[Travelandtourism] What's important to you as a blind air traveler?

Tue May 5 10:06:46 UTC 2015

First of all welcome all:

We wish you will also come to our monthly meetings and National meeting at convention, what we need is more involved members for this division throughout the year and not at convention.

In any case, welcome to you all.

I take it you are new to the NFB as a whole. We have been working on these issues with Kiosks and websites. Travel related or not through the National Federation of the Blind and not just the travel and tourism division.

Here is a link on the www.nfb.org website of all the things that we have been working on for decades with the airlines and other issues, but if we do not know what is going on, or those of you who know the laws, have to put your foot down and have them enforced. https://nfb.org/search/gss/airlines

This goes back to some issues with Dr. Jernigan, the Arrest of Dr. Maurer from an airline, and more recent issues with kiosks.

Travel & Tourism has also written up articles for the Braille Monitor in the past about traveling.

Some airlines get it, but some airlines do not. Just like some businesses and until you point it out to them, and explain to someone who understands how a website scripting works, they just don't.  

But the airlines will not do anything until they are mandated by the government.

If you read some of the things the NFB has worked on in reference to this on the www.nfb.org, it will list this.

Another thing in reference to traveling especially via airports. We have posted this for years on our website, www.nfbtravel.org

TSA Cares - Which is for flying domestically (meaning within the United States), it is not available traveling internationally accept out of the country not back into the country.

Here is the link to it:

http://nfbtravel.org/tsa-cares-assistance-at-the-airport-traveling-throughout-the-usa/

Especially with the NFB Convention coming up in Orlando in July and other travel throughout the year. This helps a lot.

Basically this is a service from the TSA - Transportation Security Administration. A service for those with special needs, not necessary disabilities. But they do into issues with all forms of disabilities, illnesses, allergies, etc. Prior during and after travel.

Basically what you do is call the TSA which is listed on the link above 48-72 hours prior to your travel. You actually speak to a TSA Agent, you give them your  flight information, your reason for calling, what services that you need, etc.

They will tell you that someone from the TSA at that airport you are traveling to will be contacting you 24 hours prior to your travels, they will let you know if you have someone to meet you at the airline check in desk that you are flying from, and help you through security, remember, if you are blind, you do not need a wheelchair, but some airports are so huge, that they have the golf carts and other things, that you can use to get to your get after going through security.

They will assist you in what you need to do when going through the security process, get you to the gate, and also let the airport, airlines know where you are flying into, to get assistance at the other end.

You should let them also know the dates of return, etc.

You may have to do this for your return flight.

We hope that you will all become more active within the NFB, especially this division.

See you at National.

Sincerely,

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
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”

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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. 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Phil via Travelandtourism
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 12:49 AM
To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
Cc: Phil
Subject: [Travelandtourism] What's important to you as a blind air traveler?

Hi everyone,

My name is Phil. Hope everyone is doing well. This is my first time posting to the Travel and Tourism list but certainly not my first time posting to nfbnet lists. smile I’d like to hear your opinion on this… I’m doing a research project on blind and visually impaired people’s air travel experience. In particular I’d am trying to compile a list of things that you consider would make an booking website, airline or airport “blind-friendly”. Besides obvious things like not barring a blind passenger from boarding, accessible kiosks and accessible apps, what other things are important for you as a blind or visually impaired traveler? It can be both things that are already being done or you wish someday they would do, and it can be both technology-related or staff or corporate policy or even marketing.
I’m trying to look at this from all 360 degrees and compile a long list, so please feel free to list as many things as you can think of and as brief or detailed as you wish!
Let’s share and see what each other think!
Thanks everyone!

Best,
Phil

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