Travel, Disability, & Universal Design: The Rolling Rains Report and the Tour Watch Forum
Location
Who travels is as important as where.
Human experience of the “power” of place depends on the quality of attention and the character of interaction (both physical and social.) Responsible Tourism sets out guidelines for the proper intention toward place. Geotourism sets out guidelines for the proper sustenance and enhancement of place. The Global Sustainability Criteria for Tourism sets out guidelines for the proper development of place. Inclusive Tourism sets out to alert all three that understanding “who” experiences place is essential to creating just and sustainable tourism. It does so by giving voice to the quality of tourist experience from a group who have historically been ...
About You
Contact Information
Title
Dr.
First name
Scott
Last name
Rains
Your job title
Founder
Name of your organization
The Rolling Rains Report
Organization type
Organization Type
Annual budget/currency
Annual Budget/Currency
Mailing address
San Jose, CA
Telephone number
Telephone Number
Postal/Zip Code
Country
United States
Website
Email address
Alternative email address
Alternative email address
Your idea
This will be the address used to plot your entry on the map.
Street Address
1748 Dalton Place
City
San Jose
State/Province
CA
Postal/Zip Code
95124
Country
United States
Geotourism Challenge Addressed by Entrant
Quality of tourist experience and educational benefit to tourists , Quality of benefit to residents for the destination , Quality of tourism management by destination leadership , Quality of stewardship of the destination.
Organization size
Small (1 to 100 employees)
Indicate sector in which you principally work
Tourism-related business
Year innovation began
2003
Place your video embed code here from YouTube, Google Video and other video sharing websites. How to embed a video from YouTube.
2002 Open Doors Organization Disability StudyView more presentations from Scott Rains.
Hear Our Voices StudyView more PDF documents from Scott Rains.
Success & AbilityView more PDF documents from Scott Rains.
Indicate sector in which you principally work
Living culture, Destination aesthetics, Education, General destination stewardship/management, Other.
Name Your Project
Travel, Disability, & Universal Design: The Rolling Rains Report and the Tour Watch Forum
Describe Your Idea
Who travels is as important as where.
Human experience of the “power” of place depends on the quality of attention and the character of interaction (both physical and social.) Responsible Tourism sets out guidelines for the proper intention toward place. Geotourism sets out guidelines for the proper sustenance and enhancement of place. The Global Sustainability Criteria for Tourism sets out guidelines for the proper development of place. Inclusive Tourism sets out to alert all three that understanding “who” experiences place is essential to creating just and sustainable tourism. It does so by giving voice to the quality of tourist experience from a group who have historically been ...
Innovation
What is the goal of your innovation? Please describe in one sentence the kind of impact, change, or reform your approach is intended to achieve.
Make the tourism industry a sustained partner in the aspirations, culture, and rights of the disability community by educating it on how different ways of "being in a body" affect "sense of place."
Please write an overview of your project. Include how your approach supports or embodies geotourism or destination stewardship. This text will appear when people scroll over the icon for your entry on the map located on the competition homepage.
Who travels is as important as where.
Human experience of the “power” of place depends on the quality of attention and the character of interaction (both physical and social.) Responsible Tourism sets out guidelines for the proper intention toward place. Geotourism sets out guidelines for the proper sustenance and enhancement of place. The Global Sustainability Criteria for Tourism sets out guidelines for the proper development of place. Inclusive Tourism sets out to alert all three that understanding “who” experiences place is essential to creating just and sustainable tourism. It does so by giving voice to the quality of tourist experience from a group who have historically been denied access to tourism - people with disabilities.
The Rolling Rains Report uses best practices from Universal Design to improve the quality of tourism management (Inclusive Tourism) and its impact on the destination (Inclusive Destination Development). We believe that Green Design embodies environmental sustainability ; Universal Design closes the circle by providing the social sustainability of inclusion.
This project is a product of disability culture - a culture shaped by “ways of being in a body,” and thus ways of being in and experiencing a place. These often fall outside what is considered “normal.” It is a culture to be preserved & enhanced, existing in all destinations. It brings completely unique insights on place to share with the industry. Inclusive Tourism’s core tools (Universal Design and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or "CRPD") embody the political aspirations of disability culture. Universal Design was forged from the Disability Rights Movement. This project uses it to prioritize benefit to people with disabilities as travelers, potential travel industry professionals, and destination residents.
Explain in detail why your approach is innovative
This project scales sustainable development projects piloted in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. No one but those who experience the world through the lens of disability can accomplish this project. In political terms the project makes concrete the Disability Rights motto, "Nothing about us without us." It implants local collaboratives, directed by people with disabilities, to provide tourism product consultation, infrastructure design, and destination development services to the tourism and hospitality industry. It melds the profit motive of industry with the pent-up demand for travel opportunities among people with disabilities through a series of projects grounded in the local disability community but linked globally through electronic communications, publishing, and conferences. The longterm goal is to establish Centers of Excellence that provide access and tourism opportunity audits as well as tourism policy analysis and strategic development leading to contracts in: Tour package design; Familiarization tours (fams); Infrastructure design, Sourcing, & construction using Universal Design (http://tinyurl.com/3atjkq); Training on people with disabilities as a market - as customers & employees; A multi-lingual online resource documenting & advocating for sustainable Universal Design best practices in economic development. People with disabilities of the USA alone spend $13.6 billion annually on travel. One of the world’s largest industries, tourism, can create lasting social change for one of the world’s fastest growing underserved populations, people with disabilities - including seniors.
Impact
Describe the degree of success you have had to date. How do you measure, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the impact on sustainability or enhancement of local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics? How has it transformed or contributed to the power of place or demonstrated the sustainability of tourism? How does your approach minimize negative impacts?
The approach has been moderately successful since 2003 generating 56 articles, 12 print and 11 radio & television interviews, two books, one special issue of an academic journal, and a daily blog on travel, disability, and Universal Design (begun January 1, 2004). Participation in 7 national or international conferences on Inclusive Tourism during that time included travel, research, and consulting in Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US. Because this phase of the project has been preparatory, coalition-building, and conceptual rather than location-based most impacts on local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics are largely the accomplishments of our partners. We have been satisfied to be a think tank, innovation incubator, and best-practices disseminator for the industry to impact disability culture as a whole while overseeing market growth and industry practice globally rather than locally. To the extent that we have strengthened the cultural and economic sustainability of our partners we have contributed to their local successes. Perhaps they will chose to tell the stories of their local success and strategies in the Comment section below.
In what ways are local residents actively involved in your work, including participation and community input? How has the community responded to or benefited from your approach?
This project brings together local disabled people's organizations, governmental tourism authorities, and the tourism industry by providing all with common language, vision, tools, and priorities. At the national level we have participated in or organized conferences on Inclusive Tourism in Brazil, and Japan (2004), Australia and Taiwan (2005), the US, Korea, and Thailand (2007) and Italy (2009). Mexico is under consideration for late 2009.. We have published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese. Articles have been written for DPOs in Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, Brazil and the EU. Book projects are under negotiation. Collaborations creating new tourism products or travelers with disabilities are in process in Costa Rica, Thailand, South Africa, and Canada.
How does your program promote traveler enthusiasm, satisfaction, and engagement with the locale?
This program works with local disabled people's organizations (DPOs) to assure accuracy of destination information, legitimacy of development priorities, and authenticity in marketing in Australia, South and SE Asia, the EU, North, and South America.
Research shows that travelers with disabilities rely on word-of-mouth recommendations at a slightly higher rate than other travel sectors (ODO 2005). We stay slightly longer, often bring one or two people with us, and spend slightly more (Darcy 1998). There is an explosive pent-up demand for travel that experts estimate would double our travel if destinations were made accessible (ODO 2007). People with disabilities are hungry for engagement.
Describe how your work helps travelers and local residents better understand the value of the area's cultural and natural heritage, and educates them on local environmental issues.
Physical access to previously inaccessible cultural and natural riches is often the first step in true cultural literacy and green values. The interaction of local and foreign people with disabilities inevitably awakens reflection by each on their personal experiences of inclusion and exclusion, awareness and evaluation of their own culture, and exposure to undiscovered shared aspects of disability culture such as resiliency, interdependency, resistance, humor, and artistic expression. The presence of people with disabilities as unashamed social actors such as tourists with economic means is still a socially disruptive and artistically energizing event in many parts of the world.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
How is your initiative currently financed? If available, provide information on your finances and organization that could help others. Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff.
From Scott Portraits
This initiative is currently financed entirely by the donated labor and (precarious) resources of the founder.
Is your initiative financially and organizationally sustainable? If not, what is required to make it so? Is there a potential demand for your innovation?
In its current phase it is financially sustainable through low-overhead.
Communications via a public blog, a private Web 2.0 innovation incubator (Tour Watch), Twitter, Facebook, and numerous articles and interviews keep costs down and free technology usage high. Labor is donated.
Investment is required to launch a growth phase that will establish Centers of Excellence in Inclusive Tourism in various locations. The spike in demand for research and consultation on Inclusive Tourism from destinations and the tourism industry around the world was the impetus for this new phase.
Invitations for on-site assistance as of January 2009 included: South Africa, Brazil, Argentina,Italy, Singapore Barbados, Greece, India and the US. To date South Africa and Italy have been fulfilled. An inquiry from Mozambique i and a research partnership with Australia are pending
What are the main barriers you encounter in managing, implementing, or replicating your innovation? What barriers keep your program from having greater impact?
As a project managed by a single person it has reached its growth limit. It can have incrementally increased impact through endurance over time as the message disseminates and its reputation grows but to have greater impact it must have the resources to retain a diverse group of committed individuals who are closer to strategic destinations and are influencing the day-to-day practice of government and the tourism industry. Interest in the goals of this project are not lacking. It is the ability to scale up to a level equal to the demand that is needed.
What is your plan to expand or further develop your approach? Please indicate where/how you would like to grow or enhance your innovation, or have others do so.
The ideal next step in expansion would include at least one rural and one urban setting. The expansion would integrate the key tourism stakeholders around an interest in the disability community as customers, employees, suppliers, and consultants. Evaluation would use a Triple Bottom Line approach.
We are engaged with Mexico as mentioned previously.Recently Barbados has approached us because they like our approach which blurs the lines between infrastructure accessibility projects for citizens with disabilities and those designed for (and potentially financed by the income generated from) tourists with disabilities. Demonstrating the economic viability of (re)designing these locations as destinations-of-choice for travelers with disabilities is a key strategy of expansion - examples of inclusion enriching culture.
Publishing business case studies on this approach is one of our goals.
The Story
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers' marketing material.
Dr. Scott Rains writes daily on travel and issues in the tourism industry of interest to people with disabilities. His work appears online at RollingRains.com. Rains’ articles have also appeared in Venture, New Mobility, Emerging Horizons, Contours, Success & Ability, Design for All India, Accessible Portugal, Audacity, Travel and Transitions, eTur Brazil, Co-Walking Korea, Turismo Polibea, Current Rehabilitation, [with]TV, and Disaboom among others. For his research on the topic of Universal Design and the travel and hospitality in the travel and hospitality industry he was appointed as Resident Scholar at the Center for Cultural Studies of the University of California Santa Cruz (2004-05)
What is the origin of your innovation? Tell the Changemakers and media communities what prompted you to start this initiative.
This is an experiment in social inclusion involving the tourism industry. It reflects the disability community's desire - and financial means - to travel freely and participate fully in the global community.
I have been paralyzed since October 12, 1972. In historical terms that means I am of the first generation of the Disability Rights Movement. As such I created the first Disabled Students Commission at the University of Washington assisting on disability issues at several universities afterward. My peers have gone on to be disability rights leaders in the US, their own countries, and in organizations like the World Bank.
With this project we are regrouping and organizing for inclusion on a global scale.
This idea came to me in a conversation with my wife during an anniversary trip as we looked ahead to issues we would face in the decades ahead. For example, no one knows how quadriplegics age. We have always died too soon to provide reliable data. Now people with disabilities are aging in large numbers and, as Boomer peers join us, there is a resurgence in effort to address unfinished issues. We are not letting up on our pressure to fight discrimination - and we want to travel. So I set out to be the English-speaking expert on this topic for our community. This project is the result of encouragement to take the think tank and innovation incubator approach of www.RollingRains.com and morph it into local projects.
Demand from industry, government, and disability organizations around the world has been surprisingly strong. We have worked with every continent and far-flung islands.
A current project in Mexico has taken on priority in light of the economically devastating effects of the fear of the flu. Proponents of Inclusive Tourism in Mexico have invited us to synthesize successes from projects in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Ciudad del Carmen in order to build a national network.
Describe some unique tourist experiences that your approach provides. Be specific; give illustrative examples.
Let me turn the tables and provide an answer that will fail to satisfy many. Yet by choosing it we illustrate our core insight on exclusion.
Victoria at Galludet College, author of this VLOG, writes, "...my summer job [was] as a tour guide with Parks Canada. I go on to encourage other Deaf Canadian youth to try and apply for jobs with Parks Canada (Young Canada Works)."
In this video she recounts her unique experience in excellently articulated American Sign Language (ASL).
However, if you don't speak ASL you experience what faces the 500 million people on earth with disabilities - exclusion.
At some level beyond language you realize that miss out on her sense of place - a sense of place experienced directly and through meaningful interaction with others.
Without the ability to enter into Deaf Culture how do destination managers, policy makers, residents of or tourism workers at the destination know the "power of place" that Victoria has perceived?
If not grasped how can it be preserved? Enhanced?
The impoverishment radiates in every direction - tourist, tourism professional, destination resident, even the place itself."
(n.b.: This video illustrates our approach - full inclusion of people with disabilities in tourism - but is not our project.)
What types of partnerships or professional development would be most beneficial in spreading your innovation?
All Geotourism Challenge participants can partner with this project by reflecting on the following:
Geotourism and Inclusion: Questions for Geotourism Challenge Participants.
In addition we:
- Seek content, logistics, and funding partners for various conferences on Inclusive Tourism scheduled from 2009 - 2011
- Will work with travel, lifestyle, regional or other publications, tv, film, or radio to implant this practice around the world.
- Will organize conferences, familiarization tours, design opportunity audits, academic or journalistic research of a region's tourism product & potential.
- Invite partners interested in sport and development that positively impacts our community of people with disabilities in our projects with FIIFA 2010 World Cup (South Africa), 2014 World Cup (Brazil), 2010 Winter Games (BC Canada)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| pantender.jpg | 108.76 KB |
| Akila-350-DSC01022.jpg | 87.47 KB |
| Rickshaw.jpg | 76.09 KB |
| uShaka110.jpg | 65.77 KB |
| Raven.jpg | 66.65 KB |
| Carte-Blanc.jpg | 77.77 KB |
| BC-Spit.jpg | 53.18 KB |
| Aisle-chair.jpg | 84.91 KB |
| MoT-India.jpg | 63.64 KB |
| Korean-Border.jpg | 119.8 KB |
| Taj-Mahal.jpg | 53.42 KB |
| Fremont-at-Jackson-St-6.jpg | 448.26 KB |
| Hotel-in-Napoli.jpg | 99.33 KB |
| Zululand-1.jpg | 151.39 KB |
| Sea-Turtle.jpg | 89.23 KB |
| Ayutthaya.jpg | 378.26 KB |
 | ralfhotchkiss said: DEAR dAWN, aNY PROGRESS YET? I AM A WHEELCHAIR DESIGNER WORKING AND RIDING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE ... about this Competition Entry. - 950 days ago read more > |
| srains said: Subject: Via Libre Pilot Study: Tourism Accessibility Standards in Europe: Visitor Accessibility Survey To: Tourists with ... about this Competition Entry. - 951 days ago read more > |
| srains said: A new resource has just opened in New Zealand for travelers with disabilities - Accomobility. Accomobility site about this Competition Entry. - 975 days ago read more > |
| srains said: Dawn, Good idea! This could work like the Calfee bamboo bicycles project that you discovered. about this Competition Entry. - 982 days ago read more > |
| Dawn Yonally said: The strength of the Travel Team concept is found in the societal need for people with disabilities, ill and mature who need help is ... about this Competition Entry. - 982 days ago read more > |
| Dawn Yonally said: Bamboo Wheelchair Project Thousands of people around the world have lost the use of limbs as a result of land mines during times of war ... about this Competition Entry. - 982 days ago read more > |
| srains said: I am very excited to see what progress has been made in the group on strategies for Mexican tourism by Dr Scott Rains on his site Tour ... about this Competition Entry. - 988 days ago read more > |
| srains said: Due to the success of the course the students themselves have asked the director to include this subject from the first semester and ... about this Competition Entry. - 988 days ago read more > |
| srains said: Bill, Your work and schedule amaze me. One day I'll here from Canada that you are there and on your way to see me in the US. The ... about this Competition Entry. - 988 days ago read more > |
| srains said: Wheelchair Sports Photography By the way, congratulations on the launch of Wheelchair Sports Photography. It's very timely with ... about this Competition Entry. - 988 days ago read more > |
Comments
Gracias Adriana!
Lo bueno es que no necesito hacer-lo sin companeros como tu y el ejemplo de Mexico Accesible!
What you do in Puerto Vallarta for Jalisco and the entire country certainly has a positive impact on Mexico's image as a destination of choice for travelers with disabilities. The very fact that more and more travelers with disabilities are able to enjoy Puerto Vallarta through your efforts is one of the contributing factors to enhancing Mexico's compassionate, but sometimes also constraining, attitude toward disability.
Find more photos like this on Tour Watch
Obrigado Mariana!
E vc que nos mostra uma ideal nesse assunto com sua monografia sobre turismo inclusivo, pós-graduação, e trabalho na industria como neste video:
Do let us know the next time you are back up in the US for research!
Hi An,
Yes, we believe that it is important to advocate for a full - and completely safe "path of travel" to ensure all travelers with a quality travel experience. Your study below, "Under the Radar," was an eye-opener for the industry and motivated some good investigative journalism:
Prospect Endangering Passenger's Safety at SFO?
LAX Compromises the Safety, Security and Health of Passengers
Under The Radar (Summary)View more documents from Scott Rains.
Monica,
The numerous ways that you facilitate the smooth cooperation between different stakeholders in South Africa's Inclusive Tourism economy is inspiring.
That's just one of the reasons why I appreciated the chance to tour the country with you.
Another is your unique ways of demonstrating the "accessibility" of Durban's architecture such as here at North Beach with Jennae Bezuidenhout from Access2Africa Safaris.
Still another is you uncanny eye for catching zebras on camera.
You have me sold on the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George, South Africa.
Hopefully we can meet there for the wheelchair races next year - if our paths don't cross again before that.
An estimated 10% of those traveling at any point in time have a disability. These include not only people with visible aids such as wheelchairs or white canes but also many people with disabilities that are not immediately obvious to the unaware observer. Yet “invisible” disabilities, too, can profoundly impact the travel behavior of people who experience them, for example disabilities that affect hearing, speaking, reading, reading social signals, or other communication.
The United Nations estimates there are 500 million people with disabilities in the world while a study by Open Doors Organization in 2002 demonstrated that the 42+ million Americans with disabilities spent $13.6 billion annually on travel. How is this market and this cultural phenomenon addressed by the tourism industry?
To be considered ecologically sustainable a project must be socially sustainable. That is, it must be realistic in accounting for the human needs and cultural variation among those it impacts. The following questions are meant to stimulate your thinking about how successful you have been in accommodating the diversity of capacities of travelers in ways that make earth-sensitive tourism projects open to all.
Geotourism Means Accessible & InclusiveView more documents from Scott Rains.
Bill,
You "outed me!" Now the whole world knows they can trip up my "Super Crip" persona with just a handful of Kryptonite ;-)
We have been planting seeds in Mexico for years. You see above Judith Cardenas' impressive report from Cancun and Adriana Ramirez' report from Puerto Vallarta.
But, to give credit where credit is due, we have never experienced the sort of galvanized response that has recently come into being around your Freedom Shores resort on Isla Aguada near Ciudad del Carmen in Campeche.
Linking up with the Inclusive Destination development ideas of Lawrence Uren was the trigger. You have given the network in Mexico and abroad a concrete localized focus that offers motivation to the country's existing Turismo para Todos movement as well as captured the imagination of allies inside and outside Mexico.
Felicitaciones!
I am looking forward to coming down in June - but only in my "Clark Kent" mode as observer and journalist because you have the ball rolling just fine.
Bill,
Your work and schedule amaze me. One day I'll here from Canada that you are there and on your way to see me in the US. The next week it is South Africa or Asia telling me you are arriving there from Australia.
In your wake are always people who speak highly of you.
I especially appreciated the way you pointed out to the organizers of Indaba, South Africa's major international tourism fair, a couple weeks ago that they designed us wheelchair users out of participation in their beach party for tourism professionals by holding it in an inaccessible venue.
Good things happen where you travel. Thanks!
Jennae,
Someone else might have recognized my brave "smile" in front of one of KwaZulu Natal's monster sharks as a "rictus of fear!" Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt.
As you can see I am much more relaxed in this photo with you next to me (and closer to the big guys) as shark bait.
Thank you for sharing with me the little-know beauty of the Northeastern section of South Africa. With 400 resorts, game reserves and eco-tourism destinations in your corner of KwaZulu Natal it is amazing that it is not yet better known. Your work to provide accessibility to its riches through Access2africa Safaris is a great example for the geotourism movement.
As a person with a disability yourself who has struck out to be an entrepreneur in geotourism what you are inventing as you go will be the detail of global best practices in the future. We are all very anxious to see you launch Access2Africa Deaf Tours soon!
Due to the success of the course the students themselves have asked the director to include this subject from the first semester and in all courses of the university. We are developing the proposal for presentation to the president of the university that this subject be included within the core and from the first semester of college. I think this is a big step because, at least at this university, they are giving importance to this issue. Those who have already taken this class with me are now including the issue of accessibility to all its tourism projects that have to submit for degree. I hope that with your support we will soon be offering this course in every university in the country until you get to basic education (primary and secondary.)
4. These same students have submitted a final draft on an accessibility analysis in the hotel zone in Cancun. It will be available to you on YouTube.com for you to see. This would be an excellent tool for all destinations in Mexico. We can submit it to the Secretary of Tourism of our states and to lobby for further maintenance or modify the main streets and avenues which will benefit the tourists who use a wheelchair, who have limited mobility or those who carry their babies in strollers. But best of all is that people with disabilities in the locality will benefit by having more accessible streets.
5. Caribbean University and the Director of Tourism is keen to participate in actions to support this segment of tourism. We are planning for later this year a congress of accessible tourism. I hope can coincide with the date with a "fam trip" and they can be invited to the conferences and workshops have.
All of these ideas could not have been accomplished without the help of Dr. Scott Rains and all those involved in the Tour Watch community.
Regards to all / Judith Cárdenas / Cancun Accesible /www.cancunaccesible.com
I am very excited to see what progress has been made in the group on strategies for Mexican tourism by Dr Scott Rains on his site Tour Watch. I am sure that this "snowball" will not stop until we have well consolidated our proposals. I wish to comment on projects and developments that are in Cancun and the Riviera Maya that could serve all these ideas that have emerged in this group.
1. The person responsible for public relations of the Secretariat of Tourism of Quintana Roo is already aware of the group we have formed. She has asked me to keep her informed of all actions that we take as a group so she disseminate them to appropriate persons in the Government of the State. She also liked the idea of a "fam(iliariztion) trip" which we have discussed in this group to help us promote it as an affordable destination.
2. I am preparing my thesis for a master's degree in Tourism Marketing . My thesis project field work will be based on gathering information on accessible tourism sites in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. This information may also be available very soon to share with the group.
3. Yesterday I finished the third year that I have taught on Inclusive Tourism and senior travel at the University of the Caribbean. This is a course for students in "sustainable tourism" taught in the last semester with the objective to sensitize students on the topic of people with disabilities and the elderly and the huge potential that this segment represents for our destination...
Scott's project description goes some way to describing what he has dedicated his life to doing, but in no way conveys the absolute enormity of what he has managed to achieve. He has connected thousands of travellers with disabilities from all over the world to each other, to a knowledge base that he has built up himself, and to the tourism industry. His network spans every time zone and his name, among people in the disability community, brings cries of recognition and more often than not personal memories. He does this all at his own expense of time and money, and more often than not at the expense of his health and personal life. He does it not because he is a "do-gooder", but because he is a man driven by a passion for social justice.
My own personal memory of Scott is from his whirlwind tour of South Africa in February this year. He galvanised the sluggish authorities into action, advised and encouraged wherever and whenever he could, gave invaluable support and recognition to the few ongoing projects that existed for people with disabilities - and proved an excellent, entertaining travel companion. Among other things, his encouragement and the network of contacts he introduced me to led me to launch the website: www.accessiblecapetown.com. He continues to play a huge role in moving forward the issue of inclusive tourism in South Africa.
A unique man, an invaluable resource, an absolutely vital challenge for the global tourism industry.
Several people have reported difficulty registering and posting Comments. This test post is also a chance respond with more information on the whirlwind 30-day research tour in South Africa
previously referred to by travel writer Monica Guy:
On Safari Bring Extra Tires for Your Wheelchair
It begins:
I travel a lot - more than most other quadriplegics that I know. Even so when I first look up at the sky on every trip to the southern hemisphere I am temporarily disoriented.
It’s not like I am a celestial navigator. I couldn’t find my way home from the corner pub by looking at the stars even if all I had to drink was Stones Ginger Beer. Set me sailing out on the ocean at night by the stars – well, I’ve never been sailing at night so I’m not certain – but I image you would never hear from me until I drifted up on a forsaken beach somewhere...
Continued
Pam,
Speaking of tireless commitment! You laid out the entire agenda for South Africa in your endorsement here: Inclusion across disabilities and for those "slowed a bit" by age - parks, hotels, attractions, transportation.
Thanks to you at Flamingo Tours I had the chance to tour Cape Town, see Cape Fur Seals up close (and survive the pounding surf!); experience a Cape Minstrel welcome, and enjoy seafood on the beach.
From a Geotourism and inclusion perspective I am very impressed with your leadership in creating the "Pride Not Poverty: Meet the People" itinerary that brings township residents with disabilities into the tourism economy in a dignified as entrepreneurs and cultural ambassadors providing them with a sustainable livelihood. This is a model to be replicated around the world.
Find more photos like this on Tour Watch
I'm glad to see Scott's effort to make a more decent world by showing us how important it is to care about ourselves and the environment we live. Rolling Rains Report is so fantastic because it talks about life, about reality, about points of view and not only, it is hard reading it without leading to a deeper reflection of how could we become a better citizen.
Scott's vast network and broad vision of accessibility and social justice are truly reflected in the community that he has brought together through the Rolling Rains Report and TourWatch. At the same time that he has stayed focused on developing his own work, his commitment to social justice spans broadly. He has consulted and helped in the efforts to bring together the disability rights community with other communities, including the workers that provide assistance to travelers with disabilities. This has been extremely helpful for these groups that may not have historically worked together, to develop a better understanding of the different facets of struggle for our communities, in order to advance progressive policies that benefit those who often get overlooked in the tourism industry.
Sandra,
It is an encouragement to read your endorsement of the project - even more to watch the ripple effects of your own work over the years through reports in the media and through colleagues. The real progress gets made through steadfast persistence coupled with the strategic insight you bring.
I still wear the "trophy T-shirt" from my ill-fated SCUBA diving attempt last time I was in New Zealand. Even trying and failing as I did has its positive impact on the industry!
Next time I am down we will need to do a hands-on tour rather than the quick side trip I was limited to last time.
Judging from the publicity in the photo I from North Island (below) I expect that there is much more to discover about the country!
A new resource has just opened in New Zealand for travelers with disabilities - Accomobility.
Accomobility site
Hi Scott
We are fortunate in Kwazulu Natal to have accessible beaches and stunning game reserves. In fact South Africas second largest Big 5 Reserve the Hluhluwe Game Rserve is a mere 2.5 hours drive from Durban. Even more exciting news is the new international airport which will be completed at the end of 2009. This airport will have direct international flights and will be 1.5 hours from Hluhluwe.
Oh yes did I forget to mention Kwazulu Natal is home to the all time favourite and our heroe..The Sharks..(Rugby Team).
Therefore a perfect photo Scott!
----------
Jennae Bezuidenhout
www.access2africasafaris.co.za
Hi, I´m very happy because Scott all the time is looking what he can do to help people with dissabilities. He´s working to have more accessibles destinations. In México, has been very hard change our culture, travel with someone with specials needs, but we are doing and I think we can do more. Everyone can do something, Scott can´t do it along. If each one works with his comunity, the accessibility will be in all the cities and countries.
www.accesiblemexico.com
On its “About” page, The Rolling Rains Report (RRR) describes itself as a “service to the travel and hospitality industry.” It goes on to say that it “provides resources on Inclusive Tourism – a concept arising from the vigor of a global disability community that both enjoys and asserts the right to full social inclusion.” But for me, it is much, much more than this. It is also a beacon to those of us in academia who are working to further local, national, and international well being and sustainability through the development of tourism for people with disabilities (PWDs). The RRR acted as my first guide and source for research into tourism for PWDs, and I still use this and other open-source, collaborative, social networking websites created by Scott on a daily basis to inform my work in Inclusive Tourism.
I have never personally met Scott Rains, but I feel I have known him as an old friend for several years now. I first came across the RRR when I examined inclusive tourism products here in New Zealand in 2005. Newly blessed with an age-related disability, I was shocked to find during the study that PWDs were inadequately catered for and were not considered a viably sustainable market (see http://www.tppweb.ac.nz/pdf/resreports/disability%20studyv2.pdf ). This despite the fact that already at least 10% of the world’s population has a disability, that this percentage is bound to increase as Baby Boomers like myself age, that PWDs already have the means and the desire to travel, and that the increasing number of PWDs in future will also have the means and the desire to travel. And according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, they also have a right to travel. The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit social development dimension. It states that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to participate in cultural life, leisure, recreation, tourism, and sport.
I have also used the work of Scott Rains as an example of best practice when advocating to government and industry about how Inclusive Tourism could become an economically and socially sustainable subset of the tourism industry if the concepts of Universal Design are followed. It has also informed the work I have done examining how stated New Zealand government policies and strategies make it imperative that our country develop sustainable Inclusive Tourism (http://www.tppweb.ac.nz/pdf/resreports/Report_Tourism2008.pdf).
The exemplary work done by Scott has informed tactical representation that has played some part in successful attempts to encourage government in New Zealand to finally consider if there is something “in” Inclusive Tourism (Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Social Development, personal communication by email).
Scott and the RRR have also provided me with resources and contacts in the global community of those working to further sustainable Inclusive Tourism. Contacts I have made through Scott have become invaluable in my work. Daily news updates also keep me in touch with worldwide items of interest.
Thanks Scott for helping open my eyes to the concepts of sustainable Inclusive Tourism and how it can act as an agent to alleviate the worldwide social problem of access in general for PWDs.
Sandra Rhodda, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Greymouth, New Zealand
As someone who's rolled about this planet for 25 years, and as someone who also tends to vacation and travel in places off the beaten path, I can attest to how instrumental the Internet has become in researching and planning a trip that includes accommodations for my disability.
Web sites such as Scott's Rolling Rain Report provide vital information and resources to allow a traveler to anticipate the degree of accessibility available at a location. As a traveler in a wheelchair, I need information more than the average traveler. I don't want nor expect everywhere I travel to be 100% accessible. But provided I have the resources to plan a trip based on what is accessible, I can create an itinerary that meets my needs.
I created www.AccessingArizona.com based on that same premise. Arizona is a wonderful place to explore, but if one arrives with only a general level of travel knowledge, they'll likely see less and experience less because they didn't have an insider's guide to the places offering specific details regarding accessibility. Now a visitor can review locations and gain perception.
The Rolling Rains Report is the disabled traveler's resource for similar information on a global scale plus a whole lot more. Scott's vision and ability to mobilize for the cause offers businesses and communities with resources to allow them to open their doors to a growing niche of the traveling public. Scott's approach is unique in that he's not just sending a location some sort of Accessibility-101 list of to-do's. He's showing up and meeting with those who can influence local practices and sponsor change when needed. All to often a divide is thrown up between those who have disabilities and those who don't. Because accessibility limits those who do, and because accessibility is often viewed as a burden to those who's establishments lack efficient access, our niche is viewed as an unprofitable market. Scott Rains explores practical ways to balance out the differences.
I view Scott's site as the ideal place for others to come and discover how
Dawn,
Good idea!
This could work like the Calfee bamboo bicycles project that you discovered.
DEAR dAWN,
aNY PROGRESS YET? I AM A WHEELCHAIR DESIGNER WORKING AND RIDING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE PROGRESS IN CHEAPER, LIGHTER, STRONGER materials. Can i help with your designs?
Best wishes,
Ralf Hotchkiss
Gordon,
Rumors say your guide book on African Safaris for travelers with mobility impairments will be out next month. Sharing the research for your manuscript with me was crucial to the success of my own month of research in South Africa.
Watching the companion website progress at Able Travel raised our anticipation.
I am reminded of something you wrote (quoted her from my blog) that for me goes to the heart of what I mean to communicate with this entry in the Geotourism Challenge:
Gordon Rattray is an expert on travel in Africa. He also uses a wheelchair. As he explains here the wheelchair isn't always the most efficient way to get somewhere but, as he writes a guide on accessible travel in Africa, his experience reinforces one of the key values of disability culture -- interdependency:
There are distinct advantages to being disabled too; apart from the fact that enthusiastic and able help is often easier to find away from home, being reliant on people can even help bridge the usual gulf between us, the tourists, and them, the locals. I'm often forced to ask for assistance; and people, in turn, are interested to know what caused my disability and why western medicine can't cure me.
This means there is a greater chance of more meaningful encounters and conversations, instead of the usual bartering with a market trader where both parties' motives are financial. Information I compile for Bradt guides is aimed mainly at people with physical disabilities, but some books also contain notes for those with sensory deficits, and it's not just disabled people who are seeking new trails; many older travellers worry about having to climb too many steps, availability of bathrooms or simply being able to regularly take a rest and sit down.
Source here.
We all benefit from your years of driving overland in Africa and researching for the first ever all-Africa guide for our community. Thank
Wheelchair Sports Photography
By the way, congratulations on the launch of Wheelchair Sports Photography.
It's very timely with passage of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities giving us Article 30 to confirm our rights to participate and attend sports. Also timely with all the work being done by the disability community to make the 2010 Games accessible in Canada (2010 Legacy Now), FIFA in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, the Commonwealth Games in India, the Volvo Ocean Race, etc.
There should be plenty of photo ops!
PS Leave space to add the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George South Africa to your itinerary!
Loren,
People may not know that one of reasons your site Accessing Arizona is so appealing is that it goes beyond good reviews to feature high quality photography - something you develop further in your blog for photographers with disabilities at Rolling F-Stop.
Whether it is revealing new destinations, new equipment (or creative re-purposing such as your "quad-pod") or discovering kindred spirits your sites exemplify what ought to be done to promote geotourism in specific locales.
Your cross-border forays from living in the US to consulting in Mexico makes your work an example of Changemaking. I look forward to more of it!
Scott
Loren with his new "quad pod and Nikon SLR.
Scott's vision and drive has been crucial in driving cultural change in Tourism. The size of the task is enormous but through his efforts people from around the globe are now working together to provide resources for inclusive tourism. The network and the inspiration provided by Scott was instrumental in the formation of my own www.travability.travel here in Australia.
The task goes way beyond just provided information and resources about accessible destinations, or indeed ensuring compliance with disability legislation, but it is about cultural change and full inclusion of all people in travel activities. We must change the perception from a problem that needs to be solved to one of active encouragement of full participation of all through clever and consistent use of universal design.
The task is enormous but Scott's drive and passion is bringing resources from all over the world together. It is vital to making the world accessible to all.
Posting at this late stage, it's difficult to find original superlatives to describe Scott's influence on this industry.
Tireless (as in indefatigable, not 'without tires') is definitely something extra to say, while his depth of knowledge, wealth of worldwide contacts and energy for work are astounding.
As a result, the web resources he has built have been extremely useful in my guidebook research and his personal advice often invaluable.
I vote for and endorse Scott Rains as a competition winner as he is making a difference around the world not only at home. He has made local government in South Africa sit up and listen to what visitors to our beautiful country who are in wheelchair, need. Action, not token paper chasers, making the national parks accessible, making hotels and attractions have at least a couple rooms accessible for ALL, not only wheelchair users, but those who have hearing and sight impairments, as well as the mature traveler and those are increasing year on year. A UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR INCLUSIVE TOURISM is required with global input rather than each area having their own rules and regs which do not have any clout outside their area. I hope his tireless commitment is rewarded. Pam Taylor. Cape Town - South Africa
After meeting Dr. Scott Rains online about 1 1/2 years ago; I could not believe someone with such a wide knowledge-based repertoire of global inclusive tourism skills, backed by a baptism in academia and such a white-hot seemingly indefatigable drive towards accomplishment could even exist. I have known for a very long time that Superman is not real. Now, after a period of time in which I have more closely examined the man, I can tell you that Dr. Scott Rains, despite a physical affliction, has this almost superhuman strength that he has laser focused on Inclusive Geotourism.
Over the years, he has developed a global network of dedicated individuals who he has begun working with towards eliminating physical/psychological barriers to handicapped travel and accommodating destinations.
My business here in Mexico, has been enriched because of our affiliation with Dr. Scott Rains. His ideas and his philosophy have touched my guests, my employees, my vendors, the state and federal politicians and government entities.
Because of his guidance and cheerleading, we have now pulled together a group that represents "changemakers" from all across Mexico. I believe, because his dynamic personality and commitment, we will make a change here in Mexico!
Bill Bussear
Estoy muy emocionada por ver todo lo que se ha avanzado en este grupo de estrategias de turismo accesible para México que liderea el DR. Scott Rains en Tour watch. Estoy segura que esta "bola de nieve" no se detendrá hasta tener propuestas muy bien consolidadas. Me gustaría comentarles los proyectos y avances que se tienen en Cancún y la Riviera Maya y que podrían servir a todas estas ideas que se han planteado en este grupo.
1. La encargada de las relaciones públicas de la Secretaría de Turismo de Quintana Roo ya esta enterada del grupo que hemos formado y me ha pedido mantenerla informada de todas las acciones que realicemos en el grupo y ella no puede apoyar para difundir nuestras propuestas y hacerla llegar a las personas indicadas del Gobierno del Estado. También le gusto mucho la idea del “fam trip” del que hemos hablado en este grupo y nos ayudaría promovernos como un destino accesible.
2. Estoy preparando mi tesis para titularme de la maestría en Mercadotecnia turística y mi proyecto de tesis en la parte de trabajo de campo se basará en recopilar información de sitios turisticos turísticos accesibles en Cancun y la Riviera Maya por lo que esta información también podrá estar disponible muy pronto para compartirla con todo el grupo.
3. El día de ayer terminé el tercer curso que he impartido en la Universidad del Caribe sobre turismo Incluyente y para la tercera edad. Esta es una asignatura que solo se les imparte a los alumnos de la carrera de “turismo sustentable” y en el último semestre en donde el objetivo es sensibilizar a los alumnos sobre el tema de las personas con discapacidad y de la tercera edad y del enorme potencial que este segmento representa para nuestro destino turístico. Debido al éxito del curso los mismos alumnos ha pedido a la directora de la carrera que incluyan esta asignatura desde los primeros semestres y a todas las carreras de la universidad. Por lo que estamos elaborando la propuesta para presentarla al rector de la universidad y que esta asignatura sea incluida dentro de las básicas y desde el primer semestre de la universidad. Creo que esto es un gran paso pues al menos en esta universidad le están dando importancia a este tema y los alumnos que ya han tomado esta clase conmigo ahora están incluyendo el tema de la accesibilidad a todos sus proyectos de turismo que tienen que presentar para su titulación. Espero que con el apoyo de todos ustedes pronto podamos estar impartiendo este curso en todas las universidad del país hasta llegar a la educación básica (primaria y secundaria)
4. Estos mismos alumnos han entregado un proyecto final sobre un análisis la accesibilidad en la zona hotelera de Cancún y que lo van a subir al youtube.com para que ustedes también lo puedan ver. Esta sería una herramienta excelente para todos los destinos turísticos de México podamos presentar a las Secretarias de Turismo de nuestros Estados y hacer presión para que den mantenimiento o modifiquen las calles y avenidas principales en donde se verían beneficiados los turistas que usen una silla de ruedas, que tengan movilidad reducida o incluso los que llevan a sus bebes en carreolas. Pero lo mejor de todo es que también las personas con discapacidad de la localidad se verán beneficiados al tener calles más accesibles.
5. La universidad del Caribe y la Directora de Turismo está muy interesada en participar de las acciones para apoyar este segmento del turismo y estamos planeando realizar para finales de este año un congreso de Turismo accesible. Espero pueda coincidir con la fecha de “fam trip” y poderlos tener de invitados a las conferencias y talleres que tendríamos.
Todos estas ideas no podrían ser una realidad sin la ayuda del Dr. Scott Rains y todos los que participan en la Página de Tour Watch.
Saludos a todos / Judith Cárdenas / Cancun Accesible /www.cancunaccesible.com
I live on the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal and along the Elephant Coast and the largest ecotourism area of South Africa. My dream for many years and through observing a real need for a specialist operator catering for mobility impaired travelers was to offer special unique safaris and tours to our very special slice of Africa. Thus Access2africa Safaris was born.
When motivating the KwaZulu Natal Tourism for a familiarization tour of our beautiful country last year, I had no idea of the dynamic and incredibly driven person I was going to meet. Scott is an inspiration and he has opened doors to a vast network of organizations and many persons involved in the Inclusive Travel Industry.
Access2africa Safaris prides itself on being a personal and hands on type operator and we are privileged to have hosted Scott’s tour to KwaZulu Natal. Some of my favorite moments of Scotts tour. Scott surrounded by and singing along with the assegai welding Zulu dancers at Dumazulu Traditional Zulu Cultural Village. Scott grinning from ear to ear with a very large shark in the aquarium background at Ushakamarine World, Durban.
Among numerous goals achieved was exposure and promotion of South Africa as an accessible destination to many operators worldwide through Tourwatch and Rolling Rains Report. Access2africa Safaris are proud to have coordinated various meetings including Ari Seirlis The National Director Of Quadriplegic Association, James Seymour senior researcher at KwaZulu Natal Tourism, owners of Makaranaga Lodge who are passionate in their support of MS Society and the reason why 10 of the 22 rooms at this 5 Star Lodge are accessible. (As Scott pointed out the swimming pool is the perfect example of Universal Design.)
A significant highlight of Scott’s tour to KwaZulu Natal was his introduction to Shakila Marajah who sits on the board of KwaZulu Natal Tourism and chairs the Disability Tourism Forum of KwaZulu Natal. Through Scotts and Shakila encouragement, KwaZulu Natal and Durban City Tourism included a section promoting Inclusive Travel to KwaZulu Natal at these years Travel Indaba in Durban. Volunteers including myself wore bright T-Shirts with the Inclusive Travel logo and a strong message was seen by many. That is KwaZulu Natal supports and welcomes disabled travelers.
Access2africa Safaris, with Scott Rains inspiration and encouragement, endorses Inclusive Tourism and therefore caters for all travelers including blind, deaf, wheelchair bound and able bodied travelers.
Jennae Bezuidenhout
www.access2africasafaris.co.za
info@access2africasafaris.co.za
----------
Jennae Bezuidenhout
www.access2africasafaris.co.za
Bamboo Wheelchair Project
Thousands of people around the world have lost the use of limbs as a result of land mines during times of war as well as many other reasons. I propose to offer a way to improve their lives and teach them how to earn a living by building bamboo wheelchairs with materials onsite. (The wheels can be acquired from bicycles that have been discarded.) They in turn, they will teach others in their country. This social entrepreneurialism will not be restricted to people injured in as a result of war, but to all PwDs who will be benefit from the BWP worldwide.
Dawn
The strength of the Travel Team concept is found in the societal need for people with disabilities, ill and mature who need help is traveling to and from medical facilities for care. Often people in need find it difficult to secure someone to travel to get their medical needs met. Families, friends and co-workers want to help the person in need to obtain medical care, but often time, financial, familial support is not available. This task can be physically, psychologically and temporally demanding. The Travel Team could provide help in these people time of need anytime.
The schooling of the Travel Team Members and service will be located on the hospital site. This site can serve as a school to train members. The MD in charge of each case can prescribe the required help.
Dawn
Subject: Via Libre Pilot Study: Tourism Accessibility Standards in Europe: Visitor Accessibility Survey
To: Tourists with disabilities and others who have particular access needs, when travelling for business or leisure
2nd July 2009
Dear Sir or Madam,
Via Libre, a member of the Fundosa Group, Spain (ONCE Foundation) is conducting a pilot study about the use of accessibility standards in the tourism sector, for disabled visitors and others with particular access needs.
The study aims to identify the existing Standards, Quality Norms, Laws and Minimum Requirements concerning accessibility in tourism in selected European countries; to evaluate these instruments in terms of their effectiveness towards tourism providers and in relation to the accessibility of destinations,as experienced by visitors with disabilities and others who require good access conditions.
As part of this study you are invited to answer a short, on-line Visitor Accessibility Survey.
The only condition for participating in the survey is that you must have travelled away from home (on business or for pleasure) to a European country in the last 3 years. You can, of course, answer if you have travelled within your own country or to more than one country!
To go to the survey page, please click on the following link:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cnZQd25OQWNkZTV0QXBuSEJj.....
If the link does not work immediately, please copy and paste the link into the address line of your web browser.
The questionnaire can be answered in less than 10 minutes.
You must answer the whole survey in one "session" and submit the form by pressing the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page!
Deadline! Please note that the visitor accessibility survey will close at midnight (Central European Time) on 15th July 2009
The survey results will be published by Via Libre during this summer. Your answers are anonymous. Only aggregated data will be presented in the survey report.
We hope that, with your participation, this survey will shed new light on the use of industry standards for accessibility in the tourism sector, providing a baseline for company policies and practices in the future.
A website for the Study of Tourism Accessibility Standards has been opened at:
http://studyoftourismstandards.wordpress.com/
- You may post your comments on the pages of this website about any aspect of the study or about accessibility in tourism.
With kind regards,
Ivor Ambrose and Carolina