My name is Rachael and I am investigating the viability of a business based on finding solutions to the problems you or your families face having a spinal cord injury.
I wonder if I could ask you to be a focus group for this project? Could I please ask a few questions about areas where business is not providing solutions to problems you face?
I understand if this is not considered appropriate for this forum. Is there anywhere else you could suggest I contact?
My initial idea is for something along the lines of a travel information. My questions are:
What are the difficulties you face when you are...
- planning a holiday? Where there are little or no solutions?
- looking to travel abroad, eg) areas where there are no easy solutions?
Are there areas other than travel where business is not providing solutions to your problems?
Re:What problems do you face? 1 Year, 4 Months ago
Karma: 4
Hi there Rachel
Sorry for the delay, I'm not used to people using this forum
Really depends on the disability to how difficult things when planning to go abroad on holiday. If you are able to move your fingers and arms properly then a lot of hassle can be avoided. However, if you're like me and need someone to do most of the care. Then it can be quite difficult. I have my own vehicle and can drive so that part of travelling is quite easy. However, wherever I go I need a hoist so that these to be taken into account. It's no good going somewhere where the bedroom is totally unsuitable. If you've never been to hotel/guesthouse before, you need to make sure that everything is accessible. Problem is, people who are not disabled often overlook things like steps. There's nothing worse than being told somewhere is totally accessible and then finding out there is a 12 inch step.
Things are getting better, countries are starting to come round to the fact that disabled people do have special needs. You really do have to look into what facilities the country may have. Some countries will not provide much at all whilst other countries are very good. The USA for instance would be an excellent place for a disabled person. On the other hand, Albania probably wouldn't .
One of the biggest problems for any person with a disability when planning a holiday or booking a hotel etc is the lack of access information, try booking a hotel online for example, if you book anything other than a cheap travelodge the site will 90% of the time not mention if they do or dont have disabled rooms.
Also their idea of a 'disabled room' may not be the same as yours
