As a travel writer since 1977, Candy Harrington has been writing about accessible travel exclusively since 1996. She’s the founding editor of Emerging Horizons, and the author of the popular Barrier-Free Travel national park series. With thousands of bylines to her credit, Candy hits the road often, in search of new accessible travel finds. Candy and her travel photographer husband Charles Pannell reside in NE Washington, where they tend to their chicken flock and enjoy a rural lifestyle.
Chance Baker is a self-admitted tinkerer. He picked this up while doing garage projects with his dad when he was young, and honed his skills when he joined the Marine Corps and became an avionics technician. After his discharge, he built bicycles with electric motors and power recumbent scooters, before he designed the Beach Buggy — a power beach wheelchair.
Today he’s the owner of Beach ‘N Buggys, which offers sales and rental of his designs on the Alabama Gulf Coast. And as an added bonus, with the help of a Marine buddy Baker has donated his Beach Buggys to disabled veterans.
Beach Buggys
Baker has three different styles of Beach Buggys available for rent in Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Peridido Key. They are available for daily rental, but discounts are available for longer periods.
The Lobster is a mid-size model that is adequate for most people, while the Heavy-Duty Lobster is the best choice for heavier folks. And the Sand Flea is a good pick for lighter kids and young adults. All of the Beach Buggy models can be operated independently, and they all will fit through doorways and pool gates. They are also narrow enough to allow access to the boardwalks, so you can fully enjoy the beach. For more information, or to reserve a Beach Buggy, visit beachnbuggys.com/.
Barrier-Free Travel 101 Accessible Vacations Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
If a visit to the City of Brotherly Love is in your future, then surf on by visitphilly.com/accessibility, and check out this Philadelphia access guide. This joint project between Visit Philadelphia and Art-Reach – a local disability advocacy organization — offers wheelchair-users and slow walkers hard-to-find access information about the capital city. It contains details about accessible public transportation, taxis, and favorite attractions; and features a helpful section filled with local resources. There’s also a short section which lists some favorite accessible hotels, along with contact information for more specific access details. Information about local wheelchair and medical equipment rentals and accessible parking is also included. Best of all, this Philadelphia access guide has an excellent FAQ section, which offers helpful tips, such as details on the Access Philly Card, which offers discounts to cultural attractions to people with a disability. An excellent resource filled with information to help disabled visitors get around and enjoy all the Philadelphia has to offer.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
If you’re planning to visit Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks, and wondering if they are wheelchair-accessible, then pick up the newest edition of Candy B. Harrington’s Barrier-Free Travel; Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers. This essential resource offers essential insider tips to plan a wheelchair-accessible Utah national parks getaway.
Wheelchair-Accessible Utah National Parks
This new edition includes:
Updated information on new access additions.
Fly-drive trip planning information, including accessible van rentals.
Access details and photographs of 33 wheelchair-accessible properties, including all in-park lodging options.
Information about ranger-led tours, loaner wheelchairs and the free America the Beautiful Access Pass.
The scoop on how to nab free accessible bus tours in Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
Detailed access information on accessible trails, viewpoints, picnic areas and attractions — in and near the parks.
Information about barrier-free camping options in all the parks.
Insider tips on where to go for the best windshield views, accessible picnic spots and sunset photos.
This inclusive title is the most recent addition to Harrington’s national park series; and although it’s written for wheelchair-users and slow walkers, stroller moms will also appreciate the access information in this guide. It will help everyone plan a truly accessible Utah national parks vacation.
Says Harrington, “I’m very excited to report that Utah National Parks not only added more accessible features since my last edition, but they also maintained the ones they already had. I’m particularly happy to see the access improvements in the Pa’rus Trail as well as the continued upkeep of the accessible Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path.”
For more information wheelchair access in Utah’s National Parks, visit emerginghorizons.com/barrier-free-travel-utah-national-parks-for-wheelchair-users-and-slow-walkers/ and order your copy of Harrington’s newest access resource today.
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Track chairs are now available for loan at many Louisiana State Parks. Outfitted with tank tracks, these all terrain power wheelchairs allow folks to navigate trails that standard wheelchair can’t handle.” These specially-designed all-terrain chairs can really open up a world of new experiences for people with limited mobility,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. The track chairs were purchased with donations made to the Louisiana Park Foundation.
The Louisiana State Park track chairs are available at the following locations.
Fontainebleau State Park
Bogue Chitto State Park
Jimmie Davis State Park
Lake D’Arbonne State Park
North Toledo Bend State Park
Port Hudson State Historic Site
Sam Houston Jones State Park
Louisiana State Arboretum
Reservations for the track chairs must be made at least 48 hours in advance. The user must be accompanied by a companion that is at least 18 years old, and both the user and the companion must present a photo ID when picking up the track chair. A liability waiver must also be signed in order to borrow a track chair. Additionally, users under 16 must wear a helmet while operating the track chair.
This local landmark has a fun history, and it’s a nice spot to take a break while driving along Highway 195 in the Palouse. It’s a small site, so if you have an adapted van it’s best to parallel park on the street in front of the tiny park that surrounds the Codger Pole. There’s also standard parking in the Farmers Insurance lot next door. From either point there’s level access to this unusual monument, which also has a picnic table on a cement pad.
The story behind the Codger Pole dates back to a historic 1938 football game between the Colfax Bulldogs and the St. John Eagles. The Colfax team lost, but 50 years later the “old codgers” asked for a rematch, and this time they won. This monument stands to commemorate the resolve and determination of that team. The pole, which is actually comprised of five 65-foot tall cedar poles, was carved with a chainsaw by John LaBenne. It includes the faces of all 51 players along with their original leather football helmets. It’s a fitting tribute to codger-hood.
I use a power wheelchair and I’m thinking about taking a cruise with my husband. I’ve never traveled before but a cruise really appeals to me. Are cruise ships wheelchair-accessible? And if so, will they work for my power wheelchair? I’d also appreciate any tips you have for planning a wheelchair-accessible cruise.
Access on the High Seas
The good news is that many cruise ships are wheelchair-accessible. Part of the reason is because they have responded to a growing market, and part of the reason is due to litigation. More specifically, there are two court cases that helped form the access requirements on cruise ships that call on US ports.
First and foremost is Spector v Norwegian Cruise Line. On June 6, 2005 the US Supreme Court decided in favor of the plaintiffs in this case, and ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to all foreign-flagged cruise ships that call on US ports. This ruling, however, fell short of requiring specific access guidelines for vessels.
Then in 2015 the Justice Department reached a settlement with Carnival Cruise Lines that provided the access standards for ships — even foreign flagged ships — that call on US ports. They must have fully accessible cabins, which are dispersed throughout the various classes of accommodations. These cabins must have 32-inch wide doorways, include accessible pathway access and turning radius, and have an accessible bathroom. And the reservation system must allow passengers with a disability to reserve an accessible cabin, and guarantee that accessible cabin reservation.
Cruise Planning Tips & Tricks
It’s great to have these standards, and to be honest, most cruise ships go above and beyond as far as access is concerned. That said, it does take a little more advance planning to book an accessible cruise.
First and foremost — start early. Even though cruise ships have accessible cabins, they are limited and they go quickly. Keep tabs on your cruise and try and book your cabin as soon as it’s released. It’s the best way to get the accessible cabin you need.
Also, remember to ask a lot of questions about the accessible cabin. They differ from cruise line to cruise line, and even on ships on the same cruise line. Always ask about access details that are important to you, such as bed height, toilet height and grab bar placement. And if you still have questions, ask them to e-mail you some photos. When you inquire about access, you might also want to include the pertinent measurements for your power wheelchair because just saying “wheelchair” can lead to a wide variety of interpretations. The good news is, you will find that many cruise ships can accommodate your power wheelchair.
It’s also a good idea to search for accessible shore excursions first, before you decide on a cruise. Some ports have more accessible options than others. It’s also prudent to book these accessible excursions directly with the provider as early as possible. Many cruise lines use the same providers and if you wait for them to book them, they may already be booked. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Although it’s relatively easy to determine if a building is wheelchair-accessible (stairs vs. a level or ramped entry), it’s a bit more difficult to evaluate the accessibility of a trail. At first glance it might appear that if a wheelchair-user can manage a trail, then it must accessible, right? Well, not exactly, because not all wheelchair-users have the same ability. And then there are slow walkers. What if they can’t manage the trail.
Crescent Moon Ranch is a working alpaca ranch, which is located on Highway 97 in Western Oregon, about 20 miles north of Bend. There’s accessible parking in front of the boutique — a required stop before you tour the grounds — with level access to the front door. Inside there’s plenty of room to roll around amongst the alpaca products, from socks and scarves to sweaters, shawls and even toys. And if you’d like to buy some food to feed to the alpacas, you can also find that there.
From there, you can wind around the barn and follow the marked path to the alpaca pens. The pathway is level, and a combination of dirt and grass. Although passable in a wheelchair, it’s muddy when it rains. The path winds arounds some large enclosures, and since the alpacas are used to getting fed, they’ll come up to you even if you don’t have any food. Along the way, you’ll get a little alpaca education from the informational signs posted on the pens. About half of the trail is doable for wheelchair-users; and after that the trail goes a bit uphill, crosses an irrigation pipe and bridge, and then heads over to the other side of the pasture. And the trail on that side is pretty uneven. So go in and enjoy the alpacas, and when the trail loses its access for you, just turn around. As an added bonus there are also some great views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson and Smith Rock from the ranch.
Located near Disney World, in the Highlands Reserve Gold and Country Club, Disavillatee is a five-bedroom wheelchair-accessible Orlando rental. This luxury villa is owned by avid Disney fans Ivan and Judy Berry. The Berrys purchased the unit in 2001, and have adapted it to Ivan’s ever-changing needs, due to his degenerative muscle condition. The Berry’s use it as a vacation home, and they rent it out when they are not in residence.
There’s level access or ramped thresholds at all the doors, with good pathway access throughout the first floor. The master bedroom on the main level has a wheelchair-height bed for easy transfers, and if you need to rent a hospital bed, there’s plenty of room for it in this spacious suite. The master bathroom has a roll-in shower with grab bars and a fold-down shower seat. There are grab bars around the toilet, and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair in the bathroom. The home also has a lovely lanai and a screened in deck with a swimming pool. There’s good pathway access around the deck, and a manual pool lift is also available.
Bathroom at Disavillatee
Disavillatee can sleep up to 12 people. And when you rent it, you deal directly with the owners, so there are no booking fees or extra charges. The Berrys are also happy to answer any questions about accessibility that you may have. So if you’re looking for a wheelchair-accessible Orlando rental for your next holiday, check out disavillatee.com.
Barrier-Free Travel Favorite Florida Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Puerto VallartaSuperior Tours Vallarta offers wheelchair-accessible Puerto Vallarta tours and transportation. Their Ford Transit van has a rear lift and tie-downs, and can accommodate one wheelchair-user as well as six additional passengers. Their services include airport and cruise ship transfers, shore excursions, local transportation and customized tours. They can transport passengers to any hotel or destination in Jalisco and Nayarit, and design a custom tour or shore excursion for your party. For more information about their wheelchair-accessible offerings, visit superiortoursvallarta.com/wheel-chair-accesible-transportation.
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Chance Baker is a self-admitted tinkerer. He picked this up while doing garage projects with his dad when he was young, and honed his skills when he joined the Marine Corps and became an avionics technician. After his discharge, he built bicycles with electric motors and power recumbent scooters, before he designed the Beach Buggy — a power beach wheelchair.
