Editorial

As you can imagine, I get a lot of products and gadgets to review. Admittedly, some are more appropriate for travel than others. Which was why I was taken a little bit aback when I received a sandal in the mail with the message "For a pair in your size, e-mail me today" attached. The mailing was creative, the offer intrigued me, and hey I was about to set out on a long road trip, so I figured it was a good opportunity to test drive the shoes. What gal in her right mind could refuse?

Chris Elliott recently penned an interesting column about discrimination in travel. First off, I have to disclose that Chris is a friend, and a colleague who I have the utmost respect for. He's also been a great champion of the rights of disabled travelers, and has interviewed me many times on the subject over the years. In short, he's helped get the word out there about the needs of travelers with disabilities.

That said, I'm kind of on the fence about a few issues brought to light in his most recent column.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced another delay in the release of the revised ADAAG regulations. OK, to be fair they didn't call it a delay, but instead referred to it as a revised timeline.

So here's the story so far.

As 2009 draws to an end, it's time again for a look back at the bests and worsts in accessible travel. Or as I like to call lovingly call this annual list, the good, the bad and the downright stupid!

If you live in New York City, and used (or tried to use) a disabled voting machine in this past election, your vote might not have been counted. Call it a glitch or a fluke or just a horrible mistake, but that's exactly what happened to Noreen, the Director of Publications at my publishing house.

I spend a good deal of my time on the road researching accessible travel. It usually involves a good deal of measuring and some copious note taking. It also includes numerous interviews, and maybe a little networking so I can get access to the things I need to see. Charles and I put in long hours; and I have to admit we don't always do everything by the book. In short, we do what we have to in order to get the story.

But in my 15-plus years of covering accessible travel, there's one thing that I've never even been tempted to do...

It's often said that able-bodied people are just a slip, trip or fall away from becoming disabled. In fact, in many circles bipeds are called "temporarily able-bodied people" or TABS. In short, disability doesn't discriminate - it can happen to anyone at any time.

There's plenty of travel advice on the internet today; in fact, the medium has opened up the communication channels, so you can research destinations, get advice and even see photos of your vacation destination. But, don't believe everything you read on the internet; in fact there's some downright bad advice floating around out there.

As 2008 draws to an end, it's time again for a look back at the bests and worsts in accessible travel.

Let's start with my call on the biggest story in accessible travel for the year - that's a no-brainier as, Canada's One-Person One-Fare decision is groundbreaking legislation. Now people who truly need in-flight attendant care don't have to pay extra for it while traveling domestically in Canada. And the ruling held up, when the Canadian Supreme court refused to hear the appeal late in the year. In short, it's a done deal - one that's set to go into effect January 10, 2009.