News

August 2011       THEME PARKS IN THE OFF SEASON: AN EASIER TIME TO NAVIGATE    Summer is practically over, the lines are shorter, and it's a great time to visit a theme park. For individuals with special needs, the off-season is a prime time to enjoy theme parks to the fullest, as small crowds equal easier navigation. Whereas in the past, even in the off-season, many individuals and families with children and special needs skipped theme park vacations…

June/July 2011       CRUISE LINES' SMOKING BANS HELP PASSENGERS TRAVELING WITH OXYGEN BREATHE MORE EASILY AND SAFELY   More and more cruise lines are now enforcing smoking policies that prohibit smoking in staterooms. Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland American Line recently announced that smoking will soon be banned in all of their ships' staterooms. The three companies join other cruise lines including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and Azamara in banning passengers from…

May 2011       HOW THE RISE OF OBESITY IN AMERICA IS INCREASING DEMAND FOR BARIATRIC EQUIPMENT FOR TRAVEL AND MORE   It's a fact: 93 million Americans are overweight. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in three Americans is overweight. Another one-third is obese, meaning they are at least 20 percent heavier than their ideal body weight. Approximately one in 20 people is morbidly obese, or 50 to 100 percent above his/her…

Jan. / Feb. 2011       MOBILITY SCOOTER ETIQUETTE/TIPS   As baby boomers are now in or reaching their mature years, a record number of people are driving around in mobility scooters, whether it be on vacation, in a supermarket, at a convention, etc. While those driving scooters deserve the respect of others in order to smoothly operate their equipment, driving a scooter is a two-way street. If scooter drivers are conscious and courteous of those around them, they…

Nov./Dec. 2010       NEW ONLINE RESERVATION AND BOOKING SERVICE FOR WHEELCHAIR AND SCOOTER RENTALS Travelers with special needs and slow walkers can now book wheelchair rentals and scooter rentals online through Special Needs Group's new internet booking tool. The new online booking tool enables you to book equipment 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Travelers may choose from a variety of scooters, accommodating up to 500 pounds or wheelchairs, accommodating travelers weighting up to 750 pounds. Once booked…

October 2010       CRUISE LINE ACCESSIBILITY   With all the cruise ships currently sailing and the cruise industry's recent building "boom" - - 52 NEW vessels delivered or on order between 2009 and 2010 - - it is not always clear as to which ships are the most accessible and the best for sailing.   Special Needs Group highly recommends that you work with travel professionals who have experience booking special needs travel. A specialized agent can help…

September 2010       TIPS FOR FLYING ABROAD FOR TRAVELERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS   September and October, the traditional "shoulder season" between summer's high season and winter's low season are good months for slow walkers and individuals with special needs to travel. There are fewer tourists overall, meaning more space on walkways, fewer lines for museums and other attractions. Prices traditionally drop, too, especially for international destinations.   If you are planning to take advantage of shoulder season to…

August 2010       A SALUTE TO INVENTORS AND ACCESSIBILITY INVENTIONS   August is National Inventor Month, a time to celebrate the creative men and women who dare to think differently and bravely confront ridicule to bring solutions, ease, excitement and accessibility into our lives. Because we work with wheelchairs, scooters and other special needs equipment, we are devoting the month of August to uncovering the invention of key assist items.   Braille Louis Braille did not really invent…

            July 2010       HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT   This year, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Since the ADA's inception, we have seen significant changes within the travel industry including accessibility across the fleet for cruise ships, including foreign-flagged vessels carrying U.S. passengers and more ramps, railings and grab bars in public venues. We have also seen a deepening respect and higher level of…

May 2010       CHOOSING A SPECIAL NEEDS TOUR OR EXCURSION   Group travel options for persons with special needs are becoming more popular and more varied. Whether you use a wheelchair, need oxygen, have a hearing impairment or rely on a service animal, there is a group trip for you. Here are a few tips for finding and enjoying the right trip.  Use an agency with solid experience organizing group trips for persons with disabilities, preferably one that…

April 2010       GROUP TRAVEL FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS   Group travel options for persons with special needs are becoming more popular and more varied. Whether you use a wheelchair, need oxygen, have a hearing impairment or rely on a service animal, there is a group trip for you. Here are a few tips for finding and enjoying the right trip.  Use an agency with solid experience organizing group trips for persons with disabilities, preferably one that…