Wheelchair Accessible Travel to Malaga, Spain, Cambridge, Italy, Panama Cruise UK,

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE
VOLUME VI, NUMBER 2, February 2005
Copyright © 2005, 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 2005 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. JET BLUE AIRLINE ALERT
2. SPAIN: MALAGA MONTANA SOL VILLA
3. ITALY: ACCESSIBLE ASSISI
4. UK: YOUR LEVEL BEST
5. UK: CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND ACCESS GUIDE
6. ACCESSIBLE PANAMA CRUISE

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1. JET BLUE AIRLINE ALERT

According to a January 2005 Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel news story, budget airline Jet Blue Airway’s new 100-seat Embraer 190 jet does not conform to U.S. Federal access requirements for on-board wheelchair storage. Jet Blue is now requesting a waiver from the Transportation Department because they claim that the lack of space wasn’t discovered until their test pilots flew the new planes.

According to Jet Blue, the new plane’s dimensions would not allow a standard adult-sized folded wheelchair enough space to fit inside the cabin. Jet Blue is now offering to store a wheelchair in the forward cargo section. However, advocacy groups state that wheelchairs are easily damaged in that area. Jet Blue can, of course, simply remove two seats from the Embraer and avoid the entanglement of conforming to legal requirements. If they do, the disabled community will be singing the blues loudly. Learn more at
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/ny-bzair274126607jan27,0,2345553.story

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2. SPAIN: MALAGA MONTANA SOL VILLA

Managers Keith and Mandy, of Montana Sol El Pinillo,Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain, wrote to announce that their holiday villa complex specially designed for disabled travelers is now available for visitors.

Montana Sol, located on a private estate near the fishing village of La Carihuela, is offering full board holidays that include the use of adapted buses to visit the nearby villages.

Guests stay in ground floor bedrooms that include an ensuite bathroom complete with roll-in showers and shower chairs. Twin height adjustable beds provide head and foot risers.

The villa has many amenities, including a large pool has a hoist for easy access and home cooked food. Guests have kitchen access where they can store meals, snacks and fruit. Live entertainment is available nightly

The villa is equipped with an emergency phone system and a medical facility is located nearby.

Their adapted buses leave each morning to visit nearby beaches, towns, markets and shops.

Manual wheelchairs, mobile hoists and toilet risers, as well as other medical equipment, are available free of charge. Power wheelchairs and scooters are also available for rent.

To learn more, contact Keith at keith@montanasol.com

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3. ITALY: ACCESSIBLE ASSISI

Available in Italian and English, this site provides access insights from a wheelie on one of Tuscany’s most lovely hill towns. Hotels are rated not accessible, accessible with assistance and fully accessible, according to their access difficulty. Navigation is a bit tricky with this site, but persevere; there are good access nuggets here:.http://www.assisiaccessibile.it/

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Travel E-Zine Archive

Mary Dixon, of the UK, wrote to tell us about her web site, Yourlevelbest, which helps visitors with mobility difficulties find somewhere to eat or drink.The site lists over 4000 pubs and restaurants in the UK that provide a doorway that a wheelchair can pass through, as well as an accessible toilet. Learn more at www.yourlevelbest.com or contact Mary Dixon at 0208 355 4328.

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5. UK: CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND ACCESS GUIDE

John David Young, of the UK, generously sent us this link to his Cambridge Access Guide, which includes excellent tips on reaching Cambridge from London, as well as great advice on accessible shops, eateries and toilets. Global Access will be happy to forward any specific access questions on Cambridge to Mr. Young.
http://www.johndavid.co.uk/cambridgeacc.doc

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6. ACCESSIBLE PANAMA CRUISE

Alex Yates, a travel agent from Victoria, BC with Travel Masters, journeyed with her father, Colin Holmes, and her sons, Nik and Kieron, on a Panama cruise. Both Colin and Kieron use wheelchairs. Share their trip at http://www.globalaccessnews.com/panamacruise04.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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