Equality over the Equator - Oliver does New Zealand & Oz
In November 2010 I left the UK on my own to head over to New Zealand on a working holiday visa. I had signed up to a programme through a company that sorted all the visa and provided support at the other end.
Travelling on your own especially when you can’t hear brings a whole new set of challenges however; New Zealand, I found, were much more welcoming and equal in their treatment as opposed to the UK. They don’t dismiss deafness so quickly and will actually try and help you as much as they can.
Trying to find work was a challenge as I was unable to use the phone so had to either rely on someone ringing up the company on my behalf or find work organised through a hostel. However towards the middle of my trip I discovered New Zealand Internet Relay service. A FREE type-talk service where you can ring any local number in New Zealand across the internet using a web based software programme. This was a major breakthrough as it meant I was able to be a little bit more independent. It did take a bit of time to convince some employers though, especially those who have not heard of the relay service before.
Meeting other travellers from a whole variety of countries was the other challenge, especially with accents and language barriers which was a interesting challenge for me but I learnt to overcome this as well.
While I was out there we had some of the worst weather which lead to rubbish seasons and therefore often left waiting for jobs to materialise that they never did or being unable to contact potential employers left me in a bit of a limbo.
My top tips for any travellers going abroad are:
1) Do your research, what support would you be able to access in your host country, for example I was in contact regularly with the New Zealand Deaf Association.
2) Have a plan; some transport modes such as coaches in New Zealand are not straight forward for access.
3) Think about taking a buddy, someone who can help and support you. I went alone and sometimes felt it was both a positive and negative. If I did it again I would think about taking a friend as you can support each other during tricky times.
4) For New Zealand it is worth being able to drive before going out there, same for Oz as a lot of jobs are in remote areas and need drivers. If you have a car and willing to give lifts you are in a much stronger position for jobs.
There is a lack of companies that actually are WILLING TO help disabled people travel and make that travel accessible. I was delighted to hear that iDID are developing a service specifically for Disabled Gap Year travellers.
Senorita's on Wheels... and camels! - Abi does Lanzerote with Jennie & Faye.
Over last summer I was invited to help Jennie, a colleague at iDID, and another girl, Faye, on a week’s holiday to Lanzarote as their personal assistant. I had worked with them both before and known them for several years so thought this was a brilliant opportunity, so swiftly accepted. It was only then I began to think about the hurdles and difficulties we might face. I had never flown on my own before let alone with wheelchair users expecting my help. How would it work on the plane? What about getting the wheelchairs back safely in a foreign country?
It turns out I needn’t have worried about most of these aspects. The airport staff were very helpful and we actually got through airport security quicker which has to be a positive! The flight was fine and even getting off the other side was relatively ok, apart from some minor language barriers and the staff occasionally not realising both Jennie and Faye were real people.
The resort we stayed in was lovely and fully accessible which suited us perfectly! A nice little bungalow right next to the swimming pool only a very short walk from the coast, lovely! We enjoyed some lovely evenings in the local bars and restaurants which were very accommodating and some lovely sunny walks along the very accessible promenade.
The most exciting and nerve racking bit of the whole trip has to be the day out we went on. We were all excited by the idea of going on a day out and possibly going camel riding! We decided to take the plunge and booked through an accessible company who came and picked us up in their minibus which fitted both Jennie and Faye’s wheelchairs perfectly. They then drove us to the volcanic region and took us camel riding. This made me extremely nervous. Would it be safe? I mean if one of them gets injured it will be my responsibility! And there’s me to worry about as well!
All worries aside the company and the camel leading people were brilliant. They made sure we were all safe, even if Faye didn’t believe them to start with, and took great care of us. I’m sure I can talk on behalf of the girls and say it was a fantastic feeling. Something unique and exciting that we can all now say we have done! After this we even went on a coach, with a lift and enough room for both wheelchairs, around the volcanoes. The sights were amazing and the bus was so much more accessible than the ones we have over here!
It was an incredible experience and all the things I thought might be hurdles weren’t. Apart from Faye’s fussy eating. Never thought I would cook two evenings of steak and homemade wedges followed by full roast dinner in a foreign country. But hey, new experiences make the world a more exciting place and if we don’t push ourselves to try things that seem scary then we will never have such wonderful experiences. If I get an opportunity like that again I will never have to think twice. My advice for anyone wanting to go travelling but worried about their disability or working with other people’s disabilities: Go for it!! You’ll have the time of your life!
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