Hiring People with Disabilities

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I want to share this positive article with you, although not referring particularly to Andalucia, more so to the disability workforce in general.

Barbara Otto is the principle of Think Beyond the Label, a private-public collaborative venture based in the US that aims to improve recruitment opportunities for qualified job candidates with disabilities.


Quote:
People with disabilities are creative problem-solvers and technology adopters with fresh perspectives that organisations need

We've found they have low rates of absenteeism and turnover, which reduces a company's recruitment and retention costs.
Unquote


Barbara Otto, (Think Beyond the Label) thank you for your positive attitude.

To read the full article click on this link  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19588052


 

TORREMOLINOS train station to have vital accessibility

Currently the station at Torremolinos lacks vital ramps or lifts, persons with reduced mobility, wheelchair users or even those with pushchairs are not able to access the platforms.



Finally after years of complaints by passengers and three requests from the Town Hall to Renfe, the Ministry of Development has agreed to upgrade the facilities. The work is due for completion within the next two years.

The train line runs from Malaga City, stopping at Malaga Airport and finally to the town of Fuengirola.

Finally I've found one !

Wide side walks, perfect for wheel users, on right is a bicycle lane

Hoist chair
Midday view from Pool Area

Yes an adapted hotel which provides true accessibility for wheelchair users here on the Costa del Sol, in the wonderful town of Fuengirola. Hotel Confortel offers ramps, lifts, adapted bedrooms, adapted bath rooms with wheel-in-showers, lowered sink units, swimming pool with a hoist, shaded area next to the pool plus an accessible toilet.

Fuengirola also offers an adapted beach approx. 10 mins. walk/push from the hotel Confortel. 164 new wheel user ramps in the town to help with accessibility.

Hotel Confortel, Fuengirola, Spain

Tel.: +34 952 92 10 00

Fax.: +34 952 92 10 01

http://www.confortelhoteles.com/en/hotels-in-malaga/hotel-confortel-fuengirola.html

At the bottom of the page there's an interactive map

Information and Reservations: 902 42 42 42

Solvinde - Providing Solutions for Wheelchair Users

Here's some inspiration from a beautiful idea implemented in the city of Valencia giving solutions, promoting and supporting independent living for Wheelchair Users.

I love the music, I love the video, I love the concept.
Congratulations Solvinde.

For further information contact www.solvinde.com

Rainy Days and Wheelchairs

Here's a game for all the family, there is no accessibility problem, MegaBowl & Sports Bar, Marbella. http://www.megabowlmarbella.com/eng/default.htm
I have personally used the facilities, they are excellent for wheelchair and Special Needs users, ramps at good levels, 22 State-of-the-art Tenpin bowling lanes which upon request can be raised on the sides also they have specially raised, waist level, ball guided servers for people that cannot throw the balls at ground level. It truly is great fun and geared for all. Ask for special rates if in a large group.

So do not stay in doors, get out there and have some fun and one other point if you drive down into the underground parking at the shopping mall, you should stay dry all the way.

There's a big place in my heart for wheelchair users

I cannot walk by a building or down a town street without my passionate concern asking, "how would a person confined to a wheelchair enter there?, or why is that ramp so steep?". Why?, you may well ask, after all I do not have anyone in my family who uses a wheelchair! I am not confined to using a wheelchair, so why all this passionate concern!.

I will share with you my story. It is not until reality hits us in the face, hard at that, do we really learn lessons that remain in our memory.

Back in 2001 my darling son of 8 years of age fell off his bicycle and broke his shin bone, it was one big crack that would take months to heal. The plaster was set from the top of his thigh to bottom of his toes. Stiff like a rock. This was early July, the sun was really warming up and no swimming pool to cool down. To get Max out of the house was an effort in itself, fortunately God blessed me with strength and I was able, in a fire woman's lift, carry Max down the flight of stairs out the front door and into my car. After followed the rigged up a plank of wood, to keep the plastered leg straight out and a borrowed wheelchair. Day time trips were to be avoided, we turned into dusk searches, saved by the large shopping malls that catered with lifts and ramps and bless them air-conditioning. To cut a long story short, this went on for months, I can only describe it as extremely heart breaking hard work, not only physically but the mental pressure of "eyes" watching you like we were some sort of alien with a plank of wood.

Well out of something bad more than not arrives something good. Three points that will always remain in my memory. After 2 1/2 months being confined to the bed or the wheelchair my son Max finally was able to walk again. Secondly he learnt to read phonetically and thirdly I converted to a big advocate for wheelchair users. I am the one that gets real mad when someone dares to park in a reserved wheelchair zone, when shops do not place a ramp outside, when people park near the curb blocking side ramps, when people moan they are too tired to walk, how dare they. This subject we will cover again, as it is immense.

I really would like everyone to spend just one week of their lives using a wheelchair to get around town, I believe it is the only way we will finally learn that we need to change our mentality drastically, the sooner the better.