Access information for those with mobility issues

[Gaby]

I am wondering if it would be possible to set up a forum dealing with the above for example including information on any wheelchair accessible taxi services on the island, and places such as Heavenly Bay which I can only access by swimming from outside the Naturalist on the main Castara Bay.This is because Heavenly Bay is almost impossible to get to for those who have difficulty walking or use a power chair as the road down has such a steep gradient that even my singing dancing Fieldmaster all terrain power-chair (which allows control of users centre of gravity according whether going up or down hill) would almost certainly be unable to cope and tip me out.

What I personally would find even more useful is if contributor's, or you Steve, could add a note to reviews stating pointing out any obvious difficulties for those mobility issues. Another example could be Arnos Vale, yep totally agree with your review Steve, however still think it worth paying the 20TT to be able to enjoy the snorkelling on it's beach. On several visits over the last 9 years after explaining that I wouldn't be able to walk down the very steep path to the beach we were allowed to park by the beach-side cafe, however on last visit the guard who was on the gate was decidedly unpleasant when we asked if it would be OK to park lower down level with the beach - we turned and left. Also worth noting that hanging on to an occupied manual wheelchair going down hill would probably be even harder than pushing it up hill.

Cheers

PS Steve, you probably don't remember our meeting several years ago when you were checking out the Naturalist. I was a tall blond on her own who very impressed as how wonderful herself ? "Jill" always managed to look -).

[Steve Wooler]

Hello Gaby

Welcome aboard! How lovely to hear from you and I'm delighted to hear that you plan to return to Tobago. We do indeed remember you. Your comments made Jill's day.

You raise a very valid point. I do include a section on mobility access in all our accommodation reviews, but to be totally honest, tend to overlook this aspect when writing non-accommodation articles. I have a similar problem in not considering accommodation from the aspect of parent with infants or young children; or from the viewpoint of vegetarians or vegans when commenting on restaurants.

I am concerned that there wouldn’t be enough content to merit a sub-forum. Without a regular and suitably qualified/experienced contributor able to respond to questions about access issues, questions could only be answered on a ‘best guess’ basis. I’m totally open to suggestions, but in the meantime, I would gladly consider adding any information/warnings/advice that you can provide from a wheelchair users perspective to any of the articles on the main site.

[Cindy W]

we are going to tobago for our first time in dec. I have noticed and pleasantly surprised that you have mentioned mobility issues on the accommodations and thought it was fantastic. We have a son who is in a power wheelchair and he is never able to travel with us on destinations like this mostly because of transportation issues when you get on an island. I will definately try to keep in mind to drop a note about the places we stay and if there is a ground floor, clean roll in, ease of getting in the doorway, large room etc. Maybe if we could find such a place then sort out the transportation problem after. I know getting from Tampa to Trinidad on AA would not be a problem but don't know what size planes (Caribbean Air) take you over to Tobago if they have cargo space for a non-folding wheelchair. Then when you get on ground you have to either have a van with a lift or know someone with a pickup, unless they rent pickups or maybe even an open air jeep, possibly the wheelchair could fit in the back. We have never been fortunate enough yet to befriend any locals that might have such a vehicle. Anyway I did notice the mentions and was very impressed.

[Gaby]

Apologies for delay in replying Steve ( have been even less than my usual perfect self recently . I will address
your points first. Yes, I am appreciative of the fact that you do include a section on mobility access in all our accommodation reviews and it is helpful, I understand that questions could often only be answered on a "best guess basis" however I feel that as long as the person answering made that clear it would still be helpful. Mobility issues / difficulties are so varied it would be difficult for anyone apart from a trained person such as a Physio to be able to deal with all, however I do feel that we can help each other. Another example I can give is Sea Shells at Parletuvier (?spell) which tempted me a few years ago. Correspondence with owner proved whom to very helpful in terms of his being prepared to provided a decent reading light, a seat with arms and someone to do my shopping. However I couldn't find out how steep the steps to the beach were. Can't remember exactly why but there was a breakdown in communication - something to do with his email ? computer. By the time he was back on line I had booked the Naturalist. Did however make a trip to Sea Shells and found that the steps were too steep for me even if I sat and pushed myself up down/ with arms - would have got holes in the pants of my swimming suit and a sore backside as well-) Sticking with Parletuvier, getting up/ and down the the steep slope on the narrow strip of sand is tricky and I no longer dare swim there alone as the the beech has 3/4ft shelf and I wouldn't be able to get out by myself - sighs it is a magical peaceful bay with good snorkelling .. EEEk I ramble again but that is the type of info that could be useful. Do please feel free to add any comments I have made to your the main write ups.

Cindy's letter above shows that i am not the only person in need of information re access. I think it could be a bit of chicken and egg situation re starting a specific forum on access, a lot of people may not even think of going to Tobago (unless they stay at places like Coco Reef and never leave the complex) but if they have a fair idea of what is where might venture. I know that apart from my infatuation with Castara I am wary of trying any other Caribbean island as it is difficult to get the information that will let me decide if I can cope.

Cindy, there is some kind of regulation that states all airlines must cater for wheelchair users, both in terms of accommodating the user and transporting the wheelchair. However many do require notice and details of chair, batteries etc in advance .Suggest that you contact Caribbean Air if they provide the island hopping plane. Might be worth contacting the T&T Embassy as well. 2 years ago for the 1st time I couldn't manage Virgin Atlantic plane steps so I was sat on a folding sea carried by 2 men on and off the plane. Gorgeous as these young men were I didn't actually like the experience. The airport has been worked on recently so maybe it has some kind of lift now,

The web tells me that in the States you have the most amazing power chairs and if your son has one of these which look as tho they are quite large, and if your son can only walk a little or not at all I would check that where you plan to stay can cope with it. Having said that the Tobagonians I have met are helpful, ingenious and masters at making do and seem to enjoy finding their way around problems. I have a a Fieldmaster which converts from large indoor to 4 wheel all terrain with changeable centre of gravity and could probably arrange at a cost for it to be transported on the back of a truck using 2 planks as ramps. However I see little point in taking it as many of the places are too steep for it's 24 degree gradient max. Also the cambers can be pretty extreme and in a lighter chair and going downhill it surprised me how quickly I could end up on the other side of the road looking down at the sea!

I am lucky in that I can walk a little and also have a portable Shoprider (max weight with lithium battery 66 bs) which fits into car boots or lifted on to a bus. However it doesn't cope well with kerbs, have never seen a drop down kerb in Tobago so I have to go in the road - thought, maybe I should get a portable ramp, think that airlines have to carry these as they are a mobility aid!
Please don't let the above put you off, parts of the beautiful island are very flat, and there are amazing drives through the mountains. The main road circles the island so you get to see lots of beaches from a car as well.
Where abouts in Tobago are you staying?
Do let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

[Gaby]

Cindy try asking your question re island hopping by plane on forum below. Someone asked bout taking a power wheelchair on the ferry and got several answers,

Air Travel & Getting To Tobago

[Cindy W]

gaby, thank you. For our son we probably would not take his power wheelchair, seems more likely to get stuck in places and too heavy to maneuver out of. And we can push/pull out of bad situations in his manual chair. I wouldn't expect to stay at places like Castara with him, but would like to visit the bigger "resorts" on the beach to see how they are before bringing him down.