Rolling Rains Report:

Sydney: Inclusive Tourism Portal Opens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Printable .pdf version:

Download file

________________________

Further Information, please contact:

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

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

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

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
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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
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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
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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

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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