Tony is a passionate traveler who loves to learn as wells as meet new and different people from all cultures. He makes sure to preplan all his travels to ensure that as a totally blind and partially deaf person, his journey is memorable and independent. Tony researches all his destinations for the attractions and accessibility. He has visited 148 countries, all 50 US States and all 7 of the world’s continents, including Antarctica. Tony has captured the experiences and observations of his awesome and independent world travel in his eBooks. His latest travel biography eBook is called “Seeing a Slice of Southern Africa My Way” and takes us into the world of a blind person traveling in South Africa.

What inspired you to start traveling solo? How do you usually pick your travel destinations?T: I became interested in travel from an early age, after hearing some of my dad’s stories from his time in the merchant navy. He described crossing Australia from the east coast to the west coast by train and it taking over eight days. I also attended a boarding school far from my home from the age of ten. My first desire was to be able to travel home to see my family. I was given mobility training, learning to use a long white cane to get about and was catching buses and trains home by the age of fourteen or fifteen. However, my interest in travel really began when I had the opportunity to visit Boston, USA with my school in 1995. I was sixteen years old. Visiting the US for the first time had a big impression on me. Everything was different, sidewalks were bigger, the space that I could detect through my body was more expansive. People talked differently and more direct. It was something new with a different atmosphere that I sensed and I wanted to experience more of it.
Initially I chose the countries I wished to visit by the places I new about from my studies and from also listening to sport on the radio. I learnt about the places in Australia and New Zealand from listening to international cricket on the radio. I new about the main cities in the USA from studying geography at school. As I became more confident I began to visit countries I had less knowledge about and did more research. I began travelling independently in 1998. Back then I had no real access to the internet or assisted technology. So I relied on my mum reading travel guidebooks to me and also asking fellow travellers I met for information and also asking the staff at the various accommodations I stayed at to help me with information about various attractions and places to visit, etc. Now I wish to visit every country in the world. Therefore I try to visit as many countries as possible on any trip.

What kind of accessibility issues do you face while visiting popular tourist places?T: As a totally blind and partially deaf person, I often come across problems in accessing popular tourist attractions, especially outside the UK and, in some places within the UK as well. Many visitor attractions only have information about exhibits in print and don’t offer information in braille. Some places have audio hand-held guides that one can use to listen to information about historical or cultural buildings like churches, castles, mosques, museums, etc. However, more recently, many of these audio guides are on touch-screen tablet devices, which blind people cannot use as it involves swiping your finger over the screen to find the correct button to play the audio and, without speech technology, this is almost impossible to do. Occasionally, I visit a tourist attraction and the staff are reluctant to help me get around the place because they don’t understand how to assist a blind person. I’ve even been turned away from places because the staff don’t think a blind person can be safe in such a place. This is largely because of ignorance. I try to explain I am independent, sometimes this works, sometimes not. Accessing information at a tourist attraction is often the biggest challenge. Some of the audio guides are difficult to hear or understand, especially with my lack of hearing and, even though I wear digital hearing aids, it can still be a challenge on occasions.
The best strategy for accessing inaccessible tourist attractions, is to research the place I wish to visit before hand and, on occasion, contact the property/attraction before hand to ask if they might have a staff member who can assist me. However, when I’m travelling abroad, I often simply turn up and ask if the staff have anyone who can help me. By being friendly and explaining that I’m independent and what I require, this often works. I’m a confident person and this often helps break down barriers.

Can you tell us about the idea behind your eBooks? Who can benefit from reading these books?T: My three travel eBooks are about the adventures of a blind guy as he travels around the world having exciting experiences and meeting interesting people along the way. The aim of them is to show people that despite living with disabilities, anyone can live their dream and overcome their own individual difficulties and live life. My story is about inspiring people to challenge themselves and understand that no matter their difficulties, they can do things and have a life. It is about having a go. I believe anyone can travel if they want to, disabled or not. I feel my books are for anyone with a disability, for people interested in travel from a different perspective, for adventure, escapism and for people wishing to understand a little about living with a disability and anyone looking for inspiration.

What challenges did you face during your school days? How did you motivate yourself to face those challenges?T: The biggest challenges I faced at boarding school was coping with being bullied and making friends. Even though I was at a school for blind and visually impaired children, bullying still occurred. Those who had more sight picked on those with lesser sight. I managed to largely overcome the bullies by using humour to resolve situations. I made friends by laughing at myself. I found an inner strength and gained more confidence as I became more independent. It took time and there were many times when I doubted myself, but with help from my teachers, who told me I would be independent, I managed to overcome my self doubt.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?T: I’ve been lucky enough to have visited 148 countries, all 50 US States and all 7 of the world’s continents, including Antarctica. However, my favourite country is New Zealand. I love it. Mainly, because more than any other country, it reminds me of the UK, but with less people! The often cold and damp weather is similar to the UK, yet the people are relaxed and friendly. There is so much space and wild nature in New Zealand; high mountains, lush countryside, flowing rivers and vast lakes. Plus, NZ has just about every crazy adrenaline activity you can think of! I bungee jumped six times in New Zealand on my first visit in 2001-02 and also sky dived! I went white water rafting on several occasions, did sea kayaking, rock climbing and zorbing! An amazingly fun sport. Zorbing involves being pushed inside a large plastic football and rolled down a large hill as you spin and roll around inside the cushioned ball! What fun! I could live in New Zealand, somewhere on the coast though as I need to be near the sea.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?T: I would say to any parent with a disabled child/children, please try to get them educated and allow them every opportunity possible. Let them try things. I know it’s very difficult, but parents need to let go a little and allow their kids to explore. The best thing my mum did for me was send me to boarding school and get me educated and become independent. She knew I needed to be independent in order to survive in the world. Parents have to ask themselves, how will their kid cope when they are not around? It’s natural to want to protect your child, especially when they have a disability. But all a disability means is that some part of the body doesn’t work properly. This doesn’t mean their child is stupid and can’t do things. Even children with autism or Down’s Syndrome or other learning or mental disabilities can function if supported in the right way. So, that’s my advice.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to explore new places?T: Anyone wishing to explore new places, whether that be at home or abroad whilst living with a disability, child or adult, it can be done. You don’t have to go backpacking around the world alone for several months like I do! People can simply visit a new place for a day, a weekend etc. The main tips are, decide where you would like to visit, research that place, attraction, find out how to visit and if it is accessible with your disability and if not, contact the place or attraction you wish to visit and ask if they can assist you. Find out about accessible accommodation and pack accordingly. Check the weather. I always carry a spare cane and spare hearing aid parts, especially when travelling abroad and to countries where such equipment may not be easily accessible. I research how to get from the airport/bus/train station to my accommodation. Can I take public transport or do I need to book a taxi. If someone is going on their first trip, take a friend or family member. Start with a place close to home and if you enjoy visiting a new place, then maybe go somewhere a little further next time and build your confidence. During my first travels, I visited countries like the USA, Australia, destinations where I could speak the language and understood the systems. Once I was confident to be able to travel and new I enjoyed the challenge, I visited more challenging destinations like Vietnam and Thailand. I met other travellers and asked them for help when I needed it. I also ask the staff in the hotels and hostels to help me. I took taxis around cities with less infrastructure and also made sure I had the address of my accommodation to show a taxi driver if I became lost, particularly in countries where I didn’t speak the language.

Any special message for our community?T: Try new things, have a go. Don’t be afraid to experience new things and if you fail, try again. Until you attempt or experience something new and different, you won’t know if you like it or not. I believe almost anything is possible, so go on, make that first cup of coffee, step out the door and visit the local shop, take that first bus ride, plan a trip with a friend. Live life, do something that you enjoy and makes you happy. I go travelling because I love it, it makes me happy.