[Travelandtourism] Intro

Sun Aug 9 20:56:07 UTC 2015

Hello Sami:

Welcome to the National Federation of the Blind Travel & Tourism Division. A
proud division of the National Federation of the Blind.

My name is Cheryl Echevarria and I am the president of the division.

The talk list is here for everyone who wants to read and partake in
conversation, respectfully of course.  If you are interested in becoming a
member of the division it is $10 a year and you can find the information to
do this on our website www.nfbtravel.org and find the tab how to join the
division.

We have monthly teleconferences for all from September - June and then July
we have our national meeting.

We  try to have a trip fund raiser either every year or every 2 years, and
we ask that  all members get the word out there to those who are blind and
not blind.  Not just NFB member but all people.

We are in the planning stages of our trip to NY City and Cooperstown, NY. We
currently have something on the books, but we are looking to cut some
corners because it is becoming quite pricy. 

We also work on issues in the travel industry like currently Greyhound and
their inaccessible website and mobile app; Allegiant Airlines, etc.

In reference to your question in how to get people to stop asking you if you
want assistance. I have to agree with Peter Wolf, we have to put our foot
down nicely, of course, you  do not have to accept the help.  If you need it
take the assistance, but don't rely on it. It will not make you a more
independent person, and it will not teach those that are trying to help you,
learn that  blindness is a characteristic and that the only thing is wrong
with us is our eyes and not anything to do with walking. Unless, you have
issues walking then take the wheelchair.

Cheryl Echevarria, President
National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
A proud division of the 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
www.nfbtravel.org
To join the talk list
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria 
Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
ages is our passion!
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
reservations at echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394

Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
Professional"

I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine

P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family, I
would love to help you. 

We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Sami Osborne via Travelandtourism
Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2015 1:39 PM
To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sami Osborne <ligne14 at verizon.net>
Subject: [Travelandtourism] Intro

Hello all,

I just subscribed to this list, so thought I'd introduce myself beforehand.
Some of you may also know me from the NABS list.

My name is Sami Osborne, and I'm 17, going on 18 next month.  I am also, of
course, totally blind.  I really like traveling a lot, and have visited many
foreign countries, particularly in Europe, throughout my life.  First, I go
with my mom and younger brother to France every summer to visit other
relatives (my mom is originally from France) (which, by the way, we just
came back from last Friday).  I think it is a really nice country to visit,
and would definitely recommend it to others, especially Paris and also a
town called Noiremoutier, where one of my uncles, aunts and cousins rent a
beach house every summer, it's so nice there.  
This year, we also went to Spain for my high school graduation present.  I
also really like it, although it does get unpleasantly hot in some areas.
Other countries we've been to include Venice, Italy, (where we've been
twice, once by car and the other time by overnight train from Paris,)
Belgium, and England.  I've never really been to any other countries in
North America, except for a road trip to Newfoundland, Canada, and I'd also
like to go to Montreal.

My experiences on planes in regards to blindness has overall been fairly
well, although I did notice that some airlines do different things to
accommodate people who are blind.  For example, when we were going to France
last month,  we took British Airways (although we didn't have to stop in
England, because the plane flew directly to Paris from New York where we
live) and both on the way in and way back, the flight attendant actually got
up and showed me where I could find the light jackets and emergency exits
(although I didn't actually get up, the flight attendant just explained in
words).  This happened only on British Airways, not on any other airline
I've taken.  
Also, unfortunately, last month we also flew with Iberia to get from Paris
to Madrid for our trip to Spain, and at check-in at the airport in Paris,
the airline clerk, even though I was walking with my family, asked if I
needed any special assistance.  
They didn't do this in Spain, though, so that was good.  Also, when we were
going to France last year, we took Aer Lingus and made a stop in Dublin,
Ireland before continuing on to Paris.  On the way back to New York with
that airline, two things happened to accommodate my blindness: first, when
we boarded the plane, the flight attendant actually gave me an airline
safety brochure in Braille, which I read before the plane departed.  But
then, when we got to the airport in New York, they asked me if I needed a
wheelchair.  Does anyone know why airport employees would still ask if you
need assistance even if you're with your family or friends? I've never been
able to figure that out.

I really enjoy traveling and exploring different places.  Most everywhere
I've been to is very nice, and would like to see even more.  I also would
like to be a language interpreter for the UN after I finish college, and in
theory I would have to travel a lot, so am also excited about that.

I'm very glad to be a member of this list, and hope to enjoy discussions on
here.

Thanks in advance,

Sami

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