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Tour and Travel Agencies
The
travel agencies listed below cater to people with impaired vision as
well as other disabilities. Some only offer information while others
provide assistance in travel planning or organize special tours.
The Campanian Society, Inc.
Offers
travel programs in the U.S. and Europe for people with impaired vision
and their family members and friends. Programs feature unique tactile
experiences and hands-on learning along with sighted guides. Optical Dimensions,
a free newsletter, is available via email or in large print. For more
information about tours or to subscribe to the newsletter, email campania@hvc.rr.com, call (845) 876 - 0303 or write to The Campanian Society, Inc. PO Box 243, Rhinecliff, NY 12574.
Diversion Dive Travel
This
online travel agency specializes in diving vacations in Australia,
Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They offer
suitable options and support services for people with various
disabilities including vision impairment. For more information, email info@diversionoz.com.
Eco-Adventure International
Based
in Wisconsin, this travel agency specializes in adventure travel to
Africa and Asia, and offers programs suited to people with
disabilities. They can customize trips for groups or address individual
requests. To find out more, email info@eaiadventure.com or call (888) 710 - 9453.
Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) International
This
California based organization arranges several dive vacations
specifically for people with various disabilities. All trips have HSA
trained and certified instructors. The next dive trip being planned is
to Bonaire, an island 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, from
September 12 -19, 2004. To find out more, email hsa@hsascuba.com or call (949) 498 - 4540.
Holiday Care
A
UK organization that provides travel information on accessible hotels
and visitor attractions in the UK and over 40 countries including U.S.,
Scandinavian and Israeli destinations, as well as sources of funding.
The organization does not organize holidays or offer financial support
itself. For more information, call 0845 124 9971 or email info@holidaycare.org.
International Bicycle Tours (IBT), Inc.
IBT
organizes bike tours in the U.S. and abroad. People with vision
impairments who are accompanied by a seeing partner can ride a tandem
bicycle on their tours. For more information, call (860) 767 - 7005 or
email ibt@sbcglobal.net.
Israel for All
Based
in Israel, this agency offers customized travel for groups or
individuals with vision loss and other special needs who are visiting
Israel. Israel for All provides information about accessible
accommodations and can make arrangements for special medical needs. For
more information, email meieli@zahav.net.il.
McFarlane Safaris
A
South African tour agency that designs and operates wildlife safaris,
featuring specialized programs for people with visual impairments. For
more information, call (+27-15) 793 300 or email garth@mcfarlanesafaris.co.za
Sue Slater, Cruise and Vacation Specialist
Sue Slater has first-hand experience with travel issues affecting people with vision impairments, since she is blind from retinitis pigmentosa.
Based in St. Louis, she organizes group and individual tours and
cruises, arranges hands-on descriptive tours, provides itineraries and
materials in large print or braille, and assists with documents needed
for traveling with a dog guide. For more information, email Sue at cruiseaway2001@yahoo.com or call (314) 726-6893.
The Travel Depot, Inc.
Based
in Arkansas, this group specializes in travel needs for people with
physical and visual disabilities. They also arrange "service dog"
friendly cruises and are offering cruises to the Mexican Riviera
(October 2004) and the Eastern Caribbean (November 2004). For more
information about tours or to make a reservation, email reservations@traveldepotinc.com or call (800) 418-4242 or (479) 444-3366.
Uphill Ski Club of Great Britain
A
UK based charity that organizes winter sporting trips in the United
Kingdom, United States, Canada and Europe for people with disabilities
including vision impairment. The Club provides adaptive ski instructors
and volunteers helpers and the program fee includes 2 ?? hours of
instruction each day. All participants must be members but financial
assistance for trip fees is available on an as needed basis. For more
information, call or fax 01479 861 272, or email info@uphillskiclub.co.uk
Wilderness Inquiry
Wilderness
Inquiry offers outdoor adventure travel programs to destinations around
the world for people of all ages and all abilities including people
with visual impairments. Travel programs may include tandem canoeing,
horseback riding, dog sledding, kayaking, rafting, skiing, hiking and
more. Call (800) 728 - 0719 or (612) 676 - 9400 to get more information
or email info@wildernessinquiry.org
Vitalise
Offers
holiday travel in the UK and Europe for adults with vision impairments
and other physical disabilities. Sighted guides are available for all
trips and many trips accept dog guides. They organize a wide variety of
vacations including tandem cycling and skiing. For more information,
call 0845 345 1970 or 01539 735080, or email info@vitalise.org.uk