Today's internet is a social networking BOOM. Everywhere you look there's something new to join, add your profile and photos and information to, and begin networking. It's not all as easy as it sounds, it can be time consuming finding just the right one for you and your business or your tastes.
Here's where we come in with our suggestions... we belong to more communities than we can count, and the two very best ones we've found for travelers with disabilities are in the Ning network, a home base for social networking where you can create your very own group for like-minded people like you!
FOR THE TRAVELER
The newest one is called the Accessible.Travel Community, created by one of our peers Craig Grimes, based out of Nicaragua and with extensive experience in travel and adventure travel for people with disabilities in not only South and Central America but in the European Union as well. Craig's dedication to bettering the online information for PWD shows in this community, a hub created for the traveler to share tips on accessible places he or she has been.
Accessible.Travel is for the traveler, the researcher, those thirsting for accessible information at their fingertips. In order for the information to grow, the network must grow, so we are sharing this new community so that it can do so. We hope you pay a visit and join. With already 105 members and growing, this is soon to be a vast resource and a great meeting location for like minded travelers with similar needs who seek travel locations without barriers.
FOR THE TRAVEL PROVIDER
The second social networking online community that we've been members of for over a year now is the TourWatch network of travel providers. This is a network of people and businesses who provide accessible travel to PWD as well as want to learn more about this market and how to better accommodate PWD and reap the rewards for doing so!
TourWatch has been a great place for us to meet and introduce new tour operators and service providers, and a nexus for informative forums, blogs, and communication on all levels of improving and further expanding this growing niche. We're excited to be a part of both now, and hope you take a look at TourWatch if you're a travel provider.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Travel Companions - Know No Bounds
One barrier we see a lot in the travel industry is in the companion corner. We say "Go Anywhere, Do Anything," but what if you need a buddy and don't have anyone to travel with?
Know No Bounds (and here)are the guys to make it happen. Owner Larry Adams paid us a visit today, sharing like ideas, goals, and drive for adventuring with disabilities. From seeing Niagra Falls to ski trips in Colorado, KNB have the mind for adventure and wants to give you the means to do so with five experienced guides who'll fit into your travel routine like glue.
In addition to making your traveling accessible to those who need a buddy (excuse the pun), Adams donates his proceeds to Make A Wish Foundation. His previous projects include the Maritime Challenge and Hole in the Wall Camps.
This is a corner of the market that isn't met, and we're thrilled to meet Larry and share his company with our network. They're just getting started, but already we're happy someone's making this a reality! Drop him a line of encouragement or referral at knownoboundstravel@gmail.com.
Know No Bounds (and here)are the guys to make it happen. Owner Larry Adams paid us a visit today, sharing like ideas, goals, and drive for adventuring with disabilities. From seeing Niagra Falls to ski trips in Colorado, KNB have the mind for adventure and wants to give you the means to do so with five experienced guides who'll fit into your travel routine like glue.
In addition to making your traveling accessible to those who need a buddy (excuse the pun), Adams donates his proceeds to Make A Wish Foundation. His previous projects include the Maritime Challenge and Hole in the Wall Camps.
This is a corner of the market that isn't met, and we're thrilled to meet Larry and share his company with our network. They're just getting started, but already we're happy someone's making this a reality! Drop him a line of encouragement or referral at knownoboundstravel@gmail.com.
Friday, February 20, 2009
STARS Kids Camp in Steamboat
The STARS acronym will come to have two meanings in Steamboat very soon. This coming March, Steamboat's new adaptive program STARS (Steamboat Training Adaptive Recreation Sports), that has begun to replace 30-yr old Steamboat Adaptive starting this year, will be hosting its first kids ski camp for children with disabilities in conjunction with Adaptive Adventures and Access Anything.
This camp is also part of the Stars of Tomorrow Youth Ski Camp series with Adaptive Adventures, although the STARS name didn't come from this. STARS was started by Steamboat local Dave Wickman and its board is excited to get the first event under its belt this spring.
Starting March 21st, this new camp will bring three days of fun, sun, and snow to a dozen kids from across the state and country, and will include several Steamboat local rippers as well.
For more about this coming event, visit Adaptive Adventure's webpage for it.
STARS will also be training instructors and volunteers throughout the year. If you'd like to volunteer for this event, please contact us to put you in touch with the right person!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Steamboat Gets Lift Operator Training on PWD
This afternoon we spent some time at the Christy Sixpack under still-snowing skies with eight Lift Operations and Maintenance Supervisors in an adaptive equipment training session. After a twenty minute discussion on equipment types, disability awareness, maze and loading preferences, and legalities for adaptive riders, the crew took turns back-loading (pull-back) Craig and his Revolution Pro Comp onto the sixpack, giving Craig several turns down Preview after two weeks off the slopes.This training is the final stage of an all-department awareness and update training on handling customers with disabilities. We are very proud of to have this opportunity with Steamboat's employees to make our ski area the best it can be for all our visitors and their special needs. Other ski areas go through similar training for their lift operators, and our goal as always is to make Steamboat #1.
Future plans are to have a repeat training session with more staff as well as today's staff who was eager to try the equipment themselves. Due to lack of outriggers, we were not able to put today's participants in the monoski and biski, but many expressed interest to do so, and we'll keep you posted on that when it happens!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Myrtle Beach Revisited
For many of you who read this regularly, you'll remember that Andy was in Myrtle Beach in October of 2007, researching the area for a few magazines and visiting her "sister" Heather. This holiday season Andy got to return to the area with Craig and her parents in tow, testing out the hotel, restaurants, golf, and tourist hot spots the true way, with the wheelchair.
Glad to report that most things did pass Craig's test. The few obstacles we ran into were minor, and despite some cloudy weather, we got to enjoy Myrtle Beach free of rain, crowds, and major barriers.
We stayed at the Island Vista Resort again, and it passed with mostly flying colors. Don't park on level 2 however, as there are 4 steps down into the hallway from there. Park in the designated access spots in front of the hotel or on level 3. The other hotel obstacle was the kitchen... when Heather and I stayed at this hotel, we occupied the 3 bedroom suite as media guests of the hotel through one of their advertised press trips that newly opening hotels offer. This time however the four of us stayed in a 2 bedroom and the refrigerator wasn't accessible. If Craig rolled into the kitchen, he couldn't open the fridge more than a few inches, making it impossible to get anything out of. A side-by-side fridge would fix this problem. Other than that, the pool and hot tubs were very accessible, but the beach wasn't. Again, steps down to the beach could be solved with a ramp, but Myrtle Beach's beaches are a test in themselves. With dune-like erosion that MB is constantly dealing with, most of the access walkways to the beach are also inhibited with steps. Unfortunate but true, you will likely need help to the beach if you come here to soak in the ocean. Luckily for us the ocean was frigid and not tempting enough for Craig to brave the soft sand.
We golfed at Myrtlewood and although they stated over the phone that their adaptive cart was solorider, it was either a very early model or not a solorider as the seat didn't raise up, just swiveled out. This isn't the best option for taller paraplegics who need to get above their legs to swing, but it's doable. Craig mustered the best score of the day despite the lack of desired equipment. He also managed to break a rental club. OOPS. Blame it on the swivel.
Other highlights: MagiQuest and nearby Dragon Lair mini golf passed the test with full access, as did the downtown arcade skeeball and all.
We were even able to rent a vehicle at the small Charleston Airport with handcontrols through Thrifty for a dirt cheap weekly rate of $180. Tip on rental cars, book early; like MONTHS in advance to get cheap rates in holiday destinations.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Glad to report that most things did pass Craig's test. The few obstacles we ran into were minor, and despite some cloudy weather, we got to enjoy Myrtle Beach free of rain, crowds, and major barriers.
We stayed at the Island Vista Resort again, and it passed with mostly flying colors. Don't park on level 2 however, as there are 4 steps down into the hallway from there. Park in the designated access spots in front of the hotel or on level 3. The other hotel obstacle was the kitchen... when Heather and I stayed at this hotel, we occupied the 3 bedroom suite as media guests of the hotel through one of their advertised press trips that newly opening hotels offer. This time however the four of us stayed in a 2 bedroom and the refrigerator wasn't accessible. If Craig rolled into the kitchen, he couldn't open the fridge more than a few inches, making it impossible to get anything out of. A side-by-side fridge would fix this problem. Other than that, the pool and hot tubs were very accessible, but the beach wasn't. Again, steps down to the beach could be solved with a ramp, but Myrtle Beach's beaches are a test in themselves. With dune-like erosion that MB is constantly dealing with, most of the access walkways to the beach are also inhibited with steps. Unfortunate but true, you will likely need help to the beach if you come here to soak in the ocean. Luckily for us the ocean was frigid and not tempting enough for Craig to brave the soft sand.
We golfed at Myrtlewood and although they stated over the phone that their adaptive cart was solorider, it was either a very early model or not a solorider as the seat didn't raise up, just swiveled out. This isn't the best option for taller paraplegics who need to get above their legs to swing, but it's doable. Craig mustered the best score of the day despite the lack of desired equipment. He also managed to break a rental club. OOPS. Blame it on the swivel.
Other highlights: MagiQuest and nearby Dragon Lair mini golf passed the test with full access, as did the downtown arcade skeeball and all.
We were even able to rent a vehicle at the small Charleston Airport with handcontrols through Thrifty for a dirt cheap weekly rate of $180. Tip on rental cars, book early; like MONTHS in advance to get cheap rates in holiday destinations.
Happy Holidays to you all!
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