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.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Getting to and from your vacation destination is one thing, but getting around town without a car — especially if you use a wheelchair — can throw a wrench into even the best laid plans. That is, unless your vacation destination is Portland, Oregon, where accessible and affordable public transportation is abundant and easy to use. So here’s the skinny on how to get around town when you visit Portland in a wheelchair.
Ride the Streetcar
Getting around downtown Portland in a wheelchair is pretty easy, as there are wide sidewalks, plentiful curb-cuts and a fairly level terrain. Add in the Portland Streetcar (portlandstreetcar.org), which runs through the downtown area and connects to nearby business districts, and you have a very accessible way to see the city highlights.
The North – South Line runs from Nob Hill in the north, through the downtown area to the south waterfront; while the A and B loops circle the Lloyd District, Rose Quarter, Pearl District and downtown area. The A Loop runs in a clockwise direction, and the B Loop runs in a counterclockwise direction, so it’s easy to backtrack along the route.
Access is excellent on the Portland Streetcar, as every streetcar has has a ramp-equipped entrance. Boarding is a snap — just press the blue button to deploy the ramp, roll into one of the wheelchair-accessible seating areas and lock your brakes. When the streetcar arrives at your stop, push the blue button to deploy the ramp; and if you run into problems or have an emergency, just use the intercom near the accessible seating area.
Streetcar tickets can be purchased from machines at the platforms or at the Tri-Met ticket office in Pioneer Square. The fare for a 2.5-hour streetcar pass is $2, and the Hop pass (for the city bus) is also good on the streetcar.
Hop on a Bus
Getting around other areas of Portland in a wheelchair is easy too, thanks to the Tri-Met bus line (trimet.org/bus). Tri-Met buses run throughout the downtown area and connect with the Portland Streetcar, as well as offer access to outlying Portland neighborhoods. They are ramp or lift-equipped and many can also kneel, which makes boarding much easier for slow walkers. All buses have priority seating for disabled passengers and wheelchair tie-downs; and the drivers are happy to assist passengers — especially visitors.
If you need the ramp or lift deployed and you disability isn’t obvious, just ask the driver. Drivers are also available to help passengers on and off the the lift, and to secure assistive devices in the tie-downs.
Although Tri-Met buses accept cash, the best deal for visitors is the Hop card, which can be picked up and filled at the Tri-Met ticket office in Pioneer Courthouse Square. A 2.5-hour pass on the Hop card costs $2.80 and a day pass is $5.60 a day. Seniors and disabled passengers get a 50 percent discount, and if you decide to extend your stay in Portland, you can always add more money to your Hop card.
Airport Transfers
Getting to and from the Portland International Airport is easy too, thanks to MAX Rail (trimet.org/max), the city’s light rail system. It also connects downtown Portland with Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham, Hillsboro, North/Northeast Portland and Milwaukie. And like the rest of Portland’s public transportation, all the MAX Rail lines are wheelchair-accessible.
All MAX Rail trains have accessible boarding areas, which are located in the center of the low-floor cars. The conductor will deploy the ramp for wheelchair-users, but slow walkers can also deploy the ramp by pressing the blue button. The accessible cars all have large accessible seating areas, and a ramp request button next to the doors.
The Hop card is also good on MAX Rail, and it can be purchased or refilled from machines at the station. The MAX Rail Airport Station is located near baggage claim on the lower level
Taxi Tours of Portland in a Wheelchair
Finally, if you’d prefer to just grab a cab, then contact Radio Cab (radiocab.net) for wheelchair-accessible service. Radio Cab offers 24-hour taxi service in lift-equipped vans, throughout the Portland Area. And the fares are the same as standard taxi fares.
Radio Cab also offers accessible day tours of the city with stops at Washington Park, the Rose Gardens, the Japanese Gardens and the Columbia River Gorge. Or if you’d like to get out and do a little wine tasting, Radio Cab can put together a wine tour to the Yamhill Valley and Hood River. And everything is customizable, as you can do as little or as much as you want on a personalized Radio Cab tour.
For more information or to book a Radio Cab call (503) 205-3317. It’s a very accessible way to enjoy all that Portland has to offer.
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Recently I flew to Los Angeles, and although the hotel I stayed at had a free airport shuttle, it was not wheelchair-accessible. I asked the driver and he said that they didn’t have any wheelchair-accessible airport shuttles, and that I should take a taxi or an Uber. It seemed a bit unfair for me to have to pay for transfers, while others got them for free. Are airport shuttles required to be wheelchair-accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? If so, what can I do if I encounter one that lacks wheelchair access?
The ADA and Wheelchair-Accessible Airport Shuttles
In a word, yes. If a hotel provides free shuttle service it’s also required to provide an equivalent accessible service under Title III of the ADA (ada.gov/topics/title-iii/). Equivalent is the key word here, so for example if passengers routinely wait 20 minutes for an airport shuttle, then wheelchair-accessible airport shuttles must arrive in the same time frame.
That doesn’t mean that hotels have to own their own shuttles though. They just have to provide the equivalent service. For example, a small hotel can share an accessible shuttle with other properties, but they must offer equivalent service as detailed above. Properties can also opt to send accessible taxis to pick up passengers, instead of purchasing and maintaining wheelchair-accessible airport shuttles. And finally they can alternately opt to reimburse guests for their accessible taxi or Uber fares.
When Things Go Wrong
Although equivalent service means that disabled guests will get the same service as non-disabled guests, a little advance planning can go a long way to making this a reality. First and foremost, don’t wait until you arrive at the airport to inquire about the availability of wheelchair-accessible hotel shuttles. Call the hotel in advance of your trip to confirm that they have the appropriate vehicles — and that they are actually operational.
If the hotel employee you are talking with says that they don’t have any wheelchair-accessible airport shuttles, then ask to speak to the manager. Usually managers know the law, and after you point out that wheelchair-accessible shuttle service is required under the ADA, then they will start to work to find a solution. Of course this solution may be that the hotels provides an accessible taxi or pays for your Uber, but that’s an acceptable solution under the law.
On the other hand if the manager balks at your request, it’s best to find another property. You can’t strong arm someone into adhering to the law, and you don’t want to arrive at the airport only to find out that there’s no way to get to your hotel. Give your money to a property that does follow the law and will be able to accommodate you.
Of course, don’t forget the property that didn’t accommodate you. They broke the law and they deserve to be reported to the Department of Justice (DOJ). It’s easy to do too — just complete this simple online form (civilrights.justice.gov/report) to file an ADA complaint. You won’t receive any compensation as the result of filing an ADA complaint, but it will help effect change. And that helps make everything more accessible in the long run.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
Today air travel comes with the obligatory — and often dreaded — trek through the airport security checkpoint. And although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) won’t release their exact screening protocols due to security reasons; they have made public their rules and regulations for screening disabled passengers (www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures). That said, a little advance planning goes a long way to help the whole process go a bit smoother. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you out along the way.
Tips and Tricks
Allow plenty of extra time to get through airport security, especially if you wear a prosthesis or use any type of assistive device.
If you can’t walk or go through the metal detector, tell the TSA agent. You will be hand-wanded and given a pat-down search.
If you tire easily or can’t stand for long periods of time, request a chair during the screening process.
Slow walkers should request a wheelchair at check-in. This will expedite the screening process as wheelchair-users are usually fast-tracked through security.
Canes and walkers are allowed through security checkpoints, but they will be inspected thoroughly by security personnel.
Prosthetic devices do not have to be removed for screening; however the screener will manually inspect the device and swab it for explosive residue.
You have the right to a private screening and to have a companion present during that screening.
You are not required to remove your shoes if your disability prevents you from doing so. You will however be subject to a pat-down search and your shoes will be swabbed.
Liquid medications are allowed through the airport security checkpoint; however if they are in volumes larger than 3 ounces each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the TSA agent before the screening process begins. They must be removed from your luggage and kept separate from items to be x-rayed.
Sharp objects or anything that could be used as a weapon will be confiscated at the security checkpoint, so pack your wheelchair-repair tools in your checked luggage.
Syringes are allowed through the security checkpoint upon inspection. Although not required, it’s best to bring a doctor’s note when carrying syringes in an airport.
TSA Cares Hotline
Last but not least, contact the TSA Cares Hotline (855-787-2227) at least 72 hours in advance to request the assistance of a Passenger Support Specialist or a Supervisory TSA Officer at the security checkpoint. Questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint can also be answered on this hotline.
In the end, patience is really the key for dealing with airport security; however, if you feel your needs as a passenger with a disability are not being adequately addressed, don’t be afraid to speak up.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
If you are looking for wheelchair-accessible airport transfers in Puerto Vallarta, then look no further than Puerto Vallarta Transportations (puertovallartaairporttransportation.com/puerto-vallarta-handicap-transportation). This local transportation provider has a ramped van that can accommodate even the largest power wheelchair and scooter. Wheelchair-users can stay in their own wheelchairs (and use the tie downs) or opt to transfer to the van seat. The van can accommodate one wheelchair-user and five other passengers, or two wheelchair-users and three other passengers. Top it off with bi-lingual drivers, and an accessible van with plenty of room for all your luggage, and you have a winning combination. For more information about wheelchair-accessible airport transfers in Puerto Vallarta, visit the Puerto Vallarta Transportations website or drop them an e-mail at info@puertovallartaairporttransportation.com.
If you’re looking for wheelchair-accessible transportation in Budapest, then look no further than Paratrans (paratrans.hu/en). This local company can provide an accessible vehicle with a driver who is familiar with the city, for airport or rail station transfers as well as city excursions. Their Renault Master is outfitted with a ramp and tie downs, and it can accommodate three wheelchair-users and five additional passengers. And if you need room for another wheelchair, it can be reconfigured to accommodate four wheelchair-users and four additional passengers. For more information about wheelchair-accessible transportation options in Budapest, call Paratrans at +36 30 900 1603 or e-mail them at info@paratrans.hu.
Today air travel comes with the obligatory — and often dreaded — trek through the airport security checkpoint. And although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) won’t release their exact screening protocols due to security reasons; they have made public their rules and regulations for screening disabled passengers (
If you’re looking for wheelchair-accessible transportation in Budapest, then look no further than Paratrans (