Wheelchair Travel - How to Get Around

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in five Americans has some sort of disability. Traveling with a wheelchair is now much easier than in decades past and many wheelchair travelers are taking advantage of it. Legal Changes to Wheelchair Travel: In recent years, we have seen huge developments in disabled traveling. Many businesses have recognized that they need to accommodate all travelers, or they may not see that business. Imagine a hotel where a wedding party is staying and a guest showed up in a wheelchair. That business would be lost entirely if the hotel could not provide the wheelchair access. Legal protection has also swayed businesses to accommodate the wheelchair travel as well. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) was passed to cover all U.S. air travel. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and requires air carriers to accommodate the needs of passengers with disabilities. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed to accommodate travelers who use everything from museums to hotels and public transportation. Offerings for Wheelchair Travel Accommodations: You will find that when renting a car, many of them are offering vehicles with ramps or lowered floors. Many hotels and cruise lines are now making accommodations that are wheelchair accessible. Showers with roll in access are becoming more popular. Plan Ahead With Wheelchair Travel: When traveling with a wheelchair, you need to plan ahead and get as much information on your destination as possible before you leave. Plan carefully by being specific about your wheelchair needs. Contact the airlines, cruise line, hotel, or other accommodations about their facilities for the wheelchair traveler. If possible, find a travel agent who has experience in booking for disabled persons. Resources for the Wheelchair Traveler: There are many resources for the disabled traveler to access. It is important that you know your rights as a wheelchair traveler and that you can communicate them to others. - The Department of Transportation on their Website (dot.gov) has updates to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) -The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (sath.org) offers information on disabled traveler opportunities. - The Americans Disability Act (ADA) Website (ada.gov) gives updates concerning accommodations made for wheelchair access to many public facilities.

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