Guidebooks Make Travel Easier for Mature and Disabled, AAA Says

    ORLANDO, Fla.--April 29, 2002--Visiting new and exciting places is fun but even savvy travelers can become exasperated by unexpected inconveniences. Travelers with disabilities and mature travelers face these difficulties and more every time they travel, according to AAA.
    "Mature travelers and travelers with disabilities are hindered by challenges with transportation, lodging and many other necessities of travel," said Bill Wood, director, AAA Publishing Product Development. "In an effort to provide more vital information to this travel segment, AAA developed a new travel guidebook series called Barrier-Free Travel."
    Barrier-Free Travel offers information about various types and levels of accessibility in lodgings, restaurants and attractions for travelers with disabilities. Symbols are used to express the types of accessibility including hard of hearing or deaf, visually impaired or blind, dexterity and three levels of mobility.
    In addition, each book lists the criteria used to assess the property's accessibility allowing users to formulate reasonable expectations before they arrive. Even with a great guidebook in hand, AAA always recommends that all travelers call ahead to ensure their needs will be met.
    These comprehensive guidebooks include general travel information such as major points of interest, things to see and do, and major theme parks as well as listing healthcare providers, transportation options, medical suppliers and medical equipment availability.
    Restaurants and lodgings listed in the Barrier-Free Travel series have all been previously rated by AAA's professional staff of 65 evaluators using AAA's Diamond Rating System.
    AAA began working on the series in 1998, and met extensively with industry and advocacy representatives in the United States and Canada. Independent hoteliers, 19 lodgings chains and the American Hospitality and Lodging Association participated in the development of this series.
    Numerous advocacy groups also assisted in the development of the series including Access-Able Travel Source, Accessible San Diego, Access Northern California, Beyond Ability International, Duncan Consulting and Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality.
    The first two titles in the series, Central Florida and California, have been published and another four are planned for this year: Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, New York City and Hawaii. The Central Florida book covers Orlando, the Space Coast and the Tampa Bay area. The California book includes the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco areas.
    Barrier-Free Travel is available at AAA club offices and online at http://www.aaa.com. It is also available in bookstores and other retail outlets for $12.95 US/$19.50 CDN.
    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides 45 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.