In conjunction with the Open Doors Association the city of Chicago has released a new access guide – “Easy Access Chicago.”

It has information on the accessibility of transportation, lodgings, restaurants, sporting events, theatres , tours, attractions, and more.

Visit there website, http://www.easyaccesschicago.org, for the details where you can view the information online, download the PDF version, or order a hard copy.

I want to welcome Jean Newell who has created the “PUP” or the Personal Utility Pouch as a new advertiser on the website. She originally created it to hold the various gadgets, wallets, and travel documents that we carry around with us all day. However, she has noticed that some of the people who enjoy it the most are wheelchair and walker users who need quick access to a cell phone, pda, iPod or mp3 player, but cannot easily reach there pockets or bulky purses. That is when she contacted me to get the word out for disabled travelers. The PUP has already been featured on QVC, Washington Post, and Jean has just appeared on the “Big Idea” with Donny Deutsch on CNBC this past November.

The PUP has 4 open pockets for gadgets, pen, paper, etc. and 2 zippered pouches for extra important items like passport, wallet, or other travel documents. It allows for very easy access and can be worn either around your waist (like a fanny pack), around your shoulder or chest. Please check out her website at http://www.lovemypup.com for more details as they come in 6 different colors and cost only $17.95 which is very reasonable considering it is made from poly blend denier like most luggage and is machine washable. The PUP is very stylish and can be worn by both men and women and keeps you from looking like a tourist, unlike the classic “fanny pack.” Type in the code “VIP traveler” into the discount code box when ordering and receive free shipping of $4.50.

From Jean – “Here’s some of the comments I’ve heard from my special needs customers. People with arthritis or dexterity like the open pouches for their easy access and the parachute clip is large enough to grasp. People with canes and walkers like the waist accessibility as over the shoulder bags are too difficult to carry. Individuals in wheel chairs like the fact they can wear it across their body or on their waist and it doesn’t interfere with operating their chair”

Watch 3 minute YouTube Commercial – “The PUP, a convenient way to carry your travel essentials”

I wanted to share this email with you as it is great information for visitors looking for accessible travel in Spain.

As a disabled person ( I have MS) living in Barcelona I have developed Shoreside Services for cruise ship passengers that now cover the main ports of Spain and the Balearic Islands. The provision for disabled passengers is more or less non-existent in terms of shoreside activities such as excursions in adapted vehicles, assistance for deaf persons with guides who can sign, etc.

Having worked extensively with Accessible Barcelona owned by Craig Grimes as a subcontracted excursion operator specializing in tours for the disabled within Barcelona. I have now branched out to cover Spain and the Balearic Islands offering services to disabled travelers via the port ground handlers with whom I have exclusive rights to offer the following:

Those Shoreside Services that my company are able to offer to PSA, Seatrade Cruise Members & Specialist Agencies, and the individual traveler throughout Spanish ports consists of:
[more]

Their goal is to be open in Spring of ’08. It could be a very useful service if everything goes as planned:

Mobility Air Transport – Personal or Business Travel for persons using wheelchairs!

* Travel in Business Jets! and corporate planes, specially modifiedfor accessibility and comfort
* LOW Fares! equal to average airlines’ coach fares
* No Wheelchair Damage!extra care for your chair instead of getting damaged before, during, or after the flight
* Room for service dogs!companion pets, or service monkeys right next to you
* Smaller Airports!closer to your departing or arriving destinations

Turning miserable air travel into WONDERFUL air travel! – http://www.iflymat.org/

AccessAnything.net has published a new book covering accessible travel: “Access Anything: I Can Do That”

An inspirational guide to traveling, adventuring, and sporting with a disability, Access Anything: I Can Do That dives into the incredible world of adaptive sports and recreation by showcasing 45 different sports that have been adapted for people with disabilities. This one-of-a-kind guide also features essential disability travel information and tips for traveling by airplane, car/rental car, charter bus, cruise ship, and train. As an added bonus, I Can Do That! includes six inspirational interviews with world-class adaptive athletes who have helped to change the face of adaptive sports.

They are also the publishers of – “Access Anything: Colorado” which is a complete access guide for the state of Colorado. Please see there website as they have a lot of information to offer – http://www.accessanything.net