Published in Travel Weekly

September 24, 1998

Net is full of information that helps disabled travelers

Disabled travel is a fast-growing specialty that benefits greatly from access to the wealth of information on the Internet.

The needs of disabled travelers can be quite complex in areas such as accessibility of transportation; accommodations and attractions, and medical and equipment requirements.

The first four web sites listed below provide useful links to disabled travel information sources that cover the world. The last three entries in the list are sample providers of disabled travel products that pay commission to agents.

All of these sites, along with complete contact information, are listed in the Business Resource section of our free Web site for travel agents, PositiveSpace, at

DISABLED TRAVELER INFORMATION

Access-Able
Users of this site can search a database of global travel information for the disabled that includes travel agents, accommodations, access guides and equipment/medical information.

Global Access
This site contains a number of resources for disabled travelers, including books, tips and extensive links to global resources on disabled travel.

Project Action - KFH Group
Agents can use this site to identify handicapped accessible transportation in the USA by city and state.

Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped
This non-profit foundation promotes awareness, respect and accessibility for disabled and mature travelers and employment for the disabled in the tourism industry.

DISABLED TRAVELER PRODUCTS

Accessible Vans of America
This site offers van rentals for disabled travelers throughout the US. AVA pays 5% commission to travel agents for all bookings.

Scoot-Around
Scoot-Around rents scooters for disabled or mature travelers at various locations throughout North America. Travel agents can earn a commission by booking the scooters for their clients.

Wheelchair Getaways
Agents can use this site to request rentals of accessible vans throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Most locations offer 10% commission.

Greg Merkley, based in Evanston, Ill., is the founder and president of Travel Technology & Magic, which owns and operates the PositiveSpace Web site for travel agents at www.positivespace.com. He can be contacted by e-mail at greg@traveltechmagic.com or by telephone at 847.869.1551.