com, “the hip guide to Brazil” and host of Secret Brazil, a television project co-produced by BrazilMax and TV PUC in São Paulo. A former correspondent in Brazil for The Financial Times, Business Week and Institutional Investor, he contributes to publications like The Lancet, ARTnews, Metropolis and Nickelodeon and does contract writing for the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, the World Wildlife Fund and others. He is an accomplished public speaker and teacher and gives “understanding Brazil” sessions to visiting executives of a European bank. He holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies and a B.A. in Political Science, both from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the former president of the São Paulo Foreign Press Club (1995-99) and a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and the Brazilian Studies Association (BRASA).

Source: Travel With a Disability

Marcelo de Arrechea and Decthird Travel of Argentina

This weekend the RollingRains Travel With a Disability photo & discussion group was launched at Flickr.com. This week I want to profile just a few of the more than 35 people who joined in the first three days.

Marcelo de Arrechea has a panoramic vision of inclusion. Perhaps it comes from from living in a country with everything from the wide green pampas to the endless blue Atlantic to the white walls of mist at Iguazu Falls and the mountain heights of Bariloche and beyond. Or maybe it's a quality of heart independent of place and reflective of character and one man's spirit of service. That spirt permeates his travel service Decthird (for "December Third").

The mission of Decthird is to allow all people, regardless of their physical condition, to have access without any barriers to tourist attractions throughout the country.

La misión de Decthird es desarrollar el turismo accesible en la Argentina tal que todas las personas, más allá de las características de sus condiciones físicas, tengan un acceso sin barreras a los centros turísticos del país.

Recently you have seen reports from around the world by Tom Chun. Tom traveled with Decthird prior to his current around-the-world trek. Here is his on of his diary entries while in Argentina

While you explore Marcelo's site at Decthird check out the cabin in the Bosque de Arrayanes.

Visual Delights From Norman Montifar

This weekend the RollingRains Travel With a Disability photo & discussion group was launched at Flickr.com. This week I want to profile just a few of the more than 35 people who joined in the first three days.

Norman Montifar is a professional photograper from the Philipines residing in New York City. He enjoys travel. He also happens to have had polio as a child.

You can see Norman's spectacular work at Norman Montifar.

You can also see some of it at Rolling Rains - Travel with a Disability the new Flickr group on travel & disability.

How's Your Czech?

For those who read Czech (Sorry, my people come from across the river in God's country -- Slovakia -- and they only taught me words unfit to print!) here is the site for the Czech Paraplegics Association.

Being There in Bamako, Mali

Boots n All Travel askes the question, " Why go to Bamako, Mali?"

Their answer:

* Find anything you want at the Grand Marché Market
* Take a camel ride to Timbuktu
* Ride the river down the Niger
* Hike to cliff dwellings
* Spend the night in a desert camp under the stars after a long camel ride
* Check out the Djenne mosque made out of mud bricks
* Explore the desert in west Africa
* Go where the tourist track doesn't

Mudcloth is a local artform.

AfricaTraveling.net has this to say about the history of the area but information on accessibility is hard to come by.

Mike Wants You to Visit Cebu in the Philipines

Go ahead. Make his day! Visit Cebu on Wheels and see what he has to offer.

Turismo de Aventura para portadores de necessidades especiais

Social inclusion, adventure travel, agroturism, an ecoturism all converge in the tourism economy of Brazil. Below is a report (in Portuguese) on the maturation of this trend.

Turismo para portadores de necessidades especiais é um caso de sucesso

RAQUEL TEIXEIRA
Redação/Secom-MT

Inclusão social por meio do turismo e o ecoturismo são dois dos exemplos expostos sobre casos de sucesso já desenvolvidos no Estado de São Paulo e que servem como opções a serem fortalecidas em Mato Grosso.

Dirigido a estudantes, empresários e dirigentes públicos, nas oficinas desenvolvidas na tarde desta quinta-feira (27) durante a Festa Internacional do Pantanal foram apresentados os casos de sucesso do “Turismo para portadores de necessidades especiais e melhor idade”, de Piracicaba e “Turismo de aventuras em Brotas”, ambos desenvolvidos no interior paulista.

Para a secretária de turismo de Piracicaba, Maria Cristina Arzolla, o número de pessoas que buscam por atividades turísticas levou a prefeitura do município a desenvolver programas voltados ao segmento com a preocupação de incluí-las socialmente.

“Trabalhamos com a meta de incluir essas pessoas. Inclusão essa que passa por estruturar as opções turísticas e estabelecer a quebra de barreiras arquitetônicas”, enfatizou a secretária.

O programa é desenvolvido há dois anos em Piracicaba e, segundo Maria Cristina, são desenvolvidas dentre outras atividades passeios de barco, city tours e turismo rural.

“Além de incluir socialmente por meio do turismo centenas de pessoas que consomem, são cidadãos, o programa serve de exemplo para que outras cidades possam aliar a prática social às atividades turísticas”, observou Maria Cristina, destacando que o programa é um exemplo a ser aplicado em Mato Grosso.

“Com patrimônio natural da humanidade como o Pantanal e Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso tem um amplo potencial para desenvolver essas atividades de turismo e quebrar barreiras, oportunizando a inclusão social”, enfatizou.

Turismo de aventura

Umas das atividades que mais crescem no setor turístico, o turismo de aventuras foi outro caso de sucesso implantado em um município paulista que tem no agronegócio a principal fonte econômica.

Em Brotas já é desenvolvida a atividade há mais de dez anos e há seis, empresários de turismo criaram, em parceria com o setor público, um código de proteção ambiental e de segurança aos desportistas.

“A necessidade desse código veio pela crescente expansão das atividades de aventura junto com a preocupação em proporcionar segurança aos visitantes”, observou o empresário Carlos Zaith, que ministrou a palestra.

Conforme Carlos, em Brotas o turismo gera cerca de 1.500 empregos diretos e indiretos. As principais atividades de aventura são o rafting, o canyioning e o circuito de arborismo. "Mato Grosso tem inúmeras características e locais que proporcionam o crescimento dessa atividade", frisou o empresário.

Fonte: SECOM-MT
Visite o website: www.secom.mt.gov.br

The Oregon Coast This Summer

The Oregon Coast Beach Connection has an article on some Memorial Day getaways. Try Smelt Sands Beach and the wheelchair accessible trail there.

A Memorial Day Holiday Suggestion from the Great Falls Tribune

Dry Wolf Campground southwest of Stanford, Montana sits in the Little Belt Mountains. Sonja lee, staff writer for the tribune, highlights several accessibility features of the newly reopenned campsite in here article "Little Belts campground in shape for long weekend."

Not near Big Sky Country, Montana? Try the Jersey Shore .-

Rolling Through Paris

Charis Dunn-Chan gives some travel tips for Paris at "A Wheelchair Tale of Two Cities."

It's Time to Visit Tempe, Arizona!

I received an announcement of a new accessibility guide for Tempe. Soon I hope to have a copy for review ( annd then sneak in a trip down).

In the meantime:

Access Tempe, First Accessibility Guide in Arizona

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Toni Smith, Communications Manager
Phone: 480-894-8158
E-mail: toni@tempecvb.com

Tempe, AZ – The Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has just released Access Tempe, a comprehensive guide to Tempe’s and Arizona State University’s (ASU) accessible features. Access Tempe was produced to help answer the needs of Tempe’s residents and travelers with disabilities.

The 48 page, four-color guide covers a wide array of categories from accommodations, dining and attractions, to information on local City services, local disability organizations, transportation and ASU. To ensure accuracy, the City of Tempe’s ADA and Accessibility Specialist conducted surveys of Tempe accommodations, restaurants, city buildings, parks and recreation centers. Access Tempe will soon be available online at www.tempecvb.com Access Tempe is the result of a unique partnership between the Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau, The City of Tempe, Arizona State University and Arizona Public Service (APS). It is the first accessibility guide in Arizona and one of the few in the country. According to the 2000 census, 22,308 (15%) Tempe residents have at least one disability. Arizona State University has one of the largest enrollments of students with disabilities in the U.S. In addition to being distributed locally, The Tempe CVB will promote Access Tempe nationally and internationally to leisure and business visitors. For more information call the Tempe CVB: 480-894-8158 or The City of Tempe American Disabilities Act/Accessibility Specialist: 480-350-2704.

###

Explore the Lower Sunshine Coast

Candy Harrington isn't the only one in North America exposing accessible travel destinations. Ellen Frank has written Sticks and Wheels: A Guide to Accessible Travel on the Lower Sunshine Coast (CDN, BN 0-9780465-0-1, Ouzel Publishing, Gibsons, B.C.)

Reviewer Jennifer Sommersby Young writes, "Frank’s guidebook is a handy, unassuming, coil-bound companion to creating your best day on the Sunshine Coast—and it’ll keep your focus on the fun and not on the size of the bathroom stalls." (Although the book does have a chapter, “The Best and Worst Toilets of the Sunshine Coast”)

She also notes:

The book’s website, www.sticksandwheels.net, seems to be in a construction holding pattern. The “Reads and Resources” section at the back of the book lists their related site as a spot to stop for travel planning help, but it’s not quite there yet. I’d recommend that you check back now and again to see if anything’s progressed.

Beyond planning for accessible adventure on the Sunshine Coast, this guide serves as a good reference for anyone looking to take in any number of annual events and festivals, including the Gibsons and Pender Harbor jazz festivals, Sea Cavalcade, Sunshine Coast Drag Races, and the Wood Duck Wilderness Festival.

Source: http://westcoaster.ca:8080/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=662

Find the book at Sticks & Wheels.

Then go out and write your own for your part of the world!

I am looking for an accessible B&B in Texas for next week...

...and Candy Harrington, author of Emerging Horizons magazine & blog as well as Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, came to my rescue -- as usual!

Take a look at her new book There Is Room at the Inn.

For more information email Candy Harrington candy@emerginghorizons.com

New Guidebook Features Wheelchair-Accessible B&Bs

Ripon, CA May 11, 2006 --Need help finding a wheelchair-accessible inn or B&B? Then pick up a copy of There Is Room at the Inn; the first guidebook devoted entirely to accessible inns and B&Bs. Penned by the editor of Emerging Horizons, this new title focuses on the needs of wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

This handy resource contains 117 properties in 40 states and features a wide selection of lodging choices from Victorian Inns and quaint B&Bs to mountain retreats, a dude ranch and even two safari parks.

Says author Candy Harrington, "Most people think that B&Bs are not accessible at all. This book proves otherwise, Granted it took a bit of research to find the inns included in the book, but they are out there."

Unlike other B&B guidebooks, There Is Room at the Inn includes access details on each property. Each listing includes a detailed description of the access features of the property, with emphasis on the access features in the accessible guestrooms. As in Emerging Horizons, the emphasis in There Is Room at the Inn is on describing the access so that readers can make appropriate choices.

"I certainly recognize that even among wheelchair-users, there are a wide range of access preferences and needs," says Harrington. "Add slow walkers to the equation and that range dramatically increases. In short, what is accessible to one person may not even be useable to the next. That's why describing the access is so important -- so people can make appropriate choices."

Of course, there is a lot more to access than just ramps and roll-in showers. Attitudinal access is just as important as physical access. To that end, this book also contains comments from innkeepers regarding their own attitudes about access. These comments help readers get a real feel for the personality of the individual properties (and the innkeepers).

Additionally Harrington includes accessible sightseeing suggestions for each property. Says Harrington, "In most cases people like to go out and see things when they stay at a B&B, so I've included a number of accessible suggestions with each listing."

Also included in the book is an access checklist, so travelers know the right questions to ask innkeepers. This handy tool will help people find even more accessible properties. Innkeepers will also find this book very useful, as it includes "A Note to Innkeepers", a short chapter which offers insight into this growing market and some suggestions on how to make inns and B&Bs more appealing to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Published by Demos Publishing, There Is Room at the Inn is the first book of its kind and it's a must-have resource for wheelchair- or scooter-users, slow walkers, travel agents, CILs and libraries. It's a great follow-up to Harrington's first title, Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers.

There Is Room at the Inn is available at bookstores, through the publisher (800-532-8663) or on-line at EmergingHorizons.com/inn. Visit http://EmergingHorizons.com/inn/ to read a sample chapter, see the table of contents or for more information about There Is Room at the Inn or Candy Harrington.

What's a Kid to Do in Chatanooga?

Why not try the Creative Discovery Museum?

The museum is one of three recipients of the 2005 Universal Design in Learning Award. The award is offered by Arts in Action which explains, "The award provides financial support to children's museums to support new or existing programs, exhibits, or initiatives that demonstrate best practices and innovation in the implementation of Universal Design Principles."

Disability Discrimination at the Taj Mahal Employs Religious Metaphors

Plans to enshrine disability discrimination at the Taj Mahal have succeeded through the use of religious metaphors.

Surely, arguments can be made that the design mistakes in the Taj Mahal might better be solved by something other than a hydrolic lift that is aesthically at odds with the harmony of the building originally constructed as a mausoleum for Arjumand Bano Begum, later to be known as Mumtaz-Mahal. But the deeper question has to be asked, as was done by the U.N.'s section on World Heritage Sites, "What is the meaning of such architectural "harmony" when it is a manifestation of social exclusion and a barrier to access?"

From Disability News & Information Service (http://www.dnis.org/index.php)

Plan for introducing a specially designed hydraulic lift inside Taj Mahal to allow people with disabilities to visit the inner platform has been shelved as it may destroy the monuments' sanctity says C. Babu Rajeev, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.), in conversation with Parvinder Singh.

Plan for making Taj Mahal's inner dome accessible has been shelved: A.S.I. Chief

Plan for introducing a specially designed hydraulic lift inside Taj Mahal to allow people with disabilities to visit the inner platform has been shelved as it may destroy the monuments� sanctity says C. Babu Rajeev, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.), in conversation with Parvinder Singh.

1. After Professor Stephen Hawkings� visit to India, in 2001, the Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.) had announced a policy to make the World Heritage Sites accessible. What is the present status of access for people with disabilities at these sites and National Monuments?

Yes, we do have a policy on access for people with disabilities to these historical sites. In April 2005, I held a meeting with Superintending Officers, our men on the ground who get orders executed, from across the country to take a feedback on various issue including what is being done about access in there respective jurisdictions. The issue of access was reiterated during the meeting and a decision has been taken to make all World Heritage Sites (20 declared and 14 listed) friendly to people with disabilities on a priority basis. Thereafter, focus would be shifted to all ticketed sites under us. Right now I cannot give you a specific number of how many monuments can be declared barrier-free. Efforts, however, would be to attain a standardisation of these facilities to adhere to a quality, so that these can be used effectively. In the National Capital Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb are two such examples.

2. Are there any guidelines or parameters that ASI has on access for the aged and people with disabilities?

No there aren�t any guidelines as such, and I do not think there is a need to prescribe any specific parameters. It is not an issue that involves very hi-tech technical know-how to make ramps and toilets accessible. As these facilities can be easily provided for. However, the will and spirit to carry them out is need.

3. But you surely must be aware that in the United States, Britain and several other European countries specific guidelines ensure that people with problem of access can reach such sites link any other section. Isn�t there a need for similar initiatives?

It�s not right to compare the situation here with these countries. There are huge cultural differences. Further, specific laws in these places make it mandatory for all facilities, not just monuments, to have an accessible infrastructure. For instance, I often see during my travels abroad that wheelchair users are provided with special lifts at airports when a flight is about to take-off or land. In India at best you see two people manually dragging wheelchair user. There is a general lack of standardisation in India.

4. What sort of training is being provided to A.S.I. officials and local staff including guides vis-�-vis disabled tourists?

At the moment no training programme is being carried out and there is nothing in the pipeline either. Well, you see we do not really need to train the entire staff. Sensitisation and awareness over the issue is required for the top-level people who are involved in the panning phase. From there on, we conduct periodic appraisal and assessment of the execution of the policy being carried out by the staff.

5. What are the challenges that ASI confronts in making �heritage sites accessible�?

The country has a very large number of heritage monuments, around 5,000 of them. The idea of access for people with disability is rather new and it will take a lot of time for things to move. But we are taking steps in this direction. One of the problems that I noticed when I visited some sites is that facilities are very poor and unusable. For instance, some of the ramps that I saw that some of the monuments were too steep to allow any access forget about wheelchairs. But anyways the biggest problem is that we cannot do too many changes to a monument, as it would interfere with its original look. If a platform is too high, we cannot make a too long a ramp.

6. People were quite enthused to hear about the lift in the Taj Mahal? Tell us more about how A.S.I. is importing technology/ know how for creating universal access to the monuments? Do you feel that the lack of access to important tourist destination may be acting as a put-off for aged and disabled foreign tourists?

There was an announcement sometime ago, but we have shelved the project for providing a lift, which was to be especially designed and engineered, to reach the inner platform. This was done primarily because there was opposition from some groups and individuals, who have raised concerns over the sanctity of the place being desiccated due to this move. Yes, I too feel that cultural sanctity of a historical place is important. We cannot and should not destroy that. I have been to the platform that houses the grave; I do not understand why people make such a crowd there. The outer structure of the monument is the main attraction and it is accessible�. The problem was of electrical cables etc to power the lift. No technological association with foreign countries underway or planned as yet. Better accessibility will definitely encourage such tourists to visit these monuments.

Source:

http://www.dnis.org/index.php

Wheelchair Rider's Guide

The Coastal Conservancy is sponsoring a book signing for Bonnie Lewkowicz's new book, A Wheelchair Rider's Guide: San Francisco Bay and the Nearby Coast.

It ill be held at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, 2777 Middle Harbor Rd. (at 7th St.), Oakland on
Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 11 a.m.

A Wheelchair Rider's Guide is a guidebook to wheelchair-accessible parks, trails, and beaches along the bayshore and coast is now available. Bonnie is the founder of Access Northern California specializing in advocacy and education to bring accessibility to the recreation and tourism offerings of Northern California.

From the press release:

Meet author Bonnie Lewkowicz, a dancer, wheelchair rider, and access specialist, and others who worked to create this unique 208-page guide.

It's a key to shoreline discoveries and pleasures in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it's yours free of charge.

Also tour Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, in the midst of the Port of Oakland,

and learn about its rich history as you take in spectacular views of

the Port, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO RSVP, CALL 510-286-4091

or email calcoast@scc.ca.gov

Homeland of the Chiricahua Apache Indians

http://www.nps.gov/chir/
The Chiricahua Park area was once home to the Chiricahua Apache Indians and their leader, Cochise. The rock formations are dramatic.

The Park Department offers a page on accessibility.

Pauline Hephaistos Access Survey Projects

Access Project has been involved in the production of Access Guides for over thirty years. The research is carried out by Pauline Hephaistos Survey Projects (PHSP)

http://www.accessproject-phsp.org/

PHSP guidebooks are based around several principles. They aim:

to provide practical and well-researched information for disabled people and those who have difficulties in getting around who want to travel, and get out and about;
to provide information which is firmly based on the experience of disabled people;
to set new standards in terms of a clear and concise descriptive presentation of access information; and,
to be a catalyst for change, both by making people more aware of what needs to be done, and by showing what is currently possible.
In an ideal world, High Street travel agents, conventional guide writers, tourist offices and website information would include details about access. However, the diversity of the issues is so great, that to expect sources such as tourist boards, tour operators and guide writers to provide what is needed is probably unrealistic. At best, such organisations tend to go only as far as to say that somewhere is 'accessible' or it is 'not accessible', by which they generally mean step free. This begs so many questions as to be misleading for much of the time. Places might be described as being not accessible, when the only barrier is two steps, and many chair users travelling around with friends, for example, would be able to manage. Other places might be described as 'accessible', because they are step free, but there may be large distances involved, or steepish slopes.

There are several problems inherent in the judgemental approach, and also in the use of 'standards', such as those applied to hotels in the UK:

firstly, in attempting to impose a degree of consistency, people have focused on the perspective and needs of one subset of the disabled community, wheelchair users. This is based on the assumption that they always have the most demanding requirements, which is not always the case;
secondly, it is difficult to arrive at satisfactory and objective criteria, and when stringent guidelines are followed, most listings are heavily weighted towards the more/most expensive facilities (particularly for accommodation);
thirdly, general publications such as guidebooks, theatre listings and the telephone directory, suffer from having to make gross generalisations. It is simply not enough to say that a site, shop or cinema is 'accessible', and in practically every situation more information is needed. Another organisation called Artsline provides this for entertainment venues in London, and it too bases all its information on visit as well as describing the access barriers, so that people can make up their own mind about a visit. We would like to highlight this as being 'good practice';
fourthly, the existence of standards encourages the attitude "well, we've fulfilled the criteria". People can even become less willing to try to react positively to individual needs. In addition, many people will not try to adapt their premises, because they appear to be such a long way from meeting the standard, yet small and probably inexpensive changes could bring substantial benefit to disabled people.

Japan's Centrair Airport Teaches Universal Design by Example

I have not flown out of Nagoya's Centrair Airport but their web site indicates that they now what the issues are for travelers with disabiities.

For a look at what infrastructure Japan has in place for travelers with disabilities look at this Centrair page.

Vigo in Galicia

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head for hours? For days? A Buddhist meditation instructor once explained to me that it has to do with failure to be in the present moment.

I plead guilty to lack of mindfulness lately. (Is that mindlessness?) Chalk it up to all the hours in the air recently (and more tomorrow.) Apparently that has left me victim of the latest unbidden mantra. It is a line from one of my favorite movies -- Bye, Bye Brazil. The line is, "Para Vigo me voy!"

Maybe, I thought, I could exorcise this phrase by answering the question, "Where in the Sam Hill is 'Vigo' anyway?

It turns out that the proverbial Sam Hill may have been through Vigo -- Vigo, Indiana -- but the movie character might also have been referring to the town in Galicia.

Vigo, Galicia has been upgrading its tourism offerings thanks to the crew in the photo above.

Their campaign targets a big rollout for Easter Week 2006. Here is a press release for you to try your lingistic skills on. I have an inquiry in to Vigo's tourism office to get more background on accessibility especially of the "Vigo Enroute" initiative ( "Vigo en Ruta"). The project has three routes: One Hundred Minutes of Culture "100 minutos de cultura", One Hundred Minutes of Ocean"100 minutos de mar" and 100 Minutes of Nature "100 minutos de natureza."

Meanwhile, maybe the webcam at Faro de Vigo will convinceme to someday make good on the promise, "Para Vigo me voy!"

Turtle Mountain: Off Season Tourism

The Chippewa People offer this appealing invitation on the Turtle Mountain Heritage Center web site:

The staff of the Turtle Mountain Heritage Center would like to help you plan your next vacation to the Turtle Mountains. If you need travel information, lodging information, or other information, contact us. We can also conduct tours of the area by special appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!

It's 32 degrees Fahrenheit there at the moment but I'm going to take them up on the offer the day after tomorrow.

The Turtle Mountains, Chippewa Reserrvation, and nearby Intrnational Peace Park on the Canadian border can be reached several ways.

The day-long drive from Minneapolis airport passes over the flooding Red River. Been there. Done that. Not this year, thanks.

Northwest has a flight, the only commercial option to Minot, which is my choice for this trip. AMTRAK has a night run that takes about 10 hours to Minot, ND which leaves roughly 3 hours remaining by car.

The final leg of the route doesn't take me through Fargo and reviewing its namesake movie is not on my trip preparation checklist but, if I can find the copy she gave me, I want to reread Kathleen Norris' Dakota: A Spiritual Biography

Local Sites:

See Rolette County Tourism
http://www.rolettecounty.com/Tourism.htm

A Resource by Paula Giese:
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/dakotas/nd.html

Famous Chippewa (AKA Ojibway):
Sam English
http://www.hanksville.org/artists/english.html

Paris on a Quad Bike?

The Independent sends a travel writer four wheeling through the streets of Paris on a "quad bike."

Accessible Lodging Database - Germany

It is under construction but here is a resource on accessible hotels in Germany:

http://barrierefrei.hotel-ami.de/h-deu-I

Mary Murphy-Hanson Conquers Rome

Mary Murphy-Hanson is involved in a love affair with Rome. According to the note on her list of accessibility tiips for Rome she should complete her work this month. See her work at Slow Traveler, Accssible Rome:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/accessible/rome/index.htm

Seasons in (or at Least Near) Basilicata

I have been preparing for a first trip to Italy - southern Italy near Naples.

After reading Carlo Levi's Christ Stopped at Eboli, David Yeadon's Seasons in Basilicata offers another glimpse into unexplored southern Italy.

Seasons in Basilicata is a book that defies classification: part travel book, part history, part fiction (so I'm told by a "reliable" source close to the Yeadons), part cook book, part literary criticism. Seasons in Basilicata has an allure that pulls the reader in and reminds us just how unexplored our world still is.

from: Seasons in Basilicata: a Year in a Southern Italian Hill Village.(Book Review) by Martino, Andrew

source: Reviewer's Bookwatch, February 1, 2005.

via: HighBeam™ Research

COPYRIGHT 2005 Midwest Book Review

Dunas Canteras Salud Hotel

The Dunas Hotels of the Canary Islands are among the world's innovators in using Universal Design as a central part of their hospitality business. They understand the business value and competitive advantage that comes from Universal Design.

Here they receive coverage for Dunas Salud in MercaTurismo.com (in Spanish.)

Manchester: Can You Afford to Holiday There?

Manchester Disabled Peoples' Access Group did an accessibitiy survey from 2002 to 2004.

This is what they found.

* Hotels
26 hotels were visited at the request of MCC, 16 were accessible, 10 were not accessible.

only 61.5% were accessible

* Tourist Venues
19 tourist venues were requested and surveyed, 14 were accessible, 5 were not accessible.

only 73.7% were accessible

* Cafes, pubs & restaurants
255 venues, only 60 were accessible, 195 were not accessible

only 23.5% accessible

* Shops
Excluding the Arndale Centre, of 433 shops visited, 166 were accessible, 267 were not accessible.

only 38.3% accessible

* Banks
20 banks were visited, 5 were accessible, 15 were not accessible.

only 25% accessible

* Arndale Centre shops Common problems identified in some shops:
o no level access from Market Street;
o split level facilities to products, with steps and no lift;
o fixed seating in cafes and restaurants;
o obstacles in doorways and aisles;
poor signage.

For more information, our section on access standards provides more details or contact us for details of our surveys.

Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia seems like a desirable place to travel but can it become accessible?

Maybe, with the help of Damai

View image

Is the Big Island on Your Itinerary?

If you plan to visit the Hawai'i you may enjoy the piece by Steve Wright and Heid Johnson-Wright: Big Island Vistas from a Wheelchair.

Do Aruba with a Disability

Aruba on your itinerary? Here's a resource --Travelers with disabilities Aruba.

Tenerife Accessible Tourism Gets a New Look

The information is the same about Tenerife but the look is updated at the Tenerife web site. Tenerife was one of the first tourism destinations in the world to have taken inclusive destinationn development seriously

Boots 'n All Travel Resource

Candy Harrington has posted a list of accessble travel resources at the Boots 'n All travel network.

A Guide to Travel

A guide on Spain for travelers with disabilities was published last month.

This Guide provides information and contact data which help travellers with special needs planning their own tourism activities and/or trip: tourism related addresses, disability related addresses, cultural and nature tourism attractions, transport info, venues, lodging and accommodation all over Spain.

We, the Polibea Turismo team, hope we have done a fair bit of work which is a useful tool and source of information for the disabled community and empowers the progress towards accessible tourism, tourism for all, universal tourism: finally, high quality tourism.

Further information
Published: January 2006
Printed format: 15 X 21 cm.
Soft Cover
Number of pages: 188

Accessible Italy

The next Rolling Rains Travelogue will be to Italy. Here's an online tool that is making planning easier.

Accesible Recreation Links to Marin County, California

The Marin County Stroke Resource Directory collects many resources for barrier-free travel in Northern California.

SAMARTHYA - Yatra with a Difference

Every Person with a Disability (PWD) has a right to live with dignity and grace. He also has the right to move out independently with least assistance. India is a land of vast magnitude and socio-economic, religious and cultural diversity. Disability knows no barriers as it concerns the problems and hardships to be faced in an inaccessible environment. And, it is our firm conviction that barrier-free tourism for PWDs can play a crucial role in integrating the PWDs into the mainstream of the society.

Samarthya Yatra

Role of Barrier-free Tourism

Addressing a function in New Delhi on 14th September 2000 Hon'ble Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Ananth Kumar announced that a new Tourism policy is being formulated. He laid down four goals of tourism namely Swagat (Welcome) (ii) Suchna (Information) (iii) Suvidha (Facilities) and (iv) Suraksha (Security). He also said that about 2.48 million foreign tourists and 178 million domestic tourists visit various places of tourist interest in India.
However, the prime question is whether the four goals stated by the Tourism Minister have been laid down keeping in mind the requirements of PWDs. Statistics and the data about foreigners and Indians PWDs visiting places of tourist interest are not available. Does it mean PWDs are not taken to visit places or are not potential consumers. It is basically the inaccessibility of tourist places, which deters PWDs to venture out.

Role of Samarthya - Yatra with a Difference

SAMARTHYA - Yatra with a Difference founded by Anjlee Agarwal National Coordiantor and Sanjeev Sachdeva, Programme Cooridnator started with a mere pleasure trip for PWDs in 1996. However, SAMARTHYA soon realized that visits of historical religious and tourist interest are a strong tool to promote the cause on PWDs. SAMARTYA - whose main motto is "Let's make the world accessible" has so far organized 29 Awareness cum excursion tours to various cities of India. The places include Kurushetra, Shimla, Jammu, Amritsar, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Chandigarh, Nainital, Dalhousie, Chamba, Haridwar, Mussorrie, Mathura, Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Lucknow, Calcutta etc.

The experience gained through these visits are as follows.

The awareness trips for people with disabilities can be used as "Travel Therapy". At home PWDs have arrangement as per their needs and family members and relatives are always there to take care. However, when one goes to unknown terrain, historical and inaccessible places, one learn more and a confidence is instilled in them to fight against all odds. Since, SAMARTHYA travelers are persons with diverse disabilities, it gives an opportunity to know more about other disabilities and spirit of "oneness" is inculcated.
There are many families whose children suffer from severe disabilities. Due to their occupation, they do not get the chance to "live" their own life or socialize. SAMARTHYA has found that sending ones child to participate in such a group activities gives them a much desired break.
It gives an opportunity to interact with PWDs and NGO's in other cities, thereby creating a network of various persons involved with the disability movement.
The visits also sensitise the Government and society at large about the hidden potential of PWDs and raising the disability related issues like, education, and accessibility among others.
In fact, it is not that easy as it may appear. Barrier-Free Tourism for all does not mean that the premises of the tourist interest are accessible but includes transport, accommodation and tour programmes.

Inaccessible transport: Public transport is not at all disabled friendly. It includes, State Roadways, coaches and railways.
Inaccessible accommodation: It is the another obstacle. The hotels are not friendly. Inaccessible toilets are a major stumbling block.
Tourism service providers including the travel agents do not provide flexible packages for PWDs.
Asia Pacific Conference on Tourism for People with Disability - A New Initiative
Anjlee Agarwal and Sanjeev Sachdeva, Founder-members of SAMARTHYA attended the Regional Training Workshop on Promotion of Accessible Tourism (24-28 September 2000) organized by the United Nations Economic and the Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) which was held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Cnference on Tourism for PWDs.
The workshop-cum-conference was held at Denpasar, Bali (Indonesia). Anjlee and Sanjeev attended the Conference with UNESCAP funding support. The conference was attended by over 200 participants from 15 countries from the ESCAP region. The participants included PWDs, tourism officials, tourism industry representatives and human resources development experts from hospitality management institutions.

The Conference provided a forum for the discussion on major issues related to accessible tourism for PWDs, senior citizens and families with younger children with a view to identifying key policies and strategy arrangements for promoting barrier free tourism for all.

The Conference provided an excellent opportunity to share views, experiences and learn from other participants. The Conference deliberated threadbare on certain recommendations and adopted the Bali Declaration (View the full report).

Among other recommendations, it stresses on importance of access surveys, creating local access guides for 'in country' and 'foreign visitors'; strength craft production and marketing skills among PWDs as an economically viable interfce with the tourism industry. It calls upon Government to train custom officers in a way to communicate with PWDs especially the hearing impaired. The Government, tourism service providers and tourism training institutions can have PWDs with requisite experience to serve as resource persons to formulate better policies for promoting barrier free tourism.

In Indian perspective, the Government has taken some initiatives. The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) gives concessions to PWDs in room rents and have special tour packages. The New Delhi Youth Hostel, which comes under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has ramp, lift and toilets for wheelchair users. It also provides suitable concession on boarding and lodging for PWDs in New Delhi, Youth Hostel.

How to promote Universal Tourism
Suggestions
Ministry of Tourism and other concerned Ministries/departments should include PWDs in tourism policy formation.
MoT and Culture, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should make the monuments under its jurisdiction accessible for PWDs. It may be a gigantic task. As in case of Jantar Mantar (Delhi) which is given to one group, Private Sector can be approaches to cooperate in this endeavour.
India has about 40 Youth Hostels located at places of historical religious and tourists interest. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports can issue directions to make them disabled friendly.
Tourism operators like Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) can request all its agents to arrange flexible tour programmes. IATO should involve PWDs in chalking out the tour.
Transport: A. Tourism Departments in every state can have at least two disabled friendly coaches (to start with Agra, Jaipur, etc.)
Railways
Till a new accessible coach is available a specified coach in the middle of the train can be earmarked. With little modifications like big size door, seats for severe disabled persons near the toilets (two rows can be removed) and an accessible toilet. An aisle chair can be kept in the coach.
Airports
The airports should be made disabled friendly Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi has one lift which carried luggage and wheel chair users!
The Railways should extend the concession to PWDs in Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express which take less time other trains.
The Indian Airlines gives 50 per cent concession to the PWDs with 80 per cnet or above disability. However, people with severe disabilities cannot travel on their own. The concession should be given to accompanying person/escort. It will reduce the physical stress on PWDs.
Accessibility should be used as a criterion in ranking of hotels. The tourism departments should conduct access surveys involving PWDs, tour operators and publish a list of accessible tourist spots.
Several places of worship do not allow wheel chair users. The authorities can keep their own wheel chairs with plastic or cloth wrapping on the wheels.
Workshops, seminars, simulation exercises can beheld with focal theme "barrier-free tourism" for PWDs.
To strengthen craft production, projects like Dilli Haat (Delhi) Shilpgram (Udaipur) can be set up in economically backward places of tourist interest. They should have accessibility features.
Media can bring up stories on accessible places. Programmes on Travelling Private Channels (Star etc) can show accessible places.
Tajmahal is visited by maximum number of foreigners and domestic tourists. If temporary makeshift ramps, accessible toilets and trained tourist guides for deaf and hard of hearing person are there, it will boost the flow of foreigner and Indian PWDs.
Our country which is facing economic crisis, where education and employment for PWDs is not available, where schools and places of work are not accessible, to critics talk of barrier free tourism may sound crazy. However, given that the fact Barrier-Free Tourism gives PWDs confidence, chance to interact, mingle with diverse cultural back grounds leading to integration in the mainstream society. Samarthya, firmly believes that a beginning can be made in this regard by making one or two places of tourist interest accessible for PWDs in each state. It will encourage the invisible minority to come out and see the world and also fight for their rights.

Contact Address:
SAMARTHYA - YATRA WITH A DIFFERENCE
B-175 Mansarovar Garden
New Delhi-110015

Email: sanjeevsach@hotmail.com

‘Marsimik La’ – the highest vehicle mountain pass in the world

Navin Guila is an adventurer with a disability, a taste for the novel, and the ability to tell a story. Audacity magazine carried the following story:

Mission ‘Marsimik La’ – the highest vehicle mountain pass in the world. At 18,632 feet, it is 1,232 feet higher than the base camp of Everest, which is 17,400 feet. It is at a distance of nearly 1200 kms from New Delhi, the Indian capital. To reach it you have to cross 7 of the world’s highest vehicle mountain passes with broken or missing roads, streams flowing over the road, extremely steep climbs and sub zero temperatures. It was going to take me 55 hrs of near non-stop driving.

What is the big deal?

1. In mountaineering Jargon, an altitude beyond 18,000 feet is referred to as death zone because a human body can never permanently acclimatize to that altitude. The body starts degenerating and one can at the best spend some time there and return back to recover.
2. One usually requires four stages of acclimatization to reach that altitude. I was not going to get any time to acclimatize.
3. There is about 20-25% less oxygen at that altitude.
4. I am C5-6 quadriplegic, medically termed 100% disabled with a 90% paralyzed body. My fingers don’t work and of course my legs don’t work.
5. I was going to drive a manual transmission SUV, using gadgets designed by myself. I would be controlling 5 controls (gear, break, accelerator, clutch, clutch lock) with my left hand and the steering, horn and indicators with my right.

http://www.audacitymagazine.com/audacity.php?op=article&y=&v=&i=33&a=439

Restaurateur Banks On Darkened Diner

Restaurateur Banks On Darkened Diner
January 6, 2006

LONDON, ENGLAND--The following six paragraphs are excerpts from a story in Thursday's Huddersfield Daily Examiner:

In Paris, the city of gastronomes, the concept has been embraced enthusiastically.

The restaurant Dans le Noir is packed every night and the owners are opening a similar establishment in London.

And despite the competition in the capital from Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White and a string of celebrity chefs, they are confident of success because they are that little bit different.

How different?

Well, let me not leave you in the dark any longer, unlike guests in the Dans le Noir . . .

Organisations for the blind applaud the restaurant. It has provided jobs for blind people and gives the sighted the chance to experience what it is like to lose one of their senses.

Entire article:

"A dark success -- eating with the lights turned off" (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/0106c.htm

Inclusion Behind the Front Desk at Othon Hotels in Rio de Janeiro

A brief paraphrase of the press release below in Portuguese is that the Othon network of hotels in Rio de Janeiro has launched an intiative to hire 12 hospitality professionals with disabilities. This will bring the total number of employees with disabilities in the 8 Othon hotels in Rio to 42.

My confidence in a hotel, or airline, always goes up when I see "someone like me" reflected in the staff. I do not recall meeting employees with disabilities in my last stay in an Othon in Rio. Parabems Rede Othon! And parabems to those lucky candidates who land the new jobs!!

Rede Othon contrata profissionais portadores de deficiência

Exercendo sua responsabilidade social, a rede Hotéis Othon lança o projeto "Tom do Othon", voltado à inclusão profissional de pessoas portadoras de necessidades especiais.

Inicialmente serão oferecidas 12 vagas para contratação nos oito hotéis da rede no Rio. É preciso ter o 2º grau completo e noções de informática para serviços administrativos e o 1º grau completo com experiência anterior em carteira para serviços gerais. Os currículos devem ser encaminhados para o email curriculo@othon.com.br, especificando o tipo de deficiência do candidato.

Até o final do ano, a rede esperar atingir a meta de ter 60 funcionários deficientes em seu quadro. Hoje, são cerca de 45, sendo 30 empregados nos oito hotéis da Othon no Rio. Esse número aproxima-se da cota máxima prevista na lei federal 8213, de 1991, que obriga as empresas a reservar de 1% a 5% de seu quadro de funcionários a.

A Hotéis Othon já mantém parcerias voltadas à capacitação profissional com a Universidade da Estácio de Sá, com o Senac e o Programa do Primeiro Emprego

Fonte: www.mercadoeeventos.com.br

Wayfaring & Community Walks: Introduction to Google Mapping

The Rolling Rains Report will take on a new look in 2006. The changes are not simply cosmetic. New technologies, generically labelled "Web 2.0", are making it easier for small publishers to offer greater depth of features to readers.

Features based on Google Maps provide context to many of the posts at Rolling Rains. Two mapping tools include A href="http://www.wayfaring.com/">Wayfaring and "Community Walk"

Europe by Wheelchair: An American Tourist's Perspective

This piece comes courtesy of Dave Reynold's informative Inclusion Daily Express:

European Trip In Wheelchair Was Surprisingly Accessible"
September 14, 2005

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA--The following four paragraphs are excerpts from a story by San Diego Union-Tribune "Abilities" columnist Marilyn Salisbury:

What did I do on my summer vacation?

I spent two weeks traveling in Eastern Europe and fell in love with my wheelchair in the process.

I had polio as a child and have used either braces or crutches ever since. For the first time, I used my manual wheelchair almost exclusively for mobility on this trip.

I found the public accommodations for those with disabilities to be better than I expected. There were curb cuts, and the public restrooms were better equipped than those here.

Entire article:
"European trip in wheelchair was surprisingly accessible" (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050830/news_1c30ability.html
Related:

Posted by rollingrains at 08:14 PM

Accessible Canadian Adventures

Try Accessible Canadian Adventures for the hunter who uses a wheelchair.

Visit(ability) North Dakota!

"If you build it, they will come � but they have to be able to get in," reminds Katina Tengesdal in yesterday's Minot Daily News. She interviews Eleanor Smith, promoter of Visitability and founder of ConcreteChange.org and reports on the movement toward Universal Design on North Dakota. Touching on issues of the cost savings of correctly designed homes, the ability they offer for their owners to age-in-place, and the increased resale value of universally designed homes she lays out arguments that the NoDak tourism & hospitality sector would do well to heed.

Making Homes Accessible to All

Disabled Surfers of Australia

Another reason to head downunder -- as if anybody needed one -- is Disabled Surfers Association of Australia!.

http://www.disabledsurfers.org/

Traveling in a Wheelchair Doesn't Have to be Limiting

Darren Hillock located a travelogue on wheelchair travel in South America that was recently published in the Austin Statesman. I especially appreciate how one of the travelers, Pat Broderick, understands herself to be an ambassador for other travelers with disabilities who come after her. We are still enough of a novelty in many places that our individual actions make a big difference. Read about Pat Broderick and Julia Malone at:

http://www.statesman.com/search/content/travel/stories/11/13disabled.html

You can read another version of the story here:

http://www.azstarnet.com/travel/101928

Darren always has something interesting going over at Get Around Guide -- the blog.

Access Tips for Switzerland

Cheryl Imboden's Switzerland & Austria for Visitors offers the following advice on accessible travel in Switzerland: http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/articles/accessible_switzerland.htm

Korea Discovers a Special Niche in Tourism?

It is no secret among wheelchair users that finding accessibile public restrooms can require an inordinate amount of time, energy, and logistical preparation. To use a popular geek quote entirely out of context, "Findability preceedes usability." Both, however, are essential - and most often urgently so when traveling.

So Korea's "Public Restrooms Law" and the "Citizens Coalition for Restroom Culture" may be the wave of the future -- ostentatiously beautiful and pleasant restroom. Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Specialists take note! The change in Korea has certainly been dramatic:

Until five or six years ago, the state of Korean toilets was so bad that guide books commonly suggested tourists take care of business ahead of time at a hotel or department store to avoid being forced to use a public convenience. But progress will stop at nothing.

The article does not say whether or not Korea's new parthenon's of privy culture are accessible.

Source:

Chosun.comhttp://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200510/200510230012.html

A China - Macao Itinerary

Accessible Journeys suggests an itinerary for China that includes Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Hong Kong and Macao.

You can find it at: http://www.disabilitytravel.com/independent/accessible-china.htm

Grade the News on Restaurant Review Payola

When planning a trip to a new destination there are many sources of information. Wired on Wheels is one valuable source. Local newspapers are usually another.

But what happens when a newspaper review is tainted? Read an article on payola in restaurant reviews at John McManus' "Grade the News"

http://www.gradethenews.org/2005/payola.htm

For reviews without payola see Wired on Wheels

Innaccessible? Unacceptable!

Thorough research is especially important for travelers with disabilities.

Sue Eagan writes for the new blog created by the Physical Disability Council of Australia --InaccessibleUnaccessible. The site has set the goal of monitoring the opaque process of developing the Access to Premises Standard mandated by the Australian Disability Discrimination Act of 1992.

Wheelchair in the Woods

"For people with mobility challenges, expectations are going up," said Bob Bond, [Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center's ] wilderness program director. "There's great demand for access to front country terrain."

Read about one outdoor access project here.

Anne Finger Reflects on Hurricane Katrina

Anne Finger is a leader in the field of Disability Studies. Below is a letter she has circulated among disability scholars asking questions that have important implications for rebuilding in the wake of Katrina.

I don't think that the discussion of the "tragedy" of Hurricane Katrina should be seen as a diversion from these issues--in fact, I think this "natural" disaster provides a stark and telling illustration of how the intersections of issues of race and disability play out in a concrete way in people's lives.

Throughout this week, I've been struck by the presence of disability. In the New York Times, I read of a woman in the Superdome grabbing a reporter's arm, pleading for water for her daughter, a wheelchair user. "I'm afraid she's going to have a seizure," the mother cried. On NPR, I heard the voice of a man calling out, "Dilantin! I need Dilantin!" The president of Jefferson Parrish breaking down as he told of a man who'd been reassuring his mother, institutionalized in a nursing home, that help was on the way--only to learn that she had drowned--on Friday. And, of course, that image of the woman in the wheelchair, dead outside the Convention Center.

I've been enraged on so many different levels this past week--at the way that disabled people seem to have been forgotten by those who ordered the evacuation of the city and the rescuers, at the appalling conditions everyone--disabled and nondisabled-- who sought shelter in the Superdome and the Convention Center endured. I was heartened when I read of Jesse Jackson and other African American ministers and Kayne West, stating the obvious racial dimension to this disaster. That this disaster had an especially horrific impact on disabled African Americans is clear.

I do think we need to rethink our use of the word "tragedy" when applied to this. While these events were undeniably tragic, they were hardly inevitable.

For a start, let's think about why the levees broke in the first place. Our nation as a whole may have problems with its infrastructure, but these problems are particularly acute in poor communities. I am sure there are statistics about this, which I don't have at the ready, but anyone whose ever wheeled or walked along the sidewalk in an upper middle class neighborhood and also wheeled or walked along one in a poor neighborhood knows this difference in their bones. Infrastructure--from sidewalks to curb cuts to levees--is underfunded in poor communities. That a hurricane would hit New Orleans was inevitable. That the levees, which had been neglected during both Republic and Democratic administrations, were not being adequately maintained was also a known fact. And while we may be assured that the increase in ferocity of hurricanes has nothing to do with global warming, I know I'm not the only one--Daniel Shorr was voicing the same question on NPR--who wonders if this spate of recent hurricanes is an opening salvo in the more extreme weather predicted as a result of global warming.

I'm also wary when the sole solution offered is to donate to the victims. The impulse to reach out and offer help those in need is a generous and good one. But as disabled people, many of us have experienced charity first-hand, and we understand that the charity model has many drawbacks. There are the worthy recipients of charity--the smiling, grateful cripples--and the unworthy--the angry, bitter cripples; the "looters," those who, as Barbara Bush put it, "were
underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them." Above all, charity keeps in place the notion that the "problem" is located in the bodies of disabled people, in the individuals who have been displaced, rather than in social structures and economic policies. I would like to see us putting our energies, our time, our money into demanding structural change.

I think we, as disability activists and scholars, need to enter into the national dialogue, loudly and clearly, stating that these deaths of PWD's were not inevitable tragedies, but were the result of government policies that ignore our needs.

We need to say that this neglect does not hit all disabled people equally, but was especially lethal for the
poor, predominantely African-American, residents of New Orleans and surrounding communities.

I think we should also demand that, as the dead are counted, the powers that be also collect statistics on how many disabled people are among the dead. How many were found in nursing homes? How many were found in community care facilities? I think the answers to those questions will shock the conscience of our nation. We need to reach out to those disabled people who survived, and do all we can to enable their voices to be heard.

In general, I'm not a big fan of working within the legislative process, but I think this is a time when it makes sense to contact your senators and representatives and get them to ask some hard questions in the hearings that will be happening in the upcoming weeks. What were the plans for evacuating institutions--nursing homes, community care facilities? What were the plans for communicating with people who were deaf and hearing impaired? How was lifesaving medication going to be delivered to people who had been forced to flee? In short, what thought was given to the lives and needs of disabled people? We should be writing letters to editors, calling reporters, talking in our classes and to everyone we can about the impact of Katrina on disabled people, and especially on those in our community who have the fewest resources.

Anne Finger
anniedigit@mindspring.com

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Recovery - One Year After Hurricane Ivan

Recent posts at Rolling Rains have focussed on Hurricane Katrina. In the current situation of displacement and destruction it is difficult to imagine a return to normalcy.

However, time and again hope triumphs over disasters and, with attention to planning, reconstruction can bring new opportunities. Below is an update on Grenada one year after Hurricane Ivan.

Tourism Update: Grenada - One Year Later

One year after Hurricane Ivan, Grenada, has experienced remarkable improvements as sustained efforts to rebuild the tourism industry bear fruits. As normalcy returns the following points put Grenada�s present status in relevant context.

Improvements are being made to all aspects of Grenada�s tourism product. Evidence of recovery is therefore visible everywhere. For instance, work continues on the restoration of the Grand Etang Welcome Centre, the Belmont Estate, the Bon Accord facility and the refurbishment of the Leapers Hill attraction. Training for taxi drivers, water taxi operators, ground tour operators, managers and owners of hotels, as well as construction workers has received major priority during the summer months. All of this was structured to ensure that the advent of the new tourist season will take place in an environment overwhelmed with fully trained and highly motivated service providers.

� All of the major festivals were held as scheduled. It means that Carnival, the Carriacou Regatta, Rainbow City festival, the Maroon Music Festival, the Parang Festival, and all of the other events and festivals that make up Grenada�s Calendar of Events were held. The Cricket Classics are therefore carded to take place in the St. Andrew parish during the month of October 2005.
� All of Grenada�s prominent boatyards, marinas, and marine suppliers have reopened. The yachting sector is now verily positioned to properly avail itself to the demands that the new season brings.

Electricity is now available to all Grenadian households. A similar situation exists regarding pipe borne water, and telephone services.

Currently more than 900 rooms are available for occupancy. This constitutes in excess of 60% of the current room stock of the island. By the end of 2005, another 500 rooms will become available. Among those that will commence operations are the �New� 80-room Coyaba Beach Resort and the 64 �elegantly-appointed rooms� at the Spice Island Beach Resort. Recent months have seen the emergence of the renovated Blue Horizons Garden Resort, and the Rex by Grenadian Resort. Overall, by the end of the current calendar year, 94% of the pre-Hurricane Ivan room stock will be functional.

The cruise sub-sector of the industry is being prepared for as work progresses on another important phase of the new cruise ship port and terminal. The inclusion of duty-free shopping facilities and other commercial retail outlets are expected to enhance the experiences that arriving passengers will have in Grenada.

With assistance from several donor agencies and governments, there continues to be emphasis on the rebuilding of homes for low-income and other vulnerable households. Resurfacing of key road ways all over the island continues.

All of Grenada�s schools, banks, financial institutions, supermarkets, hospitals, pharmacies, and other businesses have reopened and are reporting satisfaction with the pace with which Grenada is recovering.

�

The diving infrastructure, which was not impacted by the hurricanes, has maintained its quality, and is today a significant �pull� factor as divers are attracted to the island with its more than fifteen (15) dive sites.

Source:

Travel Newswire

Study Abroad Resources

Mobility International USA (MIUSA) specializes in makiing foreign exchange possible for students with disabilities.

The University of Minnesota also has a collection of resources such as this.

Algarve, Portugal Hosts Inclusive Sporting Competition

Dave Player, of Wheeling Around the Algarve, has a passion for travel, sports, and accessibility. His dedication keeps this portion of southern Portugal on the map for travelers with disabilities and contributes to the development of the Algarve as an inclusive destination. His most recent inititaive is the First Open Handbike Circuit Championship.

1st OPEN EUROPEAN HANDBIKE CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP
16th OCTOBER 2005

From the press release:

Handbiking is the new top sport in Europe for physically disabled and non disabled people.

It is now the time for this sport to gain awareness and new participants in Portugal.

ParaSport is a non profit organization that promotes sports for people with disabilities in Portugal and has now the opportunity to bring to Quinta de Lago the European Championship and involve public and private partners in this great challenge.

disability

inclusive travel

Entry on a Slow News Day

Did you ever wonder where the safest places on earth are?

Well Columbia University and the World Bank can tell you.

Researchers at the two institutions have gathered data showing which parts of the world have been most ravaged by nature -- floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, volcanos and landslides -- over roughly the past 25 years.

The Atlantic Monthly says the research is intended to help identify those areas of the globe where prevention should receive the highest priority but it may serve to identify those areas where the dangers of natural calamity are smallest.

Those wanting to avoid risks during vacations should head to Siberia or north-central Canada, the safest places on Earth.

Source: ARTA E-News for August 10, 2005

Cabo Verde: Room for Tourists with Disabilities?

"Morabeza" is the word in Cabo Verde that most closely matches the Hawai'ian spirit of "Aloha" -- laid back, genuine welcome and hospitality.

Dave Player has a hunch that morabeza and inclusive tourism make an attracive combination -- together with the beaches, trekking, and social life of Cabo Verde -- because, as Lonely Planet says,

The islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are windy, hilly and dry - almost lunar - and beyond that they're fairly sleepy. But there's beauty in them thar parched hills. And some of the islands are actually lush. There's good diving and hiking, lively nightlife and plenty of quiet corners to hide away in. Islanders mix up African, Portuguese, Mediterranean and Latin influences and come out with a flavour that's distinctly 'Cabo.' Package tourism has gained a foothold, but Cape Verde is still independent and unspoiled.

Dave pecializes in accessible tourism & real estate in Portugal and is in conversation with partners in the former Portguese colony of Cabo Verde about inclusive destination development projects there.

Dave is interested in corresponding about this project with others who are working in Universal Design, turismo para todos (tourism for all), and the various aspects of Inclusive Tourism Development.

He provides the following information about his current invlovements:

TOTAL ACCESS PROPERTIES Lda
www.totalaccessproperties.com
This is my Real Estate company where we provide wheelchair users with
services to find properties to purchase, construction services to adapt
or renovate properties and other property related services - project
management, property management, re-sale, etc.

WHEELING AROUND THE ALGARVE
www.player.pt
This sector of my business is for "accessible tourism", where we provide
holiday facilities for clients in wheelchairs. The normal scenario is a
family looking to rent an apartment/villa and one of them is in a
wheelchair.

PARASPORT
www.parasport.org
This is an organization I'm involved with that sets up international
sporting events - sailing championships, scuba diving, fishing,
etc.

You may contact him at:

David Player
Wheeling Around The Algarve
Rua Casa do Povo 1
Apartado 3421
8135-905 Almancil
Algarve - Portugal

Tel: 00 351 289 393636
Fax: 00 351 289 397448
Web: www.player.pt
www.totalaccessproperties.com
Email: dave@player.pt

Further Information on Cabo Verde (Note that Cabo Verde is the only African nation on the Freedom House list of nations ranked "free."):

"Since 1978, Freedom House has published Freedom in the World, an annual comparative assessment of the state of political rights and civil liberties around the world," writes Infoplease.com as they summarize the findings of "Freedom in the World, 2005."

Source:

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0930918.html

Marcelo de Arrechea, de Turismo Accesible en Argentina

Acabo de recibir notica de un nuevo recurso sobre el Urguai -- y la Argentina -- de Marcelo de Arrechea, Director, Turismo Accesible en Argentina:

http://www.decthird.com/

A new rsource on inclusive tourism in Agentina. Check it out! Or write: info@decthird.com

Uruguai, Donde Estas?

Quisiera conocer al Uruguai. Un colega, padre Jesuita, me cuenta de la gente cari�osa y de la beleza de la natureza. Me dicen que mi antepasado, el escritor Martin Kukucin (Matej Bencur) de la Eslovaquia, lo conocio en su viaje para Punta Arenas, Chile.

Puede ser que el Uruguai es un paraiso para usario de silla de ruedos; un destino celestial para los de capacidades restringidos.

O pude ser que no.

Quien sabe? No se encuentra casi nada en el Internet de turismo acessible, dise�o universal, o turismo para todos en Urugai. Porque?

Sabemos que el turismo crecio 28 % en 2004. Sabemos que participan del I CONGRESO VIRTUAL IBEROAMERICANO SOBRE TURISMO ACCESIBLE: "TURISMO PARA TODOS. Sabemos que tinene el codigo COPANT ISO-IEC 71:2004 � Directrices para que el desarrollo de las normas tenga en cuenta las necesidades de las personas mayores y las personas con discapacidad.

Que necesitan para unirse con sus vecinos y criar destinos inclusivos? La areo linea brasilero, GOL Lines Areas Inteligentes, va comencar vuelos desde Brasil -- un pais que teine un mercado viajero de personas de necesidades especiales.

Va ultrapasar la oportunidade de atrair turismo?

Accessible Travel in Germany

Thinking of exploring Germany? The German government has a small portal on barrier free travel:

http://www.deutschland.de/rubrik.php?lang=2&category1=16&category2=97

Barrier Busters

Barrier Busters, is a grassroots group in Anacortes, Washington. They have as a goal to improve access in town for seniors and people with disabilities -- improving the quality of life for residents and tourists.

They also have a sense of humor!

After my June 22 comment that Skytrax ought to include photos of airport restrooms. Barrier Busters wrote to tell me they are doing just that for Anacortes WC's -- photos provided by the mysterious photographer "Latrina."

Barrier Busters

http://www.barrierbusters.net/index.htm

Accessible Florida

Florida is a gateway to the Carribbean and South America. It is a destinatiion for Disney fans and beach-lovers. Wheelchairs on the Go: Accessible Fun in Florida by Michelle Stigleman and Deborah Van Brunt takes an in-depth look at all the state has to offer for wheelchair users and slow walkers:

http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Accessible-Florida.htm

Campeche, Mexico: Turismo para Todos

Inclusive Tourism has been a development goal of Campeche, Mexico this year.

INSTALAN EN CAMPECHE CONSEJO "UN TURISMO PARA TODOS"

Se busca que viajen m�s j�venes, adultos mayores y personas con capacidades diferentes con tarifas preferenciales.- Elizondo.

La Sectur aportar� 5 millones de pesos al estado de Campeche como parte del Convenio de Coordinaci�n y Reasignaci�n de Recursos 2005.
Para facilitar el acceso de todos los mexicanos al turismo y as� tengan la oportunidad de vacacionar a precios accesibles, se instal� el Consejo "Un Turismo para Todos", en el estado de Campeche. En el acto, el Secretario de Turismo, Rodolfo Elizondo Torres y el Gobernador de la entidad, Jorge Carlos Hurtado Valdez, coincidieron en la necesidad de implementar acciones estrat�gicas para el beneficio de los sectores m�s desprotegidos de la sociedad.

"Buscamos que en toda la rep�blica viajen m�s j�venes, adultos mayores, m�s personas con capacidades especiales y m�s familias, en mejores condiciones, a precios accesibles y que encuentren una amplia oferta de destinos y segmentos para disfrutar", se�al� Elizondo durante su discurso pronunciado en el Centro de Convenciones Campeche XXI.

En gira de trabajo por ese estado, el titular de Sectur destac� que Campeche adopta este programa con un valor agregado: una vasta oferta tur�stica m�s accesible, solidaria y sustentable, para alcanzar un turismo de calidad y con mejores servicios. Para apoyar a mejorar los servicios tur�sticos de la entidad, se�al� que la Secretar�a de Turismo aportar� 5 millones de pesos para este 2005, como parte de los Convenios de Coordinaci�n y Reasignaci�n de Recursos, los cuales detonar�n 15 millones de pesos con la colaboraci�n del gobierno estatal.

Los recursos se destinar�n al apoyo del proyecto de luz y sonido de Edzn�; la rehabilitaci�n del Baluarte Santiago y la construcci�n del Jard�n Bot�nico, as� como a la conclusi�n del rescate y rehabilitaci�n del Circo Teatro Renacimiento. M�s tarde, el Secretario Elizondo asisti� a la presentaci�n del proyecto de inversi�n inmobiliaria Playa Esmeralda Resort; se traslad� al Baluarte Bater�a de San Luis y al Baluarte de Nuestra Se�ora de la Soledad y realiz� un recorrido por las obras de construcci�n del Museo Escultura y Arqueolog�a Maya, obra que se lleva a cabo con recursos del Convenio de Coordinaci�n y Reasignaci�n de Recursos 2004.

www.sectur.gob.mx
prensa@sectur.gob.mx
Direcci�n General de Comunicaci�n Social
Tels. 3002-6300 ext. 2805 y 2808

Source:

http://www.viajapormexico.com/HomePrinc/Sectur_04.htm

DIRECCION GENERAL DE COMUNICACI�N SOCIAL
Direcci�n de Informaci�n y Prensa
Tuxtla Gtz, Chis; jueves 3 de marzo de 2005.
Bolet�n de Prensa 028/05

LOS FINES DE SEMANA LARGOS, UNA REFORMA LEGAL QUE BENEFICIAR� AL TURISMO.- ELIZONDO

� Informa el Secretario de Turismo que est� trabajando con la C�mara de Diputados y con los titulares de Trabajo y Previsi�n Social y Educaci�n P�blica para que se materialice en 2005 la reforma al Art�culo 74 de la Ley Federal del Trabajo.

� El Turismo Dom�stico representa el 84% del total y es generado por el 34% de la poblaci�n mexicana.

� Inicia en Chiapas el Quinto Encuentro de la Red �Un Turismo para todos�.

El Secretario de Turismo, Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, inform� que la dependencia a su cargo �apoya con entusiasmo la iniciativa de ley que permita hacer reformas a la Ley Federal del Trabajo y hacer posible contar con fines de semana largos que beneficiar�n al turismo dom�stico�.

Dijo que para concretar ese objetivo durante este mismo a�o, realiza una ardua labor y un di�logo permanente con la C�mara de Diputados y con los titulares de las Secretar�as de Trabajo y Previsi�n Social y Educaci�n P�blica.

Al encabezar en Tuxtla Guti�rrez, junto con el Gobernador de Chiapas, Pablo Salazar Mendiguch�a, la ceremonia inaugural del Quinto Encuentro de la Red �Un Turismo para Todos�, Elizondo Torres se�al� que �el turismo dom�stico representa el 84 por ciento del total del turismo que se lleva a cabo en este pa�s, y es generado por el 34 por ciento de la poblaci�n que s� viaja�.

Agreg� que �el 82 por ciento de los pasajeros que se movilizan en charters carreteros son turistas nacionales y eso revela el enorme potencial de ese mercado�.

El titular de Sectur subray� la importancia que tiene para el pa�s �fomentar la cultura del viaje�, ya que el turismo debe ser �asumido como una actividad que puede ser parte integral de la vida cotidiana de todos nosotros�. En tal sentido, puntualiz� que �el Turismo para Todos debe ser un turismo accesible, educativo, sustentable y rentable�.

Elizondo Torres coment� a los participantes en este encuentro que as� como fue suscrito recientemente un convenio entre Sectur y el Inapam para ampliar el acceso a los destinos tur�sticos a unos cinco millones de adultos mayores, pr�ximamente ser� firmado un acuerdo similar con el Instituto Mexicano de la Juventud para abrir mayores posibilidades de viaje a los j�venes.

Source:
http://www.visitemexicoprensa.com.mx/visitemex/bolprensasectur/05/marzo/marctex030305.htm

inclusive destination development

"Fill'er up!" in Michigan: The Pump Guide

Vacation travel alone by car gets anxiety-producing as the gas tank approaches empty -- even more so if you have an ambulatory disability and can't use self-serve pumps. Tom Greenwood of the Detroit News understands that and keeps his readers informed of a solution in Michigan that ought to be replicated elsewhere.

Thanks to the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, disabled drivers can plan their vacation route to include gas stations where they can have fuel pumped for them at self-serve prices. The MPVA provides this information because there's no technology to aid the disabled with the inconvenience of self-serve gasoline.

Source:

http://www.detnews.com/2005/commuting/0506/03/B05-197429.htm

The Pump Guide
http://www.thepumpguide.com/

This news item comes you thanks to the tireless research of Dave Reynolds of Inclusion Daily Express.

Malaysia: A Self-Study on Destination Inclusivity

In June 2004 an informative piece of research was published by Khor Hung Teik in the Journal of the Socio Economic & Environmental Research Institute iin Panang. Malaysia. Fortunately for all of us, the volume exists in .pdf format online and can be downloaded at. It is well worth studying both for its content and methodology. More regions should undertake such work. See especially the section starting at the top of page six, Are We Ready for Elderly Tourists?:

Economic Briefing to the Penang State Government
http://www.seri.com.my/EconBrief/EconBrief2004-06.PDF

Destination: Korea

A report on progress for people with disability in Korea.

From the article:

Go anywhere in the world and see if you can find a nation with a more dynamic activist movement. Korea has gained the greatest momentum for change in the rights of the disabled right now," said Shin Yong-ho, director of the Research Institute of the Differently Abled Persons Rights in Korea. Civil activists fighting for the rights of the disabled are themselves disabled, making them more passionate about the urgency of the issue at hand. The formation of a coalition of 68 organizations, the Joint Association Struggling for the Human Rights of the Disabled, and government efforts to meet their demands have created an opportunity to address the injustice and discrimination that affect the disabled.

Although the government estimates there are 1.6 million disabled people in Korea and civil activist groups say there are 4.5 million, "Where are they?" is a question which many ask.

It reflects the isolation in which the disabled live. Despite the apparent invisibility of the disabled population, however, what is currently going on behind the scenes is a volatile and compelling movement for a new law to protect disabled rights.

Go anywhere in the world and see if you can find a nation with a more dynamic activist movement. Korea has gained the greatest momentum for change in the rights of the disabled right now," said Shin Yong-ho, director of the Research Institute of the Differently Abled Persons Rights in Korea. Civil activists fighting for the rights of the disabled are themselves disabled, making them more passionate about the urgency of the issue at hand. The formation of a coalition of 68 organizations, the Joint Association Struggling for the Human Rights of the Disabled, and government efforts to meet their demands have created an opportunity to address the injustice and discrimination that affect the disabled.

On the most practical level, what Korea needs is the basic infrastructure to support the daily lives and mobility of the disabled population - an elevator in every subway station, buses with lower platforms which people in wheelchairs can easily access, buildings and bathrooms with wheelchair ramps.

Most disabled people live in isolated group facilities, or rehabilitation centers and are often preyed upon. On March 15, the discovery of an illegal housing facility called the 'Paul Missionary' brought charges of fraud and usurpation of money against the manager and the Anyang City Social Welfare director. The owner operated the facility illegally, admitting disabled people with an entrance fee and taking their welfare money and donations, using only a small portion to support the residents. Inside the facility, authorities said, incidents of physical and sexual abuse were common and the living conditions were dire. The district's social welfare director was charged with neglecting his duties of managing and directing social welfare facilities.

The residents at Paul Missionary took their chaotic environment for granted.

"After I had a stroke, my friends just abandoned me here. I just lie here all day, and drunkards come here to beat me up. These drunkards also take the girls out all the time. It's obvious what they do to them." said Kim, 59, who suffers from paralysis.

"The manager knows about this, but she doesn't do a thing. I am a recipient of government welfare, but I don't know what's being done with that money, I've never seen it. This is a lawless place; we have to follow the laws of the facility," said Ms. Hyun, 42 who has cerebral palsy, "The manager is like the president of a nation here. I am afraid of the night. Something always happens in the night. Men come into the women's room whenever they get the chance. Many girls have become victims of rape. But my parents tell me that I should live and die here."
Because there is no basic infrastructure for them in society, the disabled find it impossible to live on their own. Currently, there are about 240 facilities legally registered to house disabled, and 1,000 facilities illegally operated, according to available figures. The illegal facilities lack the basic infrastructure and money to be registered by government standards.

A movement for Independent Living presents an alternative solution to these facilities. The IL movement began in the United States in the 1960s and thinks of disability as something that can be corrected and complemented, such as poor eyesight may be improved by eyeglasses.

The basic idea is that the disabled can live independently outside of facilities because it is possible to change the environment to meet the needs of the disabled population. Rather than leaving this role to the government, IL centers are operated by the disabled, offering peer counseling, information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills training, and creating a community network in which the disabled can rely on each other to live independently. The IL centers also hire personal care attendants to help those who need assistance. For IL to be fully implemented, society needs to provide the basic infrastructure and IL centers must be available to the whole disabled population.

There are currently 400 IL centers in the United States and 133 in Japan. The IL movement in Korea began in 2001, and there are now 10 IL centers receiving government support, and 20 are self-supported. Both the United States and Japan are moving away from facilities for the disabled toward IL centers. "The expansion of IL centers goes along with the natural integration of disabled persons into local society. This means the disabled will not be thrown into facilities hidden from society, but will be living as your next door neighbor," said Park

Chan-oh, director of the Seoul Center for Independent Living. "In order to establish more IL centers, the government needs to turn the support for facilities to pension money for disabled people. In Japan, people receive a pension if they are disabled, whether they have worked or not," said Park.

The directors of legal facilities have a different perspective on IL centers. "It is impossible to achieve IL because the disabled need so many people to take care of them. One disabled person needs caretaking by three to four people. Facilities can overcome the problem of isolation by increasing contact with local community," said Kim Jeong-yeon, head of the Shin-a Rehabilitation Institute for the mentally retarded. Asked if facilities do not restrict the freedom of its residents, he answered, "They have relative freedom. They are able to wear their hair the way they want, and also wear the clothes they want," he said.

How about education? "It is possible to raise their social etiquette but impossible to increase their learning capabilities." Not all facilities are equal. Some create an environment in which residents feel happy and at home, such as the Eunpyeong Angel's Haven Disabled Children's Home, a facility for orphans and disabled persons. Established in 1959 as a facility for war orphans, it has since been operated by the government as a home for children from ages 4 to 18. The government supports the children with scholarships to go to college and to study for careers. The facility started taking in disabled children from 1980 and has established a special school in order to educate these
children.

"There are some residents who have tried IL, living in group homes outside of our facility, and they come back here asking for a place to live," said Yoon Kyung-sook, director of Angel's Haven. This is the result of the general dependency that society fosters in the disabled, the paradigm which the IL is trying to overcome. "IL has the potential to emancipate persons with disabilities from the servitude of unjust, unwanted dependency, and to initiate a quantum leap forward in the quality and productivity of their lives," said Justin Dart, a longtime advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, in 1988.

Government efforts to support the movement for disabled rights are occurring in small but incremental stages. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced an enforcement ordinance on the Disabled Person Welfare Law on May 11 to expand the policy of giving a quota to governmental and public agencies to purchase goods produced by disabled people. It is expected to increase employment opportunities for the disabled, and raise their wages. "This is just a temporary remedy on the government's part; it will not solve all the structural problems that we have," said Kim Gi-ryong, head of the Disabled Rights to Education Commission.

Also, starting next year, all private and government-run companies must reserve at least 2 percent of their total work force for the disabled. The current quota is 1 percent. These efforts come not long after the Joint Association Struggling for the Human Rights of the Disabled pushed for a policy change, with demands across 11 areas. Top of their agenda is a Disability Discrimination Act along the lines of the U.S. ADA and the Australian and British DDA.

After the association handed their policy demands to President Roh Moo-hyun, committee leaders have been meeting with representatives from the ministries of Health and Welfare, Construction and Transportation, and Education and Human Resources Development. Jang Hyang-suk, who is Korea's only female parliamentarian with a disability and uses a wheelchair, is working to pass three laws for disabled people's rights: a pension plan for poor disabled persons who have never worked, a revision of the Disabled Employment Act and Disabled Welfare Act which includes specific proposals for more support for the Independent Living movement, a re-establishment of the grading system for disability, and the increase of political participation of disabled persons in policymaking.

There are three other lawmakers with disabilities: Jung Hwa-won, who is blind, Lee Sang-min and Shim Jae-chul, who rely on canes when walking. This is the first time in history that the Korean National Congress has had so many disabled representatives at one time.

With the active movement of disabled activists, lawmakers and the increasing awareness and support of ordinary people, a new world for disabled rights seems close at hand.

Relevant Web sites:

Korean Network for Independent Living:
http://www.knil. org.

The Seoul Center for Independent Living:
http:// www.scil.or.kr

Joint Association Struggling for the Human Rights of the Disabled
http://www. 420.or.kr

Disability Discrimination Acts of Solidarity in Korea (committee
promoting the establishment of disability rights law):
http://www.ddask.net

Research Institute of the Differently Abled Persons Rights in Korea:
http://www.cowalk.or.kr

By Kwon Ji-young(jkwon@heraldm.com)

Further Korean Resources:

Korea Differently Abled Women United
http://www.kdawu.orgYe Ja Lee, President
leeyaja

Posted by rollingrains at 08:45 PM

Visit Chicago and Roll Into Millenium Park

From:

Architect Uhlir on a roll: Paralyzed vets honor barrier-free design of Millennium fountain

Hal Dardick, Chicago Tribune
Published May 22, 2005

DOWNTOWN -- At the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, where there are no raised edges or deep water, people in wheelchairs can roll right into the reflecting pool and frolic at will.

For that touch and others that combine design with full access to all, the Paralyzed Veterans of America gave architect Ed Uhlir, the park's design director, the 2005 Barrier-Free America Award.

For the complete story:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0505220259may22,1,4687484.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

DubaiLand: But will it be UD?

The United Arab Emirates has a good word-of-mouth reputatiion as a barrier-free destination. With "Dubailand" on the books we will see whether or not investers in Dubailand have a systemic commitment to inclusion for people with disabilities.

Dubailand: the amazing tourist future of the Emirate
7 March 2005

Dubailand is a tourism, entertainment and leisure destination that should attract 15 million tourists to Dubai by the year 2010.

The work on Dubailand started long before its announcement date in 2003 with a complete plan to develop over 2 billion sq.ft in size with 45 mega projects and 200 sub-projects. The first phase investment from the private sector of approximately is now 5 billion euros. Six projects will finish by 2007 forming the 1st operational phase of Dubailand, with the ending phases following suit and completing in 2015-2018.

Dubailand has been sub-divided in to six zones to effectively manage the development and ensure that the growth is balanced in all of the zones. The most impressive will be:

-Attractions and Experience World � 145 million sq.ft - a world of vibrant characters, with its theme parks clustered around a landmark viewing tower and forming a �must see� attraction.
-Retail & Entertainment World � 45 million sq.ft - The development�s energy center, a vibrant destination of family entertainment and innovative retail concepts in a themed environment.
-Themed Leisure and Vacation World � 311 million sq.ft - The creation of appealing retreats for meeting the international demand for quality vacation village residences and resort hotels.
-Eco Tourism World � 806 million sq.ft � An area devoted to preserving the desert heritage of Dubai and creating a habitat for animals from the region to be showcased in their elements.
-Sports and Outdoor World - 206 million sq.ft - A stimulating arena of outdoor sports activities and mild adventure which responds to a strong and broad market interest amongst both residents and visitors.
-Downtown � 5.66 million sq.ft - A gateway to the overall development centered in Dubailand and forming the resort�s downtown, business and administrative district.

The main concept of Dubailand is one of kind in this region, however there are a few projects that have been launched that are quite interesting for this part of the world, particularly the Sunny Mountain Ski Resort project which will contain the first indoor skiing facility in the region.

Source:

http://www.mipim.com/App/homepage.cfm?moduleid=308&appname=100419&K_MAG_ID=3495&K_MT_ID=371&step=FullStory&campaignid=1292&iUserCampaignID=18824177###

Romania

My college Portuguse professor, James Algeo, spoke Romanian. It always intrigued me that a Romance language like Romanian lived so close to my Slavic-tongued ancestors.

Never having visited this land of Gothic myth, I turned to the Internet to find information on accessibility. Some interesting inititaives turned up - like SportRio and the "Towns or All" project (below) but detailed information for travelers is hard to find.

SportRio

From their web site:

"The program is basically focused on the exchange among young students in order to give them the chance to enlarge their horizon, enhance their know-how, meet and cope with new situations beyond any differences. Essentially, be ready for the present and future Europe.

Young disabled are too often either forgotten or hardly considered. Their families may even hide them because of a great sense of shame. Sharing and comparing the same experiences with other European young, meeting different cultures may turn out into a new life for them."

http://www.sportrio.org/sportrio2/partner_romania.htm

"Towns for All": The Manifesto of Accessibility

CREATING ACCESSIBILITIES

A real application of the social integration of differences, of equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities

Creating accessibilities within all the aspects of our lives � professional, social and cultural � constitutes the basic condition for the integration of persons with disabilities.

We think that the time has come to develop a culture of accessibility in Romania which includes the problems of persons with difficulties of access to information, of space and time representation, of interrelation and understanding, of being independent and of moving.

Accessibility starts with legislation meaning that all the normative deeds regarding education, social integration and culture have to mention that persons with disabilities have free access to all the component parts of life as well as to mention that every enclosures represent a contravention which is punished, and the State starts a law suit against the institution that breaks the legal provisions.

Accessibility means adapted information through: audio-visual, newspapers, magazines, books � for persons with disabilities with low capacity of understanding. As well as different symbols displayed in public locations constantly looked up, locations that persons with disabilities and not only could learn about starting with the early schooling period within the "education for all" program.

Accessibility means basic education in order to form the capacity to become �one�s own advocate" for �success".

Accessibility means adapted means for feeding, hygiene, household, transportation, entrances to public institutions, shops and stores, stadiums, swimming pools, platforms, etc. � it means to want to go out from �home", to want and to be able to set up social relationships.

Accessibility means to �engage in dialogues with decision makers", representation through vote within local bodies that make decisions, that means a socialized exercise if it is proclaimed.

Accessibility means to elaborate guides, maps, and brochures to provide information for all domains including oversimplified prospects of medicine for a large understanding and their dissemination across the whole country.

Accessibility means an integral change of the mentality of the public officer, of the �organizational culture" in order to have a �respectful dialogue" speaking simple adequate language � using images or schemes if necessary, with a body position that inspires trust, with friendly intonation, inside the office and not on the corridors or halls. etc.

�The local actors" have to be convinced to also include needs of persons with disabilities in their local and community policy regarding education, employment, housings, transportation, medical care and social services, taking into consideration all types of disabilities.

Thus, accessibility needs to put in practice a set of indicators regarding a real social integration of the differences as a strategy to change attitudes which is the responsibility of the national and local public authorities and of the civil society as well.

The European Year of People with Disabilities �2003 should be a start in the agenda of all those who deal with disability issues in Romanian and this suppose an active support through a large collaboration of all involved bodies.

Bucharest, July 11, 2003

This Manifesto was adopted by the member associations of the Association of Persons with Neuromotor Disability from Romania (AHNR) and the Association of the National Network of Information and Collaboration for the Integration in the Community of Children with Special Educative Needs from Romania (A-RENINCO-R) � partners within the project "Towns for all" and it was agreed by the International Federation of Persons with Physical Disabilities (FIMITIC), by all nongovernmental organization of persons with disabilities, specialists and experts participating in the seminar.

Source:

http://www.anph.ro/Evenimente/accesibilizarea-manifestengl.htm

The Bunun Aboriginal People - Taitung, Taiwan

As my hosts in Taipei continuosly rhapsodized about the singing and dancing abilities of the island's aboriginal Bunun people I had this growing discomfort. Had I stumbled into an Asian ante-bellum South? Was I going to find little plaster jockey analogues standing outside people's driveways? Cigar shops with wooden Indians?

Then I heard a confident, vocally disciplined 12 year old girl hold her audience in two languages at the Taitung Prehistory Museum. Later, a festival of circle dances culminated in the eight-part harmony of a Bunun ritual. I knew why the fame of these people was celebrated not only across Taiwan but around the world.

A tour through the resort revealed that it was also an outdoor art garden with works ranging from bass relief argolite panels and restaurant tables, hand-carved chairs, caligraphied obelisks -- and massive pieces of modern art.

Even more surprising was to discover that the founder and president of the Bunun Aboriginal Foundation draws from his own post-polio experience to make their hotels, hot springs, theater, and shops accessible. The end result is not 100% independent access -- but the effort is comprehensive and uncommonly welcoming.

Here is Reverend White, founder of the Bunun Aboriginal Foundation posing with me following a presentation by the young people who he encourages to go out for an education but return to their homeland. From all appearances, he is quite successful.

Inclusive Travel: Hong Kong

Here is an example where public/private sector collaboration works to facilitate Inclusive Destination Development.

The Tourism Board of Hong Kong maintains a helpful site for tourists with disabilities and seniors at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/travelneeds/disabled/index.jhtml

Notice how the links they include are provided by social service agencies.

Disability in the Brazilian Context

As we launch the Forum on Inclusive Travel at eTur.com.br (in Portuguese), I find myself more frequently checking the site of Temple University student, Jared Goyette -- Disability in the Brazilian Context http://bahiadisabilitystudy.blogspot.com/ -- and appreciating his work and insights.

This Forum is going to fly -- thanks to the work of Brazilian Catharina de Medeiros Lacerda from the Sorbonne, Paris (the French version; undergoing translation to English), the backoffice IT work and tourism and disability writing of Hugo C�rtes de Paula, together with Cristiane Guimar�es (vacationing somewhere in Aracaju and causing me to turn exquisite shades of chartruese-green with "ciumes"/envy!)

Here are some articles by this "Team Turism�lgos Unidos" with an invitation to join in by registering at www.eTur.com.br and the sending me an email (srains@oco.net):

Articles by Hugo C�rtes de Paula for the Portuguese-reading:

http://www.etur.com.br/conteudocompleto.asp?idconteudo=558
http://www.etur.com.br/conteudocompleto.asp?idconteudo=559
http://www.etur.com.br/conteudocompleto.asp?idconteudo=560

Catharina de Medeiros Lacerda at eTur.com.br on Inclusive Travel:

http://www.etur.com.br/conteudocompleto.asp?idconteudo=6160

See also an article by prolific eTur.com.br contributor, Vera Rolim, on Hotel Accessibility:

http://www.etur.com.br/conteudocompleto.asp?idconteudo=5290&ci=20050407

inclusive destination development

turismo

Dubai, the United Arab Emirates

The Rolling Rains Report has readers in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Over the years, the representatives of Air Emirates that I have met at travel expos as well as the airline's word-of-mouth reputation among travelers with disabilities has made a positive impression.

So, I was surprised to read this monring at Inclusion International that the UAR does not have much of a disability rights infrastructure. Could it be that the 1997 entry at Inclusion International needs updating? News from a redaer in the United Arab Emirates would apprectiated; srains@oco.net

From Inclusion International:

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment which establish national design standards requiring that the outdoor environment is made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by municipalities. The following measures have been promoted by the government in order to facilitate accessibility in the built environment: levelling off pavements, marking parking areas, ensuring access to public places. There is no special transport arrangement for persons with disabilities. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors, technical factors, lack of knowledge, research and information, lack of user participation, lack of co-operation from other organizations/institutions and lack of enforcement mechanism. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language has no officially recognized status. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. The following service is provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille/tape.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is no national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are never consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, judicial authorities and political parties, but to a great extent in NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, contribute to public awareness, provide services and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee or any similar body.

A Travel Wiki by Jorge Gobbi

For those on the road, and with facility in Spanish, Jorge Gobbi has developed an interactive site (a wiki). The site, Wiki Nomade, allows travelers to post about conditions in the locations they visit. His focus is on South America.

Neither this nor Jorge's other site, "Blog de Viajes", is specifically deveoted to inclusive travel but Jorge has been a valuable collaborator since the launch of the Rolling Rains Report and travelers with disabilities should feel comfortable posting their insights at the new site: Wiki Nomade

turismo

Analise da Programa de Roteirizacao

Que sera o resultado da confluencia destes dois correntes turisticos no Brasil?

Regionalizacao �

o ordenamento da oferta tur�stica com �nfase no turismo integrado, tendo, por princ�pio, a descentraliza��o. Seu objetivo � motivar o visitante a permanecer na regi�o, oferecendo-lhes uma gama de atrativos.

Inclusive Destination Development �

o ordenamento, por os princ�pios de desenho universal, da infrastrutura e oferta tur�stica a um turismo sem barreiras ao nivel de destino ou regi�o. Seu objetivo � atrair o visitante ja disposto a permanecer na regi�o.

O comportamento consumidor da turitsta portador de deficiencias fisicas foi divulgado nas obras de Simon Darcy e Eric Lipp. A nova pesquisa da ultima se publicara em maio 2005. O que chama a aten��o � a disponibilidade de recursos financeiros aliado ao desejo dos portadores de necessidades especiais de viajar. Este fato despertou a ind�stria tur�stica mundial deste mercado tur�stico espec�fico.

Exemplos de s�nteses de roteiriza��o existentes em outros pa�ses, adaptados ao Desenho Universal, forne�am modelos para o Brasil no Programa de Roteiriza��o.

• Estate Concordia, US Virgin Islands
• The Devil's Playground, circuito de alojamentos sem barreiras na Tasm�nia
  

O Brasil esta pronto.

• O Instituto Pestalozzi de Canela � RS promoveu em novembro de 2004,
  Congresso Ibero-americano de Acessibilidade no Turismo.
• Adaptive Environments promoveu em dezembro 2004 Projetando Para o Seculo 21 III: Uma Confer�ncia Internacional sobre Desenho Universal.
  

O que ser� desenvolvido? H� oportunidade de palestrar sobre o assunto em junho no Sal�o de Turismo 2005 - Programa de Roteiriza��o, a ser realizado em S�o Paulo.

Further Reading:

A REGIONALIZACAO DO TURISMO
http://forumdediscussao.zip.net/

TURISMO COME�A A APRESENTAR BONS RESULTADOS AO PA�S
http://www.unb.br/cet/noticias/not_2005_03_03_01.htm

inclusive destination development

Update: Laurent, South Dakota

Here are two further resources on Laurent, South Dakota - A Town for Signers following the recent charette there. The town plan is now posted online:

• Laurent, South Dakota - A Town for Signers
  http://www.laurentsd.com/
• Marvin�s Laurent, SD Blog
  http://www.laurentsd.com/blog/

Previous Rolling Rains entry:

Destination Development and American Sign Language
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000402.html

Inclusive Destination Development in Brasil

Brazil is emerging as a leader on Universal Design, Travel & Disability, Sustainable Travel, and Disability Rights.

Roteiros do Brasil, the national plan for regionalization of tourism, was previously noted in the Rolling Rains report. The Roteiros main page currently includes a link to the work of Brasil's SENAC on disability (in Portuguese.)

Oi Brasil, parabems!

Informacoes gracas a minha muita amiga Ros�ngela Caldeira Mendon�a.

disability

inclusive destination development

Taiwan: International Class Inclusive Tourism Conference

Taiwan has done it!

Congratulations to Eden Social Welfare Foundation in Taipei for organizing the first international conference devoted entirely to inclusive travel.

Yes, technically there have been several national conferences that have had regional or international participation. The European Union took an early lead with Tourism for All and still maintains a sophisticated intellectual infrastructure for promoting inclusive travel - allowing specialized programs such as I mentioned yesterday.

But the 2005 International Accessible Tourism Conference in Taipei, Taiwan on 5-8 May is international by design. In fact, it marks the launch of a pan-Asian association for the development of inclusive tourism practice.

The organizers seem to have covered all the bases necessary to insure a sustainable impact on tourism practice. Backed by an truly impressive array of government, NGO, educational, and industry representatives, Eden Social Welfare Foundation, together with the Asia Pacific Disability Forum, has formed the Asia Pacific Accessible Tourism League (APATL).

See the conference and APTL web site at:

http://www.apatl.com/

Further Reading:

UNESCAP Study on Inclusive Asian Tourismhttp://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000102.html

Asian Pacific est Practices in Inclusive Travel
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000103.html

Universal Design in Museums - Coco Rayne's Revolution

Occassionally, someone is able to take the everyday and perceive it in an entirely new way. That is, some say, the essence of genius.

An example of such transformational thinking is the work of Coco Raynes (No relation, although we joke that we're "cousins."`) Raynes' work rendering French and Colombian museums accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired is a significant contribution to inclusive destination development for the cultural traveler. Read about her work in Architectural Digest at:

http://www.architectureweek.com/2001/0620/culture_1-1.html

Will Ireland be Accessible?

Ireland has done much recently to enhance the tourist experience. Yet trends are toward rising overhead for the industry and shorter stays for tourists. There is a danger that short-term cost cutting could result in long-term undesireable results.

So it is encouraging to read that Tourism Minister John O�Donoghue considers it a priority for Irish hotels to develop a classification scheme. Will Ireland step into the leadership position and implement a world-class system that serves disabled travelers?

In short, will Ireland adopt the worldwide trend toward Universal Design, Visitability, and Guestability?

The Tourism Minister ... told the delegates that a mandatory and up-to-date hotel classification system must be installed.

�I do not think that it is acceptable any longer for a significant part of our hotel properties to remain �unclassified�,� Mr O�Donoghue said. �If we are to take the consumer perspective � which we must if we are to survive � such a system is unsustainable.�
Mr O�Donoghue said this would represent a milestone for the industry and said discussions on the introduction of a new classification system were at an advanced stage.

From the Irish Examiner
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=54881310&p=5488y595&n=54881600&x=

Related Reading:

Universal Design

Ron Mace on Universal Design
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000051.html

Visitability

Definition of Visitability
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000357.html

Resources on Visitability
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000358.html

Guestability
Guestability - Signposts to Inclusive Accommodation
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000240.html

Universal Design in India

The Financial Times interviews several leaders in India who deserve greater worlwide attention for their innovation and vision. See:

Design for the disabled: Small changes can make a difference
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=84491

Your Level Best: Pub-Rolling in the UK

The February 2005 issue of the Global Access Disabled Travel Network E-Zine popped into my mailbox as I sat writing an article for the 2005 Summit of the Spinal Cord Injury Association. I had just finished a paragaph lamenting the lack of sites that evaluate restaurant access similar to Wired on Wheels.

As if on queue, editor Marti Gacioch included an article by Mary Dixon about her site Your Level Best. It is good to see the crossover of Eleanor Smith's Concrete Change standards for visitability being applied to places of business - another indication the Universal Design won't long be confined to the home construction industry but pass over to the commercial sector at an increasing rate.

From The Guardian:

Cheers - and no cheers

Pubs are a bad joke in website's survey on disabled access

Kendra Inman
Wednesday October 29, 2003
The Guardian

Wheelchair users in search of a swift half will always be welcome at one Cornish pub. "We are fully accessible," says the landlady confidently. If nature calls, "there are always three strong men here to carry you down".

Mary Dixon, a wheelchair user herself, describes responses to her survey of pubs, restaurants and snack bars around Britain as both humiliating and hilarious.

In answer to the question, "Do you have a wheelchair-friendly entrance and a disabled toilet?", she was told by a south London pub: "Give us plenty of notice so we can move all the tables and unlock the side door." A pub in Northumberland replied: "There's a perfectly good public disabled toilet in the car park over the road."

Dixon, who has multiple sclerosis, conducted the research for her website, www.yourlevelbest.com, which has a directory of pubs and restaurants accessible to wheelchair users.

By October 1 next year, every business will have to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and make changes to ensure Britain's 8.6 million disabled people can use services. Dixon's survey reveals that many are unprepared for the new rules.

"Well-meaning proprietors do not see the importance of access to the toilets, which is often difficult or impossible," she says. "A common response was, 'Disabled ladies could use the gents. I'll clear the men out'."

She found information often hard to come by. Some chains provided lists of accessible branches; others failed to, or ignored her requests.
The website lists 3,000 destinations, mainly in England and Wales, and additions are made each week.
Tourist hotspot Brighton does well, with 22 accessible destinations; the wooden spoon goes to the Scilly Isles "with only one - and that at the top of a steep hill," says Dixon.

Pubs came out worst. "Many had been recently refurbished, but the improvements still took no account of access issues and disability discrimination laws," Dixon says.

The website grew out of Dixon's frustration at being excluded from many pubs, teashops and restaurants while on holiday. The pleasure of visiting new places was often overshadowed by anxiety about whether her chair would get through the door.

She is looking for a sponsor for the website. If it thrives, she says, it will allow disabled people to visit areas and businesses where they know they'll be welcome. And the prospect of being manhandled downstairs to use the loo will be a thing of the past.

Mary Dixon is on 020-8355 4328

Related Reading:

Time to Get Equal: A Hopeful Signhttp://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000126.html

Free 2 Peehttp://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000298.html

Airline Bathroomshttp://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000165.html

Australia Registry of Tourism & Accommodation

In spite of all that Australia continues to do for inclusive travel the Australian Registry of Tourism & Accommodation (ARTA) is not yet a user friendly tool for locating the country's resources if you are a traveler with a disability. Floorplans of accommodations and salient information on accessibility would help this bold project live up to its potential.

Accessible Lodging in Australia @ Wheelie Easy

A helpful service from Wheelie Easy in Australia --

Accessible House Hosting Australia.
http://home.austarnet.com.au/WheelieEasy/news_jan.htm

From a press release:

Wheelie Easy Pty Ltd - Supported Holidays & Tours

If it's not wheelchair friendly, it's not Wheelie Easy!


With the commencement of 2005 we are introducing some changes to our e-newsletters and to our website. Please bear with us if you cannot find our website - it's going to be easier to navigate and will have more information once it's up.

The latest information about our Day Tours
http://home.austarnet.com.au/WheelieEasy/day_tours.htm

Going to Melbourne? Here's some information to makes travel there Wheelie Easy!
http://home.austarnet.com.au/WheelieEasy/news_dec.htm

If you know of something you'd like to pass on to our readers, please drop me a line!

Irene Chapman
Director, Wheelie Easy Pty Ltd * Supported Holidays & Tours * ABN 55 934 150 592 * ACN 108 829 429
http://home.austarnet.com.au/WheelieEasy/ * PO Box 461 ATHERTON 4883 * Tel/Fax (07) 4091 4876
irenechapman@austarnet.com.au

Inclusive Travel Route Around Tasmania

And 24 hours after learning of the inclusive travel boom in the State of Wisconsin what should appear but a press release about this new integration of universal design thought in Tasmania!

Early reports are that some very basic customer preferences were overlooked - such as no in-suite bathrooms but rather a shared restroom down a hallway in their hub facility.

As with all projects like this, a reliable evaluation needs floorplans, photos, and a firsthand visit by someone with a disability.

With that caveat in mind, readers of the Rolling Rains Report will recognize from the press release below that these developers have done their homework on inclusive travel.

Candy Harrington wrote on the economics of the US market following the release of the Open Doors Organization's study on the purchasing power of travelers with disabilities. To quote:

From Candy Harrington in Travel Age:

"Of course when you're talking about billions of dollars and millions of
trips, it's always a good idea to do the math. Using the ODO figures, a
simple mathematical calculation reveals that the average disabled traveler
spent approximately $429 per trip.
It's also important to note that 41% of the ODO poll respondents had an
annual income of less than $25,000. These economic figures fall in line with
a 1998 Harris disability poll (conducted for the National Organization on
Disability) which found that 34% of the respondents had an annual income of
less than $15,000.

So what do these figures mean to travel agents? Travel agency owner and
disability travel specialist Connie George sheds some light on the financial
realties of working with disabled clients. "Disabled travelers aren't
necessarily rich," says Ms. George. "They aren't necessarily poor either;
but it does take more time to book a disabled client. Sometimes this
involves many additional hours of client consultation and research, and a
lot of extra long distance phone calls. Don't get me wrong, I love doing
what I'm doing, but it's not exactly easy money."

Press Release on Devil's Playground:

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

10.30 am, Friday, May 7, 2004

TASMANIA TO LEAD THE NATION IN �BARRIER-FREE TOURISM�

A new tourism venture that will make Tasmania a national and international leader in catering for people with physical disabilities and mobility problems was launched in Launceston today.

The Devils Playground will create a �barrier free� touring circuit of Tasmania providing self-catered accommodation and facilities for a range of visitors, but especially those with a physical disability or mobility challenge.

The brain-child of former NSW tourism developers, Kerry and Jane Winberg, The Devils Playground comprises new accommodation facilities at strategic locations around the State based on Tourism Tasmania�s touring routes.

The facilities are in Launceston, Boat Harbour, Queenstown, Westerway (near Mt Field), Oatlands and Branxholm.

Development of two other already purchased sites will further enhance The Devils Playground touring experience. Land purchased from the West Coast Council at Tullah, will be developed into a fully accessible lake-side lodge and motor home/caravan park complex while a 51ha bushland site near Nabowla, in the State�s north east, will be developed into an eco-tourism chalet park, again with a focus on full accessibility.

�The circuit allows guests, and particularly those with access and mobility problems, to tour the entire State with complete confidence that their accommodation needs are going to be fully met whereever they want travel,� Mr Winberg said.

The �barrier free� concept was a first for Tasmania and possibly set an international precedent which would open up a huge new tourism market for the State, he said.

�We have been planning this project for several years now and came to Tasmania almost 12 months ago to the day to begin. We�re very excited that it�s all now starting to come to fruition.

�We researched extensively with the help of some of the country�s recognised experts in this field and can say with confidence that such a comprehensive touring holiday opportunity for people with access or mobility challenges simply does not exist anywhere else in the country.

�This is a massive group of people whose recreational and holiday needs have, until now, been almost totally ignored.

�Add the two family members and/or a support worker that statistics show typically travel with these people and you begin to see just how big this market really is.�

While catering for a wide range of interstate visitors, The Devils Playground will also cater for many Tasmanians, including:

� People with a physical disability who could only travel with the full-time help of a support worker;

� Families whose travel options were limited by a family member with a physical disability;

� Aged people with mobility problems, and;

� Rural families with disabled family members who found it difficult to visit Launceston on business or for overnight excursions.

A rare opportunity to acquire a former aged care home in the Launceston suburb of Prospect created the foundation for The Devils Playground.

The now 46-room, 120 guest facility was fully refurbished to prepare it for a new role as the central hub for the company�s state-wide tourism activities.

�To build a similar facility from scratch would be virtually impossible today, you simply couldn�t get a return on your investment, so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands when we saw it,� Mr Winberg said.

�The remainder of our facilities � with the notable exception of the Tullah and Nabowla properties � are former homes converted to provide similar standard accommodation and modified to allow complete access for our guests with access and mobility challenges.

�Every property will provide a �five-star backpacker� level of accommodation and, critically, will allow all our guests to mix in all the areas of the motel � providing the type of interaction disabled people much prefer after being more used to isolation and �special� treatment.�
Mr Winberg said the well-recognised features that already made Tasmania one of Australia�s most popular holiday destinations were precisely the features that would give the State a unique edge in attracting people with access or mobility problems.

�The State�s compact size, variety of scenery and attractions, excellent roads and the increased interstate access offered by the �three Spirits� will yet again prove to be a winning combination for this market,� he said.

�We believe that, properly developed, this new market will have a significant impact throughout the industry in this State and we�re hoping to connect with other operators who share our vision for developing it,� he said.

ENDS
MORE INFORMATION: Kerry Winberg 6343 3119 or Martin Buggy 0416 271 546.

Read a prereview in Hotels Magazine.

Inclusive Travel Trend Makes the Wisconsin News

This is the first mainstream article I have read on an increasingly common trend -- the convergence of universal design in home construction and the design of recreational lodging and vacation properties.

Here is documentation that movements in transgenerational home design, aging-in-place, home vistability, and inclusive travel have proven their economic sustainability.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel carries a well-researched piece by Rick Rommell entitled, Lowering Travel Barriers

In Wisconsin, demand is high for single cabins in three state parks and a state forest that feature roll-in showers, kitchens with low counters and hospital beds with lifts. More severely disabled people get preference when making reservations.

"Right now we're sold June, July and August - every day," Heather Wolf, ranger assistant manager at Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, said of the accessible cabin there.

Noteworthy is the well-deserved prominence that the Microtel hotel chain receives for its adoption of universal design.

Microtel has taken a leadership stance in the field of inclusive travel by envisioning universal design in its broadest meaning. They have adopted the understanding, put forward by Adaptive Environments and concretized in "Designing for the 21st Century III" that universal design includes the way services are delivered. Consultants at AC Duke Associates deserve recognition for shaping Microtel's industry leading service orientation.

The article goes on to mention the experience of specialized travel agencies, Bed & & Breakfasts, etc. that have arisen to fill the gap until universal design becomes - excuse the redundancy - universal.

The complete article is available at: http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/may04/229893.asp

Access to South America: It's Catching on!

Here are two new inclusive travel agencies of note in South America.

One, Aventura Especial, with Dada Moreira is located in Brazil and is in Portuguese.

The other, Latitude Sur, is in Argentina with Spanish and English mirrors. From the site it appears that this endeavor emerged from the important Tenerife Conference in April 2003

Give them a hearty welcome -- and send your business their way!

The Historic Tenerife Declaration of April 2003

Manifiesto de Tenerife

Promovamos la Vida Independiente - Acabemos con la discriminaci�n hacia las personas con discapacidad.

Nosotros, los 400 participantes de varios pa�ses europeos reunidos en el primer Congreso Europeo sobre Vida Independiente, celebrado en Tenerife en el marco de 2003 como A�o Europeo de la Discapacidad, requerimos que el Gobierno Insular de Tenerife, el Gobierno de Canarias y el Gobierno de Espa�a, tomen las riendas y aboguen por la aplicaci�n de este Manifiesto en la pol�tica de la Uni�n Europea, espec�ficamente en el trabajo sobre la Directiva de No Discriminaci�n hacia las Personas con Discapacidad y el Plan de Acci�n Europeo de Personas con Discapacidad.

Principios de Vida Independiente

Nosotros, las personas con discapacidad, debemos contar con los medios para responsabilizarnos de nuestra propia vida y acciones, al igual que las personas sin discapacidad. La mayor parte de los problemas a los que se enfrentan las personas con discapacidad no son m�dicos, sino sociales, econ�micos y pol�ticos.

Tras una historia de marginaci�n y exclusi�n, las personas con discapacidad demandamos AHORA, el derecho a elegir c�mo vivir nuestras vidas en esta sociedad. Demandamos las mismas oportunidades y capacidad de elecci�n, as� como el mismo grado de control y orientaci�n sobre nuestra vida diaria, hechos que las personas sin discapacidad tienen garantizados.

Nuestra participaci�n plena e igualitaria en la sociedad, nos permitir� alcanzar las m�ximas posibilidades como seres humanos y de esta manera, contribuir a la vida social y econ�mica de nuestra comunidad. Hist�ricamente �sta participaci�n nos ha sido negada.

Las personas con discapacidad deben ser apreciadas como expertos en sus propias vidas.

Como tales, tenemos el derecho y la responsabilidad de hablar en nuestro nombre. En este sentido, las personas con discapacidad necesitan dirigir sus propias organizaciones.

La Vida Independiente es un derecho humano fundamental para todas las personas con discapacidad, independientemente de la naturaleza y alcance de su deficiencia. Se incluye aqu� a las personas con problemas de aprendizaje, usuarios y supervivientes de los sistemas de salud mental, ni�os con discapacidad y personas mayores. Toda vida y su diversidad debe ser valorada. Todo ser humano debe tener el derecho de elecci�n en los temas que afecten a su vida.

Afirmamos

Las necesidades de las personas con discapacidad deben tenerse en cuenta en todas las actividades del sector p�blico, tales como la planificaci�n de infraestructuras, la educaci�n, el transporte, las medidas de empleo y otros servicios a trav�s del Dise�o para Todos o Universal y el Dise�o Inclusivo. La aplicaci�n y dise�o de los servicios debe seguir los principios de Vida Independiente y centrarse en las necesidades individuales de cada persona.

La asistencia personal permite a las personas con discapacidad f�sica, sensorial, intelectual, y con otros tipos de discapacidad, dirigir sus propias vidas en nuestra sociedad, permitiendo una plena participaci�n en todas las actividades humanas. Estas actividades incluyen entre otras, la posibilidad de tener hijos, sexualidad, educaci�n, empleo, desarrollo humano y ambiental, ocio, cultura y pol�tica.

Las personas con discapacidad deben tener control sobre los servicios relacionados con la discapacidad y la vida independiente. Estos servicios incluyen la financiaci�n p�blica, defensa de derechos, formaci�n y apoyo, para quienes no puedan o no quieran tener el control completo de sus vidas.

Es inaceptable que los ciudadanos europeos con discapacidad, sean recluidos en instituciones por falta de alternativas adecuadas de vida independiente en su comunidad.

Subrayamos que los servicios de apoyo de Vida Independiente, son esenciales para que las personas con discapacidad puedan disfrutar de sus libertades b�sicas y deben ser financiadas por todos los Gobiernos. Nosotros, personas con discapacidad de toda Europa, no aceptamos limitaciones en la financiaci�n de nuestras libertades b�sicas. Si fuese necesario, estamos dispuestos a debatir en profundidad las tradicionales argumentaciones sobre la escasez de recursos.

Uni�n Europea

Instamos a la Uni�n Europea (UE) a que contin�e ampliando las pol�ticas de derechos humanos para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con discapacidad, a trav�s de la libertad de elecci�n y una mayor calidad de los servicios.

Condenamos cualquier tipo de segregaci�n e institucionalizaci�n como violaciones de nuestros derechos humanos. Los Gobiernos deben aplicar y reforzar la legislaci�n que protege los derechos humanos y la igualdad de oportunidades de las personas con discapacidad.

Instamos a la UE a que adopte medidas que garanticen y den prioridad a las soluciones basadas en la integraci�n en la comunidad, ante otras basadas en la institucionalizaci�n, en el �mbito de los servicios de apoyo para las personas con discapacidad.

Las personas con discapacidad deben tener la opci�n de convertir los servicios de apoyo relacionados con la discapacidad que se reciben en especie hoy en d�a, en el montante equivalente de pago directo.

De acuerdo con el Tratado de Roma, demandamos que los Gobiernos de la UE adopten un nivel m�nimo de pago directo, destinado a servicios de asistencia personal en todos los pa�ses de la UE, con el fin de promover la libertad de movimiento. Adem�s, las necesidades de las personas con discapacidad deben ser �ntegramente tenidas en consideraci�n en la promoci�n de est�ndares de interoperabilidad de bienes y servicios entre Estados.

Requerimos a la UE que exija que los gobiernos financien el desarrollo y apoyo de organizaciones dirigidas y gestionadas por personas con discapacidad a fin de promover la Vida Independiente.

Demandamos finalmente que la UE adopte las medidas necesarias para prevenir la discriminaci�n de las personas con discapacidad en futuros avances de la gen�tica, la ciencia y la tecnolog�a.

Arona, Tenerife
26 de abril de 2003

Inclusive Hospitality in Crete: Something New Under the Sun

"The Eria Resort is specially designed with disabled people in mind," begins the marketing material. And, from the looks of it, this isn't just hype.

Are we witnessing the emergence of a new business model here?

In the coming weeks I will attempt to gather reliable information on the business decisions and strategies that went into the development of a resort that seems have have clearly targeted the inclusive tourism market. Why? What statistics, models, precedents, or personal stories lie behind this promising new venture?

A Model for Destination Management

There are many definitions of destination management. The UN document Agenda 21 is a formative document if the approach is to be credibly eco-sensitive. Inclusion of persons with disabilities as stakeholders and participants is essential if it is to be sustainable and not subject to retrofit.

Here is a model for destination development used by Gordon Sillence President of the Instituto Portugues de Ecologia (INPECO).

A Framework for Action

At a destination level, I wish to finally develop a model in which each individual business from the private sector can see its location in the totality of the destination. This model was developed in our Bio-park Network Project in the Algarve, southern Portugal. It approaches destination management from the perspective of Agenda 21, taking both a local and European framework into account. The model involves a network layering strategy, which re-defines a local economy for the purpose of sustainability planning. The network layers include:

A stakeholder network
A natural space network
A network of pathways
A network of interest points
A commercial network
A monitoring network

These networks enable stakeholders to grasp the infrastructure of any given destination, visualise what is a common desirable landscape, and then design and implement that vision in partnership. It is clear that this approach brings local people and businesses to the forefront of activity, and then prioritises the natural assets of the destination. On these foundations stakeholders can build an ecologically robust destination which nourishes the local economy. In this way the tourist industry develops a stable product whose quality increases rather than diminishes over time. The main obstacle is the question of short term application of profits towards infra-structural improvements, but this is really an opportunity rather than an obstacle at the moment, as the structural funds of the EC are able to considerably enhance private sector investment. A well organised network of private businesses can co-operate with government and community representatives to realise these aims, hopefully before the local landscape has suffered irreversible decline.

Technology for Smart Homes

One component of Universal Design is Assistive Technology. Some thought leadership that is taking place in the residential market may find application in the hospitality industry. For now efforts focused on aging-in-place are stimulating innovation.

"Smart Homes and Assistive Technology" looks at this trend in the UK.

Mi Guatemala

Jorge Gobbi, with a post on his always informative site Blog de Viajes, brings to our attention a tourism resource on Guatemala.

This beautiful country (see "Holiday Giving..." ) is the subject of Guate360 - Blog de Mi Guatemala. Especially noteworthy is a current thread entitled "El turismo en Costa Rica vs Guatemala"

Attracting Tourism to Japan

Not that I endorse the "medical model" of disability over "universal design" but it does seem that the Japanese tourism industry had a 2 + 2 equation that is not summing up to "4". A recent study suggests two distinct ways to reach out to the senior and disabled market sectors. It does not appear that they have done so yet.

E-TurboNews reports:

During 2002, 5.23 million foreign tourists visited Japan, but 16.52 million Japanese made overseas trips. Japan ranked 33rd in the world in attracting tourists to these shores. Among the Group of Seven nations, Japan was the only one that was not in the top 10.

A Cabinet Office study panel, chaired by Prof. Haruo Shimada of Keio University, released a report in December 2002, saying that the tourism industry, as well as medical and health-related industries, should become more competitive. This study was in line with the government's efforts to develop industries during the current period of low economic growth.

Source:

http://www.eturbonews.com/news/03MAR2004/index.htm

Where in the world?

Here's an amusing tool: the map generator at World66. Create an account with a database of all the places you have lived or visited. The result will be something like this:

create your own visited country map

Or this: