London's New Access Guide for Disabled Travelers, Cambridge, England Access, Accessible Ireland, Barcelona Wheelchair Tours

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE

VOLUME IX, NUMBER 1, January 2008

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 of this zine. However, web sites and e-mail addresses change frequently, so changes may have occurred.

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Happy New Year! Welcome to the January 2008 issue of the Global Access News Travel E-Zine. This year, we are celebrating our ninth year of this travel e-zine. Thanks to all of you for making it possible. Over the years, your generosity and willingness to share your experiences and tips have helped provide disabled travelers with a wealth of first-hand access information. Thanks again for taking the time to get involved.

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CONTENTS

1. LONDON’S NEW ACCESS GUIDE

2. BALI, INDONESIA CHALLENGES

3. CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: TRANSPORT CHANGES

4. ACCESSIBLE IRELAND

5. BARCELONA: BCN-TOURS

6. ALSO OF NOTE

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1. LONDON’S NEW ACCESS GUIDE

London, England, often in the forefront of the access movement, now offers a new web site listing over 1000 accessible hotel rooms from 150 different hotels. The upcoming 2012 Olympics spurred the compilation of this guide by the London Development Agency that is striving to make the city more accessible to residents and visitors alike. Links to accessible transport, attractions, shopping and theatres are also included on the site. Learn more at www.visitlondon.com/access

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2. BALI INDONESIA CHALLENGES

While Indonesia may not be on the travel itinerary of many disabled people and wheelchair users, this link offers an informative article “Indonesialogue” that may prove helpful while considering access possibilities:

http://www.indonesialogue.com/planning-a-trip/disabled-people-and-travel.html

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3. CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: TRANSPORT CHANGES

Cambridge, England resident, John David Taylor, a very active advocate for the rights of disabled people, wrote to share the news of recent access developments in that city.

According to Taylor, there are some major changes taking place at Cambridge Train Station shortly. These involve the installation of ticket barriers, so heck with the station before arriving.

Also, a word of warning, wheelchair users should not use the 007 service, although this an express service, to the city centre and sometimes well loaded, this service is not always operated by wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Also, Park and Ride Buses in Cambridge are now more or less guaranteed to be low floor, and do have a wheelchair space, but no companion seating near, due to the fact these buses are dual door, the nearest is on the other side of the bus, where parents with buggies normally sit.

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4. ACCESSIBLE IRELAND

Jill Millar, Co-Director of Accessible Ireland (Making Ireland Accessible to Everyone), wrote to announce their new web site at www.accessibleireland.com

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5. TOUR BARCELONA

A. Broadbent, Managing Director of BCN-Tours wrote to share the availability of his new services for disabled visitors to Barcelona, Spain.

Broadbent writes:

As a disabled person, I have made it my mission to improve on almost non-existent shoreside services for cruise ship disabled passengers calling into Spanish ports. Disabled passengers generally find there are no special facilities available to them such as adapted transport for excursions etc.

Those Shoreside Services that my company is capable of offering throughout Spanish ports consists of:

City Excursions with adapted vehicles accommodating anywhere from 1 disabled passenger with 3 companions to vehicles that can carry 6 wheelchair users and 6 companions, or up to 30 seaters with space for 2 wheelchairs and 28 passengers. (types of vehicles available vary depending on the area).

Signing for hard of hearing people.

Wheelchair hire. Manual and electric onboard wheelchair hire for passengers to use for the duration of their cruise, manual or electric (when departing and returning to the same port)

For those who prefer to explore solo, we offer city guides for the wheelchair user covering the use of public transport systems, availability of personal facilities adapted for the disabled client, location of accessible cafes, restaurants, etc.

Transfers in adapted vehicles portside to hotel & vice versa and airport to hotel & vice versa.

We aim to keep costs to clients as low as possible in respect of City Excursions, specialist services and pre/post cruise facilities in order to achieve parity with industry standard prices. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

A. Broadbent
Managing Director
http://www.geocities.com/bcn_tours/

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6. ALSO OF NOTE

KUDOS TO THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

The Chicago Tribune is to be congratulated for actually including some essential access information in some of their recent travel articles. Their report on America Samoa included access notes on several scenic attractions. Let’s hope that other newspapers follow their lead by mentioning access.

BELFAST BUSES

Belfast, Ireland also receives congratulations for making a new fleet of single-level wheelchair accessible buses available to the disabled community this year. The first 30 of these buses feature a dedicated wheelchair space and a powered side lift.

CHINA: GREAT WALL ACCESS

While wheelchair travelers have visited China’s Great Wall, it was not without an arduous effort. Many strong helping hands are needed to access that historic place, but that’s about to change. A recent post in “China Daily” noted that a new sloping path is now under construction at the Great Wall that will enable wheelchair uses to visit the beacon tower at the Badaling section of the wall. Wheelchair users can once again thank the upcoming Olympics for paving the way for them.

VENICE WITH EFFORT

While it’s still on-line at "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution," catch wheelchair user Pat Broderick’s experiences in Venice, Italy.

http://www.ajc.com/travel/content/travel/otherdestinations/int_stories/2008/01/03/trvenice_0106.html

ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL

The United Spinal Association now offers a new free 22-page pamphlet, "Accessible Air Travel: A Guide for People with Disabilities.” It details the Federal Air Carrier Access Act and includes tips on making reservations seating assignments, boarding assistance, aircraft accessibility and more. Call (800) 444-0120 or view it at

http://www.unitedspinal.org/disability-publications-resources/disability-publications/

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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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