[nagdu] Accessible Europe

Thu Jun 9 12:49:54 UTC 2011

Many people have been asking me about traveling to Europe for accessible travel.

Well as many of us know the only thing wrong with us blind people is that we are blind, most of our other parts work like our ears and our legs. Some might need wheelchair accessibility.

This article is primarily for those. Also if you are on dialysis and traveling, you have to plan way earlier then those who do not need it, just to find dialysis locations.

As well as if you are traveling with your guide dog.  Some Countries do not need much, just a certified USDA Veterinarian letter that has his stamp on it with all the recent vaccinations on them, some still have quarantine such as Australia. Also, I just recently found out Barbados in the Caribbean.

For me to help those that are traveling anywhere, I am still learning myself what the accessibility in that country is for you.

Let us remember especially traveling abroad to countries and cities and landmarks that were created during the biblical times, like the Pyramids of Giza, you will not find elevators or other assistance to enter them, but the Egyptian Museum you can.

I will be giving some advice below so whenever you call in the future we can arrange alternatives for you to do in that country, but mostly this has to do with wheelchair accessibility and guide dog users, for those who use a cane and are well enough to travel, there will be some information as well.

Let us start off with the guide dogs.

Many people have asked me, which country allows guide dogs and which ones don't, big question. I generally answer, are you planning on traveling and to where and we can discuss that place you are going to and what is needed to bring the dog. 

For places within the United States realm including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Follow the accessible laws

Pertaining to Hawaii, and I am going by the NAGDU (National Association of Guide Dog Users website) and if this has changed I will be asking at the National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in July. 

HAWAII

THE HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS THE PORT OF ENTRY FOR ALL DOGS AND CATS ENTERING HAWAII. THIS INCLUDES GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS.

GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS THAT MEET THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS CAN COME INTO HAWAII WITHOUT QUARANTINE PROVIDED THEY FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED BELOW. "Guide dog" means any dog individually trained by a licensed guide dog trainer for guiding a blind person by means of a harness attached to the dog and a rigid handle grasped by the person. "Service dog" means any dog that is individually and professionally trained to: alert a person with impaired hearing to the presence of people or sounds; assist a person with disabilities involving mobility by pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, or otherwise aiding the user in accomplishing a variety of tasks; alert a person with a seizure disorder to the onset of a seizure or to alert another person or organization at a remote location to the seizure; or alert a person to an impending life-threatening medical crisis and assist in mitigating the consequences of such a crisis; and that belongs to a citizen of the United States with a disability that substantially limits a major life activity.

KEY POINTS FOR QUALIFYING AS A SERVICE DOG OR AN EXEMPTED GUIDE DOG
- The dog must have current rabies vaccination. (Documentation of the vaccination must include the product name, the lot or serial number, and the expiration date of the lot.)
- The dog must have a microchip implanted that can be read with an Avid scanner (Avid or Home Again chip).
- Prior to arrival the dog must have passed two OIE-FAVN tests with a level of 0.51.U. rabies antibody or greater. The time interval between the tests must have been at least 30 days. The laboratory will not perform the tests unless the microchip number accompanies the test request form.
- The dog must have a standard health certificate issued not more than 14 days prior to arrival in Hawaii.
- For a service dog, there must be a physician's statement which certifies as to the disability, and that the service dog provides assistance having to do with that disability.
- The Animal Quarantine Branch must receive notification at least 24 hours in advance of arrival information and location where the dog will be staying. Information can be faxed to 808-483-7161 or telephoned to 808-837-8092.
- On arrival in Hawaii, the dog must be brought by the airline to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for verification of compliance with the above requirements, the dog examined for external parasites, and a final OIE-FAVN sample taken.
- If all is in order, the dog will be released at that point.

Puerto Rico to my knowledge follows all ADA of allowance of guide dogs, I have taken my dog to Puerto Rico with no problems whatsoever, since also dear husband is also from Puerto Rico.

But we are talking Europe

All depends on the country, most allow dogs period anywhere with them in stores, restaurants, etc. If we are talking middle east and I mean Muslim countries, I wouldn't take them.

My ex-husband is from Egypt and they are very modern, have dogs, but not in the house, kept outside, but love dogs.

But in general not allowed access to anything. That is there religion and we should respect that, that being said our country in the US, is full of all races and religions, and the law should be observed here and any country that you visit.

Accessibility is all that you make of it, myself I go on the regular tours whether or not I take my dog. I have been to Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Canada. I will be going this year to Cancun, we are planning group trips to Egypt in 2013, 2012 we are planning various cruises groups.  So I hope you will take advantage of traveling with others first it is enjoyable meeting others, and second there will be others like you who may have never been on a trip like this.

If you want to go on your own that is wonderful as well.

More will be coming in the future. Send questions and I can post to an e-mail with a reply to it.

Take care, and keep cool 
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>

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