Photo Source: The Telegraph

David Weir from the UK and 4 times winner of the London Marathon had a frustrating day after he got two punctures and was denied another win. Even though David had technical problems he still managed to come in third place behind Josh Cassidy (Can) and Marcel Hug (Sui).

Shelly Woods another British Athlete from Blackpool also had a similar fate when a puncture also dashed her hopes after 21 miles.

Meanwhile, as I blogged about earlier this month, Phil Packer began his mammoth challenge of walking the marathon in 26 hours in aid of 26 different charities. Phil who is spinal cord injured managed to beat his target and completed the marathon in 25 hours 55 minutes.

Sources: BBC and The Telegraph

Below: Phil Packer at the end of the Marathon (Source: BBC)

Although OpenBritain is mostly concerned with tourism in the United Kingdom and flying is not absolutely necessary we are still worried about the consequences of the grounding of aircraft and how this effects disabled people trapped abroad and disabled foreigners in our country.

The unexpected extension of trips for disabled people can have dire consequences such as the lack of available suitable accommodation, the running out of medicines and other equipment as well as issue of hiring mobility aids. Through my work in Barcelona I received a phone call from the British Consulate as a woman needed to hire a wheelchair. I also read an article written by an American living in London whose mother is trapped in the UK and is running out of vital medication.

On my personal blog, Accessible Everything, I wrote a piece giving general advice to disabled travellers so that they could prepare for events such as short delays. However, now the situation seems as though the volcanic ash cloud is going to keep aircraft on the ground for several days and it could be weeks before the airlines return to normal.

As disruptions at many airports across the UK and Northern Europe continue most news sites such as the Guardian and the BBC are covering the disruptions. They are also giving information about people’s rights (Guardian and BBC) and advice for stranded passengers.

Let’s hope that the volcano stops erupting and that European travel can return to normal as soon as possible.

I seem to have a bit of a thing for disabled dancers and up to now I’ve blogged events by the AMICI dance group. This time it’s the turn of The Candoco Dance Company which is also a contemporary dance group for both disabled and non-disabled dancers.

Candoco will be performing at the Squidz Club on Friday 23rd April from 7 – 11pm. The Squidz Club is held 3 times per year for young people between the ages of 14 – 25 that have learning disabilities. The Candoco event will take place at the Albany, Depford, London.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have given details of their new Silverliner V train including an access statement for wheelchair users. The trains have been designed under the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and also through consultation with local Disabled People’s Organisations.

The access statement on the SEPTA website continues to list the onboard features of the trains:

• Train cars, door openings, and wheelchair berths are sized to accommodate ADAAG Common Wheelchair (30″ x 48″)
• Entrances located along the car, rather than at the ends, permit quick boarding and exiting by all, ambulatory or wheelchair users, and accommodate boarding from full high level platforms, low level platforms, and mini-highs.
• Audio and visual door closing alerts are provided.
• Accessible path into rail cars is marked on each car exterior with the International Symbol of Accessibility (wheelchair symbol).
• Each car features priority seating for persons with disabilities, appropriately identified.
• Two wheelchair berths are provided in each car, next to doors for easy access. At the request of the disability community, wheelchair spaces are located side by side so friends can ride together.
• Skidproof vehicle floors safely accommodate wheelchairs even when wet. The material used was field-tested by the disability community.
• Larger windows and in-car and external lighting give added light and enhanced visibility, as well as meeting the needs of riders with low vision.
• Cars feature automated, electronic audio and visual line, destination and station announcements and displays inside and outside cars. External speakers announce rail line and destination to customers waiting on the platform. These systems are synchronized using GPS.
• In the engineer’s cab and each car, diagnostic terminals governing car and train systems (ex. door openers, automated station announcements, HVAC) will log any malfunctions, display a fault light to alert crew members, and facilitate trouble-shooting and repair.
• At the request of the disability community, SEPTA uses bright yellow in our vehicles and facili-ties to alert and guide customers. Each new Silverliner car features glow-in-the-dark yellow striping down each side of the aisle to guide riders to emergency exits and yellow will be used to give visual cues throughout cars.
• Formatting of signage, notice boards and system information meets all ADA requirements.

SEPTA also have an Access Page regarding facilities on other services that they provide. Unfortunately, the SEPTA website doesn’t give any photos of the facilities or access for people with disabilities. However, there is a photo in the Philly.com’s article about the new train.

As many airports across the UK and Northern Europe close today due to the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, many news sites such as the Guardian and the BBC are covering the disruptions.

The effects of aircraft being grounded for disabled travellers may not only be inconvenient but also a health risk in itself. For many disabled people there are issues surrounding unscheduled extensions of holidays and business trips.

If they’ve already arrived at the airport after a long journey there will be a lot of waiting around to see what the situation is. For those with reduced mobility, such as wheelchair users, this could mean remaining in their chair for much longer than normal which can cause medical complications such as pressure sores or swelling in the legs and feet.

For disabled people who are stranded abroad and are trying to get back home, there could be even more problems through not having enough medical supplies with them such as prescription medicines or catheters.As well as this, with many people being stuck all at once, finding a suitable hotel near the airport with availability and facilities for disabled people could prove to be a difficult task.

Obviously, nobody is to blame for this natural event and the Civil Aviation Authority are merely taking the necessary precautions through grounding aircraft, but flight delays can be more than just inconvenient for disabled people.My advice for disabled travellers would be:

• In the event of flight delays such as today, go directly to the airline help desk at the airport and clearly explain your situation and what you require.
• If there are going to be significant delays, ask the airline to provide you with accommodation (and suitable transport to it) to avoid any risks to your health.
• If you’ve already checked your bags in and need their contents, ask the airline staff to return them as soon as possible.
• If you require any other mobility aids during the extended stay, such as a hoist, ask the airline staff to provide it (it maybe the case that you hired a mobility aid that you require at the destination but no longer have it with you).
• If you require any medication or other pharmaceutical aids during your trip always take more than necessary. It maybe bulky and slightly inconvenient, but it is best to have too much than too little.

In general a little advance planning when travelling with a disability helps, but things sometimes go wrong. Try to keep calm and concisely communicate your needs to the relevant staff to get assistance with what you require.

The BBC are recording a new series called Secret Britain and are asking the public to let them know about their favourite secret places throughout the country. They don’t just want to know where these places are but also why they’re special for you. People that want to participate can send in emails and photos via the Secret Britain website or directly to secretbritain@bbc.co.uk

It would be great if the readers of OpenBritain could email in their suggestions of secret places in the UK to the BBC that are suitable for disabled people. Of course, please share them with us here too!

Below is a photo of one of my (not so) secret places, The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland. The island is beautiful and accessible by vehicle via a coastal causeway when the tide is out, so make sure you check the tidal times so you don’t get trapped! You can also have a look at the Lindisfarne website for further information on what’s available on the island.

Further information about the North West can be found on OpenBritain and from page 295 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide

Today the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) announced that Phil Packer who is spinal cord injured will walk the Virgin London Marathon to raise funds for several different organisations. Phil will walk the 25th mile for RYA Sailability during the marathon on the 25th April 2010.

Phil is hoping to complete the event in 26 hours starting at 10am on the 25th and finishing at 12 noon on the 26th. He will walk each mile with a support walker between the ages of 15 –  25 from the different organisations he is raising funds for.

For the full story and to sponsor Phil, please visit the RYA Sailability article or visit Phil’s website.

Handicaching? Handicaching? I hear you all say, has Craig completely lost it? What the heck is handicahcing?!

I became aware of Geocaching last year through a friend, but to be honest, I would have had a similar reaction about handicaching until a few hours ago when I read a post by Liz Carr on the BBC Ouch blog. So to break it down, here’s a quick YouTube introduction from the friendly guys at Geocaching.com:

So, there you are, it’s all about a game to find hidden little treasures around the country using GPS devices and GPS enabled mobile phones! But what’s the difference between Geocaching and Handicaching?

Well, with Geocaching each cache that you look for (the hidden little treasure) normally have a star rating from one to five to indicate how difficult the terrain is with one star being the easiest.

The problem according to Handicaching.com is that the Geocache Rating System uses one star for caches that are wheelchair accessible. This idea is flawed in several ways which include:

• The rating system or the wheelchair aspect of the system is often overlooked by cache hiders, who can rate the terrain for caches higher or lower than they actually are
• A cache that may be wheelchair accessible may not be accessible to people with other types of disabilities, or even people who cannot use a wheelchair for anything other than short distances
• Many non-disabled people are unsure of what constitutes accessible and are therefore unable to rate or mark a cache accordingly

So basically, Handicaching decided to come up with their own system and make it truly accessible for disabled people.

Not only may Handicaching be fun for the participants but I can also think of lots of practical uses for disabled people such as marking disabled toilets, entrances to public buildings, safe crossings for roads, maybe even mark accessible routes along foot and canal tow paths. I think that Handicaching could really be a useful tool for disabled tourists wanting to get out into the great outdoors and have their own GPS map to help guide them through the countryside.

For further information please visit the Handicaching, Geocaching and Ouch! websites.

Vitalise, which is a charity that provides short breaks for disabled people and carers, has recently announced that they will be the subject of a BBC TV Lifeline Appeal to be broadcast on 18 and 21 April 2010.

The charity recently opened their doors to a BBC film crew and comedian Authur Smith who spoke to disabled holiday makers at Vitalise Netley Waterside House in Southampton about the challenges of living with a disability and the difference Vitalise makes to their lives.

See the Vitalise website for the full article.

The first time I came across the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) was when I was studying for my degree and have to admit that, firstly it has been a long time since I visited this attraction and secondly it was before my I was a wheelchair user.

CAT offer a visitors centre that has “Interactive displays show global issues such as energy generation and transport, and practical, everyday solutions for everyone.” It’s highly educational, fun and stimulating, not just for the children but also for adults.

CAT mainly give information and advice for wheelchair users on their access page:

“Information for wheelchair users

Access to the Visitor Centre from Easter to the end of October is via the cliff railway which has carriages that are adapted to receive wheelchairs.

When you arrive at the Visitor Centre you will see the reception area in the car park at the bottom of the cliff railway. Parking is free. There is a short low-gradient ramp to access the reception and railway. We offer free entry to the Visitor Centre for carers

During the winter months, the railway is closed and access to the Visitor Centre is via the Garden Steps. This is a stepped pathway, which takes about 10 minutes to walk, passing the eco-cabins, vegetable fields and shop. Parking is provided near the visitor circuit at the top of the South Drive for those who are unable to walk up.

As CAT is located in a rural area with steep gradients, it has not been possible to make all paths accessible. The Garden Steps and Woodland Walk leading from the lower car park to the Visitor Centre are not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.

The displays are located throughout a 7-acre open-air site. Most of the pathways around site are made up of compacted aggregates which are mostly level; however wheelchair users may require assistance in using these, particularly during periods of inclement weather. All the buildings have ramped or level access with doors, entrances and corridors wide enough for a wheelchair. There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the bottom car park reception building and near the shop at the top of the cliff railway.

We have electric mobility scooters and a wheelchair, either of which can be hired free of charge by calling 01654 705993 in advance of your visit.

Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs are permitted onto the Visitor Centre.”

As I mentioned, it has been a while since I’ve been to CAT, but as I’d really like to go again, maybe I’ll see you there soon.