Where is the TV?

I'm sitting here thinking about the travel shows I've seen over the years; the shows, the features, the equal representation of travellers with particular needs.  Oh wait!!  There seems to be a flaw in that thought doesn't there?
Why is it that I can't think of a single mainstream show that features travel from a disabled perspective, and isn't it about time that the supporting industries to hospitality and tourism (the media included) 'stepped up to the plate'?
If you listen really hard, you can hear television executives, planners and producers jumping up and down exclaiming that disabled travellers are a tiny minority, and after all, television shows cost thousands of pounds to develop and produce.  Isn't it fair enough that only the most desired and watched shows - with the largest target market - make it onto the small screen?
It's true that there is approximately 10-13% of the population that suffers from disability.  In the context of this blog I might go so far as to say ONLY 10-13%.  It's a good job that disabled people ONLY travel alone.  Oh wait!! That's right..........they don't!
Disabled people, just like everyone else, travel with husbands, wives, family, friends, partners, business contacts;  that starts to push the figure of 10% of people who suffer directly from a disability much higher, when you start to think of people who are affected by disability.
At Disabled Travel Guide (www.disabledtravelguide.co.uk) reviews and information about worldwide destinations, hotels, and attractions are left by carers and companions as well as by disabled travellers themselves. Personally, I'm of the opinion that they might be interested about travel from a disabled perspective too.
My father is in his late Seventies, and over the last few years has enjoyed trips to Kos, Ireland, France, Spain.......(I could go on).  As I write he is aboard a Mediterranean cruise ship, no doubt experiencing excellent service, and an occasional Gin and Tonic.  He is not disabled.  He doesn't use a wheelchair, a walking frame or a crutch. However, nor does he wish to holiday somewhere that is accessible only to the experienced climber or the mountain goat!  He doesn't wish to book a room that is up seven flights of stairs. And he doesn't want to go on a winter wonderland vacation to Lapland if he has to walk there!!  You know........the more I think about it, a show that included a regular travel feature for people with specific concerns might have a wider appeal than you might think, and we haven't even begun to consider the issues of families with disabled children, medical tourism, or the fact that the aftermath of international conflicts includes an army of young servicemen who, through injury, are changing the face of disability.
I feel a facebook petition coming on!!
However, until there is consideration of disabled travellers within the commissioning and production of mainstream television, Disabled Travel Guide will attempt to provide the information that allows us all to 'access all areas', you can leave your own comments, reviews, and expert information here http://disabledtravelguide.co.uk/component/content/article/2.
  
Or follow Disabled Travel Guide on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Disabled-Travel-Guide/134055463342542