APARTHOTEL ADAGIO BORDEAUX CENTRE GAMBETTA

MODERN BUILDING WITH GALLEY KITCHEN FOOTSTEPS FROM TRANSIT

When first considering several properties, I thought Aparthotel Adagio Bordeaux Centre Gambetta might be out of the center.

Turns out it's in the center.

And right on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage part of the city.

It's the best of both worlds -- modern, updated and quiet as it is not near any wine or other bars or nightclubs.

But Gambetta is a great area, flush with hip restaurants, wine bars and grocery stores.

One of the tram lines is 5 minutes away.

Also within a 5 minute walk is the G bus that connected with historic Saint Jean train station, where I arrived from Paris. 

REST IN PEACE LEON KRIER

LEGENDAY 

Leon Krier -- world renowned architectural theorist and innovator in traditional architecture and urbanism – died at age 79 earlier this month.

I have had the privilege of lecturing on Universal Design at the University of Miami School of Architecture building that he designed.

I spoke to Krier about my vison for Universal Design.

I later created/taught a full Universal Design course in a traditional building footsteps away from his U-SoA Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center.

Krier was a prominent critic of modernist architecture and an advocate of New Urbanism.

ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL IS READY FOR TAKEOFF

CAN IT AVOID TURBULENCE?

Know Your Rights as an Airline Passenger

Stay up-to-date on rules regarding accessible air travel and your rights with these resources.

• Find updates on air travel reforms at org/airtravel.
• Visit the US Department of Transportation’s page on Aviation Consumer Protection for people with disabilities.
• Familiarize yourself with the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.
• Learn about federal policies and protections for flying with service animals.
• Learn how the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in air travel.
• Find more details on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

 

ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL IS READY FOR TAKEOFF

CAN IT AVOID TURBULENCE?

All Wheels Up Founder and President Michele Erwin says momentum is building, evidenced by several airline equipment manufacturers visiting with her during the Aircraft Interiors Expo, the world’s largest aircraft interiors trade show.

She also notes that aircraft manufacturers, such as Airbus, have been attending All Wheels Up’s conferences.

Keeping the momentum going

Just as MDA advocates were key in shaping the provisions of the FAA Reauthorization and new DOT rules, they play a significant role in telling the airline industry and lawmakers that their work is not done.

“MDA stands ready to work with all our champions to drive positive policy change for travelers affected by neuromuscular disease,” says Shannon Wood, Director of Disability Policy at MDA. 

She encourages everyone to write to their elected officials and the DOT to keep building momentum for more inclusive and safer travel.

“Safety and dignity for wheelchair users is a basic right, but it also opens up travel for people with disabilities, which is good for them, good for the industry, and good for business,” Michele says.

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ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL IS READY FOR TAKEOFF

CAN IT AVOID TURBULENCE?

In addition, the FAA Reauthorization Act includes some victories for moving toward in-flight travel in an assistive mobility device:

• Congress will fund an in-depth budget impact model exploring how a wheelchair spot in the cabin impacts airlines, equipment manufacturers, tourism dollars, and damage cost avoidance.
• Testing will focus on tie-down devices that provide safe travel for wheelchair passengers.
• The FAA will conduct studies on creating evacuation plans for travelers in their own wheelchairs on board. Safety studies and evacuation plans are a core element before the airline industry can move forward.

ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL IS READY FOR TAKEOFF

CAN IT AVOID TURBULENCE?

MDA, PVA, and other disability-related organizations agree that adjusting airplane cabins to allow travelers to remain in their wheelchairs while flying is the seismic shift needed in air travel.

For 15 years, All Wheels Up Founder and President Michele Erwin has been leading that charge. She believes airlines are starting to see that it makes economic sense.

“We know 80% of power wheelchair users do not travel by air because of the possibility of lost or damaged mobility devices,” Michele says. 

“There are 4 million wheelchair users in the United States and at least 20 million globally, but only a fraction are traveling. 

When someone travels by plane, airlines don’t just sell one ticket — they sell two to four more tickets to family members, friends, and business associates. 

More accessibility means more revenue.”

 

ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL IS READY FOR TAKEOFF

CAN IT AVOID TURBULENCE?

“People with disabilities have the right to access any mode of transportation and have the same safe experience that everyone else has,” says Heather Ansley is Chief Policy Officer for PVA and the co-chair of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Advisory Committee.

“If you have to be across the country the next day — to address an urgent family matter or attend a critical business meeting — the only way you can do that is to fly. People with disabilities are no different. 

They’ve paid the fare, so the airline needs to provide a safe and dignified experience.”

If something happens to your wheelchair or other mobility device during air travel, document the damage or other issues in writing and take photos. 

The quickest way to get a response is to contact the airline. 

Check the airline’s website to see if they have a specific phone number to call for disability-related concerns.

“If the issue is not resolved sufficiently, or if you have concerns that your rights were violated, also submit a complaint to the DOT,” says Shannon Wood, Director of Disability Policy at MDA. 

“It’s those complaints to the DOT that led to the unprecedented fine against American Airlines last year.”