May 13, 2006
Well, I’m happy to announce that my newest book, There is Room at the Inn was released this week. Looking back, it was a very tough book to research, as it contains 117 properties in 40 states. In reality those numbers only paint part of the picture. The book evolved from my popular InnSider column in Emerging Horizons and the research spanned over a period of four years, during which time I interviewed over 700 innkeepers. I lost track of how many properties I visited. Not all of them made the cut. Although my goal is to describe the access so people can make appropriate choices, the properties included had to have an minimal level of access in order to be considered. Two examples of items that got properties axed were stairs as the only access to the property and a Victorian claw foot bathtub in the accessible guest room. I still can’t figure out the bathtub, but the owner loudly proclaimed that it was accessible because his quad friend say it was. I just sort of shook my head and continued on my way. Of course innkeeper attitude also played a large role in my selection, as guests want to be welcomed not merely accommodated. I was thrilled to find a good number of innkeepers who actually went out of their way to make their properties accessible. Of course I also happened across the occasional jerk, like the one who said he wanted to be included in my book but he didn’t want his access mentioned because he was afraid that "disabled people would scare off his normal guests". (his words not mine). He didn’t get it on so many levels. On the plus side, I’ve had some very positive feedback about the title and I’ve even had a few innkeepers contact me to tell me about their accessible inns (for the second edition). So, check it out at www.EmergingHorizons.com/inn.
May 11, 2006
I got an e-mail today from my friend Jeannine over at Vetro Glassblowing in Grapevine, Texas. Seems they are having an unusual fundraiser at their studio this Saturday (May 13, 2006) and I told her I’d pass along the word. It’s called the "Truth or Consequences" auction. The way it works is that everybody puts their name in for a drawing and if your name is picked you are asked a trivia question. If you get the question correct, you get the piece for free; but if you get it wrong it’s put up for auction for 30 seconds. If the secret reserve price is met it goes to the highest bidder; if not, it’s murdered. That’s right, murdered, right there in front of the masses. If the reserve price is not met, the unwanted piece is sent crashing to the floor to it’s death. All proceeds form the auction go to the Grapevine Heritage Foundation, an organization committed to the preservation and stewardship of Grapevine's historic resources. So why should you support Vetro Glassblowing? Well I have to say that I’ve visited their studio and they’ve gone out of their way to make it accessible. There is good pathway access to the gallery area and level access to the studio area where you can watch the glassblowers at work. They also have some beautiful pieces there; in fact, I purchased a striking cobalt blue lamp for my living room last time I visited. So stop in and say hello. The studio will be open all day with live glassblowing demonstrations, but things will really pick up in the evening (at 7:30 PM) when the Truth of Consequences Auction begins. As an added bonus there will be complementary hors d'oeurves, wine and live entertainment in the evening. . For more information give Vetro Glassblowing a call at (817) 251-1668.
May 6, 2006
I’m staying at this great little property in Floyd, Virginia. For those of you not familiar with Floyd, it’s one of the larger towns on the Crooked Road, with a population of about 14,000. The property I’m staying in has just 12 rooms, however the access is great. Why? Well, I have to say in part, it’s because of the owner’s attitude.
The lodge, which was built by the owner, is located right next to her own house. It has one accessible room with good pathway access, wide doorways, a low-step shower, a portable shower chair and grab bars by the toilet and in the shower. The owner can even provide a portable commode chair on request.
But that’s not the end of the story. The owner also has a small assisted living facility in her own home, so she understands access issues. In fact, one of the accessible rooms is in her home. When she built the lodge she wanted to make sure it was accessible as she understood the need, because of her work with her assisted living clients.
Understanding the need. That’s a phrase I keep hearing more and more. Not just in metropolitan areas, but in rural places as well. And that’s a very good thing.
So the next time you find yourself on Virginia’s Crooked Road, check out the Oak Haven Lodge in Floyd. You’ll find a very accommodating proprietor and an accessible place to rest your head.
May 3, 2006
As I was boarding my flight to Chicago yesterday, I was reminded of the advantages of preboarding. I noticed a lady in the departure lounge who walked very slowly and used a quad cane, yet when the preboarding announcement came for our flight she remained seated. I was puzzled, but then again some people just don’t want to preboard because they don’t think they are “that disabled.” I've heard that quote a time or two from readers.
In any case she boarded with the rest of her group when the general boarding announcement was made. The issue wasn’t really with how fast she could walk, as to be honest the line moved very slowly because it was an overbooked flight. I assume she was comfortable with the pace.
The problem actually came when she reached her seat. She was unable to scooch in over the fixed armrest, so she told the flight attendant that she was suppose to have a seat with a movable armrest. Apparently she had requested one, but alas, a last minute equipment change threw a real wrench into the works.
So the general boarding line just stopped dead while the flight attendant went off to try and find out which seats have flip up armrests. She asked the lead flight attendant, but she didn’t known either, and curtly replied that they are flagged in the computer and the reservation department and the gate agents usually take care of that. And we all continued to wait.
Finally the flight attendant just start checking some of the seats in hopes she would find one with a flip up armrest. Alas this worked, but there was a passenger already seated in the magic seat. So she explained the situation to the gentleman and asked if he would switch. No problem. He gathered his belongings and they began to trade.
Let’s just say that it wasn’t a quick process and at this point all eyes were on the lady with the cane. The other passengers weren’t being rude, it’s just that when you are standing in line looking forward, well, there is just no way to avert your gaze. And I expect she felt uncomfortable because she started to apologize, laugh nervously and shake a bit; while her husband and the flight attendant tried to reassure her. It was a very unfortunate situation.
I guess the moral of the story is to always take advantage of that preboarding option. There will always be equipment changes, so it’s no telling when you will walk or roll up to your seat to find a fixed armrest. It’s not intentional, but it does happen. This problem is a lot easier to fix when there are only a handful of people of the plane.
Preboarding exists so you can take a little extra time to get settled in, and so problems like these can be settled in private. So, remember – when in doubt, always preboard.
May 1, 2006
Ever here of the Crooked Road? Well you’re not alone. Neither did I until about nine months ago. It’s a heritage route located in Southwest Virginia that includes the major hot spots for old time mountain music, country music and bluegrass. It sounds like a great driving trip and an excellent feature for Emerging Horizons. Now although some of the Crooked Road is pretty rural, the good thing is that most of the music venues are accessible. Additionally I’ve got some good leads on accessible lodging choices. Once you get out of the main towns, there really aren’t a lot of chain hotels, but I found some cool inns and mountain lodges. In any case we will be on the road this week, winding our way through the Crooked Road. Hopefully I’ll also pick up a quilt. I found a great one on my trip to Appalachian Kentucky so I'm hopeful for this trip also. In any case I’ll try to check in this week -- internet connections permitting -- and post an update about my accessible finds. Gotta run and pack now. Ye olde Crooked Road awaits.
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