Senior Spotlight: Wheelchair Accessible Travel (Resource Guide)

There are over 3 million Americans that live life in a wheelchair full-time and their ability to travel is drastically hindered in ways that most of us can only imagine. While we would like to acknowledge that there are many different types of disabilities, today’s blog is focused on mobility impairment which impacts 25% of older adults including the use wheelchairs, scooters, canes & walkers (data courtesy of Science Daily).

From a base perspective, there are two ways that accessibility can be viewed. There is a formal set of standards that have been published and revised by the Department of Justice most recently in 2010 in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. While that is the legal cornerstone of accessibility, individuals living daily with impairment will tell you that true functionality provides the freedom to live not just by the ability to enter a room – but to enjoy the same amenities and recreation activities as the general population. We have compiled the resources below to address accessibility on both counts. As champions of travel ourselves, our hope is that these resources will address the needs of everyone who wants to see a new city, state, country or experience.

*This topic is new to us and we are always committed to learning! If you have personal or professional experience with wheelchair accessible travel, we would love to learn what resources have benefitted you!

How to Find the Best Hotels for Wheelchair Users | AARP

Check out these just-published expert tips on how to determine if a property is truly accessible.

Wheelchair Users’ Guide to Accessibility in Hotels | Wheelchairtravel.org

This article was written by triple amputee John Morris who calls his passion for travel his first true love; his website incudes a wide range of travel topics in various formats including blogs, podcasts and newsletters.

Accessible Travel For Real | Wheel The World

Defined by Cosmopolitan Magazine as the first-ever inclusive online travel booking platform, Wheel The World enables users to create their own profile to explore their world without limits.

6 Tour Companies Dedicated to Travelers with Disabilities | Condé Nast Traveler

If you are seeking a travel company that specializes in travel for those living with disabilities – find 6 agencies that do just that, right here.

Accessible Travel: 23 Of The Best Apps And Resources | Oliver’s Travels

This is a pretty cool infographic which displays nearly two dozen online tools for travelers with disabilities – selected based on needs identified in an actual consumer survey.

7 Air Travel Tips For Wheelchair Users | The Points Guy

This piece from a lifestyle media publication is written by a contributing author with Spinal Muscular Atrophy who has traveled all 7 continents in a wheelchair; he bravely shares tips from the the hardest part of the trek – flying – in this article.

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