Dear Craig,
congratulations on you initiative. We have been talking here in Prainha do Canto Verde on how to go about starting something for people with disability, will try to learn from you

René Schärer
fishnet@uol.com.br

Craig Grimes possesses both the skills and commitment to make him eminently suitable for the recognition of this award. Few people have the vision and drive to turn severe disability into a pioneering and exemplary lifestyle, giving to and enhancing the lives of others. Simply to know Craig is to be enriched by him.

Craig has multiple skills: as an enterprising entrepreneur he developed his “AccessibleBarcelona” business into an organisation with global influence; as pioneer he has opened new destinations for travellers with disabilities, and opened new markets for service providers; as a communicator and facilitator, he has enabled countless disabled people to fulfil ambitions and achieve innovative goals; and as a full-time wheelchair user himself, he is proof that there are few boundaries for disabled people once they are given the appropriate support. Oh, and his wheelchair skills are pretty good too!

None of this would add up to enough without Craig’s personal energy, drive, perseverance and commitment to other people. He is a passionate innovator and pioneer who is making a very real difference to the lives of disabled people. From his first chaotic forays into travel in Europe, to the founding and developing of his Barcelona-based travel business, and now opening up South America for the disabled traveller, he has allowed no limit or boundary to distract him. It is typical of him that he took the risk of living alone in Spain in order to become fluent in Spanish, thereby laying the foundation for his South American adventures.

As the market for disabled travellers expands globally, Craig’s pioneering spirit is much in demand. He is especially successful with younger disabled people, of whom there is a growing number in the world - he truly can change lives.

To be the first businessman to be opening and celebrating the Nicaraguan (and later, South American) disabled tourist market is exemplary. To be doing it all from a wheelchair is remarkable. And to be constructively involving the indigenous population, thereby enhancing their lives, as well as those of his clients, is breath-taking.

With his “Northern Grit” approach to life, Craig Grimes deserves recognition for his pioneering spirit and his innovative entrepreneurial skills. Few can embody the competition's slogan, celebrating places and changing lives, better than Craig. I wish him every success.

Jeremy D Rowe, client and friend.

Dear Craig,

My initial contact was through the Accessible Barcelona website. You have since been in contact with my colleague Maria to arrange accessible accommodation for an event organised by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases in Barcelona. You have responded fast to her request and have been very effective in finding a solution! Thank you and all the best for your new project.

Anne-Mary Bodin

My interactions with Craig Grimes began through his website AccessibleBarcelona. I work for the NGO EURORDIS, the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (www.eurordis.org) and we are organising our first Summer School in Barcelona in June for patients and patient representatives with rare diseases. The aim is to inform and empower patients on their roles in the areas of drug development, regulatory processes and clinical trials.
As part of the organisation for the meeting, we sought the advice and services of Craig Grimes through his AccessibleBarcelona site. Often the participants at our meetings have special accommodation needs as well as in other areas. Craig was not only helpful, above and beyond but went as far as performing miracles to find us accommodation for 50 people and liaise with hotels etc.. all whilst in Nicaragua. I enthusiastically support Craig and his endeavours and know that they will be successful as he is dedicated, motivated and concerned.
Maria Mavris

Craig, I applaud your work with Accessible Nicaragua... to help make travel possible for everyone, including those with disabilities. On top of this, you are also committed to socially/environmentally responsible travel. What a wonderful service to the travel community and to the world. I wish you luck!

Best Regards,
Alison Osborne

Craig,
.
It is amazing how quickly and successfully you have taken a business idea that worked in AccessibleBarcelona and grown AccessibleNicaragua. You pioneered the idea entirely alone in Nicaragua and yet have woven it so completely into the cultural fabric of the country.
.
Here is the US we have watched the retirement investment “hot spots” in Central America move progressively south. You are correct about the demand potential and insightful to link back northwards through more mature (but not necessarily accessible) projects in Guatemala and the region to create inclusive travel routes. You have not used the term but what I hear is the creation of community-owned tourism routes like Noel de Villiers has begun with Open Africa.
.
I would like to anchor the far northern end of your network with a Center of Excellence in Inclusive Tourism in Cancun, Mexico. Let’s discuss a regional partnership.
.
Your collaborations with NGOs keeps you close to geotourism values of place, culture, and sustainability. It sounds like you have built upon specialized Disabled Peoples’ NGOs (DPOs). This is makes your success a direct contributor to the economic sustainability of the local disability institutions as well as individuals. The content and quality of the teaching you talk about in your entry indicates that you are also contributing to strengthening disability culture in Nicaragua.
.
You are mitigating negative impacts of tourism. Yesterday the LA Times has an article on binge drinking in Mexico by US students on Spring Break. The author observed that the recurring reason given for engaging in excess was “to build confidence.” It is easier to prevent than to eliminate this ritual taking root in a place. I see your efforts as a stronger preventative for Nicaragua than you may ever get credit for. You offer a difference path to confidence:

People with disabilities are becoming more and more adventurous with regards to what they want from traveling. People have the means and the enthusiasm to travel, but little information and services to allow them to achieve their dreams. This project allows them to strive for more in relation to where they want to travel, even in the harshest of environments for people with disabilities. After a trip such as in Central America, many people with disabilities achieve much more than they thought possible and this gives a great sense of satisfaction.
.
You have my support!
.
Scott

I work for the charity Tourism for All UK. Based in England, we provide holiday and travel information for disabled people, which is how I met Craig Grimes.

I have known Craig Grimes for about five years, and from where I sit, he has enthusiastically and doggedly embraced the world from his wheelchair. He is personable and good company, as well as having his head screwed on for business.

He is prepared to tackle inaccessibility wherever he finds it, not just from his perspective, but also from the point-of-view that if businesses do not universally design for all, they are likely to be losing customers as a result.

Despite any difficulties he may have encountered in his own life, he remains outward looking, optimistic and of general good humour, and happy to spread the word about good practice and great facilities to a world where true accessibility can often be difficult to locate. A keen traveler and linguist, he has helped to open up a world of possibilities for those who follow in his tracks.

As Craig says on his website Accessible Nicaragua www.accessiblenicaragua.com (a work in progress): 'what we're really trying to promote here is not a 100% perfectly accessible tour but an attempt to make a tour in a developing country as inclusive as possible for as many people with disabilities as possible'.

He goes on to say 'The routes take in many aspects of Central American history, art, culture and nature. The holidays are also socially aware in encouraging our clients to meet the people of Nicaragua, especially disabled people'.

His business acumen has served him well in setting up web-based information about tourism products and services for disabled users both in Spain, and more recently in South America, and he is switched on to all aspects of technology in conveying his messages.

If he doesn't make the grade of being recognised and encouraged for his undoubted achievement and activities I would be very surprised and disappointed for him.

Good luck to you Craig!

Congratulations Craig, on your work being recognized in this way. Your Accessible Barcelona project was a success and I'm sure Accessible Nicaragua will be equally worthwhile.
Good luck with it!
Regards
Gordon Rattray.
www.able-travel.com