Step free access for Bondi Beach?

Some residents are seeking a step free access to Australia's Bondi Beach, orangeshade.com is reporting.

Here's wishing them success in convincing the powers that be.

Colorado couple inspire with quest to access sports, travel

If you're into travel by people with disabilities...
If you're into advocacy ...
If your're into inspiring stories...

Then you need to read this article on Craig and Andrea Kennedy. The couple run Access Anything,  dedicated to getting people with disabilities to travel and experience recreational sports.
Here's a great quote from Craig Kennedy regarding motivating venues to embrace accessibility.

“It was learn as you go. When I started, I was telling people, ‘It’s the law, and it’s the right thing to do. People looked at me and said, ‘You want me to spend money and not make money? I’m not going to do it.’ There was some resentment, some resistance ..."

Andrea Kennedy continues:

“We got a bunch of statistics about travelers with disabilities, and the big stat we share with everyone is that there are 55 million Americans with disabilities, and they spend $13.6 billion dollars on travel. Once Steamboat realized that and started marketing to that, they increased.”

Travel agents advised to make websites accessible

Travel Agent Central has this article on making websites accessible to people with disabilities.
The article is really written for the most part as a warning to agents about the opirfalls of ignoring accessibility standards. Why not emphasize the positive of additonal customers? yeah I know new business is not nearly as attention grabbing as the threat of financial consequences. Whatever works, I suppose to get the accessibility. It does incldue the follwoing statement:

Indeed, by achieving website accessibility for disabled customers, travel agencies can offer services to individuals who would otherwise seek out competing businesses who offer more accommodating services and invites the greatest amount of user traffic and potential revenue opportunities.

Inspirational video crossing ahead

I recommend you watch the following video by Arwen Bird, connect with it and use it to connect with others. It might be especially useful for those who just don't get the issue of access for everyone:

New bus service from VA to NYC, DC can handle travelers with disabilities

Residents  of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia have a new way they can get to some east coast destinations.
Sprinterbus has launched express bus service to New York and will soon begin service tio Washington .

Says this article from  pilotonline.com: 
"Sprinterbuses offer nonstop service on coach-style buses with free wireless Internet and AC outlets in every seat at ... discount prices. Buses include a table at the rear and guaranteed seats with reservations."

And they can accomodate passengers with disabilities. 

18 of 34 Osoyoss tourist businesses rate 0 on accessibility

Some businesses in Osoyoss, British Columbia have some work to do before they can enjoy the benefits of serving tourists with disabilities.
Of 34 businesses recently audited for accessibility, 18 received a ranking of zero.

The survey was part of 2010 Legacies Now's mandate to promote tourism in British Columbia leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Richard Molyneux, a co-director for 2010 Legacies Now’s disabilities initiative, said the business who scored poorly will be advised them about how they can improve accessibility and where to get the money to make improvements.

“They may never have thought about disabilities before,” Molyneuz said. “We don’t want them to be scared of disabilities, we want them to embrace it because it’s good for business.”

Photo of Osoyoos Lake vu de la French Hill.

Funding issue popping up for free buses in UK

Free bus travel for seniors and people with disabilities in the UK is running into funding difficulties.

An example of the problem is provided by these words of frustration expressed by City of Lincoln council Leader Darren Grice on thisislincolnshire.co.uk:

"Free bus travel is a good idea that has benefited millions of older and disabled people across the country and one the council supports. But until the scheme is funded fairly and efficiently it will continue to be a major source of difficulty for whoever administers it."

Photo by Kenn Kiser via morgueFile.com