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. A rolling shower chair is also available. 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 pool lift is also available.
Bathroom at Disavillatee
Disavillatee can sleep up to 10 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
I plan to take a Florida cruise next winter and I’d like to spend an extra week exploring South Florida before I fly home. I’d really like to take an airboat tour of the Everglades. I called one place that said they had wheelchair-accessible airboats, and they told me that I’d have to be carried aboard. I use a manual wheelchair, and I’d rather not be carried, but prefer to roll aboard. Do you know of a wheelchair-accessible airboat tour of the Everglades that is truly accessible?
A Truly Wheelchair-Accessible Airboat
I’m glad you are taking some extra time in Florida after your cruise, because there are really some great accessible sites to see, including the Everglades. And although I applaud the tour operator that you contacted for being willing to try and get you on the boat, carrying someone aboard does not equate to “accessible” in my book. Fortunately I’ve found a company that has a truly accessible airboat — Everglades Airboat Excursions (evergladesairboatexcursions.com).
Everglades Airboat Excursions has one wheelchair-accessible airboat. It’s equipped with a ramp in front, so wheelchair-users can just roll aboard. It can accommodate manual or power wheelchairs, and depending on the size of the wheelchairs there’s room for one or two in the level area in the front of the boat. There is also a railing around the accessible seating area, and a place to grab on if you feel you need a bit more support. And, because of how the boat is configured, you can also be close to the rest of your party. Best of all, you’ll get a great unrestricted view of all the action from the front seat.
The Tours
“River of Grass”
Everglades Airboat Excursions offers a number of private tours in their wheelchair-accessible airboat. At the top of the list are the one hour, 90-minute or two-hour day tours. These private tours depart from the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area and travel through the Everglades sawgrass marshes. Along the way Captain Gerald shares fun facts about the ecosystem, and points out the alligators, sea turtles and sea birds. It’s a fun outing — no matter the length — with plenty of great photo ops along the way.
They also have a sunset airboat tour. This two-hour tour lets visitors enjoy the colorful sunset over the Everglades, while cruising along on the water. It’s a great choice for photographers, and it also makes for a nice romantic excursion.
And for a real treat, book their Red Eye Gator Tour. This two-hour night tour offers a close-up look at the resident alligators. And although it sounds a bit risky, the tour is actually quite safe because the alligators are momentarily blinded by the lights on the approaching airboat. And since they are unable to see, the airboat can safely get closer. It’s also easier to spot alligators at night because you can see the light reflecting off their eyes, even under cover of the tall grass.
No matter what tour you choose, it’s essential to make advance reservations, as walk-ups are not accepted. It’s also a good idea to book the accessible tours as far in advance as possible, especially during the peak season. And if you have any questions or other concerns, then give the folks at Everglades Airboat Excursions a call at (561) 662-2419, or e-mail Captain Gerald at gerald.motes@gmail.com.
Have fun!
Barrier-Free Travel Favorite Florida Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Miami Beach wheelchair access just got a little bit better, thanks to the availability of loaner beach wheelchairs and the installation of Mobi-Mats and swim ropes.
Power and manual beach wheelchairs are available for loan at Beach Patrol Headquarters at 1001 Ocean Drive, and the Beach Patrol location at South Pointe Park. They are available on a first-come basis from 9 AM to 6 PM from February to October, and from 9 AM to 4:30 PM from November to January. Although there’s no charge to use the beach wheelchairs, visitors are asked to leave something of value (drivers license, wheelchair, etc.) as a security deposit, to ensure the return of the equipment.
The manual beach wheelchairs can go into water up to six inches deep, but the power beach wheelchairs, cannot enter the water. For more information, or to check on the availability of the beach wheelchairs, call (305) 673-7714.
Miami Beach also has Mobi-Mats installed at a number of their beaches. These hard-surfaced mats allow slow walkers and wheelchair-users to travel over sandy sections and offer barrier-free access to the beach. Additionally, a number of beaches are also equipped with swim ropes. For more information, and details about the Mobi-Mat and swim rope locations, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/public-works/ada/beach-wheel-chair-access/. So get out and enjoy the improved Miami Beach wheelchair access.
