e-newsletter: July 2006
As a web oriented business we are used to spending time in front of screens. But June has seen us (and a significant percentage of the rest of the world) staring at screens of a different type, as World Cup fever sweeps the globe. And what an amazing event it has been, with some amazing tales already. Perhaps the most bizarre involved a group of Argentinian supporters who, having exhausted all other channels, managed to ‘blag’ tickets to see their heroes by commandeering a number of wheelchairs and playing the disability card? Well, perhaps not surprisingly, it was a Red card they saw when unable to contain their glee at their team going one up, a ‘miracle’ happened and the entire party leapt up from their wheelchairs! You couldn’t make it up!
Meet the team
She’s a talented lass our Debbie. Not only is she a bit of a guru when it comes accessible web design (what this young lady can do with CSS is nobody’s business). Debbie can also be seen and heard strumming her stuff on Cello at many a classy event as part of a very capable classical string quartet. When not working, Debbie lists her hobbies as DIY, theatre, watching soaps, playing the piano, enjoying the sunshine, dancing, mobile txt, and Snarf. She is a gem.
Richard Thompson - Managing Director
UK Leisure TimeOur spotlight this month falls on the theatre world, who, in line with many entertainment venues are working hard to improve accessibility in what can be extremely challenging environments – many of our theatres are old, Listed and to be frank, never built with good access in mind. Some of those improving and enhancing visitors of all abilities are the three stages that make up the Theatre Royal, Bath. Main House, the egg and Ustinov are great examples of access and art coming together in the stunning setting of this great English city.
In the glorious Lake District, Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is not only extremely attractive from the outside but offers excellent amenities within its walls.
Two more theatres worthy of a mention and a visit are Tower Arts Centre, Winchester and Luton Library Theatre.
Since May’s newsletter I’ve had the chance to check what’s going on in Cyprus. Certainly since entry into
the EU in April the island (excluding the North which did not gain entry) is seeing an enormous injection of resources and this
is creating boom time on this sun-drenched land. New roads, airports, marinas, golf courses and a general shift upmarket means that Cyprus is set to become a genuine jewel in the eastern Mediterranean. Boasting an enviable year-round sunshine record, this is a destination best visited out of the baking months of July and August when temperatures can be searing. Of course, there is always the option of escaping to the Troodos mountains where, in winter, it is possible to ski in the mornings before heading down to the beach for an afternoon swim! How many holiday places can off this?
With regard to access, new development will mean improved access in the major resorts of Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and
Limassol. One resort which has already incorporated a decent level of accessibility is Protaras. Located in the islands current
hotspot close to the ‘ghost city’ of Famagusta and only 10 minutes from Ayia Napa, this resort offers something for
everyone but is particularly geared up for families.
One area the island will need to address is the lack of accessible taxis on the island but this will come for sure. As will access to rentable mobility equipment.
For those seeking property investment in a destination which presses all the right buttons, Cyprus wins there too. With probably 5 years of excellent capital growth ahead and buying laws and processes pretty closely tied to those in the UK, it’s a straight forward process. Accessible rental properties are scarce on the island so good potential for holiday lets too. Anyone interested in property investment on the island can email property@holidayaccessdirect.com for more information.
Cyprus is going to be hot, hot hot!
Destinations already way up the in the top 10 of sunshine destination are the Algarve and Florida. Excellent villas now showcasing on the site are As Casinhas near Vilamoura (Algarve), SilverStar on Florida’s Gulf Coast and Awaydays for all the pleasures of Orlanda!
Independent Living Two of the industries major players are sticking with the Good Access Guide for 2006 and beyond. Hollister and Huntleigh Healthcare are showcasing their quality products on a number of our sites. It is great to have you on board!
Newcomers to the Guide, Aquasoothe are also featuring their portable scooter and wheelchair products, which are ideal travel companions on our worldwide portal – Holiday Access Direct.
Phew, what a scorcher! That was the verdict by many exhibitors at this year’s Mobility Roadshow, which, for the first time, was held at the former RAF Kemble air base, in the glorious Gloucestershire countryside, near Cirencester. The weather was hot and so were many of the exhibits at the event. Each year the offerings from the UK’s vehicle and mobility manufacturers and suppliers become ever more ‘spectacular’. It is worth going just to admire the extraordinary innovation and development skills from some very talented people.
The show was opened by TV personality, Noel Edmonds, who gave generously of his time to all those seeking photos and autographs.
It was great to see so many companies that are featured in the Good Access Guide and to view their products at close quarters. Gowrings, Cyclone, Martin Conquest, Chris Elliott and of course, Motability all displayed their goods and services to the thousands of visitors who made it and enjoyed (and in some cases endured) scorching temperatures. We trust that all exhibitors found it a worth while event and hope to see them in our home county of Gloucestershire again next year.
DDA NewsService providers large and small are obliged to address their obligations under The Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This means making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to the way they do things and may include physical changes to their premises, altered practices and procedures, disability awareness training and the introduction of alternative information formats.
Alternative Format:
It is no longer acceptable to deliver information in a single format – we must all be able to offer alternatives. These may
include large print, Braille, audio and, almost certainly… an accessible website. A leading
provider of translation (transcription) services is Adept, who promise
to provide ‘any format which increases the access to information for disabled people or persons’. We think they are going to be extremely busy!
That’s it for July. We look forward to bringing your more from the UK’s leading online guide to life, leisure and mobility in next months Good Access Guide Newsletter.
