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Unique Power Wheelchair Travel and Recreation Destinations Around the World

These Programs, Agents, Beaches, Watersports, Sailing, Aviation are unique in their effort to serve disabled wheelchair users. -- By Inclusive Adventures

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We have hundreds if not thousands more entries to add to this map. Please Contact Us if you would be willing to help as an editor. We will provide suggestions. Simply copy and paste, add photos and YouTube videos.

If you are a wheelchair travel writer, blogger, or video podcaster please contact us about adding destination articles you have written to this map.

Volunteer On Demand Training - Google My Maps 

Google Earth Outreach digital events hub offers training and experiences to help nonprofits, scientists and changemakers use mapping tools for positive social change.

Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guides
  • LivAbility Magazine by Ability360 - Free to Subscribe - frequent inclusive travel articles
  • About the Great Loop 

  • Colombia's Transmilenio Wheelchair Accessible Public Transit System Bogota, Medellin, and a few other cities

  • Samantha Travels India - Wheelchair Van Transportation & Tours - Mumbai, Goa, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore. Mark Felling, Director visited India with Samantha Travels in 2012. He had an amazing trip while travelling for three weeks and seeing the Golden Triangle, which refers to the three major cities of India - Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.All these three cities are beautiful and examples of diverse culture and traditions.Samantha Travels will set you up with one of their three vehicles that is wheelchair accessible. To the best of our knowledge they are the only outfitter in the whole country that is able to offer this type of inclusive travel.  A driver in India is only $8/day and caregiver $20/day!

The travel industry is rapidly recognizing the value of serving the 20% of the world's population with disabilities. Travel more than anything else, is pushing many countries to improve accessibility not only in structures and transportation, but politically. However, for wheelchair users, especially those unable to transfer themselves, a comfortable inclusive vacation is still elusive or minimally requires extensive planning and research.

Broadened Horizons will highlight a few unique all-inclusive packages to destinations worldwide where specific partner-providers have gone out of the way to offer an incredibly inclusive experience. The most challenging yet often overlooked issues will be completely addressed for each listing including power-wheelchair friendly ground transportation, ceiling lifts (if available), and recreation/tourism opportunities since Broadened Horizons understands it is not just about getting there and staying in the hotel, but experiencing all the destination has to offer!

In addition to the growing list of unique locations above, also 

I will be adding extensively to this section with some of my travel tips for wheelchair users. The Comfort Carrier makes flying easier, more comfortable, less intimidating, and safer. By following some simple rules you can even feel fairly confident your wheelchair will arrived in one piece because we all know the airlines do not only break guitars!

 

Airlines break more than Wheelchairs
Check the dimensions of the cargo door to ensure your wheelchair can remain in me up bright position when loaded.  It then gets strapped down just like you would do in your Van and remains relatively secure.  Many damages occur when wheelchair does not fit to cargo door and must be tipped on its side or otherwise disassembled.  

Then upon arrival different staff who have never seen that wheelchair or how it was disassembled must try to figure out how to reassemble.  This leads to many problems people have encountered.  Also any parts that are removable should be removed and stored in the overhead bin.  Adaptive technologies take priority over all other luggage, even other passengers carry-on luggage.

The following disabled friendly travel internet resources provide a wealth of information on the organizations and companies who cater to the needs of mobility challenged individuals.

Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH)
Founded in 1976, SATH is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access, and expand travel opportunities. sath.org


Access-able Travel Source
Dedicated to mature and disabled travelers 1995, Access-able provides information on disability magazines, how to travel with special needs, guides for cities, resorts and attractions, and where to find wheelchair and scooter rentals when you are on the road. access-able.com


Wheel Chair Accessible Resorts
This site offers advice to vacationers who are considering buying or renting a vacation timeshare that is wheelchair accessible. In addition to a resort search function, information includes important questions to ask to ensure accommodations are ADA compliant. Click here:wheel chair accessible resorts
Rolling Rains Report on Travel, Universal Design & Disability
This site provides reviews of the tourism industry from a disability perspective and follows the development of accessible leisure and travel opportunities worldwide. rollingrains.com
Disabled Travelers
Provides information on businesses from around the world that specialize in travel for the disabled, including travel agents, tour operators, adventure travel companies, accessible cruise specialists, accessible van and equipment rentals, travel companions, home exchanges, and access guides for wheelchair users and other disabled travelers.disabledtravelers.com


The Opening Door
With its mission to open doors to persons with disabilities so they can enjoy all that the world has to offer, this organization’s web site, travelguides.org, offers disabled friendly travel links, access guides, databases and publications. travelguides.org


Rolliday
An international disabled friendly travel resource that provides information on different types of holidays and a database of 3000 lodging accommodations for people with disabilities. rolliday.net 
TripBuzz.com


Today, individuals confined to a wheelchair can travel by nearly every mode of transportation to virtually everywhere in the world. But whether traveling two hours or two thousand miles away, traveling with a wheelchair still requires a lot of thought and careful planning. Wheelchair uses must not only consider how to get from point A to point B, but what they need to do to prepare for the trip, whether they’ll find wheelchair accessible accommodations and attractions at their destination, and even little ways to make travelling with a wheelchair easier. Without proper planning, wheelchair users may find travelling more frustrating than accessible.

 

General Travel Tips

Many of the tips designed for individuals with disabilities also apply to wheelchair users. From making sure they understand the types of accommodations available to them to how parking and handicapped identification works around the world, these tips help lay out what wheelchair-bound travelers should expect and how to access the resources that they need to make their trips successful.


WorldonWheelz: Travel Tips – Find advice on flying, hotels, cruises and other general wheelchair travel.
The Disabled Wheelchair Traveler: Holiday Tips – If traveling during the holidays, use these tips to help with accommodations, transportation, and other travel considerations.
FIA Guide for the Disabled Travel – Find all of the information on parking and identification that you need when traveling with a wheelchair.
Travelers with Disabilities – Discover general tips to keep in mind when traveling with a wheelchair or other disability.

 

Traveling By Air

With all the rules and regulations, traveling by air can easily become a frustrating method of travel for anyone. Add in a wheelchair and the chance for frustration increases. Understanding the specific rules and guidelines that apply to wheelchairs and taking time understand all that flying with a wheelchair entails can help reduce the stress and frustration at the airport.


How to Travel by Air with a Wheelchair – These tips make flying with a wheelchair a less stressful experience.
Flying with a Wheelchair and Other Mobility Aids – Gain an overview of what happens when flying with a wheelchair.
Flying Tips for Wheelchair Users – The AARP offers some flying tips designed particularly with older wheelchair users in mind.
Air Travel Tips for Wheelchair Users – A short video outlines steps wheelchair users should take when they fly.
Wheelchairs and Scooters – Make sure you review the TSA guidelines for traveling with a wheelchair before heading to the airport.
Information About My Wheelchair – Use the placard to provide information about your wheelchair to airline or other transportation employees.

 

Making Travel Easier

While tips for disabled individuals may be helpful for wheelchair users, they experience some challenges that do not apply to all disabled people. Simply carrying a suitcase or getting in the door of the swanky hotel they booked can be a challenge.

When ramps and other accessibility features fail to appear, travel can become downright impossible. Learning what challenges may arise and how to handle those challenges or effectively complain about them can make traveling with a wheelchair much easier.


Traveling with Disabilities – Adam Lloyd, a notable speaker on accessible travel, discusses ways to make traveling with disabilities easier.
Luggage Tips for Wheelchair Travel – Managing bags can be difficult for wheelchair users, but these tips help make sure they have what they need.
When Your Accessible Travel Plans Go Awry: How to Effectively Complain – Sometimes things don’t go as planned; these tips help you handle those situations.
5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Wheelchair-bound Travel Companion – Those traveling with wheelchair users can also help make traveling easier.

 

Attractions and Accommodations

Wheelchair users can travel virtually anywhere in the world, but some places make it easier. From wheelchair-friendly cities to special tourist experiences designed specifically with wheelchairs in mind, wheelchair users can plan a vacation they will enjoy. They may even discover some trips they never thought they could take, such as kayaking the world’s greatest rivers or exploring the beaches of the Caribbean.


The Most Handicap Accessible Destinations Around the World – Being wheelchair-bound does not have to limit where people go, as this list of handicap accessible destinations shows.
Accessible Trip Experts- Learn about wheelchair accessible locations from others using a wheelchair and discover the best places to visit.
Disabled Travel Trends – Discover some new travel trends and, perhaps, get ideas for a future trip.
Tips on Finding the Right Wheelchair Accessible Hotel – Not all hotels have highly accessible rooms, so it pays to check them out in advance.
Traveling with Your Wheelchair – Four wheelchair users share their experiences during four unique trips.
Cruise Hints and Tips – Even taking a cruise is not out of the question for wheelchair users.
Cruising with a Disability – Find practical advice to help plan and enjoy a cruise while using a wheelchair.
Best Ships for Cruisers with Disabilities – Not all cruise ships are ideal for people with disabilities, but this article helps you know what to look for.
 
Swedish Independent Living Center. Vacation Home Swap
Providing accessible vacation home exchange for people around the world with disabilities. independentliving.org


Emerging Horizons
A consumer oriented online magazine covering disabled friendly travel, Emerging Horizons’ primary focus is travel for people with mobility disabilities; everybody from wheelchair-users to slow walkers. Information covers resources, news and travel tips. candy-charles.com


World on Wheelz
Originally created to be a helpful tool for disabled travelers who were planning their own trips, World On Wheelz now works with a travel agency to arrange and book accessible trips for disabled travelers. worldonwheelz.com


Access Travel Center
This site features a broad array of travel related information including links to discount travel information, cruises, hotels providing access for disabled guests, transportation and more. accesstravelcenter.com


Travel Access Services (TASC)
TASC is an international organization that offers a database to assist individuals with travel planning by matching travelers’ accessibility needs with disabled friendly travel and hospitality providers. tascinternational.org


Gimp on the Go
A web site filled with travel reviews, tips, photographs and resources on a wide range of travel-related topics. gimponthego.com


Travel with a Challenge
Provides information about cruise and land vacations specifically designed for mature travelers and those who are mobility challenged.travelwithachallenge.com


Global Access News
Accessible travel reports and free e-zine. globalaccessnews.com

Travel Planning

 

Travel Companions

Transportation

 

Air Travel

Toll-Free Hotline For Air Travelers With Disabilities The hotline will provide general information to consumers about the rights of air travelers with disabilities, respond to requests for printed consumer information, and assist air travelers with time-sensitive disability-related issues that need to be addressed in "real time." The line is staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time, seven days a week. Air travelers who experience disability-related air travel service problems may call the hotline at 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) to obtain assistance. As in the past, air travelers who would like DOT to investigate a complaint about a disability issue must submit their complaint in writing or via e-mail. Click here for details.

Camps for Children

Books! Books to Buy! Available in association with Amazon.com

Other

 

Accessible Hotels

Information compiled from multiple resources including: Mobility-Advisor , Makoa , 

Vacation Home Exchange

image of palm tree and beach with text, Accessible Vacation Home Exchange for people with disabilities Swapping homes with other persons with similar needs, in other parts of the world, is a low-cost and practical alternative. You can find out in advance how accessible the vacation home is, since you can ask your swap partner relevant questions.
After having established contact with a potential exchange partner you will need to share much more information, set up a contract and check your home insurance. Here, we provide you with the first step, the rest is up to you. The following listings are likely to change over time.  VISIT the following sites for current listings
Vacation Home Exchange: with 8 homes to choose from!
Advice and Testimonial by Anthony Tusler

  Country Type of Exchange Last Updatedsort icon
Accessible Lakehome in Cable, WI United States Swap and/or Rent 2012-02-10
House in Abruzzo Italy Italy Swap and/or Rent 2011-06-09
Suburban home just outside Raleigh, NC, USA United States Swap and/or Rent 2011-04-10
Cozy house in Stockholm Sweden Swap and/or Come and stay 2010-09-10
House in Victoria, BC Canada Swap and/or Come and stay 2010-09-07
Apartment, Jerusalem Israel Swap only 2010-08-31
Individual villas in Chiang Mai Thailand Come and stay and/or Rent 2010-08-23
House, Lake Okanagan, BC Canada Swap and/or Come and stay 2010-07-16


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