San Francisco airport will aid hearing-impaired

San Francisco airportwill aid hearing-impaired
SAN FRANCISCO -- Hearing-impaired airline passengers will soon be able to read public-address announcements on 80 large video screens at San Francisco International Airport as part of a settlement, officials said. The airport and Disability Rights Advocates, an Oakland nonprofit group that sued in 2002, allegingclaiming the airport violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, announced the end of their legal battle Dec. 21. The lawsuit claimed that a lack of appropriate signs and employees trained to assist the disabled made air travel at SFO unnecessarily confusing and complicated. "We're hoping SFO is going to be a model for other airports to follow," said Kevin Knestrick, an attorney for Disability Rights Advocates. The equipment is scheduled to be installed over the next 18 months, said SFO spokesman Mike McCarron. The cost has not yet been determined.
Hawaii's restrooms
HONOLULU -- The state is cleaning up its act at the 81 restrooms located in state parks across the islands. "The No. 1 complaint of state park users is that restrooms are not clean, or are damaged," Peter Young, chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, told the Honolulu Advertiser. "We are cleaning and sanitizing our park comfort stations and performing some renovations throughout our park systems." Young said all the so-called "comfort stations" will now be power-washed with hot water twice a month, in addition to the regular routine cleanings. Some restrooms also will have major repair work done and some will be fitted with sturdy new stainless-steel fixtures. The state there are plans to renovate 24 restrooms in 12 parks statewide over the next two years.
Diarrhea vaccine
WASHINGTON -- An experimental vaccine provided some protection against that scourge of tourism, traveler's diarrhea, when put to a rigorous test among U.S. students in Mexico and Guatemala, scientists reported. The research provides important evidence that a vaccine is possible against the hard-to-avoid germs, instead of merely urging travelers to guard against risky food and water. Now the challenge is to strengthen that protection. "This is a very encouraging first step," said microbiologist A. Louis Bourgeois of Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health, who led the study of the Swedish-developed vaccine. Traveler's diarrhea is the leading cause of illness among visitors to developing countries, striking an estimated 20 million international travelers a year. Although While there are numerous causes, the chief culprit is bacteria called enterotoxigenic E. coli, or ETEC. It is spread through contaminated food and water, and while rarely life-threatening to the otherwise healthy traveler, it can cause up to a week of misery.
Alabama golf
POINT CLEAR, Ala. -- Operators of the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & amp; Spa, which was battered by Hurricane Katrina's water surge, says its golf courses have reopened and 200 guest rooms are expected to be open by late spring. "The entire Grand's renovation, including meeting space and restaurants, should be complete by the end of 2006," said general manager David Clark. He said that would include the Grand's feature pool and beach. The hotel that has survived wars, fires and hurricanes since 1847 is making progress in its Katrina recovery efforts, he said. Renovation to the Azalea golf course is complete and it opened in late October, joining the previously renovated and reopened Dogwood course, Clark said. The spa reopened to Lakewood Golf Club members in November, and is expected to be open to the public by late spring. "The Grand's giant oak trees weathered the storm very well and today remain as majestic as ever," Clark said. He said the resort's buildings received minimal damage from the hurricane.
Hooters halts flights
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Hooters Air says high fuel prices are to blame for canceling flights between Myrtle Beach and six destinations until next March. The airline says it will stop flights from Baltimore; Columbus, Ohio; Gary, Ind.; Pittsburgh; Nassau; and Las Vegas to Myrtle Beach. It is the third year that Hooters Air reduced service in the slower tourist season. "Permanent residents of Myrtle Beach know how quiet it gets in the off-season months with few travelers," said Mark Peterson, airline president. "In the past years we have reduced the schedule and absorbed the costs. However, this year with the high cost of fuel and low participation, the seasonal adjustments were necessary." Hooters Air ticket-holders will be mailed refunds. However, Peterson said the airline can't do anything beyond that to aid passengers with last-minute travel plans. Hooters Air also permanently ended flights between Myrtle Beach and Rockford, Ill.
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