Disabled, Wheelchair Accessible Scotland, Laihaina, Maui, Paris, Rome

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE
VOLUME V, NUMBER 2 February 2004
Copyright © 2004, 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 on this E-Zine. Websites and e-mail addresses, however, change frequently, so changes may have occurred after that date.

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Welcome to the February 2004 issue of the Global Access News E-Zine. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write us and share your travel experiences.

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CONTENTS

1. DISABLED MAN WINS RYANAIR LAWSUIT
2. ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL PAMPHLET
3. SCOTLAND: KILCHURN CASTLE ACCESS BARRIERS
4. LAHAINA MAUI DIVING
5. PETE & WENDY’S NEW WEBSITE
6. PARIS & ROME FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

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1. DISABLED MAN WINS RYANAIR LAWSUIT

Thanks to Syd and June Burns of Penrith, England, for sharing the following news about a disabled British man’s lawsuit against Ryanair (Ireland’s budget airline).

Ryanair recently lost a discrimination lawsuit to Bob Ross, who has cerebral palsy. Ross claimed that he was charged a £18 fee to use a Ryanair wheelchair from check-in to a plane at London’s Stansted Airport in 2002. He was awarded £1,336 in compensation by the judge, but now Ryanair is appealing that decision, claiming that the wheelchair service is the responsibility of the airport terminal and operator, not the airline. Ryanair then announced that all passengers must now pay a fee of 50p in order to offset the cost of providing wheelchair assistance to all disabled travelers who use their airline. One wonders if providing assistance to their disabled consumers will really put a serious dent in Ryanair’s 2003 net profit of £163 million.

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2. ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL PAMPHLET

To receive a free copy of the new pamphlet, “Accessible Air Travel,” published by the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, call 800-444-0120 or visit www.unitedspinal.org where you can click on the link titled “Free Publications.” The brochure describes the Federal Air Carrier Access Act, which details the services and equipment U.S. airlines must provide for disabled consumers when requested.
Fold-up or removable aisle armrests, on-board wheelchairs, accessible lavatories, and aircraft boarding chairs are now required by the law.

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3. SCOTLAND: KILCHURN CASTLE ACCESS BARRIERS

Winfried Huehn, of Bonn, Germany, who frequently shares his access insights with other disabled travelers, recently informed Global Access about his concern for access barriers at Scotland’s Kilchurn Castle. Winfried learned that Network Rail has blocked a level crossing to the castle, which now makes the castle virtually inaccessible to wheelchair users. E-Zine readers planning to visit that Scottish castle can learn more about this issue and discover where to send a complaint at
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/lochawe/kilchurncastle/access.html

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4. LAHAINA, MAUI DIVING

Disabled divers visiting Lahaina, Maui, can now celebrate Lahaina Divers’ new 46’ accessible vessel, the Dauntless. The specially adapted ship is equipped with ADA bathrooms, freshwater showers, ladders, and spacious cabins and seating areas. Lahaina Divers’ staff members are all certified as Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) Dive Buddies. Learn more about Lahaina Divers at their website www.lahainadivers.com and discover more about the Handicapped Scuba Association by visiting www.hsascuba.com

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5. PETE & WENDY’S NEW WEBSITE

Pete and Wendy, whose website features their superb tales about accessible caravanning throughout Europe & Australia, have moved to a new web venue. Visit www.wheelgotravelling.info
to stay updated on their latest adventures.

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6. PARIS & ROME FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

Howard L. Chabner and Michele E. DeSha, of San Francisco, CA, share their access insights as they roll through two of Europe’s most beautiful capitals: Paris at http://www.globalaccessnews.com/parispasserelleswheelchair03.htm
& Rome at and http://www.globalaccessnews.com/rollinginrome03.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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