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THE WHEELIE'S HANDBOOK OF AUSTRALIA.
This just released access guide is an expanded and updated edition of the
very popular guide published in 1995. Researched and written by Colin
James, well-known Australian wheelchair-bound author/entertainer and his
wife Diane, it lists over 500 accessible accommodation options and 400
accessible tourist attractions for wheelies throughout Australia, together
with other useful information.
The Wheelie's Handbook of Australia is available direct from Colin James
at: 3 Furner Avenue, Bell Park, VIC. 3215, Australia. The cost in
Australia is $19.95, plus $3.00 packing and postage, Aust. $27.00,
including postage to Asian/Pacific countries and Aust. $30.00, including
postage for the Rest of the World. Telephone enquiries to (61 + 3) 5278
9454 or email coljames@bigpond.com.au
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NEW SHIP - ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
In November 1999 - Voyager of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship,
arrived at its new home at the Port of Miami. The 3,114-passenger,
142,000-ton vessel, the most innovative cruise ship in the industry, began
year-round cruise vacations to the Western Caribbean on Nov. 21, 1999.
Voyager of the Seas is the first ship to offer vacationers an ice-skating,
a rock climbing wall 200 feet above sea level, inline skating track,
full-court basketball and interior staterooms with views of a shopping and
entertainment boulevard. Other exciting features include an entertainment
area, Studio B (a cross between Madison Square Garden and Universal Studios
back lot), a 1350-seat Broadway-style Theater, a golf course and golf
simulator and the largest casino afloat.
Voyager of the Seas has 26 accessible cabins, in a wide range of sizes and
categories including cabins with balconies. Both the cabin and bathroom
doors are 32" wide. The bathrooms have roll-in showers, hand held showers,
grab bars and fold down seats. The toilets are raised and have grab bars.
All decks and public areas are accessible, as are the public restrooms.
They even have a pool lift. For passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing
they have a strobe-light doorknocker and telephone ringer to alert guests.
Alarm clocks featuring under-mattress or under pillow vibrators and
amplifiers for the phones are available. FM sound receivers are available
to enhance theater sound.
Royal Caribbean International is operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. a
global cruise company, which also owns Celebrity Cruises. The brands'
combined fleet consists of 16 Vessels in service with an additional eight
under construction. To find out more about Royal Caribbean, its ships and
services for passengers with disabilities check out their Accessible Seas
brochure at http://www.access-able.com/royalcaribbean.htm
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FOURTH SATH WORLD CONGRESS
SATH World Congress for Travelers with Disabilities was the most successful
yet. It is a four-day event held each year in January. The attendees of
the first World Congress were mostly travel agents and tour operators who
specialize in trip planning for persons with disabilities. Now in it
fourth year, the congress draws representatives from both the hospitality
and travel industries.
The almost 200 delegates from countries around the world, came together to
exchange knowledge and share information about the ever growing list of
resources that are becoming available. Representatives from several major
air carriers, cruise ship companies and the hotel industry held informative
panels. Each panel was anxious to share the work they are doing to provide
better service to travelers with disabilities. Educational workshops were
held on topics ranging from assistive technology and access to new
destinations to what to look for in an accessible hotel room and using the
Internet as a resource.
Highlights of the conference were presentations by feature speaker Dr. Ira
Laster, U.S. Department of Transportation and keynote speaker John
Hockenberry, noted Correspondent and Television personality, "Dateline
NBC". Mr. Hockenberry's presentation was sponsored by American Express.
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TOURS OF THE WEST
Access Tours, the company that for the past dozen years has been providing
learning adventures in the West, is offering two trips this spring. These
tours are especially designed for slow-walkers and wheelchair users. The
first tour April 13-21, 2000 starts in Phoenix and takes in the Southwest's
highlights including Sedona, Arizona, Indian Ruins, Spanish Mission, Mexico
and more.
The second tour May 14-22, 2000 starts out in Las Vegas and takes in the
Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Other stops will
include Hoover Dam, a boat ride on Lake Powell with its blue waters against
the red sandstone and Salt Lake City.
To get more information about these trips or other trips that Access Tours
will be offering this year contact Clint Gross, Access Tours, P.O. Box 499,
Victor, Idaho. Phone: 800-929-4811 Alt phone: 208-787-2338 Fax: 208-787-2332.
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TURKEY - AN ADVENTURE IN HISTORY
APRIL 30 - MAY 15
PRESENTED BY FLYING WHEELS TRAVEL - NOW IN THEIR 30th YEAR
Turkey is a treasure house of cultural and historic gems. Roman cities,
Crusader Castles, Christian churches, the splendors of Islamic mosques,
sultan's Palace, and bustling bazaars provide a colorful mosaic as Turkish
people continue their tradition of hospitality and friendliness.
Your tour starts in Izmir, Turkey where you will be met and transferred to
your hotel. Your first journey will be a visit to Ephesus. As the capital
of Asia Minor, Ephesus was among the grandest cities of ancient times.
Then after a free day in Izmir, you'll head out towards Antalya by way of
Pamukkale and a visit to Century old remains formed a magnificent white
scene over the mountainsides. After an overnight stay in Kusadasi you will
continue on to Antalya where you will spend the next few nights.
Here you will visit the ancient Roman cities of Perge with its theater,
stadium, and city gate flanked by two lofty towers. Aspendos is the
best-preserved amphitheater in Turkey. You will also visit the pirates lair
and slave market, plus have a free day to enjoy the coastline before moving
on to Cappadocia. On the way you will stop in Konya, a major trading
center of the Silk Road. You will spend several nights in this area before
heading to your final destination, Instanbul. There you will take visit
the sights including the Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque and Tokapi Palace.
No trip would be complete without a trip to the Great Bazaar and the
Hippodrome, one of the most famous monuments.
The trip includes:
· 14 nights accommodation in 4 or 5 star hotels
· All transportation in accessible vans
· 3 meals daily
· English speaking guide
· Entrance fees to museums and Ancient Sites
· Airport transfers in Izmir and Istanbul
· Services of Flying Wheels Escort.
For more information and cost contact Flying Wheels Travel, Inc., 143 W.
Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060 Phone: 800-533-0363 Alt. Phone: 507-451-5005
Fax: 507-451-1685
Email: thq@ll.net
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FEATURED DESTINATION - This month's feature is England which is
Access-Able's most requested overseas destination. Since the passage of
the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act in the UK, all providers of goods
and services are required to welcome disabled visitors. Although not
perfect, the people in the UK have taken this law seriously and have made
important strives in becoming accessible for all. Learn where to stay, how
to get around and what sites to see.
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LINKS WORTH MENTIONING
ECO-TOURISM - The European Internet database Eco-Tour.org offers
comprehensive, push button information in several languages on ecological
tourism and pertinent products. The database contains specific travel
products, information on enterprises and regions, which take account of
ecological and social criteria - including the question if there are any
caters for the needs of persons with disabilities. http://www.Eco-Tour.org
*****************
FAMILY VILLAGE - They are a global community that integrates information,
resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with
cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that
provide them services and support.
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlx
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Carol Randall
Access-Able Travel Source
http://www.access-able.com
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