FREEDOM DRIVE 2007

Info about FD-German links

2007-09-10T12:38:00.000+02:00

Some info about Freedom Drive? You will find it in these links (German):

München goes Straßburghttp://www.kobinet-nachrichten.org/cgi-bin/kobinet/custom/pub/visit.cgi/15918/1
Persönliche Assistenz ermöglicht Teilhabe am Arbeitslebenhttp://www.kobinet-nachrichten.org/cgi-bin/kobinet/custom/pub/visit.cgi/15924/1
Demonstration zum Europaparlamenthttp://www.kobinet-nachrichten.org/cgi-bin/kobinet/custom/pub/visit.cgi/15947/1
Philosophie vom Selbstbestimmten Leben voran bringenhttp://www.kobinet-nachrichten.org/cgi-bin/kobinet/custom/pub/visit.cgi/15952/1
Offenheit mit großen Informationslückenhttp://www.kobinet-nachrichten.org/cgi-bin/kobinet/custom/pub/visit.cgi/15951/1

More pictures!

2007-09-10T10:28:00.000+02:00

Our German colleagues have posted some pictures in this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11867525@N04/sets/72157601922083853

Great success!!!

2007-09-10T10:12:00.000+02:00

During this week we will inform you about the results of Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2007. In the meantime, you may see some pictures from our British colleagues:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/freedom_drive/pool/

Wednesday: Rally to the European Parliament

2007-09-04T10:15:00.000+02:00

Meeting point: at 10:00 am. Tram stop Parc du Contades.
Don't forget your sweater and raincoat! It could rain tomorrow.

European Parliament President will meet our ralliers!

2007-09-03T10:24:00.000+02:00

Mr. Hans Gert-Pöttering will join Strasbourg Freedom Drive rally next Wednesday afternoon. He will receive by hand Freedom Drivers' statement. Great news!

Freedom Drive On the road!

2007-09-02T14:24:00.000+02:00

It's Sunday. Most of our 240 Strasbourg Freedom Drivers are on its way to Strasbourg: from Sweden, Bulgaria, Ireland, Norway, UK, Italy ... Dozen buses and cars driving for days until reaching France. Tomorrow German, Belgium and Spanish Freedom Drivers will start their trip as well. Common goal: being next Tuesday morning at 10:00 at our headquarters in Strasbourg Youth Centre.
Tomorrow, more news.

Have a good trip!!!

Meetings with MEPs-Tuesday afternoon

2007-08-31T15:17:00.000+02:00

MEETING WITH NATIONAL MEPs

Country. Contact Person. Meeting Time

BELGIUM. Dominiek Porreye. 16:00

BULGARIA. Kapka Panayotova. 14.00 - 15.00

GERMANY. Corina Zolle. 15:00-17:00

IRELAND. Caroline Michell. 16:00-17:00 NORWAY. Bente Skansgard.

PORTUGAL. Antonio Centeno. 15:00-15:30

SPAIN. Antonio Centeno. 16:00

SWEDEN. Kerstin Sellin. 14:00-16:00

UK. John Evans. 16:00

More information: go to http://freedomdrive.foroactivo.com/

New meeting with MEPs arranged: SPAIN and BELGIUM

2007-08-31T09:44:00.000+02:00

Our Freedom Drivers from Spain and Belgium have arranged a meeting on Tuesday afternoon with their national MEPs.
SPAIN. 16:00. Contact Antonio Centeno for more information. antonio.centeno@gmail.com
BELGIUM. 16:00. Contact Dominiek Porreye for more information.

Basic info: Agenda and Headquarter in Strasbourg

2007-08-27T13:21:00.000+02:00

Hello! Your National Contact Person will send you this week a final dossier with important info. In the meantime, have a look on this basic information.

Strasbourg Freedom Drive Headquarter will be located at the European Youth Centre:
PHONE NUMBER: +33.3.88.41.24.73
LOCATION: 30, rue Pierre de Coubertin, Strasbourg F - 67000 Strasbourg. tram B/E stop WACKEN
HOW TO GET THERE: http://www.coe.int/t/e/cultural_co-operation/youth/7._about_us/way_to_eyc.asp#TopOfPage

FREEDOM DRIVE AGENDA
TUESDAY, 4th
10:30. WELCOME. MEETING POINT: Youth Centre.
We will get together in our headquarters to welcome freedom drivers and get to know each other.

14:00-17:00. MEETING WITH NATIONAL MEPS. MEETING POINT: Youth Centre.
Some participants have arranged meetings with their National MEPs during Tuesday the 4th. Contact your National Contact Person for more details regarding this event. In some cases, national press conferences have been arranged. Participants will meet at the Youth Centre. Remember: security procedures slow getting into the Parliament.
MEETINGS ARRANGED: Germany, Portugal, Ireland, Bulgaria, Sweden, Belgium and UK.
(More info, check our forum: http://freedomdrive.foroactivo.com/)

WEDNESDAY, 5th
10:00 RALLY. MEETING POINT: Plac Du Concordes. (tram stop Parc du Contade)
One of the core events of this Freedom Drive is the rally to the Parliament. We will rally during 2 kilometers to the European Parliament for disabled people’s rights. At the end, one member of FD organization will hand out a list of demands to the Disability Intergroup’s President, Mr. Richard Howitt.

17:30-18:30. MEETING WITH DISABILITY INTERGROUP. MEETING POINT: Youth Centre at 15:00.
Later on, Freedom Drivers will meet with the European Parliament Disability Intergroup for one hour. In order for all Freedom Drivers to participate on time, we should get into the building before 16:30. Remember: security procedures slow this process. We will depart at 15:00 from Youth Centre.

19:00 BBQ. MEETING POINT: Youth Centre.
After the meeting we will get together in our headquarters at the Youth Centre to enjoy a BBQ dinner offered by our colleagues from ULOBA. Confirm your attendance to your NCP or FD Staff.

THURSDAY, 6th
MEETING AT COUNCIL OF EUROPE- pending of confirmation.

Great website to know better Strasbourg

2007-08-22T15:17:00.000+02:00

Would you like to know more details about Strasbourg? Visit http://www.ot-strasbourg.com/?lang=en

Don't forget that Freedom Drivers have a new tool to communicate among ourselves!
Go to http://freedomdrive.foroactivo.com/ and register (at the top of the page you will see the option "register").
Just 12 days to get together!

Comments by previous ralliers: Eleanor and Tom

2007-08-22T14:59:00.000+02:00

Eleanor said...
I like Hippotamus - especially good if you like steaks (and the ancient Douane) but if you are short of money and like buffet style food (and for vegetarians) I suggest Flunch. There is one at Place kleber just off the tram line - you can eat as much vegetables as you like and there is also very reasonable hot food including fish. Desserts are good too. There is a lift to go downstairs.While in Strasbourg, do not fail to try tarte flambe or flammekuche which is bacon bits with cream and onions on a thin piece of pizza type pastry. This is perfect for group parties you can keep ordering and share.I can also give a list of accessible drinking places for those who would like it.

thomaschambers@eircom.net said...
I have participated in the 2005 Freedom Drive.I found it very interesting especially meeting MES from my own country. The march to the European Parliament and then visiting the House was exciting. Been Irish, wethrew a few nice barbaques while there. The accomodation was not very good but we hope to improve on it this time.The trams into town very wheelchaie friendly and fast.The open air market which is close to Government buildings is not to be missed.Of course the World Rugby Cup is on and if you have a spare ticket I would appreciate it.Looking forward to meeting old friends next month.Regards,Tom.
21 August 2007 17:53

Forum for ralliers

2007-08-17T14:29:00.000+02:00

In two weeks we will be in Strasbourg!We have launched a forum to enhance internal communication among ralliers. You'll be able to contact your National Contact Persons and your country's fellows through this tool and read everybody's opinions. Questions for previous ralliers? Final doubts about your trip? Do not hesitate, click http://freedomdrive.foroactivo.com/index.htm and write your comment or question. We have a GENERAL AREA, for common use, and AREAS PER COUNTRY, where you can communicate in your own language if you wish with your country fellows. (In order to write in the forum you need to register. It is quick and free)
Carmen

Accessible Restaurants in Strasbourg

2007-08-10T18:17:00.000+02:00

L'Ancienne Douane

Hippopotamus Restaurant

Hi Everyone,

On a recent trip to Strasbourg I found two lovely restaurants, which are accessible. The photos are my own art - work.

They are as follows -

L'Ancienne Douane 6 rue de la Douane (0033-388157878) - brassiere style food.

It is a beautiful restaurant on the river, it has both indoor and outdoor terrace seating, the wheelchair accessible toilet is located by the terrace door. They will take large group bookings, the terrace seats 200 and the helpful waiter Patrick told me there is no problem with a big crowd of us taking over the terrace, provided of course we book in advance - the managers name is Mme Keller.

Directions - It approximately 450 metres from the B Tram stop - Homme de Fer. The tram stop is on Rue de la Haute Monte, follow it to Rue de Grandes Arcades and straight down this pedestrian street till you reach the river and the restaurant is on the right.

Hippopotamus 40 - 42, rue du Marché aux Vins (0033-388238490) - grill style.

Directions - This restaurant is right beside the B tram line, again if you get off the Tram B or C at Homme de Fer it is 20 metres approx to the restaurant. The restaurant is suitable for smaller group bookings.

- Caroline

Your National Contact Person needs your help

2007-07-20T14:48:00.000+02:00

Dear FD rallier,
We need to collect all participants information and their PAs', especially if you are planning to participate in events inside the European Parliament. Please, contact your National Contact Person to provide the information needed. He/she will send you a short form to be filled out.
DEADLINE: August 10th.
After that deadline we cannot assure you that you will be able to get into the Parliament, for security reasons.
Thanks very much for your cooperation!!!
Big week is approaching!
Caroline/Carmen

Pictures from FD 2005

2007-07-12T10:00:00.001+02:00

Eleanor, rallier from 2005, wants to share with us more pictures: www.flickr.com/photos/ewheeling/sets/72157594234028374
Thanks very much (for the previous pictures as well!) and see you in Strasbourg Freeedom Drive 2007!!

More than 140 ralliers already-National Contact Persons

2007-07-06T10:23:00.000+02:00

More than 140 freedom drivers have registered to participate in the III edition of Strasbourg Freedom Drive. Every country attending has a National Contact Person. Do not hesitate to contact him/her if you have any questions as well. So far, your contact person is
Germany- Corine Zolle corina.zolle@gmx.de
Ireland- Caroline Mitchell carolinemitchell@dublincil.org
Sweden- Kerstin Sellin Kerstin.Sellin@jag.se
Norway- Bente Skansgard uloba-bs@online.no
UK-John Evans 100712.1767@compuserve.com
Bulgaria- Kapka Panayotova mailto:kapkap@mail.orbitel.bg
Rest of countries- Carmen G. Hernández chernandez@enil.eu

We are looking for meeting you in Strasbourg!!
Share with us your experiences and pictures from previous editions!

Participants for 2007- Join now!

2007-06-27T11:20:00.000+02:00

Dear colleagues,
Freedom Drivers from Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, and United Kingdom have confirmed their participation in the third edition of Strasbourg Freedom Drive, the 4th, 5th and 6th of September.
Don’t think it twice and join Strasbourg Freedom Drive now! Don’t wait too much because finding lodging in Strasbourg gets complicated when the MEPs are there.

For further information on the 2007 Strasbourg Freedom Drive check out http://www.enil.eu/camp_proj/index.html or contact Caroline Mitchell directly at carolinemitchell@dublincil.org or Carmen G. Hernández at chernandez@enil.eu
Best regards!
Strasbourg Freedom Drive Organization

Comments by previous ralliers: Bente Skansgård

2007-06-25T12:30:00.000+02:00

Dear Freedom drivers 2007!
I have participated in the Freedom drive both in 2003 and 2005 – and I enjoyed it both times! There is so much political energy in this event that it keeps you going the next two years. It is good to meet new and old friends, in a less formal setting than we usually do, and being so close and in and around the European Parliament, give you the feeling of being nearer to the political decisions. This is one way of showing the European politicians who we are and what our priorities are.

Strasbourg is a wonderful city – and we always have great weather. There are two accessible youthhostels close to the city centre. The tram is accessible – and very beautiful – wait and see for youselves. My feeling is that Strasbourg is a quite accessible place when it comes to restaurants, shops etc.

The majority of the Freedom drivers come with cars or train to make the travel as cheap as possible because most of us pay out of our own pockets. The airport and accessible taxis are not that fantastic, but then we have to teach them some lessons about passengers that use wheelchairs.
Bente Skansgård, IL-activist, Norway

Welcome to Strasbourg Freedom Drive blog

2007-06-25T10:08:00.000+02:00

Welcome to this new blog! During the following months we will use this virtual place to communicate with you and share our experiences about Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2007.
We will meet for the third time in Strasbourg to rally for our rights. It is a great opportunity to meet us, strengthen Independent Living movement, share strategies, meet with our MEPs, and have a good time together.

If you are thinking about coming to Strasbourg with us, go ahead and plan your trip. Contact as soon as possible Caroline Mitchell from CIL Dublin. carolinemitchell@dublincil.org
Spread the word!