Rise of the Barrier Free World

RISE OF THE BARRIER-FREE WORLD The Widespread Failure of the Global Tourism Industry and the Coming Revolution "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." ST. AUGUSTINE ......E 90000C00CO If you enjoy traveling or have always wanted to explore to the world, there has never been a better time in history to do so. Modern technology has brought distant lands to our doorstep, providing us easier access to information than we could have ever before imagined. From personal reviews and in-depth guides, to instant booking capabilities, it has never been easier to ensure that nearly every need and comfort will be met when we arrive at our destination. 39% ENTERTAINMENT 34% Yet, for well over a billion people with access requirements, the Dining Gamble 26% 40% conveniences of modern travel have not arrived. Instead, the world is still a very unpredictable and uncharted place. Destinations are limited, information is difficult (often impossible) to find, technology has refused to adapt, and the community fragmented. is highly However, despite the reluctance of the industry, these shortcomings won't be around for long. Change is coming. 6g Accessible tourism is entering the first phase of a global transformation. A transformation that will bring new opportunity and adventure for millions of people across the globe. The Barrier-Free World is rising. Who Benefits from Access? ? The access community is a very diverse group, making up more than 30% of the world's population (approximately 2 Billion people) People with physical limitations (limited mobility or manual dexterity, wheelchair users, amputees) Those with sensory impairments (visually or hearing) Individuals with mental or learning disabilities Certain individuals with chronic disease People with activity limitations Seniors who may not be as agile as they once were Families with young children (strollers) People with temporary injuries Women who are pregnant Anyone who want a greater degree of comfort, convenience, and better access to tourism products and services (everyone) What does this mean? It means that nearly everyone could potentially benefit from accessibility at some point in life. Accessible products can include features such as: continuous walkways, elevators in addition to stairs, wide paths and doorways, alternative means of communication, adapted transportation, personal assistance, specialty meals, and countless other products and services. "37.0% indicate that they have previously decided against travelling due to the lack of accessible facilities. 48.4% would travel more frequently if more accessible facilities were available" German Ministry of Economics, (2004:33) An accessible urban environment is an essential requirement for around 10%, a need for 30-40%, comfortable for all, and problematic for no one (German Ministry of Economics 2004:13). The Chain Reaction that will bring about the Barrier-Free World the missing link to more frequent travel Access to information is 'Everyone - regardless of whether they have any disabilities – should be able to travel to the country, within the country and to whatever place, attraction or event they should wish to visit' (Nordiska Handikappolitiska rådet 2002). THE WORLD OF TODAY BARRIER-FREE WORLD OF TOMORROW Lack of Information: Expect to spend weeks, if not months, scouring the web and making countless phone calls in the hope of coming across some (if any) accessible information. To make matters worse, the vast Every Detail Accounted For: Instant access to the information that matters most. No matter where your destination, find detailed information about accommodations, restaurants, popular attractions, routes, transportation, and cultural sites. Verify this information majority of the information that IS available is sparsely populated, widely scattered, vague, and/or from unverified sources. through detailed personal traveler reviews, recommendations, guides, and photos. No One to Ask: Finding someone who can answer your personal questions and offer advice about your destination is an impossible task. Furthermore, most employees in the tourism industry have little to no knowledge or experience in accessible travel. Are you really willing to gamble your entire holiday on incomplete Connect with millions of "experts" (people with similar access needs and preferences) around the globe that are ready to share their knowledge and experiences. Instantly distributed your personal questions to people who have already traveled to or lived at your planned destination. Get personalized responses from the people you trust most. an uneducated guess or assessment? No Centralized Source or Travel Authority: There simply isn't a primary authority or accessible tourism. Instead, resources are scattered all over the world or simply don't exist. A Global Network: Millions of travelers working together to explore the globe and share their experiences. Making up the world's largest accessible community and integrated with modern tools to discover, plan, organize, and book a barrier-free holiday. comprehensive source for Verified and Tested: Decide for yourself if a destination is suitable or not from the sources you trust most: other travelers with similar requirements and preferences. Learn from other's experiences to create the perfect trip for yourself. No Trust: "Accessible" can mean just about anything depending on where you travel. There are no international standards and even in places with disability laws, there is still a wide range of what is actually considered accessible Limited Destinations: There are only a few places that are well known for accessible travel. Do you really want to be limited to just a few destinations? After all, the world is a The World is yours: Go where you want no matter the destination! Thousands of cities and nearly every country are at your disposal. Find options that work for you and take the trip of a lifetime! very big place. Plan with Ease, Travel with confidence "What about actual physical barriers?" No Access: Many destinations are simply not accessible. Few locations are actually aware of the potential benefits from adopting accessibility. It is time we let the secret universal design and out. A Barrier-Free World: A world where businesses and attractions are not forced into, universal design. but instead, choose The fall of the Information Barrier will eventually lead to the dismantling of actual physical bariers. How? Overcoming the information barrier will allow travelers to find and visit the destinations that HAVE made the effort make their properties accessible. By rewarding these places with the business and financial gain tourism provides, the incentives of universal design will become fully visible and accepted into mainstream business development. It won't take long before establishments and attractions around the globe realize that accessible design isn't an additional cost, but instead, a profitable advantage So Rises the Barrier-Free World Enter TravaLift.com: Through a combination of modern social networking and the world's latest travel technology, TravaLift is prepared to forever remove the barriers of your world. Providing you the means to freely navigate the globe is what we do. Your Barrier-Free World is finally here. Whether down the block or across the world, the barriers are coming down. The Barrier-Free world will only rise with your committed support. Join the movement at www.TravaLift.com with free membership to the world's leading accessible travel website and move the world one step closer to a Barrier-Free reality. Every single person makes our movement everyone you know. stronger so do your part by spreading the word to TRAVALET.o your friends and family, share on Facebook and Twitter, call your neighbors, and shout it from the streets. Learn how to start an official local chapter or join our international team. Together we will tear Email down the barriers and create the world we envision. TRAVA LET .com www.travalift.com