Senior Spotlight: Inclusive Travel

Did you know that wheelchair use in seniors has increased over 30% from 2011 to 2019, according to the National Institute of Health? Of the 3.3 million Americans who are in wheelchairs, approximately 1 million are aged 65 and older. Those in wheelchairs are reportedly much less likely to go outside, much less travel, which leads to significant physical limitations and experiences, as well as decreased social and emotional health due to isolation.

But a new article from Next Avenue inspired us to see that there is a whole world out there beyond the chair – and there are actually several distinct travel agencies that have been founded to ensure accessible and inclusive travel for all. 

Four of the inclusive travel agencies mentioned in the article “Exploring the World Off the Beaten Path — Using a Wheelchair” are: Easy Access Travel, Wheel The World, Planet Abled and Travel For All. While we are not endorsing these agencies nor have we used them, we do want to share the types of features they offer so that you can research for yourself. After all, inclusive travel can be a pathway to living longer, living better and not allowing physical limitations to shrink your retirement travel hopes.

General Information: 

- Most inclusive travel agencies have a target audience of older adults and inter-generational audiences, but are well-equipped to serve diverse ages, cultures, needs and abilities.

- While most accommodations support physical disabilities, most agencies also account for the anxiety and soft-skill communication needs of planning for those with mobility issues. 

- Accessible travel options are incredibly diverse, including but not limited to: US travel, international travel, pre-planned group trips, customizable experiences, ‘bucket list’ options and fully accessible cruises.

- Some tour operators enable you to create your own accessibility profile online and sort relevant matches; virtually all of them offer consultations and travel experts to ensure a fit with your needs and the trip you are planning.

- Accessible travel is not just about doorway width, elevators and spaces that fit wheelchairs, but about inclusion in experiences and things to do: examples include adaptive surfing, adaptive hiking, dog sledding, flightseeing, spa experiences and historic exploration. 

- Many agencies include innovative technology, adaptive devices, accessible mobile applications and various digital and practical, technological solutions. 

A great source for inspiration is the Wheel The World Blog which offers a frequently published blog on topics such as the Best Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Kalamazoo, Best Accessible Cities in Europe for 2025 and How to Choose the Best Travel Agents for Disabled Travelers.

Our hope for you in reading today’s blog is that you feel more empowered and less confined, that you are encouraged to see obstacles as stepping stones and not barriers, and that your world is only limited by your desires and not your comparison to what others can do. 

Cheers to happy, healthy traveling in the rest of 2024, all of 2025 and beyond,

Bobbi

Bobbi Decker
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Broker Associate
650.346.5352 cell
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www.bobbidecker.com

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