Accessible Travel

I have compiled a list of the best airlines for traveling as a wheelchair user. Although no airline can guarantee that incidents won't occur, some have a better rating of overall care for not only the wheelchair, but also the disabled passenger.

11/19/2024 12:00:00 AM

Preparation is essential for a pleasant journey for any traveler. If you use a power wheelchair, planning from the very beginning is even more crucial. It not only makes the trip better, but makes it possible. Fortunately, many adventurers have gone before to clear a path for successful airplane travel. Here are 10 tips for you and your ride to arrive safely.

10/21/2024 12:00:00 AM

Are you interested in learning more about what it's like to travel to Disneyland with a service dog? I recently took my service dog, Jojo VI, to Disneyland in California for the first time. We had a wonderful experience!

10/8/2024 12:00:00 AM

Our triplets – Knox, Navie, and Noa – were born on October 19, 2023. We are now blessed with four beautiful children, all born within 2.5 months of each other. Charlie turned one in July, and the triplets will turn one in October. Tennessee holds a special place in our hearts, and after the triplets were born, we decided to take a trip to Knoxville to visit the National Embryo Donation Center, where we adopted the embryos.

9/24/2024 12:00:00 AM

Known as the city of love, Paris, France is one of the top tourist destinations in the world...and for good reason! It is a beautiful and vibrant city with so much history and art, but the best part is that it's even wheelchair accessible! Let's dive in to all of the fun details of what you must do while you are there. Here are five wheelchair accessible Paris attractions and things to do.

7/16/2024 12:00:00 AM

From the beginning of our relationship, my husband and I bonded on our love of exploring and traveling to new places. Whether it was an hour-long road trip or a plane ride to a new part of the country, we knew that once we started a family it was important to both of us to share our love of traveling with our kids. Our firstborn son came into this world with difficulty. A 14-day stay in the NICU would uncover our son's brain bleed, and we were told that he would likely have a challenging life.

6/11/2024 12:00:00 AM

I have been traveling the streets of Japan in my power wheelchair for over 15 years and have enjoyed watching the country become more and more accessible. But there are still some challenges for travelers with disabilities. Here are a few things you may want to know before you jump on a plane.

3/5/2024 12:00:00 AM

If you live with a disability like I do, the ability to drive your own car plays a crucial role in maintaining your autonomy and freedom. Making informed choices about adaptive technologies and modifications is key to enhancing the driving experience.

11/28/2023 12:00:00 AM

Many people avoid traveling because it can be expensive. The idea of visiting and exploring a new place is exciting and well worth the investment – but you shouldn't break the bank when you take a trip! There are so many ways to reduce the cost of traveling, from saving on the flight and hotel to the activities themselves.

5/11/2021 12:00:00 AM

If you are dreaming of places to travel to this summer, the five accessible destinations featured in this blog could be nice options. Whether you want to visit a lesser-known beach destination, a city you've never previously explored, or a national park, there is truly something for everyone in these wheelchair-friendly destinations.

4/27/2021 12:00:00 AM

With restrictions being eased and a range of new rules and regulations throughout the United States, it can be tricky to know how to go about local and distanced travel. Now may not be the time to plan a road trip, nor is it the time to start traveling the world, but whenever you feel safe and ready to get out of the house and plan a short trip, here are some ways to travel more safely.

9/8/2020 12:00:00 AM

Spend some of your self-isolation time watching these movies, all available on a streaming service, and maybe even take some time to plan out your next vacation. That way, when you're available and restrictions have been reduced, you're ready to book the reservations and are quickly on your way to a dream vacation.

6/16/2020 12:00:00 AM

Traveling around the world, eating exotic foods, seeing iconic sights, making new friends all over the world... these are the things that most people think of when I tell them I'm a travel blogger. While I do get to enjoy those incredible aspects of travel blogging about three to four months out of the year, what happens in the other eight to nine months when I'm not traveling? There is a LOT more that goes into travel blogging than just traveling.

3/10/2020 12:00:00 AM

These are five of the most romantic destinations to consider, not only for the way they help you connect with your partner, but also because they offer plenty of accessibility. A romantic destination should give you plenty of opportunities to focus on you, your partner, and your relationship. Choosing one of these destinations will help fulfill all your accessibility needs so you can focus on the trip and bonding during your stay.

2/11/2020 12:00:00 AM

Traveling with a carer is no different from regular travel in the sense that it requires planning and decision-making. It just requires different criteria than if you were a solo person, couple, or family planning a trip. With the right planning, you and your carer can enjoy a great vacation together.

12/24/2019 12:00:00 AM

Rental houses can be a great alternative to hotel rooms, especially if you're going to be vacationing in an area for more than a couple of days. Finding an accessible rental house used to be very difficult, as many private listings didn't disclose all the details about the house. With the growing prevalence of vacation rental house websites, it's getting easier to find the perfect rental house for your next vacation.

11/7/2019 12:00:00 AM

Here's the part where I sound like the geography teacher that I'm not: Budapest, the capital of Hungary. A city separated by the Danube river. A city of two halves, you have the hilly district of Buda on one bank of the Danube, and the flatter district of Pest on the other. We traveled in November. It was the last of our short breaks for 2018, and maybe our favourite so far.

9/17/2019 12:00:00 AM

I'd like to share the realities of traveling with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and how I overcome them. I love traveling and have taken trips pretty much around the world. While traveling with SMA can be difficult, nothing is impossible. After all, where there's a wheel, there's a way!

9/10/2019 12:00:00 AM

Japan is a beautiful East Asian country rich in history, culture, and most importantly, accessibility. It is known as one of the most accessible nations in the world, and is becoming even better by the year, most likely due to its rapidly aging population. Three years ago, my family and I took a two-week vacation to Japan, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

8/27/2019 12:00:00 AM

The Air Carrier Access Act is a bit complicated. While it's easy to understand the general terms, it's more useful to see how the ACAA fits with each part of air travel. This article will walk you through the general components of the ACAA and will highlight where the Act protects your rights, in hope that you can ensure your rights are supported the next time you travel with a wheelchair. In addition to explaining your rights, this article offers useful tips for requesting that your rights are met and approaching issues that you may have during a trip.

8/6/2019 12:00:00 AM

Packing for any trip can be tricky, as it's difficult to predict what you'll need, let alone taking the weather and your trip activities into consideration. Wheelchair users experience even more packing difficulties, as there has to be extra space for wheelchair accessories, maintenance items, mobility equipment, and medication, too.

7/2/2019 12:00:00 AM

When it comes to Las Vegas, the most common questions people ask are, "What is there to do?" and, "How do I get around the city to do it all?" Luckily, there are tons of wheelchair-accessible things to do in Las Vegas and several wheelchair-accessible modes of transportation that make it easy to get around the strip and the surrounding area.

5/21/2019 12:00:00 AM

When planning a trip, it may be beneficial to rent equipment at your destination instead of traveling with everything you need. Some items may be too large to fly with or to transport in a vehicle, and renting can ensure you have everything you need throughout your trip. Your hotel or cruise ship may have some equipment available, but there are medical equipment rental companies that can provide whatever you need at your destination. It only takes four easy steps to ensure you will have exactly what you need so you can enjoy your trip.

4/23/2019 12:00:00 AM

As a wheelchair user, it may seem like planning a vacation on your own is easier than booking a cruise because you get to customize each piece of your trip. However, cruises are actually very wheelchair accessible. From the accessibility to the entertainment and how easy it is to plan, there are so many reasons why a wheelchair user should consider going on a cruise for a vacation.

3/26/2019 12:00:00 AM

Walt Disney World is one of my favorite places on the planet, and more specifically I really love Magic Kingdom. Sure, it is the more kid-friendly of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, but it's also the most accessible in my opinion.

2/26/2019 12:00:00 AM

The sign didn't specifically say DO NOT ENTER. It was more like a suggestion to "enter at your own risk," with a brick barrier in place to discourage travelers from proceeding further. There was one problem with this, though. Beyond the sign and above the barrier, the Great Wall of China continued to rise. It wove along the mountain range, up and up higher still, fading into clouds another two miles off. We'd already come three or four miles; what's a few more? Thus far we had hiked a safe, restored, tourist-trap part of the Wall, and lying ahead of us was something else entirely. Dangerous, untamed, off the beaten path.

11/27/2018 12:00:00 AM

People with disabilities are traveling more than ever. Although it takes a bit of advanced planning and developing a strategy, traversing the globe is much more accessible today than it ever has been, even if you have a higher degree physical disability. As a power soccer athlete and broadcaster, I have been across the U.S., as well as Europe and South America.

11/20/2018 12:00:00 AM

We've compiled a list of 10 of the best vacation spots with accessible transportation, accommodations, and exciting activities for every type of traveler. Whether you like shopping, history, culture, cuisine, or thrilling adventures, these cities offer unique and interesting experiences for all.

5/15/2018 12:00:00 AM

Planning a holiday or a weekend getaway can be tedious and stressful, since these are special days where you want everything to work out and to make the most of your time. Precisely for that reason, doing some planning when getting ready for your trip can save you from unpleasant surprises.

3/27/2018 12:00:00 AM

In the autumn of 2017 I spent six weeks traveling in Ireland. Early in my trip I unexpectedly ended up in Killarney. In my few days there I found that Killarney not only had an incredible traditional & modern music scene, great food & pubs, theater, and amazing opportunities for accessible outdoor activities, but it also had an award-winning hostel right in the heart of town and less than a quarter-mile from the Killarney National Park. I wanted in on that, but it would have to wait for my next trip back to Ireland...in six weeks.

2/27/2018 12:00:00 AM

I felt fortunate that I had gone to Disneyland twice in 2007, because in 2008 I was in a car accident that paralyzed me from the waist down. After becoming a wheelchair user, the thought of going to Disneyland was terrifying to me. I didn't know how accessible it would be and the thought of being amidst the huge crowds gave me anxiety.

12/26/2017 12:00:00 AM

Between checking bags, clearing security, getting to your gate on time, and trying to get that seat you want, traveling can be stressful. But what about traveling with a service dog? While service dogs can be of tremendous help to their owners, on top of all the normal stresses of traveling, the owner also has to worry about their service dog. Among the many questions you may ask yourself before traveling with your furry service companion, you may wonder: What if my dog has to use the bathroom after we've gone through security?

11/21/2017 12:00:00 AM

While flying is the quickest way to travel, it comes with the stress of long lines, the dreaded airport security pat-down, and sometimes even lengthy delays. Another stressor is wheelchairs frequently get damaged when flying, so this adds a whole new set of things to consider and plan for when heading to the airport. However, as a frequent flyer who loves earning those miles, I've learned much throughout my expeditions. Therefore, I've compiled a list of the top tips and tricks to help your wheelchair arrive unscathed and ready for your next adventure!

11/14/2017 12:00:00 AM

I am writing this blog on a train from Cork City to Dublin, Ireland. I was scheduled to be on the train yesterday, but Hurricane Ophelia came crashing and blowing into Ireland, the worst hurricane to hit Ireland since 1961. After 24 hours of high force winds and 350,000 homes without power, I have emerged with a new appreciation for tea, a hearth in every room, and the Irish sense of humour and their willingness to plod through, making the best of everything. Irish pragmatism wins the day...every day.

10/31/2017 12:00:00 AM

On September 17, my fiancée and I headed from Columbus, Ohio to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to take a cruise on the Allure of the Sea. We flew Southwest Airlines, as they are the most "chair-friendly" airline. Upon landing, we took a bus with a lift from the airport to the pier. Within 15 minutes of arriving at the pier, we were on board Allure. Due to Hurricane Irma, our route changed to the Western Caribbean, but I had never seen the ocean before so it was all the same to me!

10/24/2017 12:00:00 AM

I'd always wanted to visit Alaska. My original plan was to graduate from college and ride a motorcycle from my home in Colorado to Alaska and see as much wilderness as I could muster. Unfortunately, when I graduated from college I had neither the motorcycle nor the financial stability to make that trip a reality. Then, of course, I broke my neck and everything changed.

9/5/2017 12:00:00 AM

When you combine wheelchairs and travel, the first thing that comes to mind might be the possibility of hassle, inconvenience, or perhaps worse. Those same possibilities exist in the minds of all travelers however, and the inherent risk of negative likelihoods is present in everything we do — even activities WAY less fun than traveling. At a certain point, it is necessary to ignore the 'what-ifs' in life and embrace the freedom to allow experiences to manifest themselves into memories you'll remember even after you visit all your dream destinations.

6/6/2017 12:00:00 AM

We were sleeping somewhere deep in the northern jungles of Cambodia when I was suddenly awoken by Shawn, who was in a panic. "DUDE there's something out there!" It sounded like some kind of pterodactyl, and it wasn't happy with our presence. It was just out of sight and it wouldn't stop screaming. Out there hidden in dense jungle, in the pitch black of night, was some kind of beast ready to devour us. This wasn't what any of us had in mind when we decided to come to Cambodia.

2/21/2017 12:00:00 AM

I'm always up for anything! Being in a wheelchair hasn't changed my wildly adventurous spirit in the slightest. So when my friends decided to call a "girls' weekend" to go relax and get our energy back, you can count me in!

1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM

With the holidays right around the corner, many people are getting their travels booked to visit family and loved ones. Although for some there is the unknown: how do I safely travel with mobility equipment?

11/7/2016 12:00:00 AM