What are people saying about New Directions?
"I was so excited for this trip! I marked each day off on my calendar! The trip was amazing – I had fun every minute. It was great being able to go on a vacation separate from my family – all on my own! All the way across the USA!"
David S., a traveler on the Harry Potter Wizarding World trip in Orlando, FL.
"I did get a chance to look at the pictures on your website. You can just see on everyone’s faces how much fun they were having. Chris will ll be spending this weekend with me and I can’t wait to show the pictures to him. Whoever is taking the pictures is doing a great job.
I’ve struggled with feeling guilty about sending him on vacations without me being there to look out for him. I always worry about him making connections, how he will adapt to the new people and new situations, am I being irresponsible in letting him go off with people I don’t even know, what if, what if, what if……. The worries go on and on. It’s hard to let go after worrying about every little thing for him for so many years.
However, when I look at the pictures of how happy he and the others are and hear him talk excitedly about the trip, it helps to reinforce that I made the right decision in letting him go. It makes me feel good to see that he is proud that he is able to do this by himself. I think it’s good for him.
I’m very thankful for the care given and the care givers. It’s pretty certain he’ll be traveling with you again. We’ll start saving now.
Thanks again." Marina Rosso, mother of a traveler on the Rankin Dude Ranch tour
Dear Dee,
As I sat next to six of our travelers who were watching three thousand Native American dancers on the floor of the University of New Mexico football stadium, I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful opportunity New Directions gives to our participants. There were fifteen thousand people in attendance at this largest Pow Wow in the world-- and there we were!! We had an amazing trip to Santa Fe. As I always do I asked our travelers what they had heard about and what they wanted to do or see. Neil said, “The Santa Fe trail and the Capitol building.” We walked on the trail and the Capitol grounds. We also saw the Governors House, and the Cathedral and ate blue corn pancakes with pinion nuts! “Fulfilling dreams is really what we do,” I thought, but who would have dreamed that we just happened upon this world’s largest pow wow! Jeff is blind and we weren’t sure he could appreciate the colorful costumes of the dancers. Well maybe he couldn’t appreciate that, but he COULD and DID appreciate the drums and chanting. He clapped along, bobbed his head up and down and was still chanting when we got back in the van! In addition to our Santa Fe adventures and the Pow Wow, we also went to Bandelier National monument. Bandelier is home to many Indian ruins including cliff dwellings. We had three people using wheelchairs to make the hike, but hike we did, and our two ambulatory clients even climbed up the ancient ladders to look into the dwellings.
Our travelers loved this trip! Randy said he was going to come back to New Mexico next time and I can only hope there will be a next time because this glimpse into an area and a culture so different from our own was such a special experience for our travelers. I so appreciate getting to be a tour guide and opening the world to our travelers. Thank you. Jane Sbragia - Tour Leader, Santa Fe, NM Tour (2011)
"My brother is developmentally disabled and has been on several trips with New Directions. Ten years ago after my parents passed away I was determined to help my brother live a more independent and self-fulfilling life. His experiences with New Directions Travel has been an integral part in his growth in independence, self confidence and overall excitement about life. In the beginning I had to cajole him into going on a trip. Now he has the next one selected before he goes on the one selected for the current year. I asked him recently what he likes best about New Directions staff and programs (aside from the wonderful places he gets to go). He said that the trips are so well organized and that the staff is so helpful--especially in the morning when it takes him a long time to get ready for the day. I'm forever grateful to this organization for all that they do." - brother of one of our Travelers
“The service from your office staff and tour guides was fabulous. I would like to go everywhere in the world.” - Erica M., traveler, Dollywood Tour
"I have been a tour guide with New Directions for 12+ years. Because of my current job, I am not able to take as many trips with them as I would like. I know the travelers get a lot out of these trips - new places, new friends, new adventures, or, in some case, old places and old friends. Sometimes I believe the tour guides get more out of the trips by just experiencing it with the travelers. One of my favorite memories was at Disneyland, riding It's A Small World with a young man who is a deaf mute. The expression of joy and wonder on his face said more than any words he could have expressed. New Directions provides opportunities for travelers they might never have had the experience of knowing. I can't wait for my next trip with them in November." - one of our Tour Guides
"Lynette came home jolly and pretty tickled. She giggled for a week afterwards!"
- Jacqueline M., careprovider, Holiday Happiness Tour
"When I completed graduate school, I looked around for a company that took people with developmental disabilities on vacations, as I had been doing on a smaller scale in NYC. I found several companies and worked for a few, with moderate satisfaction, but once I found New Directions, I was hooked. Far beyond any company out there, New Directions puts a heavy emphasis on the personal choice and respect of each traveler on tour. It starts at the top and flows down. Delighted with my first tour, I kept leading trip after trip, until I had to settle down and stay in one place. Now that I have a husband and kids, I just lead one trip a year - the Holiday Happiness tour in San Francisco. Seeing the joy in the travelers' faces and the emerging acceptance and understanding of everyone we meet on the street has made every holiday season extra special for me. Thank you, New Directions!" - one of our Tour Leaders
"Rudy was on top of the world after his trip to Disneyland. He wore his Holiday Happiness shirt for 3 days straight. Whenever someone came to the house, he would pull out his photos and start telling them about the tour!" - Jenn S., careprovider
"This is a remarkable organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for disabled people. Our 21 year old son is developmentally disabled and has traveled with them a few times. We've found the staff to be caring and concerned, and very qualified to deal with whatever situations may arise. These adventure trips for our son also provide respite for our family at home. I'm always very happy to share this resource with others in the special needs community because I think the work they do is so unique and important. New Directions treats its consumers with respect, dignity and compassion. I highly recommend supporting New Directions! Their scholarship program is tremendously important for many of their consumers who would have no other means of participating in these terrific programs." - mother of one of our Travelers
“You’re the best travel group. New Directions ROCKS!” - Michael B., traveler, Las Vegas Tour
“Since this was my first experience sending one of my clients on vacation, I was a bit nervous. But after receiving all the information and the thoroughness of the planning and preparation of New Directions’ staff, my mind was put to rest – that was a huge benefit. I think you provide a very needed service and I appreciate the opportunities you provide. Thank you for providing such a great service!” - Angela B., QMRP
Dear New Directions,
My daughter, Christy and I returned from a wonderful 5-day Baja Cruise yesterday. I
have nothing but praise for your tour leader and tour guides. It was evident that the
tour guides knew their traveler’s profiles well. Each tour guide knew what each of the
travelers in their group wanted to do and they made sure that they were able to do it. I felt so fortunate to be able to see and experience the professionalism of New Directions. I could tell the travelers were all happy in their own way, as they talked with excitement about their day and their purchases at the dinner table. I was pleased to experience a well-run tour with such dedicated people as your tour leader and tour guides. Thank you for allowing me to go with my daughter. I was so happy that Christy could have a new experience in her life and I certainly benefitted from having the new experience in my life also. Thank you, Jan R. - parent
Dear New Directions - Scholarship Committee, - Dee Duncan and Board of Directors,
Thank you very much for awarding me the $600 for the Baja Cruise in Mexico. You're the best travel agency through out the world. This is my first time to sleep on a ship.
Sincerely yours, Cleo Jean M. - scholarship recipient
"I want to thank your whole organization... I attended the Viva Las Vegas tour with a man that I support 3 days a week. We had such a wonderful time. The freedom of travel is such an important experience in life, it's wonderful that everyone can experience it, no matter their abilities. All of the tour guides and staff were so helpful and organized. I look forward to working with you in the future!" Thank you, Vanessa V, Careprovider