The champ

Conde Nast Traveler magazine each year publishes a list of their choices as some of the top travel agents. The list, compiled by travel writer Wendy Perrin and called her "Rolodex of Champions," is in its sixth year and was recently announced for 2005. "Our recommended specialists must undergo a rigorous screening process that includes a 25-question application, sample itineraries, extensive phone interviews, and client references," Perrin writes. "The travel specialists who make the list, and remain on it year after year, do so by meeting or exceeding our expectations and those of our readers." Most of the list is organized by geography, but there are also some agents recognized for their expertise in special interest areas -- disabled travel among these. The whole list is long and ponderous to go through, so let me cut to the chase for you -- Barbara Jacobson, Flying Wheels Travel, Owatonna, Minnesota, was the named disabled travel expert.

Rolling on to an additional site

Scott Rains of The Rolling Rains Report has announced a new partnership with website Travel and Transitions. Scott is the man when it comes to travel with disabilities issues on the web, so I'm sure he will be a great addition to Travel and Transitions. But perhaps the most intriguing (for me anyway) of his initial offerings is this 10 questions piece where we learn a little about Scott Rains away from the computer keyboard.

Cruise style

Did you realize that having a disability and being a cruise taker means you have a specific cruise style? Cruise Critic says you do. Cruise Critic recently won a prestigious Lowell Thomas Award by the Society of American Travel Writers. Their website includes some interesting info about taking a cruise with a disability.

Leadership

The Rolling Rains Report has issued a round-up of how leadership is emerging from the disability community during the reconstruction process in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Contact info and further reading included. Read it and you have to realize now is the time.

A shower of access

This press release is yet another example of the increasing recognition of the growing older and disabled traveler market. "Accessibility is a very big deal now with hotel and motel construction," said Paul Pippenger owner of a new 50-unit Best Western motel in Orofino, ID. Yes this is a press release pushing fiberglass shower enclosures, not an objective press report. But that's a key sign. When businesses are marketing something, it's because they know there is a market.

Build it and they will come

The Miri Airport in Malaysia has been ordered to improve facilities for the disabled. Another potential destination.

Universal design waning -- already?

The same article as below has a short sidebar displayed at the end about one person's opinion that univeral design is not as top of the mind as it used to be. (scroll down to the bottom). "We're back to doing it because we have to," said Carol Hunter, long-time accessibility advocate who helped found a group called Partners for Access to the Woods. Hey, as long as it gets done. By the way, Carol has a book too Everyone's Nature.

Hitting the trail

Visitors with disabilities find entry to the trailhead at Lower Cataract Lake much easier to access thanks to 15-year-old now Eagle Scout Andy Arrance. He reworked the entry, eliminating some awkward steps, as an Eagle Scout project.

Cruise news

Who would have thought that travelers with disabilities would have the upper hand in a situation. But that's what this article on legal remedies for unhappy cruisers suggests. The slight advantage comes from the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding app;ication of the ADA to foreign cruise lines.