ontacts regarding your query about Los Angeles and
Chicago. <br><br>RE: Los Angeles; I would suggest
contacting "Accessible San Diego". They are not far from Los
Angeles and they don't just cover San Diego. They have a
large library detailing accessibility (as much as is
known) worldwide). They have a website at:
<a href=http://www.accessandiego.com/,
target=new>http://www.accessandiego.com/,</a> but I would suggest contacting
them personally
(either via e-mail or phone) for more specific
information. They are a great org - we visited them several
months ago,<br><br>Second, re: Chicage, I suggest you
contact Candace Bennett (cblb@...) she is the
resource director for UCP in Chicago, but also operates
the "infitec" website (lots of info on assistive tech
and travel and general access). We share a lot of
info with Candace and she is really good about passing
it along to others. Anyway, she should be able to
give you some good info on Chicago. I can't recall the
Infitec website right now, but it is worth looking at -
Candace has put a lot of work into it!! Lots of good
info<br><br>Good luck<br><br>Candy

great start to adding to your accessible
knowledge base for Tokyo is "Accessible Tokyo," an online
guide, in both English & Japanese, for the Big Smoke,
Japanese version. <br><br>So if you're planning to visit
Japan, surf on by this site to check out accessibility
from shopping to parks,
etc.<br><a href=http://www.ibm.co.jp/japantravel/
target=new>http://www.ibm.co.jp/japantravel/</a><br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

i everyone, Dave invited me to join & so here I
am! I use a manual w/chair because I was born with
CP. I love travel & am currently completing a
business degree in tourism management. As part of these
studies I am about to do an internship as a travel agent.
I live in Australia, but will be moving to the US
in December for 18 months. I will train in LA, &
then relocate to Chicago. I've traveled there before
so know what to expect, but if anyone has any info
about public transportation, & things that will make
life easier I'd love to hear from you.Felicity :-)
<felic@...>

ello folks<br><br>Dave (alias D3), the forum
founder, has invited me to post this rather commercial
bit, as a service to all his members and
guests.<br><br>Regards,<br>Len Richards, Marketing Manager<br>Dunkleys Coaches
and Tours <br><br>(P.S. from D3: If you knew how few
transport services Down Under there are, which offer
wheelchair accessibility, you'd then know how special the
Dunkleys' service actually is.)<br><br>++++++++++++++++<br>
Access isn't only about equipment.<br> What about a bit
of room to move?<br> <br>Dunkleys offer touring with
disability access on air-ride suspension in full-size,
high-floor, air-conditioned luxury coaches... about
time!!<br> <br> For example, our fully equipped Scania coach
is either a 50-seater, or will convert to
accommodate 10 conventional seats and 12 passengers
travelling in wheelchairs. Other layouts are also available
to suit your requirements.<br> <br> Thanks to our
extensive engineering modifications, wheelchair users have
the options of either travelling in-chair secured by
floor mounts which meet the current Australian
engineering standards, or transferring to luxury coach seats
for the journey. Boarding is no problem for anybody -
we're lift-equipped. Many Dunkley's passengers have
told us it's the only way they can travel in
comfort.<br> <br>The view from our coach windows is hard to
match too!<br> <br>Our commitment to access doesn't end
with getting you on board... Our staff are selected
for their helpfulness and attitude, and our tours are
planned around access and facilities, as well as
enjoyment and great destinations.<br> <br>Dunkley's have an
equal opportunity policy: you don't need a disability
to enjoy a Dunkley's Tour!<br> <br> Get to know us
today........ call +61 7 4636 2800 or fax +61 7 4636 2807.<br>
Beth or John will tell you more.<br>Or write in for
news of what we've got planned in upcoming months.<br>
<br>We look forward to welcoming you aboard.<br> <br>Get
A Lift - with Dunkleys!<br>Coach Tours and Travel
Since 1975 • Serving Queensland and beyond<br> <br>34
Shennan St Toowoomba QLD 4350<br>email:
dunkleys@...<br> - Internationally phone +61 7 4636 2800 or fax
+61 7 4636 2807.<br> <br>When it comes to touring -
we can show your group the best of South-East
Queensland like nobody else can!<br> <br> Here are some of
Dunkleys' many tours:<br> • Toowoomba Sights and
Gardens;<br> • Brisbane Attractions including City Cat River
Trip;<br> • Mount Tamborine and the Gold Coast
Hinterland;<br> • Stanthorpe Wineries;<br> • Sunshine Coast
Sights and Attractions;<br> • O'Reilly's Green
Mountains;<br> • OR.... call us and we'll plan a tour to suit
your requirements.<br> <br> THEN<br> "The journey of a
thousand miles begins with a single step..."<br> Chinese
Philosopher, 500 BC.<br> <br> NOW<br> "I'm glad Dunkleys are
here. I could never had gone on this tour if I'd had to
climb up any steps...."<br> Dunkleys Passenger, 1997
AD.<br><br><br>PS: I answer questions too.. don't avoid posting just
cause you don't exactly need or want Oz bus travel
right now.<br><br>Len<br><br>with warm thanks to Dave.
I'll be reading the forum daily.

his site–Special Interest Travel Gallery–has
categories from "Adventure" to "Wildlife." Of interest to
special-needs travelers is their "Disabled" category. I recall
their having a "Non-Smoking" category at one time, but
it seems to have disappeared. Presently, there's not
much under the "Disabled" category, but SIT's
resources are fluid, so check in often to encourage them to
keep this category active. Also, they have a travel
forum, not that you'd need anything other than The
disABLED
Traveler.<br><br><a href=http://sitravel.com/
target=new>http://sitravel.com/</a><br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

use a Braille printer to print my e mail and print chat dialogs.  I use a
Braille keyboard to send mail and messages.  It works well for me.

hank you, Candy, for filling us in on "Emerging
Horizons." I've got a few copies myself, and must admit it's
very professional and highly informative. Do surf on
over to their site, you'll be glad you
did.<br><br>Cheers,<br>D3<br><br>P.S. You still haven't told me where blondes
vacation,
Candy ;-)

ent me an e-mail to join in this group. I like what I
read. My company produces Emerging Horizons; the
accessible travel newsletter. We are consumer-orient
publication (ie: we accept not advertising) so we try and
present an unbiased view of accessible travel options. We
try to give people choices. One of the STUPIDEST
comments anybody ever made to me, was made by a former
colleague. she had just found out about Emerging Horizons
and she asked me, "Where do Disabled people go for
holdiay?" I was dumbstruck..my only reply was "I don't know
sue, where do blondes go?" So that is what I mean by
choices.<br><br>In addition to our hard copy publicatio we also have
a website and we list travel resources. Now, we
don't list "travel agents" but we list resources that
people can use to research their own trips. I am always
looking for more resources, so please feel free to e-mail
me any ones you have found. I also am always on the
lookout for people to write about their travel
experiences. You don't have to be an experienced writer - you
just need to have the information - we can work around
the rest. So, please contact me if you are interested
in sharing your experiences in print. I am currently
pulling my hair out looking for somebody to write on the
South of France!! <br><br>And JoeyB..could you e-mail
me privately? I am interested in what assistive
tech. you are using to communicate with this group. I
have a friend who is deaf and will (doctors say) be
blind by the end of the year, and she desperately wants
to know how to keep on-line with her support group.
So, I would appreciate any ideas and suggest you may
have. (sorry for being off-subject here, but this is
terribly important to her and we are all
stumped!!).<br><br>Anyway, I look forward to reading all of your travel
experiences. It looks like an interesting forum!!<br><br>Candy
Harrington<br>Editor, Emerging
Horizons<br>horizons@...<br><a href=http://www.candy-charles.com
target=new>http://www.candy-charles.com</a>

or those who can't leave home with it–laptop,
that is–this innovative product may be just the
ticket...did I say, ticket! <br><br>Laidback is a
laptop-holding aid for those who prefer, or need to, do their
computing while reclined. Great for special-needs business,
or pleasure travelers who need to compute while on
the road. Check it out
at:<br><a href=http://www.laptop-laidback.com/index.html
target=new>http://www.laptop-laidback.com/index.html</a><br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

he below was lifted directly from SATH's web
site Intro page (hope you–SATH–don't mind). SATH
stands for Society for the Advancement of Transportation
for the Handicapped, but in reality, stands for more
than just transportation. A very respected, long
standing group, click on the URL below to check them
out.<br><br>"SATH has actively represented travelers with
disabilities since 1975 with the goal of promoting AWARENESS,
RESPECT and ACCESSIBILITY for disabled and mature
travelers, and EMPLOYMENT for the disabled in the tourism
industry. SATH works vigorously for the creation of a
barrier-free environment throughout all segments of the travel
and tourism industry. The organization's efforts bore
fruit in the access section of the American With
Disabilities Act passed by Congress in 1990.<br><br>SATH
activities include: <br>– Sponsorship of and participation
in travel and tourism trade events <br>– Corporate
partnerships <br>– Individual memberships <br>– Professional
affiliations <br>– Government involvement<br>– Publishing Open
World
magazine"<br><br><a href=http://www.sath.org/
target=new>http://www.sath.org/</a><br><br>Cheers,<br>D3<br>(alias, Dave D.
Davis)

ravel is always a little hairy. I travel a lot
between Hamilton and London. I try to pack light. I drag
a suitcase on wheels behind me, but it is hard. I
don't have an available hand to carry things.

hen you have only 3 of 5 senses, you use what
you got. I enjoy museums where they let you touch the
exhibits. My boyfriend and I would like to travel together
someday. He said he'd love to explain the places we would
visit by forming letters in my palm with his hooks.

ictoria, BC. Great during the summer, and the
Canadian$|US$ exchange rate is pretty favorable, and that's an
understatement.<br><br>Stateside, Vegas is a great bet–pun intended–access wise.
What some people will do to win the shirt off your
back.<br><br>Cheers, <br>D3

t's not easy to travel, when you do not have
arms. carrying things is impossible. i try to pack
light and always get a porter to help me. i always
carry my travel documents in a pocket i have near the
cuff of my pants. i can use my toes to reach for them
when needed. i rarely wear socks. when i do, they are
toeless. i always wear loafers or sandals.

t's not that I can't get off the islands, it's just that I've had very few
opportunities.  Now that I am older, I plan to travel more.

ust want to get this forum off to a good start,
and seeing as I have 4000+ bookmarks, I thought I'd
just throw one your way every day, week or month
(whenever I have the time, ok).<br><br>Anyway, just came
across this little jewel in Sydney, Australia. It seems
they have lift-equipped rental vans - sure could have
used them when I was down there in 1997 - down there
now, both regular and raised roof models.<br><br>If
you're heading Down Under, check out Mini-Cost Auto
Rentals Australia @ <a href=http://www.auto-rent.com.au/main.html
target=new>http://www.auto-rent.com.au/main.html</a>

es, I've come across this site many times (yes
you are bookmarked), and it's a good one folks...a
keeper.<br><br>If home swapping (no, not wife;-) is your bag, just
click on over.<br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

elcome, Joey. I've never known anyone who has
sniffed their way through a vacation, but if that's all
you have, hey, what the heck. Just make sure you're
not downwind from a pig farm, Joey, as I wouldn't
want you to get hurt ;-)<br><br>Speaking of smell, I
hear India is a good place to visit. If arriving by
sea, you'll smell India before you see the sea gulls,
so I'm told ;-)<br><br>Anyway, you keep enjoying
your travels any way you can.<br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

elcome aboard, Skateboard.<br><br>If I can get
all the way to Australia|Hawaii and back (I use a
power chair), there's no reason you get off the islands
from time-to-time.<br><br>I met a fellow who was
similarly disABLED, though he had arms. This guy had a
Honda Gold Wing - a bike model I once owned - with a
sidecar, a backrest to strap himself to, and a stick
shift, and this guy drove just like anyone else. On
Oahu, one could only drive so far before becoming wet,
but hey, isn't it grand what we all can
do.<br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

always found going DOWN stair with crutches a little scarey. Anyway, welcome
aboard, and let us know of anything interesting in your travels, both real, and
online.<br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

elcome, Scott. Good for you, Scott, re your travels. Do you have any words of
wisdom for others in a similar situation?<br><br>Cheers,<br>D3

he Accessible Vacation Home Exchange assists
people with disabilities in exchanging homes for
vacations. Participants fill out an online
form<br>describing their home or apartment, its accessibility
features, points of interest in the area and how to get
around in town. The database is searcheable by country,
city and other keywords. Prospective exchange partners
contact each other by email and share detailed
information<br>before reaching an agreement. <br>URL
address:<br><a href=http://www.independentliving.org/VacationHomeSwap.html
target=new>http://www.independentliving.org/VacationHomeSwap.html</a>

was born without eyes and am totally deaf.  I have travelled some with my
parents.  I enjoy feeling and smelling new experiences

am a quadruple amputee. I was born without
hands and my trunk ends below my belly button. I choose
not to wear any prosthetic device. I have been off
the Hawaiian Islands only once on an airplane.
Special arrangements had to be made for me to travel.

do a lot of travel for my job.  I can't wear prosthetics, so I just hop on a
single crutch.  Sometimes travelling that way can be a big hassle.

y name is Scott.  I was born without arms.  I do not wear hooks, but I love to
travel.

Welcome, This is the Yahoo! Message Board for The disABLED Traveler community.