Access-Able/Travelin-Talk Newsletter
Volume V Number 10 (October) http://www.access-able.com http://www.travelintalk.net
Thailand - Accessible Rental
Did you already think for a long time about travelling to exotic Thailand, but thought it would be too complicated? Did you already travel to Thailand before, but thought it was so uncomfortable? Did you just want to enjoy the warm weather and the special culture in an environment where you‰re taken care of?
Baan Khun Daeng offers people with a physical disability an accessible place to stay. On top of that "Khun Daeng" has extensive experience and knowledge about organizing of nice/interesting trips/activities doable by wheelchair users because "Khun Daeng" (The Thai nick-name of Karsten Blokker (40)) is a wheelchair user himself, who has lived in Thailand since 1995 and speaks the Thai language almost fluent. Therefore guests in "Baan Khun Daeng" will feel themselves AT HOME and SECURE.
Baan Khun Daeng is located in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand and provides accessible holidays for travelers with disabilities. The house located in beautiful, quiet surroundings yet close to the town center. It is just a five minutes walk or roll from a 'taxi' stand and just a ten minute walk or roll from restaurants, bars and other night-life. There is also a wheelchair repair shop in Chiang Mai and the city has several fine hospitals in case you need.
The house has an accessible bedroom and bath on the first floor and two more bedrooms upstairs for caregiver, family or friends. Check out their (web site at http://members.ams.chello.nl/danblokker/e_facilities) for additional information and photos or contact Karsten Blokker at 3/7 soi 3/2 Kaew Nawarat Road, T. Wat Gate, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand, Tel/Fax: 00-66-53-242-874 E-mail: tulip@loxinfo.co.th
7 Day "Service Dog" Friendly Cruise
March 29, 2003
Whether you and your service dog are season travelers or you haven‰t traveled before as a team, this cruise is for you. The Travel Depot has organized a group cruise specifically designed for Service Dogs and their owners.
The ship and the itinerary was chosen for this group sailing because all the ports are ‹Service DogŠ friendly. There are not too many consecutive days at sea and the ports of call do not have any type of quarantine or other unusual requirements.
They have 28 wheelchair accessible staterooms held for this group and 10 non-accessible staterooms in a variety or categories and prices. They anticipate having about 35 Service Dogs on board the ship.
If they do have 25 or more Service Dogs participate, a veterinarian will be on board just in case anyone should require his services and there would also be two professional handlers on board.
The handlers will be able to assist, if asked, with walking your service dog or just be there to pick up after your dog if you need them. They will be available 24 hours a day during the cruise. There will be no charge to you for the handlers services however, gratuities would be accepted if you so choose to offer.
The Veterinarian will be available to handle any medical issues that may arise. His services will be available to you on a fee for service basis.
Food and supplies for your Service Dog is your responsibility and you should bring enough food with you for the duration of the trip.
The Travel Depot can arrange flights, seating and transfers from the airport to the pier & from the pier to the airport plus expedited embarkation and disembarkation. There will be representatives on board the ship to assist you 24 hours a day.
Now, more about the Cruise itself
On March 29th, 2003, Holland America‰s Zuiderdam departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a seven night Eastern Caribbean Cruise. The Zuiderdam‰s maiden voyage is scheduled for November 2nd, 2002. She is the newest ship in Holland America‰s fleet.
She is 82,000 tons, 950 feet long and carries 1848 passengers.
Port‰s of Call include: Half Moon Cay (Holland America‰s beautiful private island), St. Kitt‰s, St. Thomas and Nassau.
If you are unable to sail away on this cruise don‰t worry, there are more planned that they will be happy to send you the information.
Should you need more information about this cruise or others they have planned, please don‰t hesitate to call them at 1-800-418-4242, Fax 479-444-3355 or Email: daun@traveldepotinc.com.
Telephone Access for People with Speech Disabilities
If you have a speech disability and live in the USA (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), you can now use a new, free telephone service 24 hours a day. This service, called Speech to Speech (STS), provides communication assistants (CAs) for people with difficulty being understood by the public on the telephone. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington DC regulates relay service: STS is a form of relay service. STS is also available during limited hours in Sweden and Australia.
STS is provided through the TTY relay in each state. Unlike TTY, STS enables people with speech disabilities to communicate by voice through a CA as many people with speech disabilities have difficulty typing.
People with speech disabilities can dial toll free to reach a patient, trained CA who is familiar with many speech patterns and has excellent language recognition skills. This CA makes telephone calls for them and repeats their words exactly in a 3-way calling environment. Every month users make about 6,000 calls nationally. STS is the only way for many people to telephone others not accustomed to their speech.
Many STS users have Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, ALS, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy. Other users stutter or have had a laryngectomy.
STS also helps some speech synthesizer users, users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC.) AAC users may ask the STS CA set up the call, negotiate the menu, introduce the call explaining AAC and then go into the background. This enables AAC users to communicate independently once the other party is on the line.
In Minnesota and Texas, Deaf Voice Carryover (VCO) Relay users with slurred speech can combine VCO with STS to facilitate communication.
Bob Segalman, Ph.D. has cerebral palsy and developed the concept of STS. Now it makes telephone use much easier for him. To try out STS, report problems or get more information: Call 800-854-7784 and ask for Dr. Bob Segalman (direct 916-263-8689). You may also visit the STS web site: http://www.stsnews.com/ or contact Katherine Keller at listserve@stsnews.com to place you on the STS List Serve.
Bob is gathering support letters to insure that every state implements an STS Outreach Service to tell people with speech disabilities about STS.. If you're willing to sign a support letter, please e-mail Bob at: bsegalma@dor.ca.gov and indicate which state you live in and request a draft.
For a list of U. S. Speech-to-Speech access numbers go to: http://www.stsnews.com/RelayNews/STSDialUpTelnumbers.
Each state has it‰s own numbers. You can also access STS by dialing 711 and asking for Speech to Speech. If the communications assistant can not assist you with an STS call, please let Bob know by e-mail stating your name, date & time of call, location, and telephone numbers.
Australia provides Speech to Speech Relay (SSR). Contact: Bobbie Blackson at feedback@aceinfo.net.au.
Sweden has just extended its STS trial for one year. Contact: Birgit G Lindh at birgit.g.lindh@telia.com. Tel.0046-175 623 68 (work)
8-Day Solar Eclipse Kruger Tour
Just 6 Spaces Left!
Only $750 US
Join them for the first eclipse in this century while enjoying South Africa‰s Kruger National Park. Combine this Natural Wonder with your Safari of a Lifetime! The huge park is known worldwide for it‰s fine game viewing where the big five can be seen roaming over its vast expanses, often in good numbers. This feature trip will introduce you to the wonders of this land at a very affordable price!
All the accommodations that are use are fully accessible. This trip is run by a husband and wife team who treat their clients as family out on holiday. You will spend time in the park viewing animals and nature under the expert eye of Alfie Smith. He has operated in the Kruger for many years and is one of the best driver / guides in the business. The specially adapted truck used on the safari can even accommodate wheelchairs!
The first 5 days of the tour are spent in the Kruger Park where you will do a variety of early morning and late evening game drives and viewing - plus experience the first solar eclipse of the century. At Tshukudu Bush Camp you get to know and feed lions and a baby elephant. You'll also visit a traditional cultural village where you will enjoy an evening meal and traditional dancing.
If you are looking for a true adventure at a reasonable price please click on the link below for more information. For a detailed itinerary and departure dates, visit http://www.eaiadventure.com/south_africa/sa09.asp
Eco-Adventure International
info@eaiadventure.com
Phone: 888-710-WILD
Fax: 920-563-9162
Other Parts Of The World
If you are looking for a true adventure at a reasonable price please click on the link below for more information. For a detailed itinerary and departure dates, visit http://www.epic-enabled.com/ or email info@epic-enabled.com
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