Summer is almost here. Families, couples and friends across the country are planning summer vacations and getaways. A wheelchair shouldn’t be a consideration in anyone’s vacation plans. With all of the accessibility options and travel resources available to people with disabilities today, it doesn’t have to be.
Accessible Travel Resources
Hawaiian Handicap Tours & Adventures was started by a husband and wife from Hawaii after one too many of their vacations turned out to be disastrous because of a lack of adequate, affordable transportation for a quadriplegic. They specialize in providing quality transportation and tour packages for wheelchair users on the island of Oahu.
Europe For Visitors offers a comprehensive list of accessible hotels and other accommodations in 11 European countries, including Greece, Luxembourg, France and Germany.
DisabledTravelers.com provides a comprehensive list of travel agents who specialize is accessible cruises and other vacations for the disabled. The site also includes information on traveling by air with a disability, renting accessible equipment, reviews from disabled travelers and general disability news.
Wheelchair Accessible Beaches and Beach Resorts
Rehab Point in Oxnard, California features a 900-foot paved level path that curves around the dunes and the boardwalk offers access to the ocean. Also in California, Half Moon Bay State Beach has an accessible boardwalk that extends into the snowy plover nesting area. The boardwalk at Virginia Beach allows visitors to enjoy beach views while avoiding the sand if they so choose.
Hilton Head, South Carolina, was one of the first cities to install beach mats – hard rubber mats that are placed over the sand to create a smooth surface. Most of the resort town’s beaches now use beach mats. They are also used on the beaches of South Padre Island, on some Hawaiian beaches, Coney Island and several of Chicago’s Lake Michigan beaches.
San Diego recently received a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy to add power wheelchairs to Coronado City Beach, Silver Strand State Beach and Oceanside City Beach that are free for visitors with disabilities. The electric beach wheelchairs are a step up from traditional beach wheelchairs and they allow the people using them more independence.
The Bay Islands Beach Resort in Honduras far exceeds ADA standards. All the beach level rooms are accessible, and there’s a hard boardwalk that connects the buildings in the resort so you don’t have to manage a wheelchair across the sand. In addition to having the basic accessibility, the resort has a spacious 44 acres and has a dive staff that’s trained to work with divers with physical disabilities so everyone can explore the deep (or maybe just snorkel).
Other Accessible Vacation Spots
Located in Orlando, Florida, Disney World is not just for kids. With more than four parks situated on 20,000 acres, Disney World offers something for everyone. Almost every attraction in each of the parks is accessible, including the restrooms, restaurants and shops. A handful of rides at the parks are set up so that a power chair, manual chair or scooter can be taken on the ride. Some of these include the safari at the Animal Kingdom, The Great American Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios and It’s A Small World at the Magic Kingdom.
With just 300,000 residents, Iceland is a country full of amazing scenery and natural wonders. The country is becoming more modernized and their tourism industry is growing every year. Iceland has no equivalent to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), but it does have strict building codes that make most buildings accessible. With new accessible transportation from the international airport to Reykjavik available, anytime is a good time to visit.
Megan Abrams - I have lived with the effects of a childhood stroke for more than half my life and offer a uniquely personal perspective on disability.
Join the Conversation