Planning an accessible trip just got a little easier for people with disabilities. There are more resources created by and for the disability community, and the travel industry is beginning to recognize the value of accessible travel. As a disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent person, I take trips every year and have learned some tips and tricks along the way.
Vehicle rental
Most major car companies offer adaptive driving devices for their vehicles at no additional cost. The Enterprise, for example, offers manual controls, left-foot accelerators, pedal extensions, and rotary knobs for ease of control. A budget can provide manual controls, rotary knobs, a panoramic mirror, swivel seats and transfer boards. Be prepared to request adaptive devices at least three business days in advance.
For a wheelchair accessible van with a ramp or lift, rent from a mobility company like BraunAbility, one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of wheelchair accessible vans with multi-location rentals. MobilityWorks, a retailer of affordable vehicles and adaptive equipment, has rental locations in 34 states. AccessibleGO, which offers a one-stop shop for adapted car rentals and wheelchair accessible vans, has agreements with 100 wheelchair van rental locations across the country; request a quote on their website. For accessibleGO rental cars, you can request hand controls and a rotary knob at checkout.
Route planning
You can use Google Maps, Waze, and MapQuest to initially research accessibility using photos and street view. Google Maps provides directions for some pedestrian and public wheelchair accessible routes.
Sites like Roadtrippers and Furkot can map out an entire route. Although these websites are not specific to people with disabilities, they are invaluable tools. (Travelers have a wheelchair accessible check box in the search function.) You can filter by destination types such as national parks or museums, and search for hotels and campgrounds. Furkot lets you enter how much time you want to drive each day, whether you want to travel on interstates or take more scenic roads. The app will determine the best route and length of time between stops and suggest where to stay overnight.
Finding accommodation
While hotels and other accommodations must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, many hotels do not meet all accessibility needs. Most of the booking sites list hotels with accessible rooms for people with mobility, hearing and vision needs, but this information is not always verified. Do additional research on review sites and look for photos. Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Fairmont hotels offer allergy-friendly and fragrance-free rooms in some locations. Call the hotel to check availability and make sure a specific room is reserved for you.
Vacation rentals are not generally required to be ADA compliant, but some provide accessibility information. Airbnb recently launched a custom category with accessibility search features and homes that have been scanned for accessibility. View photos and contact host for more information. Some hosts will make accommodations, such as changing cleaning supplies or moving furniture, but document your request using the in-app messaging system so customer service can help if you run into problems.
Wheel the World is an affordable travel agency offering reservations at over 3,000 verified affordable hotels in the United States. Hotels are personally reviewed by trained appraisers; only those that meet the criteria are listed. Register as a disabled passenger or companion and complete a personal profile that includes options for different disabilities and accessibility needs. The site will provide listings that match your profile with partial, adequate and exclusive match options.
Food and medicine
There are various options for keeping food or medicine cold while traveling. Electric coolers can plug into your car’s 12-volt socket, but pay attention to the type of cooling mechanism – the cheaper versions are usually thermoelectric and will only cool to about 30 degrees below ambient (if it’s 70 in the car degrees, it will cool down to 40 degrees). Compressor chillers are more expensive but maintain normal cooling temperatures.
Many hotels offer mini-fridges. When you know you’ll be stopping somewhere with a cooler almost every night, layer large ice packs and supplies in a cooler, then cover them with another layer of insulation like a cooler bag. This keeps everything cold for days at a time.
It’s also a good idea to travel with a single-burner stovetop—electric for use inside or propane for use in rest areas and campsites—and a camp cooking kit so you can cook food safely.
Some of the best apps for finding food, restaurants, and grocery stores that meet dietary needs are Fig for allergy-specific options, Happy Cow for vegan-friendly options, and Find Me Gluten Free for celiac-safe places . Add your favorite options to the route planner app so you know where to stop.
Find activities
In addition to the apps mentioned in the itinerary planning section, state and local tourism organizations are good sources for affordable destinations.
National parks and monuments that must meet federal accessibility guidelines typically have visitor centers and recreation areas with accessible features. Each park website has information as well as park programs and services. While accessibility varies, you can usually find information about wheelchair-accessible trails and campsites, tactile and audio features, assistive listening devices, and American Sign Language interpreters.
Accessibility features may not be consistent across state parks, but you can usually find information on each park’s website.
Apps like AllTrails list wheelchair-friendly trails across the country, but the information may not be verified, so contact your park or land manager to verify. Among the parks with notable accessible trails are Redwood National and State Parks, North Cascades National Park, Badlands National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Syren Nagakyrie, founder of the non-profit organization Hikers with disabilities and the author of “Disabled Traveler’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon” and “Disabled Traveler’s Guide to Northern California,” among other guides, leads group hikes and conducts assessments across the United States.
