Airline Organization Urges DOT to Redefine “Service Animal”

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

Airlines for America (AIA) — an airline industry group — recently announced that it had submitted a 222-page document to the Department of Transportation (DOT), in response to a call for input on possible revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The group’s response included the suggestion that the DOT narrow the definition of “service animal” to “trained dogs that perform a task or work for an individual with a disability.” The document also included the recommendation that airlines should not be required to allow emotional support animals (ESOs) on board. Continue reading →

Delta Airlines Nixes Pit Bulls as Service Animals

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

Delta Airlines recently announced that it will no longer accept pit bull type dogs as service dogs or emotional support animals, beginning July 10, 2018. Additionally there will be a limit of one emotional support animal per passenger. Apparently this new policy is the direct result of several employees being bitten by service dogs or emotional support animals. Continue reading →

NYC Subway Ramps Up Access

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

I’ve had no shortage of complaints about access on the NYC subway system — and for good cause, as currently only 118 out of 472 stations are wheelchair-accessible. But that’s all set to change in a big way in the coming months, thanks to a new program and a new accessibility chief. Continue reading →

ADA Lawsuit Filed Against Atlanta

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

The accessibility of Atlanta’s sidewalks have been brought to task in a recent lawsuit filed in Federal Court. Among other things the lawsuit holds that obstructions include, “uneven sidewalks, sidewalks obstructed by trees or utility poles, sidewalks obstructed by ongoing construction, intersections with missing curb ramps, curb ramps that are broken or otherwise unusable, and other impediments”. Continue reading →

Taiwan Tourism Bureau Launches Universal Design Contest

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

I was thrilled to hear that in an effort to promote accessibility, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau recently announced a universal design contest aimed at their national scenic areas. Continue reading →

Have You Ever Heard of a Watermelon Roll?

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

As I was touring Keepers of the Wild the other day, Linda my guide turned to me and asked, “Have you heard about our Memorial Day watermelon roll? As visions of people rolling giant watermelons towards the finish line at a Memorial Day picnic danced through my head, I stammered, “Um, no, not really.” And that’s when she filled me in on the finer details of “Watermelon Roll Keepers of the Wild Style”. Continue reading →

Size Does Matter

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

In this day and age of improved airline access regulations, flying has become rather commonplace for many wheelchair-users. And that’s a very good thing. Sure there are still hiccups, but flying is a far cry from what it was in the pre-ACAA days — when airlines could refuse wheelchair-users passage for any capricious reason, and those lucky souls that were permitted to board were required to sit on blankets for fear they would soil the seats. Continue reading →

Visit Yosemite Falls this Spring!

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

Although we had a late winter in the Sierras this year, it did pack a punch in terms of snow and rain. Unfortunately that moisture translated into mud slides, washouts and floods throughout the mountains; however it also helped set the stage for spectacular spring conditions at Yosemite Falls. So I packed a picnic lunch and headed over to the park last week, to get a first-hand look at the water flow.

I was not disappointed. Continue reading →

Candy’s Top Five Accessible Yellowstone Picks

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

Yellowstone National park is the quintessential road trip destination. Many folks have fond memories of packing up the family station wagon and heading over to Wyoming to experience this national treasure in their youth; while others have the nation’s first national park on their bucket list. I was pleased to be able to spend two months there last year while I researched Barrier-Free Travel; Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers (www.BarrierFreeYellowstone.com); and in that time I left no stone unturned in my search for cool accessible trails and attractions. And although it’s hard to pick one favorite, here are my top five accessible Yellowstone must-dos. Continue reading →

UK Considering New Accessible Air Travel Regs

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Candy B. Harrington

On the heels of Frank Gardner’s nearly two-hour wait to be reunited with his wheelchair at Heathrow International Airport, the British government is considering strengthening their almost non-existent accessible air travel regulations. In the US, disabled passengers are entitled to “prompt” deplaning, which according to the Department of Transportation means “as soon as the rest of the passenger are deplaned”. Unfortunately that’s not the way things work in the UK. Continue reading →

Barrier Free Travels

Travel Information For Wheelchair Users, Slow Walkers, and Baby Boomers