A 777. Widebodies are good, because they have to have certain amenities (a semi-accessible lavatory, an onboard wheelchair to get to the semi-accessible lavatory), and bad, because they are so large, boarding starts really early, and when you have a tight (and late) connection, it can be hard to get there early enough and get anyone’s attention to get boarded before the first class and other entitled passengers start breathing down your neck (or stepping over you, which is what actually happened). But this isn’t about boarding, just about the trip to the lavatory.

I really do try not to have to pee on airplanes, but sometimes…

During the movie (because far fewer people are trying to use the lavatory at this time), I ring the call bell. A flight attendant appears within 10 minutes (this is really good – my record is 4 hours, on a flight to Europe – and by then, I really, really had to pee).

Me: “I need to use the restroom…” I pause, see that she has no idea why I would announce this to her, and continue, “and will need the onboard wheelchair.”

Instant deer in the headlights look. Flight atttendant: “Um…just a minute.”

Me: “Thank you.” (Always be nice to the people who have the power to keep you from the bathroom.)

Another ten minutes. Another flight attendant (we’ll call her FA2) comes to me seat. She also looks very apprehensive. “We’re working on it. It’ll just be another couple minutes.”

Me, calmly: “Thank you.” This means that either they don’t have it on board, or they do have it on board but it’s busted, or they do have it on board but nobody knows how to get it out. (Cut to the end: it’s Door #3.)

Eventually yet another flight attendant (YAFA, or FA3) comes trundling down the aisle with the onboard wheelchair. Other flight attendants (it’s a big aircraft) are hovering about. They all look very anxious. I try to exude confidence. Oh, yes, inexperienced flight attendants, I have done this many times! It is a piece of cake! Please do not concern yourselves! I am a professional!

I look it over before committing myself to it, make a few modifications (unfold the foot rest, untangle the velcro straps, and so on), and then leap aboard. FA3 pulls me backwards down the aisle, not running into very many things. The 777 has an accessible lavatory, which means the onboard wheelchair actually fits in there next to the toilet. FA2 is worried, and asks how they’re going to know when I’m done. It’s still a very small lavatory, and I assure her that I will open the door (just like everybody else) when I am done.

Getting the onboard wheelchair out of the lavatory is a whole ‘nother project, because nobody can get behind it to push it. FA3 asks FA2 to sort of pull on the strap around me knees, in order to get the whole affair going. FA2 gives it a try, then stands, turns her back to me, and says, “I can’t do this.” I can’t tell if she’s distraught (why?) or disgusted.

“Then don’t,” I say, realizing that what was in my brain actually came out of my mouth before I could stop it. Between the two of us, FA3 and I manage to get me out of the lav and back to my seat. Mission accomplished!

As I deplane, FA2, relieved that the Ordeal of the Onboard Wheelchair is over, says in a rush, “I’ve never done that before. Thirty two years and I’ve never done that before.”

I think of a number of things to say, and settle for “Thank you for all your help.”

[Background information: this is a very short flight, usually in a small regional jet. Regular travelers know that even carry on bags frequently won't fit in the overheads, if there are any, and must be gate-checked.

Wheelchair travelers know that (regardless of plane size) the wheelchair needs a gate check tag.]

I roll up to the gate agent (young and sort of confused looking). A ramp worker is standing next to her. He pays close attention to all that follows.

Me (following my invariable script): “Hi!” (I hold out my boarding pass, because my name needs to be written on the gate check tag, and frequently at this point the gate agent will realize that 37E is not a practical seat for a wheelchair user, and will voluntarily seat me somewhere better.) “I need a gate check tag, and I’ll need an aisle chair to board.”

Gate agent: “Oh, we’re fine today, you won’t need a gate check tag.”

Brief pause for confusion. I make the questioning face.

Gate agent, eager to reassure me: “Your bag will fit on the plane, we won’t need to gate-check it.”

Me (trying to suppress the tone of voice I use for the clueless): “Thank you. I’d like a gate check tag for the wheelchair.”

Gate agent makes the questioning face, but semi-automatically takes a tag out of the basket and hands it to me. She does not write down my name, she does not write down my destination, but I decide not to worry about it. How lost can the wheelchair get on a 40 minute flight? (Don’t answer that question, I don’t want to know.)

Me: “Thank you. And I’ll need an aisle chair to board.”

Gate agent still has the questioning face, but she nods and says “Yes”, eager to get rid of me.

I leave. The ramp worker follows me. “Excuse me, ma’am!”

I turn.

Ramp worker: “You can walk onto the plane, right?”

Me (tone of voice suppression on full): “I’m sorry, it’s so hard to hear in here, I must not have spoken up enough. I’ll need an aisle chair to board. Thank you!”

Sigh.

One of Britain’s top wheelchair athletes was prevented from travelling to a race after an airline said he would have to walk up steps to board.

Full article: Wheelchair athlete banned from plane ‘because he couldn’t walk’

Mr. Buckler finishes off his routine with 20 to 30 minutes of brisk cardio. When he is in a gym, he uses a stationary bike, stair stepper or treadmill. When he is on the road or at the race track, he goes for a run outside or for a ride on his mountain bike. … He always carries his rubber resistance bands, which he can use in place of dumbbells and strength machines when a gym is not available. If a hotel has a wheelchair-accessible room, he requests it because it has the large rails to tie his bands to.

Full article: Road and Track: A Racing Driver Keeps Fit (Wall Street Journal)

Note to those who don’t click through to the article: Dangling prepositions aside, Kevin Buckler is an able-bodied race car driver.

On December 3, the National Network of ADA Centers will host a webinar covering the Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas recently released by the U.S. Access Board. There is a period of public comment through December 18. The registration information follows at the end of this message and with the attached registration forms.

Provisions have significantly changed between the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in 2007 and the latest final draft issued October 19,2009.

Significant scoping and technical changes have been made regarding access to trails. There are also different technical provisions based on whether the surface is concrete, asphalt, boardwalk or an alternative loose-fill surface such as natural stone screenings and soil. The scoping requirements for picnic tables have significantly decreased, as have the technical provisions for outdoor benches. There are new requirements for documentation and notification to the Access Board when not all portions of a trail may be able to be made accessible.

Public comments can be viewed as they are submitted through www.regulations.gov see http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#docketDetail?R=ATBCB-2009-0006

—–Original Message—–

The US Access Board and the National Network of ADA Centers are pleased to announce that Registration is now available for the December 3rd Webinar titled: “UNDERSTANDING THE DRAFT FINAL ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR DEVELOPED AREAS” The session will be held from 2:30pm-4:00pm Eastern

On October 19, 2009, the U.S. Access Board released draft final guidelines for trails, picnic and camping facilities, and beach access routes. Once finalized, these guidelines will apply to outdoor sites managed by the Federal government, including national parks and recreation areas covered by the Architectural Barriers Act. This webinar session will provide participants with the opportunity to better understand the draft guidelines. This session will also highlight how the conditions for exceptions apply to trails and beach access routes, review “outdoor constructed features”, and discuss the requirements for outdoor
recreation routes and beach access routes.

Registration for this initial program will be done via a paper registration process due to some technical problems with the On-Line Registration process.

Forms can be submitted by fax (312-413-1856) or email (adaconferences@adagreatlakes.org).

The Series is provided at no cost. Individuals who are seeking Continuing Education Recognition may incur a fee. This session has been registered for AIA CES (Approved Course #ACCES1) and LA CES has been applied for. The cost of receiving either AIA CES or LA CES is $25.00 each. Certificates of Attendance will be issued at no charge.

Instructions for accessing the webinar program on December 3rd will be sent via email to registered individuals prior to the session.

Questions regarding the registration process or if you experience problems with the registration process can be addressed via email to adaconferences@adagreatlakes.org or by telephone at 877-232-1990
(V/TTY).

AccessibilityOnline
Registration Form
December 3, 2009 Session

First Name: _______________________________
Last Name: _______________________________
Organization: _______________________________
Position/Title: _______________________________
Address Line 1: _______________________________
Address Line 2: _______________________________
City: _______________________________
State/Province: _________
Zip Code: _________
Email Address: _______________________________
Telephone Number: _____________________

Continuing Education Recognition

This course has been registered for the following professional education designation(s):

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Course # ACCES1 Landscape Architecture CES Applied For

The seminar is provided at no cost. However, continuing education recognition for the above designations is provided at an additional cost or $25.00 per person/per designation.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at NO COST

Please check all that apply:
___ Certificate of Attendance No Charge
___ AIA CES $25.00
___ LA CES $25.00 (Applied For)
___ Total x $25.00 = _____

Credit card payment accepted (Visa/Mastercard) (Great Lakes ADA Center appears on Billing Statement)
Name on Card: ________________________
Card Number: ________________________
Expiration Date: ____________
CV code: ________________ (From back of card)
Billing Zip Code: ________________

OR Mail Check to: DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center, 1640 W Roosevelt Road,
Room 405, Chicago, IL 60608 (CE Recognition will not be issued until
Check is processed)

Fax Registration to: 312-413-1856
Email Registration to: adaconferences@adagreatlakes.org

Questions Regarding the Registration Process call 877-232-1990 (V/TTY) or send a email to adaconferences@adagreatlakes.org

The result of all the consultations? Larger seats (“we learned that people on average put on (one kilogram) a year after a certain age,” said Dewar); full-size stand-up lavatories that can accommodate wheelchairs; 20-inch aisles rather than the 17-inch norm; overhead bins that drop down automatically about a foot when opened, making them easier to load; pans that move forward at the bottom of seats, enabling passengers to find their comfort zones; height-adjustable seats (“if the seat is high, someone with shorter legs can start feeling numb after a while”).

Full article: The travel industry is maturing, too

You’re right – I don’t understand.

For most travelers, the route to Priest Station involves a long and winding path up Highway 120. Once they reach the top, they are relieved and ready for respite.

This sentiment was shared by countless travelers during and after the Gold Rush.

A way station since its inception, Priest Station is perched atop Priest Grade, a few miles west of Groveland and Big Oak Flat.

It was established as a stage and wagon stop on the route to Yosemite. Fire doomed the hamlet to obscurity, but one southern Tuolumne County family hopes to restore some of its old glory.

The Anker family has reopened Priest Station as a restaurant and store and will host a grand opening in early October.

Full article: Family breathes new life into old way station

Disabled passengers will be able to fly without a carer on Virgin Blue Airlines after the carrier announced major changes to its travel criteria.

The changes, to come into force on Thursday night, mean some passengers with special needs will have the choice of travelling independently.

Equality campaigners have welcomed the move, with Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes congratulating the airline for introducing a “less-restrictive policy”.

Full article: http://www.tradingroom.com.au/apps/view_breaking_news_article.ac?page=/data/news_research/published/2009/9/253/catf_090910_210300_5522.html

This is a beautiful wooded campground between Taylor Canyon Road and the Taylor River. Sites near the road are exposed to traffic, but it is not heavy, and was pretty much nonexistent at night, even at the height of the summer season in late July. Sites near the river get gurgling water and constant rafting parties coming downriver. All sites are well spaced, fairly private, and have some shade. There are two pit toilets, but only one is accessible, the one between sites 5 and 6. There is firewood and water but no showers. There is a narrow paved asphalt trail near site 3 which goes along the river and re-emerges into the campground between sites 5 and 6 (not shown on the map).

Reserveamerica.com, the online reservation website, lists site 4 as accessible, and at the campground, site 8 has the little wheelchair guy. Site 4 is very close to the accessible toilet and is paved (asphalt), with direct access to the river path, but has less shade than some of the other sites. Site 8 is semi-paved (the table is on a concrete path), and has electricity if needed to power medical equipment, so it’ll probably be snapped up by RV campers.

What the online reservation website doesn’t tell you is that many of the other sites are suitable for wheelchair users, with the exception of the river-side sites that feature a steep descent down to the table and fire ring (and possibly the tent pad). Check out the table below for details on each site. Where I say the toilet is far away, but reserveamerica.com says it’s close, it’s because it’s not close to the accessible toilet and/or reserveamerica.com is assuming you’ll cut through the middle, which is too steep and overgrown for wheelchair users to do.

We were in site 1, and I’d be going for either site 3 or 5 the next time we camp there.

Rosy Lane map (thumbnail)