I was looking around for an Airbnb and found what I thought would be the perfect one for me. It’s a large owner-occupied house, with a private room and access to the public areas. I travel with a service animal, and the owner noted that no animals are allowed in her Airbnb. I understand a “no pets” policy, but aren’t service animals covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Can this Airbnb deny my service animal under the law?
Airbnbs and Service Animals
Airbnbs are becoming more and more popular, and as such they are also becoming a doable choice for people with disabilities. With the aging of society in general, many Airbnbs have made access improvements, so now more slow walkers and wheelchair-users can also enjoy them. But you bring up a valid point about service animals. Are Airbnbs required to accept service animals under the ADA?
Title III of the ADA (www.ada.gov/resources/title-iii-manual/) covers public accommodations like places of lodging, restaurants, stores and public spaces. And these public accommodations are required to accept service animal (dogs). This includes Airbnbs and other overnight rentals; however the rules are slightly different for owner-occupied units. Under the law, owner-occupied homes that rent fewer than six rooms are exempt from the ADA, so those properties can exclude service animals.
So yes, if this property offers fewer than six rental rooms, it can legally forbid you to bring your service animal.
That said, some private rentals allow animals – all animals. So I would search around for those properties that welcome animals, so you won’t run into any problems with your service animal.
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
My husband and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park. We live in New Hampshire, so we plan to fly out west and rent an accessible van to explore the area. Can you tell me where I can find an accessible rental van in Yellowstone National Park? Also any suggestions for accessible hotels in the park would be greatly appreciated. I use a manual wheelchair and I absolutely love the outdoors.
Rent an Adapted Van
Well if you love the outdoors, then Yellowstone National Park is certainly the place for you. The scenery is beautiful and the park boasts a lot of accessible trails, picnic areas, sights and lodging options.
Unfortunately you won’t find an accessible rental van in Yellowstone National Park. Instead, you can rent one in one of the gateway cities. I suggest flying into Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s about a five-hour drive from the airport to the the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, where you can begin your visit. And you can rent an accessible van from United Access (www.unitedaccess.com) in Wood Cross, which is about 15 minutes from the Salt Lake City Airport.
Finally, let’s talk about accessible lodging in Yellowstone National Park. All of the major park hotels offer accessible rooms; however Canyon Lodge (www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodgings/cabin/canyon-lodge-cabins/) is one of my favorites. It’s the largest property in the park, with over 500 rooms, and it’s located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. And even though it’s a large property, there is a wheelchair-accessible shuttle that runs between all the lodge buildings to the dining facilities, retail outlets and the visitor center in nearby Canyon Village. So, you can just park the car when you arrive.
Canyon Lodge offers a variety of accessible rooms. Room 1136 is furnished with two 26-inch high queen-sized beds with an access aisle between them, and has a bathroom that’s equipped with a tub/shower combination with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Add in a toilet with grab bars and a roll-under sink, and you have a very nice accessible room. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer an accessible room with a roll-in shower, room 4305 will work nicely for you.
Canyon Lodge also has an accessible cabin (cabin 32) which is furnished with with a 24-inch high twin bed (with a trundle), and a 26-inch high open-framed queen-sized bed. The bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. The toilet is outfitted with grab bars, and there’s a roll-under sink in the guest bedroom. It’s a nice premium accessible lodging choice.
Truly, Canyon Lodge has a room to suit just about every taste and budget. There’s also barrier-free access to all the public areas at this property. It’s a great place to base yourself for a wheelchair-accessible Yellowstone adventure.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
My husband uses a manual wheelchair and we are planning a European vacation. I’d like to rent a van and do a self-drive trip instead of relying on a car with a driver or a tour. Do you know of any agencies that rent wheelchair-accessible rental vans in Europe?
Doing a self-drive European vacation is a great idea, because it allows you a lot of flexibility. You can visit sites whenever you want, and take a break if you feel a little low on energy. It also puts you in total control of doing exactly what you want to do every day on your vacation.
Here are a few resources for finding wheelchair-accessible rental vans in Europe.
Handynamic
handynamic.com Handynamic has agencies located in France and Portugal, which offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles. They have vans with multiple wheelchair spaces, minivans with one wheelchair space, and cars with hand controls.
Wheeliz
wheeliz.com/en Headquartered in France, Wheeliz partners with private individuals to offers the largest fleet of wheelchair-accessible rental vehicles in the country. Offerings include both ramped vans and cars with hand controls. As an added bonus, the car owner’s insurance covers the rental, so no additional policy is necessary.
Mobility Ireland
motabilityireland.com/hire-vehicle Available at the Dublin Airport, Mobility Ireland offers several adapted vehicle rental options. They have an automatic transmission van with hand controls and steering aids, as well as a ramped accessible van available. Hand controls are also available on the ramped van.
Europcar
europcar.com/en-us/p/offers/mobility-for-disabled-people Last but not least in our lineup in wheelchair-accessible rental vans in Europe is Europcar. Located in Switzerland, they have a VW Caddy Maxi that can accommodate four passengers as well as one wheelchair-user. It includes a rear-entry ramp and tie-downs in the vehicle. And thanks to co-financing from the Cerebral Foundation, these adapted rental vehicles are available at a reduced cost.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips Driving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
I reserved an accessible room through an online third-party booking site. All seemed OK when I reserved the room, but when I got to the hotel, there was no accessible room for me. The hotel blamed it on the booking site and the booking site blamed it on the hotel. What did I do wrong and what can I do to avoid this in the future?
Who is to Blame?
First and foremost, you didn’t do anything wrong. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a convoluted system. Basically it’s up to each property to provide third-party booking sites with the availability and description of their of accessible rooms. Unfortunately this can and does change a lot, as folks also make reservations directly at the hotels. So, the hotel is supposed to keep the booking sites updated with this information. Does this always happen? In a word, no.
When it doesn’t happen, people end up making reservations for accessible rooms that are already reserved and should have been taken out of inventory. So, when a guest who has booked one of these non-existent accessible rooms arrives, that room is not available.
And unfortunately, since you technically didn’t make a reservation through the hotel, they cannot refund your money to you. You have to go back to third-party booking site to recover it. To say it’s a flawed system is somewhat of an understatement.
What’s a Traveler to Do?
It’s a difficult situation when each entity claims that it’s the other ones fault. And quite frankly, customers just don’t have the time to figure it all out. I feel strongly that you should file an ADA complaint in this situation, but who do you complain about? If you can’t figure it out, then let the Department of Justice (DOJ) sort it out.
File an ADA complaint against the third-party booking site and the hotel, and let the chips fall where they may. The DOJ needs to hear about cases like this, not only to possibly enforce the regulations, but to see and understand why they are not working. Filing an ADA complaint is easy – here are the details (emerginghorizons.com/why-you-should-file-an-ada-complaint/)
I’d also refrain from making reservations for an accessible room through a third-party booking site in the future. I understand that the discounted priced is a big draw; however is it really worth the discount if the accessible room won’t be available when you arrive? And today many properties advertise that they will meet the discounted rates of third-party booking sites, so I’d at least give them a call and ask if that’s a possibility.
In the end, it really is better to to book directly. Sometimes having a middleman just introduces errors, and when accessibility is at stake, you really don’t want errors.
I’m sorry you had this experience, and I hope that your next trip goes better.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
My husband and I like to travel. He has Multiple Sclerosis and I am his caregiver, but for a vacation I’d like a break too. We are on a budget and can’t afford to have a full-time agency CNA travel with us, plus my husband only needs help in the mornings and evenings. Do you have any suggestions for finding a traveling PCA (personal care attendant) so I can relax on our vacation too?
I totally understand your desire for a break from caregiving duties, as after all, it’s your vacation too. If you are going to base yourself in one city, I suggest contacting the local Center for Independent Living (CIL) and ask if they have any PCA referrals for your visit. Many of the folks who work at the centers have PCAs, so sometimes it works out if you just need help for a few hours a day. It’s not free, but usually the rates are reasonable. You might also contact the MS Association in your destination city and ask the same question. After all, personal referrals are the best way to find good PCAs.
Alternatively, you might get a friend or family member to agree to perform PCA duties in exchange for their travel expenses. I have known people who have gone this route, and it only works if you have a very clear understanding of duties and hours. It’s a way to dodge the charges of a traveling PCA, but again you need to thoroughly talk things out before you commit to this solution.
Hopefully this gives you a few ideas of where to look for some help. I hope you have a pleasant and restful vacation.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Parks Road Trips Travel Ideas for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
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.
I use a power wheelchair and I don’t drive or own a vehicle at home. I live in a big city and pretty much rely on public transportation. When I do take a taxi, I must remain in my wheelchair, as I cannot transfer to a standard seat.
I’m planning on taking several trips in the US and although I know that accessible cabs and van hires are available in some places, their service seems spotty and expensive. With the advent of ride sharing services I’m wondering how reasonable it is for me to rely on them for my future travels. Are Uber and Lyft wheelchair-accessible? I’ve heard they have accessible vehicles in some areas, but that’s about it. Can you give me more information on what wheelchair-accessible ride share services are available in the US, and how I can go about reserving them for my future travels.
The short answer to that question is that both Uber and Lyft have limited accessibility for power wheelchair-users; however they do have other services that will work for folks who use manual wheelchairs, or just need a little extra assistance.
Technically these ride sharing services are not required to have wheelchair-accessible vehicles in all of their locations, as they are considered a service that subcontracts out transportation rather than a transportation company. In short, they operate a network, while the individual contactors maintain their own vehicles and provide rides to customers. That said, under a 2022 settlement agreement, they are prohibited from charging waiting fees if disabled patrons happen to take longer to board their vehicles.
So although there’s not across the board accessibility in all locations, both Uber and Lyft can offer some wheelchair-accessible services in select US cities. Here’s how to secure an accessible ride on them.
Uber
Uber provides two type of accessible vehicle options — Uber Assist and Uber WAV. Uber Assist is for people who can transfer from their wheelchair or just need a little extra help getting into the vehicle; while Uber WAV is for wheelchair-users who cannot transfer to a standard seat.
Uber Assist drivers are trained to give assistance to slow walkers and wheelchair-users. Drivers can assist with transfers, and they have room to accommodate folding wheelchairs, collapsible scooters and walkers in their vehicles. These vehicles are not adapted, and they do not have ramps or lifts. Still, if you just need a bit of assistance, then Uber Assist is for you. To see if it’s available, log into the app, select your pick up point and destination, and scroll down to see if Uber Assist is one of the choice. It’s now available in over 40 cities on Uber X rides.
Uber WAV, on the other hand, provides transportation in a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. These vehicles have ramp of lift access so riders do not need to transfer to a seat. You order it the same way you order any Uber vehicle — just open the Uber App and enter your location and destination. If Uber WAV is available in your area it will appear in the choices. It should be noted that because of limited availability, wait times for Uber WAV scan be longer than for standard vehicles.
Uber WAVs are available in these US cities.
Boston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Washington DC
Lyft
Lyft also provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAV). These WAV rides can fit a fixed frame wheelchair, and have ramp or lift access. You can reserve one much in the same way you reserve an Uber WAV. Once you download the Lyft app, go to the settings tab and check “wheelchair-access”. After you do this you will see a ride type called “wheelchair” when you request a ride. Just click on that, and you are good to go.
As with Uber, Lyft only has wheelchair-accessible vehicles in select markets. If you request a ride in an area that doesn’t have wheelchair-accessible vehicles, Lyft will send you a list of local resources that can provide wheelchair-accessible transportation.
Lyft drivers will assist with boarding wheelchair passengers. Additionally, you don’t need to request an accessible vehicle if you can transfer to the vehicle and stow your assistive device in the trunk. Drivers will also assist with the storage of mobility equipment.
Lyft WAVs are available in these US cities.
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Los Angeles
New York City
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Portland
San Francisco
Ask a Local
Of course, true wheelchair access with ride share companies is still limited. Additionally, because of driver turnover it’s not always consistent. For the most accurate updated information, it’s best to talk to someone local who uses these services on a regular basis. They will be able to tell you about the local availability of Uber and Lyft wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Alternatively, you can also ask someone who has visited the area recently.
Local Facebook groups are a good resource for this information. Search for them in or around your destination. Additionally, some Facebook accessible travel groups may have folks who have recently visited your destination and are willing to share updated local transportation information.
Finally, be sure to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of extra time, as the waiting times for WAVs may be longer than for standard vehicles. Hopefully as technology and the need expands, we will start to see reliable ride share options in even more cities.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
My husband uses a power wheelchair, and we really like road trips. We have an accessible van, and it’s nice that we can pack all our essential equipment with us, and have accessible transportation to get around and see the sights. That said, lately we have had a few problems finding accessible hotels that really meet our needs. I know everyone is different, and it’s nothing against the hotels, but some of the access features we would like to see are purely personal preference.
So I thought that perhaps renting a wheelchair-accessible RV would be a good solution for us. We could tow our vehicle and have an accessible place to spend the night. Sadly I’ve not been able to find a wheelchair-accessible RV for rent at the major dealers, so I think we will probably end up buying a rig. Still it would be nice to be able to “try before we buy”. Do you have any resources or tips for buying or renting a wheelchair-accessible RV in the US? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Try Before You Buy
Wheelchair-accessible RVs are indeed a great choice for a road trip, for all of the reasons you mentioned. And yes, the “try before you buy” concept is a great idea; however I will say that wheelchair-accessible rental RVs are in short supply. Additionally, chances are they might not be the exact model you will eventually purchase. Still it will give you an idea if you like the RV lifestyle.
Unfortunately none of the mainstream RV rental websites really have what I would call accessible RVs. Granted you can search for “ADA-RVs” or “wheelchair” on some of them, but the results returned are far from what the average person would consider wheelchair-accessible. If you do go this route, I suggest you ask a lot of questions and request copious photos, as what I have seen would not accommodate a power wheelchair.
One good resource for wheelchair-accessible RV rentals is the Handicapped Travel Club. This group has been around for a long time, and the members have accessible RVs and meet annually for rallies. They also have a newsletter, and they share resources about accessible RV travel. Additionally, some of their members rent out their accessible rigs when they are not in use, so it might be a good place to find one to try before you buy. Their website (handicappedtravelclub.com) has lots of accessible RV travel tips, the current newsletter and a link to some accessible used RVs for sale. And their Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/handicappedtravelclub) is a good place to connect with other members.
Buying An Accessible RV
Once you decide you like the RV life, then it’s time to think about purchasing a rig. The good news is that many more companies now offer accessible models. Here are some to choose from.
The accessible Maxvan Pathway (maxvan.com/pathway) is a wide body Class B RV. It has a rear entry ramp, a compact toilet and shower area, a fold-out bed, tie-downs and an awning.
Newmar offers several Class A wheelchair-accessible RVs. (www.newmarcorp.com/wheelchair-accessible/). These spacious units all feature lift access and roll-in showers. And some even come equipped with adjustable height beds and dining tables.
I’m planning to fly from San Francisco to Miami to see my sister next year, and I use a manual wheelchair. I have heard such horror stories about wheelchairs being damaged in the baggage compartment, and I’m wondering if I can store a wheelchair in the aircraft cabin? Is this possible and if so, do I need to make advance arrangements to do this.
What the Law Says
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), US aircraft with 100 or more passenger seats are required to have a priority stowage space for manual wheelchairs. This can be in the onboard closet or strapped to unused seats.
If the stowage space is in the closet, there must be room for one typical adult size folding chair. The dimensions of that space must be at least 13 inches by 36 inches by 42 inches. If the manual wheelchair does not fit in the prescribed area while it is fully assembled, the wheels or other components may be removed to make it fit. The removal must be done without any tools, and afterwards you can store the removed components with your carry-on luggage.
It should be noted that wheelchair stowage takes priority over all other items, including crew luggage; and it’s the crew’s responsibility to move their luggage and clear the space.
The airline can also opt to use the seat strapping method to stow a manual wheelchair in the aircraft cabin. If this method is used, there must be room for two manual wheelchairs.
At the Airport
There’s no advance notice required to store a wheelchair on the airplane, but it should be noted that priority wheelchair stowage space is only guaranteed if you preboard the aircraft. If you board during general boarding, you will have to compete with the other passengers for the onboard storage space, so it’s extremely important that you preboard.
Additionally, since there is only one wheelchair stowage space per aircraft in the onboard closet, it pays to be the first one to board the aircraft. So don’t wander away from the boarding area, and when boarding time approaches, make sure you are visible to the crew, so you won’t be forgotten.
It’s also important to note that wheelchairs or any other assistive devices are not counted as carry-on luggage.
If you encounter any problems when you ask to store a wheelchair in the aircraft cabin — such as the crew refusing to relocate their luggage — don’t hesitate to ask for the Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). These airline employees are trained to handle disability-related problems, and they will make sure that the ACAA rules are followed. For more information about the CRO, visit emerginghorizons.com/flying-with-a-wheelchair-remember-the-cro/.
I just booked an accessible hotel room in a Los Angeles hotel and it was $25 more than the non-accessible room that a friend booked. Can hotels charge more for accessible rooms? I thought that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibited discrimination like this. Is this legal, and if not, what can I do about it?
The Law
Although discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in the US, there isn’t enough information to determine if the hotel in question violated the ADA. Under the ADA, hotels are required to have a certain number of accessible rooms based on their size. That number ranges from one accessible room for a property with 25 rooms, to nine accessible rooms in a property with 500 rooms. And properties that have more than 500 rooms are required to have 2% of their rooms flagged as accessible rooms.
But no matter how many rooms a property has, the accessible rooms are supposed to be distributed evenly among the various room types. What does that mean exactly? Well if they have multiple accessible rooms, they have to be equally distributed between the economy rooms and the high-end rooms. It also means that they should offer a choice in bed types, or other amenities such as ocean views.
The problem comes in when the property only has one or two accessible rooms, but a large variety of room types. Then some choices have to be made on how to allocate the rooms so that guests who need these rooms will have a reasonable choice.
Can hotels charge more for accessible rooms? Yes and no. They can’t charge more for an accessible room in the same rate category; however if all the accessible rooms in the lower rate category are booked, and the only accessible room left is one in a higher rate category, then yes you will have to pay that higher rate for that accessible room.
The Solution
The solution to your problem begins with contacting the hotel. Address your access concerns with the property manager. Ask about the property size, and the allocation of the accessible rooms in different rate categories. And be sure to write down those figures for future reference.
If the accessible rooms seem evenly split in all the rate categories, then you really don’t have any recourse. It could be that they had lower rate standard rooms available, but if all of the lower rate accessible rooms were already booked, then the only thing left for you was an accessible room in a higher rate category. So if that’s the case, you’re out of luck. That’s one reason it pays to book early, because the lower rate rooms usually fill up first. Of course it doesn’t hurt to ask for a credit, or a discount on a future stay for your troubles, but the hotel is not required to give you anything.
On the other hand ,if the property has a disproportionate number of accessible rooms in the higher rate category, you should definitely ask for the difference between the lower rate room and the higher rate room. And remember to remind the manager what the ADA requires.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to file an ADA complaint. Even if you are compensated, the property should still be up to ADA standards. After all, you don’t want this to happen again — to you or anyone else. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking compensation from a property and also filing an ADA complaint. The ADA complaint won’t get you any compensation, but it could help effect change.
Filing an ADA complaint is easy. You can do it online or by mail. Just follow the instructions at www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/.
More Resources
Of course, this issue is just the tip of the iceberg as far as accessible travel problems are concerned. With that in mind here are a few resources to help you adequately address other access shortfalls.
