Book Reviews/Handicap Travel

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101 ACCESSIBLE VACATIONS BY CANDY B. HARRINGTON is a practical and innovative travel guidebook for the physically challenged traveler. Candy is well known in the field of accessible travel and is the editor of Emerging Horizons Magazine. She discusses the previously held theory that all disabled travelers should go to Disney World for vacations because it is know for being well planned for the handicapped tourist. But not everyone likes theme parks, so there must be many alternatives, of which most travel agents are unaware. In this book she tells of many, many different choices for ideal holidays for anyone who has difficulty traveling. She details holidays of every kind in places in many states and in several international destinations. This is a wonderful book for any handicapped traveler and for all travel agents. Click Here To Order

Eyes Wide Open by Mark Bannister This is the story of a man determined to make the most of everything life has to offer. He shares his experiences, thoughts and ideals in this remarkable book.

Mark Bannister was born in Liverpool in 1965 - at an early age he was diagnosed as having a rare form of spinal muscular atrophy

which required his use of a wheelchair. Because the condition was rare he felt somehow special and developed a strong desire to

continually be the first to achieve what no other disabled person had done before. The book describes the challenges Mark faced as a child growing up with a disability. He shares many exciting and humerous episodes, each having a meaning that both contributed towards making him the person he is today, and developing his beliefs and ideologies in life. At an early age, unlike the cliché desires of being a fireman or an airline pilot, Mark had a great ambition to become a Grand Prix driver. As a step in this direction, he took up kart racing. He went on to become the first wheelchair person to receive a UK competition license and being crowned the annual provincial champion in his class on two occasions. Because of this growing desire to travel and to work in community development, Mark delayed his entry to University for two years. This was an exciting and rewarding period of his life. The first big adventure was an expedition to Chile where he was to spend time in some of the most remote and dangerous country in South America - he was to assist with the renovation of a medical centre and the building of a jetty for rural communities. The mountainous nature of the terrain presented a considerable challenge and Mark's solution to this was to take with him a quad bike and modified wheel chair which enabled him to negotiate the rough ground. The book gives a lively and fascinating account of the country, the villages and the people, and of the adventurous exploits in the mountains with the quad bike.

With rucksack attached to the back of his wheelchair, Mark also travelled throughout many world countries including the US, Hong Kong, South China, Thailand, New Zealand, Greece and Denmark. The impressions of these interludes are colourful, perceptive and humorous.

By the time he had qualified, Mark's career objectives had changed from a desire to design race cars to being involved in development work within poorer communities. For a few years he worked as an engineer in the UK and developed his expertise in water and sanitation. At the second attempt, he was accepted by Voluntary Services Overseas and offered a post in South Africa - it was the first time there had been a volunteer using a wheel chair that qualified for such a position.

Mark was based in the north of the country and was involved with provision of water and sanitation to the rural people. He gives a realistic portrayal of life in this region, in the villages and the townships, and discusses attitudes of the different groups within the community in post-apartheid South Africa. Mark was enjoying his life to the full - he met his future wife, Kabelo, through the work they were doing...and then came the car accident which changed his life completely and made his dependency on his wheelchair and those around him so much more than previously. The accident may have damaged his body but not his spirit nor his enthusiasm for life and most of all his desire to help others less fortunate in rural communities of South Africa.

This book is not merely descriptive, the author draws on incidents and experiences, at school, as a student, at home and in the many different places he has visited or worked, to introduce political and social comments and arguments and his own philosophy of life.

Throughout the book, the author takes pains to point out that disabled people can rise above their disabilities and take their place in society together with those who are able. He dispels the misconceptions that the physically disabled are mentally impaired and inferior - he describes his feelings on occasions when he has been treated as such and records how regressive and demeaning this is. He relates discrimination in his own life to racial discrimination in South Africa and compares the similarities. He questions the sincerity of 'equal opportunity' employers and comments on attitudes towards the disabled in different parts of the world.

The book provides inspiration and motivation not only for the disabled but also for those having difficulties in life which they are struggling to overcome. The author gives encouragement to readers to adopt positive attitudes and be proud of their achievements, to appreciate what they have, to share experiences, to help others fulfill their ambitions and to use their knowledge and skills to assist those less fortunate. He tells of the great reward and pleasure he obtained during the time he spent working in deprived areas with the poorest people of the world - those with no money and few material possessions were some of the most happy, friendly and hospitable he ever encountered. This is the story of an extraordinary life, of achievement and courage. It is entertaining and informative - it will be welcomed by all who read it, including those working or living with disability, travel enthusiasts and those interested in real life adventures.

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There Is Room at the Inn By Candy Harrington is the first guidebook devoted entirely to accessible inns and B&Bs. Penned by the editor of Emerging Horizons, this new title focuses on the needs of wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

This handy resource contains 117 properties in 40 states and features a wide selection of lodging choices from Victorian Inns and quaint B&Bs to mountain retreats, a dude ranch and even two safari parks.

Says author Candy Harrington, "Most people think that B&Bs are not accessible at all. This book proves otherwise, Granted it took a bit of research to find the inns included in the book, but they are out there."

Unlike other B&B guidebooks, There Is Room at the Inn includes access details on each property. Each listing includes a detailed description of the access features of the property, with emphasis on the access features in the accessible guestrooms. As in Emerging Horizons, the emphasis in There Is Room at the Inn is on describing the access so that readers can make appropriate choices.

"I certainly recognize that even among wheelchair-users, there are a wide range of access preferences and needs," says Harrington. "Add slow walkers to the equation and that range dramatically increases. In short, what is accessible to one person may not even be useable to the next. That's why describing the access is so important -- so people can make appropriate choices."

Of course, there is a lot more to access than just ramps and roll-in showers. Attitudinal access is just as important as physical access. To that end, this book also contains comments from innkeepers regarding their own attitudes about access. These comments help readers get a real feel for the personality of the individual properties (and the innkeepers).

Additionally Harrington includes accessible sightseeing suggestions for each property. Says Harrington, "In most cases people like to go out and see things when they stay at a B&B, so I've included a number of accessible suggestions with each listing."

Also included in the book is an access checklist, so travelers know the right questions to ask innkeepers. This handy tool will help people find even more accessible properties. Innkeepers will also find this book very useful, as it includes "A Note to Innkeepers", a short chapter which offers insight into this growing market and some suggestions on how to make inns and B&Bs more appealing to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Published by Demos Publishing, There Is Room at the Inn is the first book of its kind and it's a must-have resource for wheelchair- or scooter-users, slow walkers, travel agents, CILs and libraries. It's a great follow-up to Harrington's first title, Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers.

There Is Room at the Inn is available at bookstores, through the publisher (800-532-8663) or on-line at EmergingHorizons.com/inn. Visit http://EmergingHorizons.com/inn/ to read a sample chapter, see the table of contents or for more information about There Is Room at the Inn or Candy Harrington. candy@emerginghorizons.com

Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers by Candy Harrington. This book is a must for anyone who is challenged, needs a wheelchair or is a slow walker, which includes many senior citizens who love to visit inns and bed and breakfast places for their nostalgia. Most of these travelers have found it difficult in a previous inn or b&b and have decided not to try any others. However, with great research and care for detailed descriptions of handicap services and amenities available, Candy Harrington has opened a whole wonderful world of travel to the challenged traveler, one that is most comforting as well as accessible. She describes these places even in safari parks and most unexpected places.This is a MUST for any slow traveler or wheelchair traveler. Excellent!

Says author Candy Harrington, ”Due to popular demand, the second edition has an expanded cruise chapter, a chapter on traveling with kids, information on airport security and tons of new resources. More and more wheelers and slow walkers are hitting the road these days, and I've done my best to include useful information, resources and tips to help them out.”

The book also includes important details about air travel with a wheelchair, traveling with oxygen, accessible ground transportation, choosing a travel agent, on-line booking, accessible recreation and budget travel. Also included is a comprehensive chapter devoted to self-advocacy, consumer-rights and what to do when things go wrong.

THE VIRGINIA TRAVEL GUIDE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (Fifth Edition) is thoughtfully published and free of charge from the state tourism department and The Opening Door, Inc. You can call 804-633-6752 or order from 8049 Ormesby Lane, Woodford, VA 22580. It is a very comprehensive book which tells every kind of facility offered for travelers who have special needs. Places are listed by local and every kind of travel and tourism is covered. This book is a must if you are traveling or living in Virginia with someone who is disabled in any way. And excellent guide, and easy to read and understand, in very large print.

Wheelchairs on the Go: Accessible Fun in Florida (by Michelle Stigleman & Deborah Van Brunt, 424 pages, ISBN: 9664356-5-6 , USA: $24.95) is a comprehensive guide for any resident or traveler with ambulatory difficulties who would like to have fun in Florida. Michelle and Deborah have covered hundreds of locations and listed the available aids and pitfalls for challenged travelers. You can look up any city or any activity and learn how to adjust or plan your travels, or whether it is not advisable for those with limitations. The authors list so many aids and so many fun activities that anyone who has hesitated to travel because of physical disabilities will want to make Florida a top destination. Every kind of fun activity and attraction is covered, describing the potential barriers and how to overcome them. An EXCELLENT guide book for those who need it, including people who use canes and walkers, or simply can't walk very far. Additions and updates to the book will be posted Here or call 888-245-7300/727-573-0434.

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