GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS E-ZINE VOLUM

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE
VOLUME IV, NUMBER 7 , July 2003
Copyright © 2003, 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 July 2003 issue of the Global Access News Travel E-Zine Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write us and share your travel experiences.

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CONTENTS

1. HAWAII: WILD SIDE SPECIALTY TOURS
2. AUSTRALIA: THE BEARDED DRAGON
3. MORE SPANISH BEACHES
4. U.S. SOUTH DAKOTA WHISPERING PINES
5. ACCOMMODATIONS: PORTUGAL & RASSAY ISLAND
6. ROYAL HAWAIIAN LUAU

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1. HAWAII: WILD SIDE SPECIALTY TOURS

Oahu, Hawaii’s Wild Side Specialty Tours provides a unique opportunity for disabled visitors to experience the beauty and joy of seeing whales, dolphins and turtles close up in some of Hawaii’s most spectacular scenery. Tori and Armin, owners of the accessible 42-foot Island Spirit catamaran, have successfully assisted people with a variety of disabilities and special needs. To learn more about their service, visit http://sailhawaii.com/

Wild Side Specialty Tours
84-829 Moua St.
Waianae HI 96792
TEL (808) 306-7273
FAX (808) 696-5496
email: WildSide@SailHawaii.com

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2. AUSTRALIA: THE BEARDED DRAGON

Monique Gregory, of Australia, wrote to share information about her accessible Gold Coast resort, the Bearded Dragon, located in the foothills of the Tamborine Mountain, a 40-50-mile ride from Brisbane, Her lodge offers two rooms equipped for disabled visitors featuring a roll-in shower, a handheld shower spray and a bath bench. There are grab bars by the toilet and shower, and the restaurant and hotel have complete wheelchair access to all areas, toilet facilities and 6 car parks. To learn more about the lodge, click on www.beardeddragon.com.au
The Bearded Dragon
Lot 2 Tamborine Mtn Rd.
Tamborine Qld 4270
Ph +61 7 55 436 888
Fax+61 7 55 436800

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3. MORE SPANISH BEACHES

In response to our June newsletter’s item on Benidorm, Spain’s accessible beach, Dany A, of Belgium, wrote to explain that Spain has even more accessible beaches on the way. “They plan to have 300 playas accessible by the end of 2003,” he said. “I was in Calpe in July of last year and found that the beach was accessible with a shower cabin, a toilet cabin, a beach wheelchair and assistance.”

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4. U.S. SOUTH DAKOTA WHISPERING PINES

Mindy Desens, of Minnesota’s Lucky Mindy Adventures, submitted the following report on a wheelchair accessible South Dakota campground and lodge:

I recently escorted a small group of disabled adults to the Black Hills, and we rented a home at the Whispering Pines campground and lodging. It's one mile north of the intersection of 44 and 385, about a half hour from Hill City, Deadwood, and Rapid City. The home we rented had 8 beds and 2 baths, and one of the bathrooms was large enough to accommodate a large wheelchair (the door opened inward, but there was still plenty of room). The owner put a shower chair (with a back) in before we arrived and made a makeshift ramp to the door, which worked fine with a little assistance over the approximate 1-inch lip. He installed a handheld shower nozzle.

The place was really big and accommodating, and my group of 9 people had a blast. Granted, the wheelers had assistance, but I think this place was reasonably accessible, and I take a couple of groups a month on trips. Many of the newer hotels I've found aren't as accessible. We cooked S'mores over a fire, and had a few good meals in the very nice home.

Another FYI: The Crazy Horse Monument, which takes an inaccessible bus of people out to the monument at $3 a head, has decided not to get a wheelchair-lift equipped bus as that could wreak havoc on their liability insurance. Their ADA accommodation still provides wheelchair users the opportunity to get closer to the monument. The Crazy Horse staff will simply send one of their staff along to drive the individual's van (or ride alongside the driver) and give essentially the same tour. I know, it's not with the rest of the group, but we've found in three years of doing it this way that we really enjoy having our own tour guide for just 3 or 4 people. The Crazy Horse monument is truly amazing and not to be missed.

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5. ACCOMMODATIONS: PORTUGAL & RASSAY ISLAND

Gyl, of Scotland, wrote to share her two accessible discoveries. She and her husband, Mark, recently spent a week at the Portugal villa, Casa Ancoradoro Desc, which she found on Dave Player’s web site, Wheeling Around the Algarve. Gyl reports that the fully accessible villa was located high on a hillside. “It was fantastic. We had a lovely week together,” she said. To learn more about the villa, visit http://www.player.pt/player/Pages%20from%20homepage/Accommodation/3%20bedroom/Casa%20Ancoradoro/casaancoradorode.html

Dave’s web site at http://www.player.pt/player/

Gyl, an avid diver writes: “We also spent a week on the remote island of Rassay, an island reached by ferry from the island of Skye. Rassay has a population of about 200, and there is no ferry on Sundays. Surprisingly enough, the Isle of Raasay Hotel is the one and only hotel on the island, and it has been made wheelchair accessible. The hotel has level access to the main front door and public bar. There is a single room with an accessible bathroom (bath and rails around the toilet) and a twin room, which is also accessible (with marvellous views). It is spacious but has no special adaptations. Incidentally, we were there as a part of a dive weekend where club members could take family & friends. The outdoor centre was about to undergo renovation and would be made accessible but wasn't at the moment.”
http://www.isleofraasayhotel.co.uk/

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6. HAWAIIAN LUAU

Charlie Doremus & Ellie Ferri, who are both legally blind Honolulu residents, share their lavish Luau experience at the world-famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel. http://www.globalaccessnews.com/hawaiianluau.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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