Wheelchair Accessible Greece Cruises, New York City, New Delhi, Kangaroo Island, Laguna Beach, Florida

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE
VOLUME V, NUMBER 1, January 2004
Copyright © 2004, Global Access News
http://www.globalaccessnews.com/

Please note: Any Internet links mentioned in this E-Zine were verified as functioning as of the date on this E-Zine. Websites and e-mail addresses, however, change frequently, so changes may have occurred after that date.

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Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2004 issue of the Global Access News Travel E-Zine. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write us and share your travel experiences.

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CONTENTS

1. ACCESSIBLE GREEK CRUISES
2. POLE TO POLE
3. NYC: ADA ON BROADWAY
4. NEW DELHI, INDIA METRO
5. SPIRIT OF KANGAROO ISLAND
6. LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

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1. ACCESSIBLE GREEK CRUISES

Mangos Antonis, of DR Yachting Ltd. in Athens wrote to announce that sailing the Greek islands on accessible yachts will be available to disabled travelers this spring. According to Antonis, these yachts are designed to allow open access to all living and sailing areas, and access from the dock is easy as the salon level is always at the dock level.

While sailing, guests can enjoy the view in the comfort and protection of the deckhouse, which shelters people from the heat, wind, rain, or sea spray. These all-inclusive sailing holidays, for able and disabled people, will operate in the Saronic and Argolic islands.

The deckhouse sounds very accessible, but it remains to be seen how accessible the cabins and bathrooms really are on these yachts. According to Antonis, two airplane aisle wheelchairs per boat will facilitate access into the bedrooms and bathrooms because of their 48 cm limit, which the average wheelchair can’t access. This in itself sounds inconvenient. They also plan to install grab bars in the bedrooms and the bathrooms, and a special system to stabilize guests in the bathroom. The free space in the cabins and toilets is supposedly large enough to allow any maneuvering. The aisle-chairs will be used for guests to go downstairs to the cabins and toilets via a special platform.

The large gangway (90 cm) is designed for wheelchair users and includes safety belts.
To their credit, the company is working with a disability specialist and received input from the disabled Greek community as to what would be helpful for their comfort and safety. While promising, their new service bears further access investigation and caution. Stay tuned.
To learn more, visit

www.disabledsailingholidays.com
or
http://www.disabledsailingholidays.com/easy_access_sail_yachts.htm
e-mail: dryachting@hotmail.com
or contact
Elisabeth Katsigiannis/Mangos Antonis
DR Yachting, Ltd.
19,Esperou Str. 17561
Palaio Phaliro, Athens, Greece
+302109850168-9 fax +302109850016 mobile phone.

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2. POLE TO POLE

Michael McGrath, a British businessman with muscular dystrophy wants to be the first disabled person to visit both the North and South Poles. McGrath, who already made it to the North Pole 2002, plans to depart for the South Pole on January 1, in an effort to raise a £1 million for charity.

He planned to launch his attempt this New Year’s Day to become the first disabled person to reach both the North and South Poles.

McGrath, 38, a businessman from Buntingford, Hertfordshire, will depart on an expedition to the South Pole as part of charity fund-raising effort.

The expedition is the second stage of McGrath’s two-year project; he reached the North Pole in 2002 despite severe walking difficulties caused by his loss of physical strength.

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3. NYC: ADA ON BROADWAY

Josh Liebe, of New York City, writes that as the result of a recent court decision, many of NYC’s Broadway’s theatres have agreed to comply with the American With Disabilities Act (ADA). This is great news for disabled theatre lovers.
According to Josh, the Shubert Organization has agreed with the U.S. government to make 16 of its theatres accessible, which includes newly accessible entrances, seating, concessions, and bathrooms. After completion, this means that half of Broadway’s theaters will be accessible. The renovations will cost $5 million, and the remodeling was scheduled to be finished by the end of 2003.
ADA regulations require that at least 1 percent of all seats must be set aside for disabled people, as well as another 1 percent for companions. These seats must include both the best and the least expensive tickets available. Other Broadway theaters are now being investigated for ADA compliance.

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4. NEW DELHI, INDIA METRO

Of note to visitors to India: The new accessible New Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is now reportedly ready for use by disabled people and seniors. The metro is now offering tours to better acquaint users with the new system. To do so, disabled users can go to the Kashmere Gate station (West End) near Mori Gate Bus Terminal at 10 am on any Wednesday for an orientation.

The new metro reportedly provides ramps, lifts, and accessible seating on the trains, as well as Braille instruction signs and audio announcements.

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5. SPIRIT OF KANGAROO ISLAND

Jack Robinson, of Adelaide, Austrlia, writes that disabled travelers heading for South Australia may want to utilize the newly opened accessible ferry to Kangaroo Island. The new Sealink Ferry, “Spirit of Kangaroo Island,” which provides wheelchair accessible seating areas and bathrooms, travels from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw in 45 minutes.

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6. LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Angie Harris, of Anaheim, California spends a summer day in one of Southern California’s most popular beach towns. Share her fun at http://www.globalaccessnews.com/lagunabeach.htm

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Global Access News welcomes your travel reports, tips and comments at clearpath@cox.net Thanks for sharing!

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