On the Road Again: Travel Planning, Techniques and Tips

RESOURCE LIST

Websites

NOTE: The Chamber of Commerce is an excellent resource.

Currency converter used in Hadley's "Internet: Beyond the Basics" course

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter#from=USD;to=EUR;amt=1

Currency converter from the Accessible Journey Web site:

http://www.disabilitytravel.com/currency-converter.htm
This Web site focuses on wheelchair travelers and their families.

Easy Access Chicago

http://easyaccesschicago.org
Your Guide to a Great, Accessible Destination
Specific to the city of Chicago, you can still use this site to learn about the types of modifications and accessible ideas for attractions, museums, transportation, events and accommodations that you should ask for in other cities. Look for a similar link for the place you plan to visit.

Google Maps

http://maps.google.com/?output=html
Accurate, text-only step-by-step directions to a business or residence in seconds

Guide to Government of Canada Services for People with Disabilities and their Families

www.pwd-online.ca/pwdcont.2nt@.jsp?cid=21

How to Travel with a Sight Impairment or Blindness

http://www.sath.org/index.php?sec=768&id=2212
SATH: Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality
Succinct article containing helpful information about services for the blind and visually impaired.

Kayak

www.kayak.com

National Park Service

www.nps.gov
To qualify for a free "Access Pass" to national parks for people with disabilities, you must provide proof of disability using one of the following: a statement from a licensed physician, a document issued by a Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, proof of Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income, or a document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.

National Weather Service

www.weather.gov

Tips and Resources for the blind or visually impaired traveler

www.fredshead.info/2006/08/tips-and-resources-for-blind-or.html
Fred’s Head from APH
Contains links for information, blogs and twitters, and postings from individuals

Travel Tips for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

www.access-able.com/tips/braille.htm
Access-Able Travel Source
One-page list of simple but useful suggestions

Travel, Tips, Tricks, Tools and Techniques

www.singapore-glaucoma.org/ftp/Travel_Tips.pdf
An 11-page article with detailed information and ideas

Travelocity

www.travelocity.com

Travel Smith

www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=141&path=1,3,141
Travel planning, packing advice, travel tips, trip planning checklists, packing guides, checklists and expert travel advice. While the information provided is not specifically for those with visual impairments, it contains good ideas for making your trip successful.

TravelZoo

www.Travelzoo.com
Weekly newsletter on travel deals

Trip Advisor

www.tripadvisor.com
Advice and reviews from real travelers

U.S. Department of State

http://travel.state.gov
Provides a wealth of information on passports, visas, traveling with service animals and more

Walk Score

www.walkscore.com
Find a walkable place to live.
Though designed for deciding on a good place to live, you can type in the address of your hotel to find businesses within walking distance.

Walt Disney World

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/visual-disabilities/
Information for guests with visual impairments includes braille guides, stationary braille maps and audiotape guides

Braille and Audio Compasses:

L S & S Group
800-468-4789
FAX: 877-498-1482
www.lssgroup.com

Maxi-Aids, Inc.
www.maxiaids.com
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Information: 631-752-0521
To order: 800-522-6294

Bruton, Inc.
2255 Brunton Court
Riverton, Wyoming 82501
800-443-4871 or 307-857-4700.
Fax: 307-857-4702.
www.brunton.com
Email: info@brunton.com

Accessible GPS Systems:

HumanWare, Inc.
www.humanware.com
175 Mason Circle
Concord, CA 94520
800-722-3393 (US only)
HumanWare has offices in many countries

Other Resources

Sendero Group

429 F Street, Suite 4
Davis, CA 95616
530-757-6800
Fax: 530-757-6830

TellMe

800-555-8355
Free, voice-driven information service that provides stock quotes, news, sports, travel and more. Each category has a menu. Travel menu includes airlines, hotels, rental cars, taxi service, weather, traffic and driving directions.

Hadley's "Internet: Beyond the Basics" course includes a useful lesson on travel.

Quick Tips for Traveling Abroad

Register so that the State Department can better assist you in an emergency
Sign your passport and fill in the emergency information
Leave copies of your itinerary and passport data page
Check your overseas medical insurance coverage
Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws
Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime
Contact U.S. Embassies and Consulates in case of emergency

How to Make a Bead Map

This is a fun and flexible way to make an individualized route map that can involve the student as well as the instructor.

Collect a variety of beads, then decide with your student the value of each kind. For example, a square bead might represent a right turn and a large round bead, a left turn. A pony bead might represent one block. Choose a particular bead that indicates the beginning and end of the route.

If possible, let your student string beads representing a route to a particular destination. If the route is: Travel two blocks, turn right, travel three blocks, turn left, travel one block and arrive, the bead map pattern will be: two pony beads, one square bead, three pony beads, one round bead, one pony bead and a bead to indicate the destination.

If the student is taking a bus or train, a group of a certain bead might be used to represent each stop to help a student remember where his stop is.

You can use other items to represent landmarks along the route so the student can do a check along the way. For example, if there is an obvious mailbox along the route, string a small piece of paper at that point. A tree with its roots pushed up through the sidewalk might be represented with a leaf. Use a silk leaf so that it will last. Be creative and fun.

The cool thing about bead maps: just turn it over to find your way back home.