[Travelandtourism] FW: Discusssion Blind people can travel anywhere with the right planning

Fri Aug 2 16:34:47 UTC 2013

But, as Cheryl said, that traveler to Israel either didn't know or want to
disclose or admit some accommodations needed.  Yes, one would hope people
would inform an agent whatever that person thinks the agent needs to know,
but, guess they don't always and cheryl apparently has had to learn to probe
a bit albeit doing so professionally.

This is a great discussion we're having.  Jessica, Cheryl and any others,
very valid points.

Margo and Arrow

-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 11:55 AM
To: travelandtourism
Subject: [Travelandtourism] FW: Discusssion Blind people can travel anywhere
with the right planning

I agree Cheryl,
How can you offer accessible opportunities if you are not given that
information. Obviously all of us travel in some way shape or form be it to
visit family nearby or out of one's home state, country, internationally,
etc. As a veteran traveler myself I know what I do and not need assistance
with when booking a trip or obtaining information on a particular place of
interest. 
I know not all travelers may not know this about themselves but that is why
travel agents such as yourself and others in this division are there to do. 
Bridging those gaps between the everyday traveler and those in the field. I
think that even a beginner traveler should know their limits and hopefully
will not to be afraid to express possible reservations about the type and/or
amount of assistance needed. Obviously you would hope everyone can be if not
professional at least respectful but that is not always a given especially
when dealing with the public disabled or not.
Jessica

From: cheryl echevarria
[mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013
1:17 PM
To: travelandtourism
Subject: RE: [Travelandtourism]
Discusssion Blind people can travel anywhere with the right planning

Oh one
other thing. This person also said this division is failing, whatever that
means.

Disabled Entrepreneur
of the Year 2012 of NY State
Leading
the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl
Echevarria, Owner
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com
http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com

Affiliated as an 
independent contractor with Montrose Travel
CST - #1018299-10 FL 
CST T156780
Your 
old car keys can be the keys to literacy for a blind child.  Donate your 
unwanted vehicle to us by clicking https://nfb.org/vehicledonations or 
call 855-659-9314.
Echevarria Travel has 
partnered with Braille Smith. http://www.braillesmith.com for all her
braille 
needs.
Gail Smith is the 
Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

> From: cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
> To: 
travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 13:14:22 -0400
> 
Subject: [Travelandtourism] Discusssion Blind people can travel anywhere
with 
the right planning
> 
> Hello all:
> I am writing this post in 
reference to start a topic of discussion with everyone.
> Someone from 
this list, and I will keep the person's name off of it because it didn't
turn 
out very nice, and I said thank you, and left it like that, but this is a
good 
discussion point for this division.
> Someone sent me an e-mail a few days 
about about trips for a blind person. 
> So I asked more questions and 
gave the advise that blind people can go anywhere with the right planning,
yes I 
even ask about someones mobility as well, in a way, that is not
condescending, 
but I would do that for anyone traveling. Also from experience, when I
booked 
someone to Israel last year, told me that they traveled the world all by 
themselves and only needed from time to time verbal directions. But this was
not 
the case at all, the person was traveling by themselves, and as soon as they
got 
to Israel wanted to be hand-holding the whole time with the tour 
operator.
> So, I ask respectfully. I say that blind people can travel 
anywhere in the world, and I ased who, what, where, when and why (why
because it 
might be a family reunion, an anniversary and I can set up some extras at
the 
point of where they are going, same with birthdays, etc.)
> The response I 
got today was basically not what I expected. I am not going to post the
whole 
e-mail, but was told that this person was looking for professional advice
and 
not that blind people can go anywhere in travel and that I was rude and 
condescending, and this person says that the blind are more rude then the 
sighted. And that they are a fellow NFB person and I should know better. 

> I should have offered things like accessible museums, etc.
> But 
how can one offer these things when one doesn't know where the person wants
to 
go. They have these things available all over the world and can be arranged
for 
anyone, anytime.
> Case in point, our trip to the National Parks in 
October that this group is doing, also we are starting to plan for next year
as 
well. 
> We also went to Walt Disney World as a division.
> I have 
also taken the NFB of New Jersey back in April for a fundraiser to Bermuda,
we 
had accessible things for us. Been myself to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico,
Bahamas, 
and other places in the world.
> Now my question to all of you finally, 
and this is for discussion. If the person who wrote the issues with this
wants 
to chime in as well.
> Now as people who are blind as myself, and this can 
possibly help others like myself or Vice President Shackelford, as well as 
Anahit LaBarre, who are all travel professionals help you more. We know the 
questions to ask, the who, what, when, where and whys of the dialogue to
help 
people, and I have been doing this since 2009.
> How do you feel this 
should have gone down?
> I am not going to post the original e-mails. For 
respect of the other person involved.
> A few rules on this list and on 
all NFBnet.org lists.
> No rudeness, no cursing, etc.
> Please 
respect one another as well.
> Sincerely,
> Cheryl Echevarria, 
PresidentNFB Travel and 
Tourism631-236-5138www.nfbtravel.orginfo at nfbtravel.org
> 
> 
> 
Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateLeading the Way in
Independent 
Travel!
> Cheryl Echevarria, 
Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatrave
l.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
> 
Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
#1018299-10 FL 
CST T156780Your old car keys can be the keys to literacy for a blind child. 
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking
https://nfb.org/vehicledonations 
or call 855-659-9314.Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith. 
http://www.braillesmith.com for all her braille needs.Gail Smith is the 
Secretary of the NFB of Alabama 
> 
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> Travelandtourism mailing 
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