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Accessible Nepal

Candy B. Harrington Asia, birdwatching, city tour, cultural, Katmandu, Nepal, tours, world heritage sites December 28, 2024

Bijay Chaurasia, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal

If a trip to Nepal is in your future, then check out the offerings of Accessible Nepal (accessiblenepal.com). Based in Kathmandu, this local agency is the only tour operator in the country that offers wheelchair-accessible tours and excursions. And they invest a portion of their profits in community empowerment programs that benefit the locals. Tour offerings range from day tours to 13-day adventures; and they include everything from city tours to birdwatching and cultural tours, and even a safari tour. All tours are conducted in accessible vehicles that are equipped with ramps. A variety of accessible accommodations are available, and 24-hour on-site assistance is provided. Medical equipment is also available for rent. And if you’d like a customized tour, they can put that together too. For more information on their accessible tours, visit the Accessible Nepal website or e-mail connect@accessiblenepal.com.

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Jackson County Access Guide

Candy B. Harrington access guide, Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, fishing, Jackson County, North Carolina, Sylvia, waterfalls November 27, 2024

Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Downtown Dillsboro, North Carolina, in Jackson County

Although Jackson County North Carolina may look a little rugged at first glance, there are plenty of accessible options for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Located in the southwest corner of the the state, this county includes the mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylvia. And thanks to the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, this area now boasts an online Jackson County Access Guide.

Visitors can enjoy breathtaking mountain views, magnificent waterfalls, and secluded fishing holes in this often overlooked slice of North Carolina. And this access guide highlights accessible attractions, fishing spots, waterfalls and lodging choices. Even better, the access guide includes descriptions of the sites — including possible barriers — instead of just saying that something is or isn’t accessible. That way visitors can decide for themselves if an attraction will work for them. So check out the Jackson County Access Guide at discoverjacksonnc.com/attractions/accessibility/ and start planning your trip to this scenic North Carolina mountain region.

Paul Wasneski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Columbus Access Guide

Candy B. Harrington access guide, airport, attractions, Columbus, hotel, medical equipment, Ohio November 6, 2024

Downtown Columbus View from Main St BridgePaul Wasneski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Downtown Columbus, Ohio View from Main St Bridge

If a trip to Columbus, Ohio is in your future, then make sure and check out this Columbus Access Guide at experiencecolumbus.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility/. Divided by disability, the section on mobility covers accessible attractions, hotels and transportation.

The listings in the attractions section all have level paths of travel and low door thresholds, and offer accessible seating, restrooms and parking. Some of the venues also offer courtesy or rentable wheelchairs or scooters. Each listing includes a link to the venue website, which includes more detailed access information. The hotel section includes a link to the each property website, which offers more access information. And the transportation section includes information on airport access, as well as sources for medical equipment rentals. Add in a section of additional resources, and you’ve got a treasure trove of access-related information.

Although you should contact each venue directly for updated access information, this Columbus Access Guide is a great starting point for any trip.

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Accessible New Zealand Tours & Shore Excursions

Candy B. Harrington accessible New Zealand tours October 26, 2024

Headquartered in Dunedin, Ability Adventures offers a wide variety of accessible New Zealand tours for active wheelchair-users and slow walkers. From fishing and kayaking to paragliding and even bungee jumping, these tours highlight accessible activities throughout the country. Ability Adventures offers customized private tours, which include transportation in an accessible vehicle, a tour guide and accessible accommodations. If you’d prefer to strike out on your own, they can also arrange a self-drive tour with an accessible vehicle, activities and hotels. Equipment rentals and personal care services are also available. For more information, on these accessible New Zealand tours, visit abilityadventures.co.nz, or e-mail info@abilityadventures.co.nz.

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Accessible Poland Tours

Candy B. Harrington Auschwitz, Europe, hotel, Krakow, medical equipment, Poland, rental, tours, transportation, wheelchair, wheelchair-accessible, Zakopane September 30, 2024

HansenHimself, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Street in Kraków, Poland

Based in Krakow, Active Poland offers a number of accessible Poland tours for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The customized Krakow tours can include everything from a stroll around town, to a museum hopping itinerary, and even attending concerts and festivals. All accessible tours are conducted in a wheelchair-accessible van with seating for one wheelchair-user and five other passengers.

Other tours that are doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers include excursions to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Bochnia Salt Mine, Zakopane and the John Paul II Trail. Active Poland can also book accessible accommodations and assist with restaurant and nightlife suggestions. Rental wheelchairs and stair lifts are also available. For more information on Active Poland accessible offerings, visit poland-active.com/en/Trips/Trips-For-Handicapped-In-Krakow,ig.

Resource

Park Your Car and Ride the Calaveras Hopper

Candy B. Harrington Angels Camp, bus, Calaveras, California, Hopper, Murphys, shuttle, transportation, wine tasting September 21, 2024

It’s fun to go wine tasting with friends on the weekend. But then you have that age-old problem — who is going to be the designated driver? Of course you could always make a promise to limit your consumption, but sometimes that just doesn’t work. Well, if you happen to be visiting Murphys or Angels Camp on a Saturday, there is another solution — take the Hopper. This short shuttle route connects the two cities and even makes a stop at Ironstone Vineyards. And the good news is, they will also go a little off route with advance notice. So pack your bag, gather your friends, and get ready to enjoy a wine tasting weekend on the Calaveras Hopper.

The Basics

The Calaveras Hopper only runs on Saturdays from 10 AM to 6 PM. But that’s OK, as that’s when the tasting rooms do the bulk of their business. There’s about an hour wait between buses, and the schedules are posted at all hopper stops as well as at calaverasconnect.org/routes/saturday-hopper/. This route is also seasonal — it only operates from March to November.

The fare is a very reasonable $3 (seniors are half price). Drivers do not carry change so the exact fare is required if you pay cash. You can also pay with the Token Transit app, which is available from the App Store, Google Play, or by texting “token” to 41411.

Access is excellent on the Calaveras Hopper, with lift access and wheelchair spaces available. The drivers are also pretty friendly, and are happy to offer assistance if needed.

The route begins in Angels Camp and travels on Highway 4 to Murphys. It makes six stops along the way:

Travelodge Copello (Angels Camp)
WorldMark (Angels Camp)
Save Mart (Angels Camp)
Angels Camp Visitor Center (Angels Camp)
Murphys Creek Theater (Murphys)
Ironstone Vineyards (Murphys)

Murphys Creek Theater is just around the corner from several tasting rooms, and Ironstone Vineyards is a destination in itself. And if you want to get picked up at another spot with ¾ mile of the route, then call (209) 754-4450 at least two hours in advance. Additionally, drivers will usually stop at any safe location along the route. So enjoy a little Saturday wine tasting in Calaveras County, and leave the driving to the Hopper.

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Accessible Prague Resource

Candy B. Harrington access guide, accommodations, Czech Republic, Europe, Prague September 1, 2024

View from the tower of Old Town Hall in Prague

If a trip to Prague is in your future, then check out this great accessible Prague resource on the Official Tourist Website for Prague (prague.eu/en/accessible-prague?fbclid=IwAR1hdqdE_CtAEA8njlRanTLSKWMjNtlpRe1_Zxs2m4JUHgSwOIsJwQ-fMdA). It includes information about barrier-free routes to tourist destinations in the city, plus access details on local cultural sites, restaurants, accommodations and transportation. Information about wheelchair-accessible guided tours is also included. The tourism authority has also compiled a map that shows the accessibility of buildings and public spaces throughout the city. The map is available digitally on the website, or in a printed accessibility guide that ‘s available at one of the Tourist Information Centers in town. Even better — two of the Tourist Information Centers are located in Vaclav Havel Airport (Terminals 1 and 2), so you can get the printed guide as soon as you hop off the plane. An excellent resource for an accessible Prague visit!

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Making Trax Offers Wheelchair-Accessible New Zealand Adventures

Candy B. Harrington adventure, handcycle, kayaking, mountain biking, New Zealand, paragliding, rafting, sky diving August 13, 2024

Tandem Paragliding with MakingTrax Foundation

If you’re looking for some adapted adventures in New Zealand, then look no further than Making Trax (www.makingtrax.co.nz). Founded by Jezza Williams, this New Zealand-based foundation believes adventure is therapy and that it should be available to people of all abilities.

Making Trax offers a wide variety of single-day wheelchair-accessible New Zealand adventure experiences, from adaptive mountain biking and whitewater rafting, to tandem paragliding, sea kayaking and even sky diving. If you’d prefer a longer adventure, then try a Making Trax multiday paragliding course or a week-long river expeditions.

They also have an adaptive adventure directory of New Zealand providers on the website. And if you require some personal assistance planning your wheelchair-accessible New Zealand adventure, then reach out to Making Trax and they will help make it happen. For more information about Making Trax, visit their website or e-mail info@makingtrax.co.nz.

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All Terrain Wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park

Candy B. Harrington all terrain wheelchair, Colorado, GRIT, hiking, national park, rockies, Rocky Mountain July 18, 2024

Thanks to a generous donation from the Sam Schneider Legacy Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy now has a GRIT Freedom Wheelchair to loan visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park. Initially the Foundation offered this all-terrain wheelchair to former Conservancy employee Quinn Brett, who sustained a spinal cord injury while climbing in Yosemite. Brett told the foundation that she would rather let as many people as possible have access to the all terrain wheelchair, and suggested that it be donated to the Conservancy. So now more people can use this all terrain wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park.

GRIT Freedom Chair

The donated GRIT Freedom Chair has two standard wheels on the sides of the seat, and a smaller wheel in front of the chair. It can be operated independently with the lever handles on each side of the seat. Alternatively, a companion can use the push handles on the back to propel the chair. Not only will the GRIT Freedom Chair navigate the accessible trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it’s also built to tackle rugged backcountry trails.

The all terrain wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park is housed at the Estes Park Mountain Shop at 2050 Big Thompson Avenue in Estes Park. There is no charge to use the wheelchair, which can be reserved by calling (970) 586-6548. For safety purposes it’s recommended that all terrain wheelchair-users hike with a companion, and that folks bring along plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellent and snacks. And don’t forget extra medication, in case there is a delay returning to Estes Park. Additionally, users must be able to transfer to the all terrain wheelchair independently, or with assistance from a companion.

And thanks to the generosity of Estes Park resident Brian Keapplinger, more all terrain wheelchairs will be available in the future. Says Zach Zehr of Estes Park Mountain Shop, “He’s reached out to us to extend the inventory of mobility chairs, for when people come to us and say, ‘Hey, we’d love to use this but it’s already on reservation.’”
For more information about the all terrain wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park, visit www.estesparkmountainshop.com/summer-rentals

Hawkeye7, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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Wheelchair Repair Shops in Amsterdam

Candy B. Harrington Amsterdam, bicycle shop, Holland, medical equipment, Netherlands, repair, rollator, shop, wheelchair July 1, 2024

There are numerous things that go into planning an accessible vacation; from finding the right hotel room, to securing airport transportation, and even finding out what local attractions are accessible. And then there are the emergency situations. What do you if something unforeseen happens while you’re on the road? Well my best solution is to play a healthy game of “what if ” before your travel.

For example, ask yourself a question like, “What if my wheelchair breaks when I’m on vacation?”. Then find a solution to the problem. In this case, the solution would be to compile a list of wheelchair repair shops in your destination city. Problem solved. Write them down and take them with you. Chances are you won’t need to use the list, but if you do, you are prepared.

And if you happen to be going to Amsterdam, then you’re in luck, because Able Amsterdam has compiled a nice little list of wheelchair repair shops in Amsterdam. And although it contains shops that specialize in repairing medical equipment, it also has a bike shop that has experience repairing wheelchairs and rollators. So check out this list of wheelchair repair shops in Amsterdam for your future travels.
www.ableamsterdam.com/blog/wheelchair-repair-service-amsterdam?fbclid=IwAR3H81Hgc_EfU4sVq9YpiWOnFqO-QKiCGtNKii8TCfSiiW7W50rtEzomVDA

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Utah National Parks
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers

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National Park Lodges
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

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101 Accessible Vacations
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for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

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for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

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Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
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Glacier, Yellowstone
and Grand Teton National Parks
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