Making Travel More Accessible: Companies Leading the Way |
The rewards of multigenerational travel have families rethinking where — and with whom — they vacation. As accessibility needs evolve over a lifetime, travel planning remains daunting for many families. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of resources that families can tap into.
Why Accessibility Matters in Travel
Travel should be enjoyable and fulfilling for everyone, regardless of age or ability. However, many travelers with disabilities face barriers that limit their experiences. Issues range from inadequate hotel facilities to lack of accessibility information when planning trips.
Making travel more accessible has wide-ranging benefits:
- Inclusivity: Enables more people to participate in travel experiences.
- Comfort: Creates stress-free journeys for travelers of all abilities.
- Independence: Allows travelers to navigate destinations at their own pace.
- Understanding: Builds awareness of diverse accessibility needs.
As the population ages, the market size and importance of accessible travel will only continue to grow.
Leading Companies Advancing Accessible Travel
Innovative companies recognize the value in making travel easier for everyone. They invest in training staff, designing thoughtful facilities, and providing the information people need.
Wheel the World
Wheel the World is an online platform that publishes detailed accessibility guides for hotels, vacation rentals, tours and more. The information, covering grab bars, wheelchair routes, bed heights and much more, is verified by volunteers.
Travelers can search listings by destination or specific accessibility features. With over 500 locations in its database so far, Wheel the World aims to be the go-to resource for accessibility-related travel planning.
Beaches Resorts
Operating exclusively in the Caribbean, Beaches Resorts stands at the forefront of autism-friendly family travel. Its trained autism-friendly kids’ clubs provide tailored activities for neurodivergent children in a judgment-free setting.
Says Heather Effs of parent company Sandals Resorts International:
“For families with neurodivergent travelers, what may seem like a simple travel decision can shape the entire course of their vacation. We give families an opportunity to speak with a dedicated team member and share any special needs.”
Visit Florida
Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing corporation, actively aggregates accessibility-related resources for travelers.
Some recent initiatives include:
- Maintaining list of beach spots with wheelchair-friendly Mobi-Mats.
- Promoting autism-friendly attractions, like The Dolphin Company in Key Largo.
- Curating city-specific accessibility guides, covering options from parks in Orlando to the Miami culture scene.
This centralization makes it easier for people to find the information they need to plan Florida trips aligned with their unique accessibility needs.
Top Accessible Travel Destinations
Certain destinations stand out for not only their natural beauty and amenities, but also their commitment to accessibility across hotels, transportation, attractions and more.
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola Beach has installed wheelchair-friendly Mobi-Mats that run right up to the water's edge. Travelers appreciate how they enable people with limited mobility to have the same beach access as able-bodied people visiting this stunning stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Amelia Island, Florida
Located just off Florida’s northeast coast, Amelia Island offers adaptive beach chairs, pools with built-in lifts, and fully accessible boardwalks. It’s known for its extremely wheelchair-friendly orientation, earning it the nickname “Wheelchair Island.”
Key Biscayne, Florida
This tropical village near Miami stands out for its calm beaches, thick palm trees and wheelchair accessibility. Travelers praise The Bath Club hotel for its accessible design, including roll-in showers and amenities like pool lifts. Key Biscayne makes for an easy, enjoyable Miami day trip or weekend getaway.
Planning Accessible Family Travel
When planning multigenerational trips that meet everyone's needs, good communication is key. Travel specialist Kelly Dawson, who has cerebral palsy, shares her top universal design travel tips:
Discuss Needs Openly
Don't make assumptions. Create space for family members to share vulnerable subjects related to health, mobility or sensitivities. Identify must-haves and must-avoids.
Involve Companions
Caregivers providing support should participate in travel planning conversations to share helpful context.
Research Thoroughly
Dig into details on hotel rooms, equipment rentals, accessibility features of transportation and sightseeing activities. Look at photos to evaluate accessibility.
Build In Flexibility
Accessibility needs can vary day-to-day. Build adaptations into plans, like lighter or heavier activity options.
Plan Downtime
Travel can be more tiring for some family members. Be sure to incorporate plenty of relaxation, plus contingency time in case extra rest is needed.
Confirm Upon Arrival
Double check booked accessibility features are in place after checking in. Reconfirm details like roll-in showers with hotel staff.
Thoughtful planning ensures the travel experience aligns with the group’s unique blend of ages, interests, mobility and health considerations. With some companies raising the accessibility bar, and destinations investing to better serve all visitors, traveling comfortably as a multigenerational group is more feasible than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accessible Travel
Are hotels legally required to be accessible?
In the United States, the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act sets standards for public facilities—including hotels—to follow. Requirements range from entry ramps to a certain percentage of accessible rooms. Many other countries have similar regulations.
How do you find detailed accessibility information for a hotel?
Resources like Wheel the World publish extensive verified accessibility details about specific hotels, from bathroom grab bar placement to bed heights. Also call hotels directly to ask questions and request photos of accessible features.
What equipment can I rent to have an accessible beach vacation?
Popular accessible beach rentals include basic manual and powered wheelchairs, adaptive beach loungers, beach access mats and mobility assistance vehicles for traversing sand more easily.
Are airport security rules different for travelers with disabilities?
Yes, travelers with disabilities may receive alternate screening procedures or forms of search at airport security, as well as pre-board priority and assistance getting through the airport. Notifying the TSA Cares helpline or airline ahead of time is recommended.
How do you find an accessible sightseeing tour?
Leading accessible travel resources like Wheel the World verify and recommend accessible sightseeing tours. Also directly ask tour providers about the accessibility of routes, vehicles, equipment and restroom facilities to find an optimal fit.
Conclusion
Accessible travel enables people with diverse abilities to participate more fully. Fortunately awareness and investment continues to grow, with companies proactively removing barriers for visitors of all capacities. Moving forward, listen to travelers directly about needs, foster inclusion wherever possible and make accessibility a priority at all stages of trip planning.
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