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Get in touch, say hello and let me know what you’re getting up to whether that be for work or pleasure in the world of accessible travel and leisure.

Happy travelling,

Craig

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have given details of their new Silverliner V train including an access statement for wheelchair users. The trains have been designed under the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and also through consultation with local Disabled People’s Organisations.

The access statement on the SEPTA website continues to list the onboard features of the trains:

• Train cars, door openings, and wheelchair berths are sized to accommodate ADAAG Common Wheelchair (30″ x 48″)
• Entrances located along the car, rather than at the ends, permit quick boarding and exiting by all, ambulatory or wheelchair users, and accommodate boarding from full high level platforms, low level platforms, and mini-highs.
• Audio and visual door closing alerts are provided.
• Accessible path into rail cars is marked on each car exterior with the International Symbol of Accessibility (wheelchair symbol).
• Each car features priority seating for persons with disabilities, appropriately identified.
• Two wheelchair berths are provided in each car, next to doors for easy access. At the request of the disability community, wheelchair spaces are located side by side so friends can ride together.
• Skidproof vehicle floors safely accommodate wheelchairs even when wet. The material used was field-tested by the disability community.
• Larger windows and in-car and external lighting give added light and enhanced visibility, as well as meeting the needs of riders with low vision.
• Cars feature automated, electronic audio and visual line, destination and station announcements and displays inside and outside cars. External speakers announce rail line and destination to customers waiting on the platform. These systems are synchronized using GPS.
• In the engineer’s cab and each car, diagnostic terminals governing car and train systems (ex. door openers, automated station announcements, HVAC) will log any malfunctions, display a fault light to alert crew members, and facilitate trouble-shooting and repair.
• At the request of the disability community, SEPTA uses bright yellow in our vehicles and facili-ties to alert and guide customers. Each new Silverliner car features glow-in-the-dark yellow striping down each side of the aisle to guide riders to emergency exits and yellow will be used to give visual cues throughout cars.
• Formatting of signage, notice boards and system information meets all ADA requirements.

SEPTA also have an Access Page regarding facilities on other services that they provide. Unfortunately, the SEPTA website doesn’t give any photos of the facilities or access for people with disabilities. However, there is a photo in the Philly.com’s article about the new train.

As many airports across the UK and Northern Europe close today due to the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, many news sites such as the Guardian and the BBC are covering the disruptions.

The effects of aircraft being grounded for disabled travellers may not only be inconvenient but also a health risk in itself. For many disabled people there are issues surrounding unscheduled extensions of holidays and business trips.

If they’ve already arrived at the airport after a long journey there will be a lot of waiting around to see what the situation is. For those with reduced mobility, such as wheelchair users, this could mean remaining in their chair for much longer than normal which can cause medical complications such as pressure sores or swelling in the legs and feet.

For disabled people who are stranded abroad and are trying to get back home, there could be even more problems through not having enough medical supplies with them such as prescription medicines or catheters.As well as this, with many people being stuck all at once, finding a suitable hotel near the airport with availability and facilities for disabled people could prove to be a difficult task.

Obviously, nobody is to blame for this natural event and the Civil Aviation Authority are merely taking the necessary precautions through grounding aircraft, but flight delays can be more than just inconvenient for disabled people.My advice for disabled travellers would be:

• In the event of flight delays such as today, go directly to the airline help desk at the airport and clearly explain your situation and what you require.
• If there are going to be significant delays, ask the airline to provide you with accommodation (and suitable transport to it) to avoid any risks to your health.
• If you’ve already checked your bags in and need their contents, ask the airline staff to return them as soon as possible.
• If you require any other mobility aids during the extended stay, such as a hoist, ask the airline staff to provide it (it maybe the case that you hired a mobility aid that you require at the destination but no longer have it with you).
• If you require any medication or other pharmaceutical aids during your trip always take more than necessary. It maybe bulky and slightly inconvenient, but it is best to have too much than too little.

In general a little advance planning when travelling with a disability helps, but things sometimes go wrong. Try to keep calm and concisely communicate your needs to the relevant staff to get assistance with what you require.

The Colchester Castle Museum has won awards for improvements made in regard to physical access. It has level or ramped access to the ground floor, a lift to the first floor and an accessibile toilet on the ground floor. Induction loops are fitted in appropriate locations through out the museum. However tours of the Castle itself do include two sets of steep stairs and so are not accessible for people with mobility problems. Disabled people and their helpers are eligible for concessionary rate admissions. For further information regarding facilities for disbaled people please visit their access page.

More from the OpenBritain Colchester Castle Museum Article.

The Bure Valley Railway runs almost al year round from Aylsham to Wroxham in Norfolk and has to be a great way to see the area. When I first found this through the VisitNorfolk website I was slightly cynical in thinking that there wouldn’t be any facilities for disabled people. However, after a few clicks and a little bit of exploring I found the Disabled Access information page and was pleasantly surprised to find that not only are both of the stations accessible but also the Bure Valley Railway has 6 adapted carriages that can take up to 4 manual wheelchairs each!

More from the OpenBritain Bure Valley Railway Article.

The Argentium Project: Exploring New Avenues for Silver Design at the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (BMAG) from the 22nd September 2009 – 21st February 2010 is described as:

“A fascinating display in the metalwork gallery at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which brings together new research and creative work by Kristina Niedderer. She explores the revolutionary new silver alloy, Argentium^© through hand work and modern machine techniques. Kristina has created a range of objects combining the use of Argentium^© Sterling Silver and laser welding which test and extend traditional craft practice.”

More from the OpenBritain Argentium Project Article.

Bradford Music Week runs from the 21st – 27th September 2009 and the event will include a diverse range of music. There is also the World Mile Festival which is running as part of Bradford Music Week. This event will run over the weekend of 26th – 27th September in venues along the route of Ivegate to White Abbey Road.

More from the OpenBritain Bradford Music Week Article.