Latest news with #accessibletravel
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Aira Explorer accessibility app rolled out at Surrey bus stations
Blind and partially sighted people now have access to an app that helps them navigate four Surrey bus Aira Explorer app is operational at terminals in Guildford, Redhill, Staines and Woking for allows users to video call a trained visual interpreter who can guide them around the bus County Council said it would use part of a central government grant for improving bus services to pay for the project. As well as helping bus users to locate their stop, the app's interpreters can direct them to bus station staff, read timetables for them, and direct them to other nearby locations."We're keen to make bus travel accessible for everyone and hope this will support people with sight loss to travel confidently and independently," said cabinet member for highways Matt Furniss. The operator that runs Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern trains rolled the app out at 236 railway stations in 2024.
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Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This New Platform Is Changing Accessible Travel by Verifying Luxury Hotels
Luxury travel just got a bit more inclusive, thanks to a new platform designed for discerning travelers with disabilities. Accessible travel company Inclu has just launched a new hotel discovery platform for travelers with disabilities called Inclusive Luxury Hotels. The platform features hotels that have been vetted (or are in the process of being vetted) and awarded "Verified by IncluCare" status for both accessibility and luxury. All the properties featured have demonstrated their commitment to the concept of 'conscious inclusivity' for travelers with disabilities, including mobility, sensory, and neurodivergent exceptionalities. The platform at launch features 18 hotels and resorts in 10 different countries, with a goal to expand to more than 50 properties by the end of 2025. Verified by IncluCare accreditation was established in 2022 and is awarded to providers who have completed a four-step process of evaluation, education, and transformation led by Inclu's experts. The program for hotels aiming for accreditation includes a comprehensive Inclusive Hospitality Appraisal of facilities, amenities, and services, an online webinar to train staff, suggested recommendations in an 'action and adjustment plan' to improve accessibility and guest inclusivity, and promotion of the property. Amilla Maldives is the first Verified by IncluCare five-star property, a ranking that is granted only to hotels and resorts who have demonstrated guest inclusivity excellence for a minimum of 24 months. Some properties are also awarded the ranking on a discretionary basis if they can demonstrate an innovative or exemplary provision for inclusivity. Six other properties on the platform have been granted Verified by IncluCare status, including: The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey, England; Euphoria Retreat in Mystras, Greece; Hotel Éclat Beijing in China; La Miniera Pool Villas Pattaya in Thailand; Leopard Walk Lodge in Hluhluwe, South Africa; and Ximuwu Lodge in South Africa's Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Verification requires hotels to make their inventory of accessible rooms clearly visible on the Inclusive Luxury Hotels website and provide fully confirmed bookings, which contrasts with the majority of hotels that often offer accessible rooms on a request-only basis or make them otherwise difficult to find online. The platform will also highlight 'En Route' properties that are in the process of verification and have completed the Inclusive Hospitality Appraisal. Eleven properties currently qualify as En Route, including hotels and resorts in Costa Rica, the U.K., Belize, the U.S., and Turkey.
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Man had to sleep in wheelchair due to broken lift on ferry
A man who is quadriplegic said he had to sleep in his wheelchair overnight after a broken lift on a Jersey passenger ferry meant he had to travel on another Bedding from Jersey, who has paralysis in four limbs, said he had been told by ferry company DFDS the lift would be fixed before he was due to travel at the end of May. He was moved to an overnight ferry due to delays in the repair work, and said it was "not suitable" and "too much inconvenience". A spokesperson for DFDS said they "understand the importance of accessible travel" and the repairs were expected to be completed by 31 July. 'Huge inconvenience' The passenger lift on the Levante Jet ferry has been out of service since Bedding said: "It was a huge inconvenience."It was a bit of a disaster really. It's just not suitable for myself."He added: "I had to stay in my wheelchair overnight, so I had to sleep in my chair because it's just the hassle of getting a hoist into the cabin, to get out of my chair for that amount of time is not really feasible."Nick Bradford, who has mobility problems, also had issues with the broken lift. He said he was unaware the lift was out of order, and had to use the stairs "with difficulty". "What they should have done was told me when they booked it but they didn't," Mr Bradford said. "They knew it was out of order. "I would have actually changed the holiday until it was working but I couldn't now because it was too late." The manager of a Jersey hotel which caters for visitors with disabilities and mobility problems said some bookings have been cancelled due to the lift Martin from Maison des Landes said it was costing the hotel "thousands of pounds" in cancellations."The majority of our guests come by boat, 75%," Mr Martin said."It's a better experience going by the boat, rather than flying and people do like it. So we are at the mercy of the boat operators." In a statement, DFDS said the required parts needed were "bespoke and must be specifically manufactured for this specific vessel". A spokesperson added: "We understand the importance of accessible travel and are committed to supporting all our passengers. "Those who have registered accessibility needs with DFDS will be contacted directly and offered alternative travel arrangements."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Man had to sleep in wheelchair due to broken lift
A man who is quadriplegic said he had to sleep in his wheelchair overnight after a broken lift on a Jersey passenger ferry meant he had to travel on another vessel. James Bedding from Jersey, who has paralysis in four limbs, said he had been told by ferry company DFDS the lift would be fixed before he was due to travel at the end of May. He was moved to an overnight ferry due to delays in the repair work, and said it was "not suitable" and "too much inconvenience". A spokesperson for DFDS said they "understand the importance of accessible travel" and the repairs were expected to be completed by 31 July. The passenger lift on the Levante Jet ferry has been out of service since April. Mr Bedding said: "It was a huge inconvenience. "It was a bit of a disaster really. It's just not suitable for myself." He added: "I had to stay in my wheelchair overnight, so I had to sleep in my chair because it's just the hassle of getting a hoist into the cabin, to get out of my chair for that amount of time is not really feasible." Nick Bradford, who has mobility problems, also had issues with the broken lift. He said he was unaware the lift was out of order, and had to use the stairs "with difficulty". "What they should have done was told me when they booked it but they didn't," Mr Bradford said. "They knew it was out of order. "I would have actually changed the holiday until it was working but I couldn't now because it was too late." The manager of a Jersey hotel which caters for visitors with disabilities and mobility problems said some bookings have been cancelled due to the lift problems. Steve Martin from Maison des Landes said it was costing the hotel "thousands of pounds" in cancellations. "The majority of our guests come by boat, 75%," Mr Martin said. "It's a better experience going by the boat, rather than flying and people do like it. So we are at the mercy of the boat operators." In a statement, DFDS said the required parts needed were "bespoke and must be specifically manufactured for this specific vessel". A spokesperson added: "We understand the importance of accessible travel and are committed to supporting all our passengers. "Those who have registered accessibility needs with DFDS will be contacted directly and offered alternative travel arrangements." More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Two high-speed ferries revealed for Jersey DFDS
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- Washington Post
Where should wheelchair users travel? Ask a blogger who's been everywhere.
Travel expert Cory Lee, founder of the award-winning blog Curb Free with Cory , has visited more than 50 countries in his wheelchair. He'll be here Tuesday at noon Eastern time with By The Way reporter Andrea Sachs to answer all your questions about accessible travel. Send your questions in advance through the box above. Your questions may be edited for accuracy and clarity.
