Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
offering travel-related topics for travel-
ers with special needs; and
Open
World Magazine,
published by
SATH (see above; subscription: $13
per year, $21 outside the U.S.).
FOR BRITISH TRAVELERS
The
Royal Association for Disability
and Rehabilitation (RADAR),
Unit
12, City Forum, 250 City Rd., Lon-
don EC1V 8AF (
&
020/7250-3222;
www.radar.org.uk), publishes three
holiday “fact packs” for £2 each or £5
for all three. The first provides general
information, including tips for plan-
ning and booking a holiday, obtaining
insurance, and handling finances; the
second outlines transportation avail-
able when going abroad and equip-
ment for rent; and the third deals with
specialized accommodations. Another
good resource is
Holiday Care Ser-
vice,
Seventh Floor, Sunley House, 4
Bedford Park, Croydon, Surrey CR0
2AP (
&
0845/124-9971;
www.holi-
daycare.org.uk), a national charity
advising on accessible accommoda-
tions for seniors and persons with
disabilities. Annual membership is
£37 ($59).
GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELERS
As one of the most sophisticated
countries on the planet, Norway is
one of the most gay-friendly countries
in the world. Most Norwegians are
tolerant of the lifestyles of others, and
that spills over into sexual preference.
Obviously, an urban center such as
Oslo will have a more openly gay life
than rural areas.
In Norway gays and lesbians have
the same legal status as heterosexuals,
with the exception of adoption rights.
Legislation passed in 1981 protects
gays and lesbians from discrimination.
In 1993 a law was passed recognizing
the “partnerships” of homosexual cou-
ples—in essence, a recognition of
same-sex marriages. The age of con-
sent for both men and women in Nor-
way is 16 years of age.
assistance
in advance
through the
airline.
Many travel agencies offer cus-
tomized tours and itineraries for trav-
elers with disabilities.
Flying Wheels
Travel
(
&
507/451-5005;
www.
flyingwheelstravel.com) offers escorted
tours and cruises that emphasize
sports and private tours in minivans
with lifts.
Access-Able Travel Source
(
&
303/232-2979;
www.access-able.
com) offers extensive access informa-
tion and advice for traveling around
the world with disabilities.
Accessible
Journeys
(
&
800/846-4537
or 610/
521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com)
caters specifically to slow walkers and
wheelchair travelers and their families
and friends.
Organizations that offer assistance
to travelers with disabilities include
MossRehab
(www.mossresourcenet.
org), which provides a library of acces-
sible-travel resources online;
SATH
(Society for Accessible Travel and
Hospitality)
(
&
212/447-7284;
www.sath.org; annual membership
fees: $45 adults, $30 seniors and stu-
dents), which offers a wealth of travel
resources for all types of disabilities
and informed recommendations on
destinations, access guides, travel
agents, tour operators, vehicle rentals,
and companion services; and the
American Foundation for the Blind
(AFB)
(
&
800/232-5463;
www.afb.
org), a referral resource for the blind
or visually impaired that includes
information on traveling with Seeing
Eye dogs.
For more information specifically
targeted to travelers with disabilities,
the community website
iCan
(www.
icanonline.net/channels/travel/index.
cfm) has destination guides and sev-
eral regular columns on accessible
travel. Also check out the quarterly
magazine
Emerging Horizons
($14.95
per year, $19.95 outside the U.S.;
www.emerginghorizons.com);
Tw i n
Peaks Press
(
&
360/694-2462
),
