If one searches on advice for senior travelers, one finds lots of web sites marketing to active able-bodied seniors. There's not much providing advice on travel for seniors who may be significantly disabled by visual problems, motor problems, cognitive limitations, etc. The only way I found this useful resource was by limiting my google search to ".gov" sites.
So here's my contribution. A few travel tips for seniors disabled by time or disease. It will likely apply to many healthy seniors over age 80. Some of these tips apply to child travel (not a very kind comparison, but I'll be senior too one day -- I hope!), some to travel by disabled persons.
1. In the US ticketing agents can provide passes to allow one to accompany disabled seniors to the gate. Highly recommended!
2. The better US airports provide good shuttle service between gates and security. Try to learn how this works in advance; sometimes airport employees are not very supportive.
3. Northwest offers a fee-based companion program to help seniors go from ticketing to their plane seat. Other airlines offer less sophisticated services for free. Use these where available.
4. Passing security is tough -- even when traffic is light. If possible screen elders in advance. Encourage use of running shoes (no metal). Don't use metal braces. Watch for body implants (most now are non-magnetic). Remove coins, slim down bulky wallets, remove keys, etc. Consider a neck bag for carrying ID, boarding pass, passport, itinerary, help page (see below), etc.
5. In addition to the official itinerary provide a written document with plainly written directions, contact information for local help (children, friends) etc. Include advice on where to go if lost or separated. Provide a cell phone number that seniors or others can call to get assistance.
6. Meeting points on arrival are tricker than departures. There may be many meeting points and, it may be hard to know where elders will appear. Ask the airline for advice, ask about their escort services if any. If possible meet where seniors leave security rather than at a baggage claim.
7. When purchasing tickets work with a human agent on seating arrangements. Ventilation is better at the front of planes. Try to get the same seats in both directions. Consider sending seniors a seating map. Encourage seniors to take advantage of pre-boarding and to be ready for the pre-boarding announcement.
8. Hotels usually have special rooms for disabled persons near the main desk. Ask for them. When registering, look for a way to indicate that the room occupants will need special assistance in the event of an emergency.
meta: elder, geriatric, old, senior, travel, airplane, air travel, airport, tips, advice
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Friday, August 20, 2004
Thursday, August 19, 2004
William Pfaff's stories ...
IHT: Article Search
Now that firefox works with the IHT I'm going to start reading Pfaff again.
Now that firefox works with the IHT I'm going to start reading Pfaff again.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
PowerBook fan problems - resetting PMU
Macintouch - Mac OS X Panther (10.3.5): "
Alan Sopczak
I am a service provider and have seen the fan issue on PowerBook 17's and 15's. The solution which worked for me, appears to be as follows: (this worked on my 17 and on a number of other machines) - reset the power manager.
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.
This seemed to settle down the temperature the unit was running at and the fan does not come on now.(Except when playing a very graphic intensive game)."
Alan Sopczak
I am a service provider and have seen the fan issue on PowerBook 17's and 15's. The solution which worked for me, appears to be as follows: (this worked on my 17 and on a number of other machines) - reset the power manager.
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.
This seemed to settle down the temperature the unit was running at and the fan does not come on now.(Except when playing a very graphic intensive game)."
Diversity in wireless networking solutions
Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters: "Roger Ryder writes 'D-Link announced the AirPlus G DWL-G730AP Wireless Pocket Router/AP, a pocket Access Point for travelers. It can be powered by a USB cable and works as an 802.11g access point, client or router. A 3-way configuration switch on the bottom of the unit changes the mode of operation. In AP mode, the DWL-G730AP can be used to create a wireless network in a room where a single Ethernet port is provided. In Router mode, it can be used to share a single broadband Internet connection. The internal DHCP server automatically assigns IP addresses to ensure everyone in the room can connect to the Internet. It supports VPN Pass-through and firewall features including Network Address Translation (NAT) and MAC filtering to protect your wireless network from malicious attacks. When set in Wireless Client mode, the device allows connection to an existing wireless network, without having to install complicated drivers or additional software. For added mobility, the DWL-G730AP can be powered over USB if power outlets are not available. Similar devices are available from ASUS, SMC, Apple's AirPort Express and Netgear.'"
Fascinating! This is an area of complex innovation.
Fascinating! This is an area of complex innovation.
When AppleCare doesn't work -- go to Customer Relations
Macintouch: Technical Support Issues
Antony Widoff's problems with AppleCare: The AppleCare people (even the supervisors) have very limited powers. Instead, call Apple's Customer Relations department (AppleCare should be able to provide the number for that). Their supervisors have essentially limitless powers, and can arrange things (replacement machines, refunds, on-site repairs, other compensation) that AppleCare cannot.
When my then-new week-old blue and white G3 started crashing constantly, I took it to a local Apple authorized service provider (AASP) who held it for two weeks and then did nothing to it because "MacTest Pro said it was fine". (Even AppleCare's own tests failed, but he didn't do those, relying solely on MTP.) Since I didn't have a car at the time, getting the machine to and from an AASP was a hassle, so I called Apple and demanded that something be done.
AppleCare could only advise me to take it in to an AASP again. I went through all the AppleCare supervisors and got nowhere. Finally, I called customer relations and politely but firmly pled my case, and by that afternoon, the customer relations representative had arranged for on-site repair by a different AASP, plus sent a free upgrade to Mac OS 9 for my troubles.
VNC for OS X
VNC
VNC is growing in the OS X world. It's been blessed by Apple as part of their remote control software. This seems to be the preferred server.
VNC is growing in the OS X world. It's been blessed by Apple as part of their remote control software. This seems to be the preferred server.
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