Travel - All Comments

re: Touring Boise's Accessible Attractions

House — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:45:35 GMT

Love Boise. I grew up there. Coming through on our way to vacation in McCall, Idaho in July. I can't find good sources for accessiblity in TAMMARACK. Any suggestions. I plan to search it out while there.

GLEN HOUSE

re: Three Days In Seattle

srains — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:23:53 GMT

You focussed on the waterfront downtown which is a good spot to concentrate on.

Also in that area is Ivar's restaurant (not the fast-food stand but the original Seattle seafood scene on the wharf). Next door is the kitschy Old Curiosity Shop. Further south a couple blocks toward the Duwamish River is the ferry terminal. For a spectacular view buy an inexpensive roundtrip ticket to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island.

If you cross the street at the Seattle Aquarium you will find the elevator into the back side of Pike Place market. Heading out from there you have access to the art museum on First Avenue and a short bus ride to Yesler / Pioneer Square.

Thanks for writing the article.

re: Secrets of Wheelchair Airline Travel

lonelywolf — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:45:33 GMT

i travel often between detroit and los angeles. i still hate the experience but it is a shorter less hectic journey once you get used to it(they airlines practices). i found that northwest has thier act together.at the curb you ask for wheelchair assistance. they will bring you a wheelchair with an attendent that will see you through to the gate. they wiz you through security.they will ask you if you can stand. if you can't they will supply a tsa agent to assist you. after that theyou are escoted to your gate. the flight attendant will make sure you have a chair upon your arrival. they will take you to baggage claim and even out to your ground transport. the are extremely helpful. i tip them a few bucks for the trouble. onr trick is to try to get non stop flights. less chance of problems. eventhough i still do not treasure air travel as i once did. it is adecent expierience. some airports are better than others but all are eager to assist.

have a great flight

re: Secrets of Wheelchair Airline Travel

lonelywolf — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:45:33 GMT

have a great flight

re: Secrets of Wheelchair Airline Travel

modgo — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:54:21 GMT

My husband becomes very uncomfortable when sitting in one position for even an hour. (He has a power-tilt chair.) For this reason, we are very reluctant to fly. Even if we got first class seats, I anticipate that there would be a problem. I am also worried about skin integrity. We are unable to participate in some important family events because we cannot fly. Does anyone have suggestions or comments that might be helpful?

re: Navigating the Northwest – Part One: Seattle and Vicinity

DSB — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:04:56 GMT

Well as a local in Seattle great take on stuff here but I’d like to point out a few more facts. Seattle is not unlike San Francisco and there are hills here and if one uses a chair there are much better ways to get up and down them the a rental van.

Most of not all of Seattle’s buses are kneeling or they lower and put out ramps for those in chairs so public transportation is there the trick is knowing the North South bound lines and the East and West lines.

Frye is a gem for sure but there are also art walk all usually free and accessible the first Thursday of each month from the Pike Street Market South to the ones North East in Bell town where one can view or buy local artists art and or get to see and visit their living and work spaces.

From the central tunnel down town tunnel try taking the 72 or 73 buses over to the U of W a very accessible U district and Arboretum. If you have a bit of bohemian in you try also checking out Fremont the Ballard Locks or gas Works Park or venture up on the hill to Broadway and Capitol Hill.

If your downtown and mellow I’d suggest making reservations at Jazz Alley you never know who may show up but the food is always good and music is well check the venue and expect or not someone to drop in.

You can check out local bus and train schedules at the following.

http://transit.metrokc.gov/

http://www.soundtransit.org/

re: Accessing Scotland: Highlights of the Highlands

cgid3 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:01:03 GMT

My grandmother recently travelled to Scotland, and shee reported that the elevators she saw were incredibly small. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

re: Navigating the Northwest – Part One: Seattle and Vicinity

JBINTACMOM — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:19:19 GMT

VERY interesting read for me -- and I've lived in Tacoma for the past 25 years! This summer I plan on taking in the recommended Mondy Creek at the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest -- I have never been there!

It doesn't say (that I could see) when this entry was made, but I want more! Thanks! Joyce in Tacoma

re: Secrets of Wheelchair Airline Travel

tommoossa — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:36:36 GMT

There's hope for the future! Check out Mobility Air Transport at

http://www.iflymat.org/

re: Tips for Navigating Airport Security

Finetooner — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:47:58 GMT

I am a facilitator/developer for Atlantic Southeast Airlines and this is what I'm looking for in making a better travel experience for passengers with disabilities. Great article. The regional jets are a challenge indeed; that is why I'm here......to gain information and to also let everyone know that I'm mobility impaired myself! Best wishes to all of you travelers out there. Jeffrey Ward

re: New York City: If You Can Make it Here, You Can Make it Anywhere

speedy1354 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:02:49 GMT

I was just in NYC over my last spring break. I had a blast and can

t wait till I go back.

Words of Caution:

DON'T use the subway!! Along with, I believe, 15% only accessible stations, many of the platforms are not even with the subway car. Just don't use it. Instead, use the bus. They were friendly and knew how to work the lift, I don't believe you have to pay either. I know when I flew in that my taxi, Super-Shuttle, didn't get the message that my flight was late so they left! Granted I got in at 1am but I was stuck their till 5:30am.

Downtown-Midtown:

Once your their, you're pretty much set. There are a bunch of ramps (not really around the noth side of Grand Central Station).

Attractions:

-Food: Carmines = AWESOME, but $$$. They have a elevator in the back to get upstairs.

Local shops are a great cheap place to get food.

-Theater: DON'T get your tickets at the hotel! When you go to the theater box officer, you can get two tickets at lower level for the price of ONE! This is a must do in NYC.

-Central Park: Easy to get around, try to go early in the morning, less people.

-Empire State Building: We you go in, the people a great and you AND your party bypass EVERY line. Its crowed at the top so have someone run clearance for you.

Its a great trip once your there.

re: Cruising the Eastern Caribbean

shoreway — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:12:22 GMT

I just read this article and found it most interesting. My husband and I were frequent cruisers but since he had a stroke and is in a wheelchair I thought it was not doable.I did not know that these extra services were available. Now since my husband's stroke I know that cruising is now possible again.

Now I want to travel to the Atlantic Ocean with our family (12 adults & 13 children (16 to 6) if anyone has any ideas I would welcome them. Obviously we want to be able to get my husband to the beach. We have rented condos in the past in Myrtle Beach but are looking more towards VA Beach or North Carolina maybe even Ocean City MD. We would be open to a large house. Well, thanks for listening and for the article on cruising!

re: To Become a Successful Disabled Traveler: Remember, There’s No Place Like Home

computergeek1020 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:47:43 GMT

I can't believe Wheelchair Getaways made you meet them in a back parking lot. I travel a lot and used to use them, but now I have done everything to avoid it. They try to act like they are the biggest van rental company in the country, but they don't even have store fronts? Does anybody else know of a wheelchair van rental company besides Wheelchair Getaways?

re: Secrets of Wheelchair Airline Travel

Pengman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:48:32 GMT

I don't know if this is the right place, but...

My wife and I will be flying overseas (Vancouver to Hong Kong to Sydney, Australia then home later.

I have been using a wheelchair since 1986 and because of recent damaging falls and the fact airline washrooms are meant for anorexic Twiggies, I will need to wear, for lack of better description, a diaper and pad for the long flights.

Does anyone have tips for putting those on in airports? My wife does it when needed at home but we are looking for help so we can last a long flight without embarrassment.

Thnx

Pengman

re: New York City: If You Can Make it Here, You Can Make it Anywhere

arjanger — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:06:11 GMT

As someone who visits New York regularly, I know it takes some preparation and accomodation. So, to add to the article: Restaurants and theaters are more often than not accessible; although, they may need warning to make a place for you and to give assistance. Accessible toilets, however, are a problem. Many are down stairs and are too small for a wheelchair. You gotta call and ask. As for driving, I drive with hand controls in the city. I concede it ain't easy, but not because of the hand controls. Finally, I have found New Yorkers uniformly helpful and anxious to give assistance, even in small things like opening doors. Oh, there are some baddies, but I have found them very rare.