New Resources for Blind Travelers
Tours, Tools Extend Accessible Options for the Sight-Impaired
A host of products and services, from specialty cruises to talking GPS systems, now offer blind travelers greater ease, safety, and comfort.
This article profiles travel-related agencies serving the blind, specific tour offerings, and services and tools designed to help blind and visually impaired persons get more from their travel experience.
For example, Traveleyes, a British-based company, now provides clients with HumanWare's Trekker talking GPS system, enabling travelers to pinpoint their location, learn about area attractions, and get specific, real-time directions.
Tour Companies Serving the Blind
Boston to Bermuda Cruise
American Star Travel, specialists in group travel for the visually impaired, offers a seven-night cruise (Oct. 5-12, 2008) from Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dream. Fares start at $689 plus tax for an inside cabin. Guide dogs are welcome. On-ship orientation and special assistance during embarkation and debarkation is provided. The ship features 13 places to eat, 10 bars, a casino, two swimming pools, a jogging track, and a 24-hour fitness center. Call 508.815-4327 for more information.
Mind’s Eye Travel
Another agency serving the blind, Mind's Eye Travel, has three upcoming trips: Discover the Coast of Maine, (Sept. 10-14, 2008); Sedona, Ariz. and the Grand Canyon (Oct. 8-13, 2008); and a 7-day southern Caribbean cruise (Feb. 15, 2009). Sue Bramhall and a fully sighted assistant host each trip, which are designed for visually impaired or blind people traveling with a sighted guide. The company offers assistance with scheduled activities and meals to blind people traveling alone, but cannot offer assistance 24/7. Call 207.542.4438 for reservations
International Nature Tours
VisionOutdoor organizes nature tours for the blind and visually impaired and strives to create adventures that combine touring with outdoor sports. Recent examples include exploring Iceland with easy hikes and guided tours, canoeing in Finland, and learning about wolves and moose in Upper Lusatia, Germany. Call 011-49-521-399-8182 for information.
Information on Accessible Travel
Braille travel guides
TravelBraille.com has transcribed numerous travel-related publications available in braille-ready format (BRF) files on its website. Information is taken from guidebooks such as Lonely Planet and Fodor's, brochures, websites, and newspapers. Registration is required. Current files include information on Tibet, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Belize, Kenya, Tasmania, Greece, Italy, Thailand, and an introduction to the World Heritage program.
Braille maps
The Princeton Braillists have released Maps of Canada and the United States, a 75-page, single-volume, 28-map reference bound in a multi-ring binder. Highlights include enlarged maps of Canada’s Maritimes and the Great Lakes, and thematic maps (major cities, land forms, elevation and climate) of Canada and the U.S. and it territories. The book costs $20 and ships via Free Mater. Contact 609.924.5207 for information.
Tools for Accessible Travel
Talking First Aid Kit
The Talking First Aid Kit from intelligentFirstAid provides push-button audio instructions for managing nine different types of injury (including burns, bites, and bleeding) and has convenient pause and repeat functionality. The nine color-coded injury packs are individually labeled and contain step-by-step instructions for managing specific injuries.
Talking Pill Bottle
Travelers worried about taking the wrong type or dose of medication can now ask Rex the Talking Bottle, made by MedivoxRx Technologies. Rex verbally identifies bottle contents at the push of a button and provides audible directions for taking the medication. Call 866.798.2557 for more information.
Growth in both disability services and the tourism industry continues to create a wider range of opportunities for blind travelers.
