veryone needs a break now and then, and getting away from home is sometimes
the best way to relax and release stress. Whether you are craving sun at the
beach, the marvels of nature, or the sights of a tourist destination, there's
a perfect (and perfectly accessible) vacation for everyone.
For people with disabilities, accessibility issues can sometimes make organizing
a vacation difficult: but with a little time and lots of planning ahead, your
trip can be as enjoyable and relaxing as a vacation is supposed to be.
Helpful travel tips
- Many hotels offer special wheelchair accessible rooms.
- Many tourist destinations provide services to assist people with limited mobility.
- From whale watching and hang gliding to sunbathing on the beach, many
tourist attraction companies have responded to the accessibility demands of
people with disabilities. Never assume that the activity you are interested
in won't be able to meet your needs.
- Most government tourism agencies have detailed information about the accessibility
of various resorts, attractions, and activities in their area.
- For those who love the outdoors, Parks Canada maintains information for
many of Canada's national parks with links to provincial parks, and with information
about accessibility
for some parks. When in doubt just give them a call.
- If you have been issued a special parking permit in your province, the permit
is valid anywhere in North America and most of Europe.
No matter where you are going, there are a few things to keep in mind:
How am I going to get there?
If you have special transportation needs, call ahead to make sure that accessible
transportation will be available. Many hotels, most travel agents, and almost
all government
tourism departments will have this information on hand.
Access
to Travel provides lots of information about traveling for people with disabilities,
both between and within Canadian cities. They also provide links to resources
about accessible tourism.
Will my destination be accessible?
Although many tourist destinations in Canada and the United States are wheelchair
accessible, you should always call ahead to be sure. It can help to discuss
your plans with a travel agent, as he or she may be aware of special services
that can make your trip as smooth as possible.
If you will be traveling outside of North America, you may want to contact
the Disabled
People's International office for accessibility information for the country
you will be visiting.
The Society
for Accessible Travel and Hospitality is an American non-profit organization
that provides information about traveling for people with disabilities. While
they are based out of the United States, much of the information they provide
will be valuable anywhere, including:
- Lists of books and guides about accessible travel
- Travel tips for people with visual, auditory, mobility, or other limitations
- Tips for traveling by air or train
Planning ahead
The most important thing to do is plan ahead. Planning ahead can prevent the
stress of unnecessary setbacks and gives you time to work around potential barriers.
- Make a list of each of your destinations and call them ahead of time
to discuss your special needs. They will be best able to accommodate your needs
if they know about them in advance.
- Be sure to bring any medical supplies that you may need.
- If your trip will involve you doing anything out of the ordinary (or
will take you away from medical services you rely on) discuss your plans in
advance with your doctor.
- Do a little brainstorming: try to think of any difficult situations you might
encounter along the way, then plan your trip to avoid them.
You might be surprised by how accessible travel can be. By putting a little
time into planning and calling ahead, you can be sure that your trip will be
as smooth, relaxing, and enjoyable as possible.
|
This article was prepared by 
