[NAGDU] NY Times - Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

[Gary]

hello everyone:

I don't think I've posted much about Gonzo.  he's been coming along. only issues are pulling too hard, spins his tires on mall floors, and dog distractions.  keep meaning to ask Julie about how she dealt with Jeta on the dog distraction thing. however, I need to give Gonzo big praises.  we are travelling back from London Ontario to Vancouver. this involved a 2 hours bus ride to the airport and then a 2 hours wait before boarding.  so we checked in with some guidance from an employee.  thanks I found. out where the dog relieve area is. it is outside and turns out on each level which is good.  so we trucked down there with Gonzo gong quickly but not crazily. he did his business which is great. then we had to make our way all the way to the other end of the terminal for security.  based on my directions we did end up in a dad end hallway but eventually with asking as folk or two we found security. got through there with no real issue, except I forgot to finish my water but that was easily done. usually I get assistance to my gate but today I have a lot of time so we would find it on our own. Gonzo did great and had to be asked to slow down a few times.  we found out gate and then found a restaurant right by the gates. love when that happens.  now he's relaxing  but I feel he is making real progress.  I think I will turn him into a good guide dog yet! :)

cheers
gary



On April 5, 2018 8:51:32 AM EDT, Ginger Kutsch via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>Sorry New York Times, you may be a reputable source but the information
>you
>provided to passengers who fly with guide dogs is wrong. No advance
>notice
>is required when flying with a guide dog within the United States
>(unless
>you're going to Hawaii). And yes, I may be blind but I don't need to
>demand
>that hotel staff bring food to my room. I'm perfectly capable of going
>to
>the hotel dining area, requesting assistance with food selections, and
>sitting down to dine with the other hotel guests. 
>
>https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/travel/disability-travel-tips.html 
>
> 
>
>Six Simple Tips for Smooth Travel with a Disability
>
>Traveling with a visible or invisible disability doesn't have to be
>difficult. A few simple tips can go a long way.
>
>ByShivani Vora
>
>April 5, 2018
>
>New York Times
>
> 
>
>Times have changed for travelers who use wheelchairs, are visually or
>hearing-impaired or have another disability, says Jayne Bliss, a travel
>adviser with Tzell, who has more than 30 years of experience in
>planning
>trips for those with special needs.   
>
> 
>
>"No place is off limits, and hotels, museums and cultural institutions
>offer
>more accessibility than ever before," Ms. Bliss said. Here are some of
>her
>tips to travel smoothly with a disability:
>
> 
>
>Ask Your Airline for Help 
>
> 
>
>Asking your airline for assistance, either at the time of booking or a
>few
>days before your trip, will make your time at the airport much easier.
>Many
>airlines will designate an employee to meet you  curbside when you
>arrive or
>at check-in with a wheelchair (if you need one) and guide you through
>security. You can also request assistance when you land at your
>destination.
>
>
> 
>
>There is usually no charge for this service, but policies vary by
>airline
>and may depend on available staff and your disability, so be sure to
>clarify
>with your carrier before you fly. Also, many carriers allow guide dogs
>on
>board free of charge for passengers who are visually-impaired (as long
>as
>you make a reservation for your guide dog at least 48 hours in advance
>of
>your flight).
>
> 
>
>Plan With Your Hotel in Advance  
>
> 
>
>Most hotels in all price ranges welcome travelers with disabilities,
>according to Ms. Bliss. However, it's key to give them a heads up about
>what
>your needs are if there's anything specific. If you're in a wheelchair,
>for
>example, get measurements for the front, guest and bathroom doors in
>advance
>of your stay. Most hotel concierges will be happy to provide you this
>information, any many list it online. Ms. Bliss said that some her
>clients'
>wheelchairs are too large for many properties, even if they claim to
>have
>accessible rooms and facilities. Also, if you're visually impaired and
>find
>buffet breakfasts or continental breakfast bars challenging, ask your
>hotel's concierge to fill your in-room fridge with breakfast items, or
>deliver them to your room instead.
>
> 
>
>Work with a Travel Agent 
>
>An agent who specializes in working with disabled travelers can arrange
>every aspect of your trip including booking your airline tickets, tours
>and
>restaurants. They can make sure to get the measurements you need,
>verify the
>hotels, resorts, or restaurants you're interested in are accessible,
>and
>provide other services to make sure you have a smooth trip and a
>comfortable
>stay.
>
> 
>
>Some of these agents, including Ms. Bliss, don't charge trip planning
>fees,
>and instead make money by booking you with hotels and resorts that are
>hungry for your business (and ideally, accessible). To find other
>specialists, consider agencies that have experts on-staff that
>specialize in
>accessible travel, like the ones at Travel Leaders, New Directions
>Travelor
>Disabled Travelers, among others.
>
> 
>
>Book the Right Guides 
>
>Ms. Bliss said that there are guides all over the world who have
>experience
>in working with travelers with disabilities. "These guides can make
>your
>time in the destination hassle-free because they know the sights you
>can and
>can't access, the restaurants where you'll have an enjoyable experience
>and
>more," she said. 
>
> 
>
>Some guides can even arrange for wheelchairs, scooters and canes or
>know
>sign language to communicate with those are hearing-impaired. Others
>simply
>remember to take visible and invisible disabilities into account when
>planning activities or organizing groups, so you're not stuck joining a
>tour
>group where you can't participate in half of the activities. You can
>find
>guides through some of the previously mentioned agencies, a web search,
>your
>travel agent, your hotel's concierge or on TripAdvisor. 
>
> 
>
>Consider a Tour 
>
>Several travel operators offer both private and group trips for those
>with
>disabilities. "These preset itineraries take into account exactly what
>your
>needs are so you don't have to arrange anything yourself," Ms. Bliss
>said. 
>
> 
>
>One example is Flying Wheels Travel, which has several itineraries a
>year to
>destinations such as Peru, Japan and Portugal. The company also sells
>cruises. Other options include Search Beyond Adventuresand Easy Access
>Travel. Also, several companies can arrange African wildlife excursions
>for
>travelers with disabilities, including Extraordinary Journeys,
>Endeavour
>Safarisand AccesstoAfrica Safaris. 
>
> 
>
>Visit Accommodating Museums 
>
>Many museums around the globe take care to accommodate visitors with
>disabilities in a number of different ways. The Guggenheim, in New
>York, for
>example, has monthly tours for the visually impaired. These tours are
>free,
>but must be reserved in advance. Find out what services a museum offers
>by
>calling its visitor information line, or visiting its website before
>you
>plan your visit. 
>
> 
>
> 
>
>A version of this article appears in print on April 8, 2018, on Page
>TR2of
>the New York editionwith the headline: A Plan for Accommodating Special
>Needs.
>
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