The travel industry is embracing accessibility, with big players like Cox Kings opening up accessible trekking in India and walking tour specialist UTracks launching Camino walks for the visually impaired. But, says Tova Sherman, CEO of inclusion advocate ReachAbility, more can be done.
For example, Rochester Accessible Adventures offers kayak and cycling adventures along Lake Ontario and the Erie Canal, with equipment like hoists and adaptive bikes. And Stratford-upon-Avon has wheelchair-friendly taxis and public transportation options.
Accommodations
Some tour operators specialize in creating travel packages for people with disabilities. These companies often have a network of local guides and partners who know the best ways to help travelers navigate a new destination and the accessibility requirements for different sites, museums and activities.
For example, the company Easy Access Travel offers cruise vacations and multiday packaged tours with accessible accommodations for travelers who use wheelchairs. Its staff spends time doing "hands-on research": taking cruises, conducting hotel inspections and touring destinations abroad to find out how well hotels, resorts and attractions accommodate the needs of people with physical disabilities.
It's also a good idea to pick lodging that replicates the experience of home. That way, travelers can anticipate what they'll face and make plans accordingly.
Transportation
Traveling with a disability requires careful planning. Whether you have a physical disability, vision or hearing impairment, or a cognitive disability like autism, finding the right accommodations and activities can be tricky. Travel agents who specialize in accessible travel can help you plan your trip and ensure that it is safe and fun.
Intrepid travel doesn't have to be off-limits for people with disabilities, and tour operators are taking note. The travel booking platform Wheel the World, for example, has rolled out nine fully accessible tours that include accessibility assistance. Some of the trips have guides who use wheelchairs and others bring portable ramps to open doors in museums or restaurants. And for those who would rather try something new, companies like Routes Bicycle Tours and Rentals have tailored their offerings to the autism spectrum and Stormsriver Adventures has a 'touch and feel' tour for blind visitors.
Food
Despite the temptations, all-inclusive resorts offer a variety of healthy food options. Keeping a positive attitude helps, especially when inundated with sugary treats, but it is important to stay focused on what you can enjoy and fuel your body.
If you have specific dietary needs, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and speak with someone at the place you plan to visit Fiesta Mentor. It is also a great idea to have some type of medical alert bracelet, which will help if you experience an emergency while traveling.
Rochester’s enviable location along Lake Ontario and the Erie Canal makes it easy to explore scenic routes on a wheelchair-accessible boat cruise or bike tour. Those with physical disabilities can also try hand-operated kayaks and bicycles from local outfitters that provide adaptive equipment like hoists.
Entertainment
Travel requires a lot of planning. Arranging flights, driving highways and booking accommodations can be daunting for anyone. But it becomes even more complex when a traveler has a disability.
Fortunately, the travel industry is getting ready to make adventure accessible. Scores of small operators are offering everything from horse-riding for people with disabilities to snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands for visually impaired travellers.
Rochester Accessible Adventures, a tour company that specializes in wheelchair-accessible vacations, is training local businesses to operate with inclusion as a core value. Its guides also work with adaptive sports teams, such as the Rochester Wheels wheelchair basketball team and the Rochester Sled Hockey club to provide sustainable recreational and athletic opportunities. Its mission is to show the world what disabled travelers can do, not what they cannot.
Accessibility
Going on vacation requires a lot of planning. Whether it’s arranging flights or reserving accommodations, there are many details to work through. That’s even more true for those who are traveling with a disability.
Thankfully, the days when accessible travel was limited to identikit resorts and cruise ships are long gone. Now, tour operators are ensuring that intrepid travelers can go wherever they want to.
Final Words:
For example, Wheel the World has group trips to destinations like New York City and Costa Rica that have been specifically designed for wheelchairs. In addition, UTracks has created Camino walks for the visually impaired. The company also has an online platform that includes detailed accessibility information based on exhaustive vetting. Travelers can use it to find hotels with lower check-in counters, restaurants with step-free entrances, and other important information.
