Wheelchair Accessible Travel to Spain, France, Israel, New South Wales and South Africa

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE
VOLUME VII, NUMBER 4, April 2006
Copyright 2006, Global Access News
http://www.globalaccessnews.com/

Please note: Any Internet links mentioned in this e-zine were verified as functioning as of the date listed at the top. Web sites and e-mail addresses, however, change frequently, so changes may have occurred after that date.

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Welcome to the April 2006 issue of the Global Access News Travel E-Zine. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write us and share your travel experiences.

CONTENTS

1. SPAIN: LA COSTA BLANCA LAGUARDIA31 VILLA
2. FRANCE: ACCESSIBLE COUNTRY GITES & FARMHOUSES
3. ISRAEL 4 ALL
4. NSW CAMPING
5. TALES OF A WHEELCHAIR TRAVELER
6. SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI

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1. SPAIN: LA COSTA BLANCA LAGUARDIA31 VILLA

Mike Barber, of Costa Blanca, Spain, wrote to tell us of his new wheelchair accessible holiday villa, LaGuardia31.

Berber writes: It is a well-equipped wheelchair accessible villa near Javea on the Costa Blanca of Spain that accommodates up to six guests. The villa rental, which allows disabled and older people the freedom to enjoy a luxury holiday in the company of their friends, family and carers.

It offers easy access both inside and out, with no steps or sills. The master bedroom has raised twin beds with pressure relieving mattress toppers, with enough space for a left or right wheelchair transfer. A monkey pole and a wheeled walker are available free of charge. Further mobility equipment can be arranged through Eurocare Mobility Services.

The en-suite bathroom has a raised toilet with fold down grab rails and a wheel-in shower with non-slip tiles and a padded shower chair. The shower chair can also be positioned over the toilet. The double sinks offer wheelchair access.

The villa has a kidney-shaped pool, with a hydraulic sling-seat hoist.
To learn more and see photos of the villa, visit http://www.accessible-villa-spain.co.uk/facilities.html
or contact the owner Mike Barber at mikebarber11@hotmail.com

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2. FRANCE: ACCESSIBLE COUNTRY GITES & FARMHOUSES

Dany Aendenboom, of Belgium’s Access 4 Wheelies at http://www.access4wheelies.be/ site, shared the following link to La Coume Gite in the Languedoc-Rousillon area of Southern France.

La Coume Gite offers two gites that offer accessible ground-floor rooms with large bathrooms and level showers. A hoist is available for the pool. While the site assures good access throughout the gites, it is wise to inquire to determine in advance that your individual needs will be met. Visit their site at http://www.gitesrus.com/accessibility.html

Access Holidays, in Gresignac, in the Perigord region of Southwest France, offers accessible restored farmhouses with wooden beams, stonewalls and a log burning stove. The Grande Maison offers a large bedroom and bathroom with a roll-in shower. A portable hoist is available for guests to use. There is also a level parking space, a level garden and a secluded sun terrace. Check out their web site and photos to see if their accommodations suit your access needs and inquire to determine if they will be met. Visit http://www.accessholidays.com/index.htm

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3. ISRAEL 4 ALL

Mark Reitkopp, of Israel 4 All, wrote to share his new site that’s devoted to accessible tourism services in Israel for travelers with disabilities. Visit Israel 4 All at www.israel4all.com

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4. NSW CAMPING

New South Wales, Australia provides a fine array of wheelchair friendly national parks with accessible bathrooms. Disabled visitors can enjoy everything from kangaroos to unusual geological formations, waterfalls, rainforests, lakes and campsites with accessible showers. Learn more at
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/WheelchairComparisonTable?OpenView&Start=1&Count=1000&ExpandView&Region=6

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5. TALES OF A WHEELCHAIR TRAVELER

Any disabled traveler who travels frequently has had his/her share of access nightmares. Roy Grazier’s piece, “Tales of a Wheelchair Traveler,” from a 1999 entry of “Disability Issues,” beautifully illustrates the pre-ADA U.S. travel scene concerning non-complying airlines and hotels. At the same time, his article makes today’s continuing access problems appear even more intolerable, considering it is now seven years later Catch his experiences at http://www.disability.net/newsletters/19-1-winter1999/19-1-WheelchairTraveler.htm

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6. SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI

We thank Epic Enabled at http://www.epic-enabled.com/ for generously providing Global Access News with the following South African Safari report by Nicki Conway, of St Albans, England. Share her journey at http://www.globalaccessnews.com/southafrica05.htm

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Global Access News welcomes your travel reports, tips and comments at clearpath@cox.net
Thanks for sharing!

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