February is the month of love, and many folks celebrate it with a Valentine’s Day romantic retreat with their sweetheart. And although most chain hotels have at least minimal wheelchair access, that can’t always be said for quaint inns, rustic lodges and cozy cabins. With that in mind here’s a selection of some unique wheelchair-accessible picks that will simply wow your sweetie this Valentine’s Day.
Black Bear Inn
The Black Bear Inn in Arnold, California
emerginghorizons.com/sleep-near-the-big-trees-in-calaveras-county/
Located in the logging town of Arnold, this Central California mountain lodge is surrounded by the forest. The accessible Calaveras Suite is furnished with a comfy king-sized bed and includes a spacious bathroom with a roll-in shower. Add in a cozy fireplace in the gathering room and you have the perfect romantic package.
Asilomar
The “Stuck-Up” Inn at Asilomar Conference Center
emerginghorizons.com/escape-to-the-monterey-peninsula/
If you’d prefer a coastal escape, then look no further than Asilomar, which is located near Monterey in Northern California. Two accessible rooms are located in the historic section of this property, and they both include a bathroom with a roll-in shower. It’s not unusual to look out your window to see deer grazing outside; and there’s nothing better than a romantic stroll along the beach on the accessible Dunes Boardwalk.
Jim Bridger Cabins
Rooftop deck on Cabin 2 at the Jim Bridger Explorer Cabins
emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-yellowstone-lodging-at-jim-bridge-explorer-cabins/
Located in the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, this small complex of nine cabins includes an accessible unit. It features two bedrooms, a small kitchen and living area, and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. Enjoy s’mores around a nearby fire circle or watch the sunset from the accessible rooftop deck. Or just snuggle up next to the fire inside.
Victoria Inn
Entry to room 15 at the Victoria Inn
emerginghorizons.com/spend-the-night-at-the-murphys-victoria-inn/
This California Gold Country Inn exudes a decidedly old world ambiance. The accessible unit is located a short walk from the main building, and has its own private entrance. It’s furnished with a queen-sized bed and the bathroom includes a 36-inch square transfer-type shower. And there’s a cozy front porch where you can enjoy a glass of wine, before you stroll down Main Street for dinner.
Maumee Bay Cabin
Cabin 17 at Maumee Bay Lodge
emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-maumee-bay-cabin/
This northern Ohio cabin is located a short drive from the main lodge. There’s an accessible bedroom with a king-sized bed downstairs, as well as a bathroom with a roll-in shower. Other features include a spacious deck which overlooks the adjacent marsh, and a large fireplace in the great room. Even better, it offers plenty of privacy for a romantic retreat.
Skamania Lodge Treehouse
Angels Rest Accessible Treehouse Suite at Skamania Lodge, Oregon
emerginghorizons.com/sleep-in-a-wheelchair-accessible-treehouse-at-skamania-lodge/
Last but not least in our Valentine’s Day picks is this romantic treehouse at Skamania Lodge. It’s located in a quiet corner of this Washington property, and it offers ramp access to the front door. Inside, windows line the walls, so you feel surrounded by the forest. It’s furnished with a king-sized bed, and the bathroom includes an oversized roll-in shower. Top it off with a spacious deck and an indoor-outdoor fireplace and you have the perfect romantic retreat. So perfect, that a segment of The Bachelorette was filmed at this property!
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
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
If you’re a member of any online group that focuses on access or disability, chances are you’ve read about more than a few “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access shortfalls”. Granted, in this day and age this shouldn’t happen, but it does. Why? Well the short answer is because there’s no “ADA Police Force” that goes around and looks for access violations. For the most part, the Department of Justice (DOJ) relies on user-input to decide when and where to issue fines or take remedial action. And where does that user-input come from? In a few words, from you and the rest of the general public.
And the good news is, it’s easy to file and ADA complaint. Unfortunately most people just brush off the access shortfalls they encounter, and skip reporting them to the DOJ. It’s true that the DOJ does not move forward and take action on every single complaint; however if they don’t receive any complaints, it virtually guarantees that access shortfalls will remain unchanged. And that’s why we still encounter ADAAG code violations, over 30 years after the ADA was signed by President George Bush.
The ADA Complaint Process
It’s easy to file an ADA complaint. Just go to https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ and complete the form. Keep it short and sweet and get right to the violation. And try to leave your emotions out of it. A well written concise complaint will get more attention than a wordy unorganized one.
After the DOT receives a complaint, they review it. If there are any questions they will contact you. At the very least they will confirm that they received your complaint.
Next they check to see if the item addressed is covered under the ADA. For example, if someone complains about the height of a hotel bed, no action is taken because bed height is not regulated by the ADA (https://emerginghorizons.com/why-the-ada-doesnt-address-bed-height/). They also make sure that the complaint is in the right department. So if they get a complaint about an air travel issue, they will not address it because air travel is covered under the Air Carrier Access Act, not the ADA.
If the DOJ does decide to move forward with an ADA complaint, there are a few ways things can go. The most popular choice is mediation. This is when they assign an impartial mediator and have the parties sit down in a neutral location and hammer out a workable solution. It’s a little time intensive, but the results are usually worth it.
Of course, the best outcome is when fines are issued or a lawsuit is initiated and remedial action is required. This tends to make companies stand up and take notice. On the other hand, some cases are not pursued. This could be because the DOJ is targeting certain violations, geographic areas or even providers. And the DOJ does look for patterns — like an increase in specific violations — so reporting ADA issues is always good.
Mediation Works!
Just for the record, I do practice what I preach, as I have filed several ADA complaints. All of them were addressed in one way or another, but one of my most successful efforts actually went to mediation.
About 15 years ago I was summoned to jury duty in a small town; and I was totally gob smacked when I discovered that there was not a single accessible restroom in the entire courthouse. I brought this to the attention of a few supervisors and the prevailing attitude seemed to be that anyone with a disability could get excused so they didn’t really need those accessible facilities. But what if they wanted to do their civic duty and serve on a jury? That option was pretty much taken away from them due to the lack of accessible restrooms.
So I filed an ADA complaint. Shortly thereafter I got a phone call saying my complaint was referred to mediation, and that I would be getting a call from the mediator. The mediator called and explained the process and set up a meeting time that worked for all parties. I was expecting something adversarial, but it was all very businesslike. I explained the problem, and of course the city folks claimed “budget issues” but in the end they realized they were obligated to provide accessible facilities at the courthouse.
And it all had a happy ending. Although it didn’t happen overnight, they redid the restrooms in the courthouse and put in a large accessible unit. In my opinion it was a win-win for everyone, and it really took very little effort on my part.
Sometimes Fines are Imposed
The DOJ can also start legal proceedings as the result of an ADA complaint. Such was the result of an ADA complaint filed by one couple against a Columbus, Ohio Holiday Inn Express (https://archive.ada.gov/badrivishal_sa.pdf).
The complaint was filed by the wife of a man who has multiple sclerosis, and requires a roll-in shower to bathe. She reserved an accessible room with a roll-in shower at the property, but when they arrived they discovered that neither of the two accessible rooms had a roll-in shower. Since her husband was unable to use the tub/shower combination in the accessible room, they were forced to relocate to another hotel during the busy Thanksgiving weekend.
The hotel claimed that they were up to code in regards to their accessible facilities; however a subsequent access audit found that there were many ADA violations. Under the DOJ agreement, the hotel was required to remove access barriers in the parking lot, building entrance, public restrooms, front desk, and the routes of travel within the hotel. They were also required to fix the access shortfalls in their accessible rooms, and add one more accessible room to the inventory.
The agreement also required additional training for the hotel staff on how to accommodate guests with a disability. And as part of the settlement, the hotel paid the couple that filed the complaint $20,000. Granted, nobody should have to endure access shortfalls like these in this day and age, but thanks to this complaint, one more property is now truly accessible to wheelchair-users.
Excuses, Excuses!
I’ve been preaching this “file an ADA complaint” mantra for several decades. Many folks are receptive to it, however few follow through with any action. I’ve gotten many excuses for this reluctance. Here are some of my favorites, along with my arguments against them.
“I addressed the issue with the manager who seemed eager to correct things.”
A good manager always makes you feel that your complaint is valid and will be addressed. It’s what happens after you leave that really matters. Many managers won’t take the time to follow up on access related issues. And even if the manager tries to pursue things, if the higher ups nix the idea it’s a no-go. Which is why it’s a good idea to file an ADA complaint, even if you also personally addressed the issue with on-site staff — to make sure that things get fixed.
“It takes too long to file a complaint.”
Everything takes time, but truly it takes less time to file and ADA complaint than to tell your story on numerous Facebook groups. It’s all about using time wisely.
“I’m not the ADA police.”
Well actually, you are. We don’t have inspectors or officials that go around looking for ADA violations, so the only way they get reported is if average citizens complain. And that means everyone!
“Nothing ever happens with these complaints. It’s just a waste of time.”
The DOJ doesn’t have the staff to address all of the complaints; however a good number are referred to mediation, and some are even pursued legally. You can’t really predict what will happen to any complaint, but you can be sure that the issue won’t be addressed if you don’t submit a complaint.
Although the America the Beautiful Passes (emerginghorizons.com/how-to-get-a-lifetime-national-park-pass) grant free admission to US national parks, not everybody qualifies for them. Of course you can always purchase a yearly pass that will get you in any national park; however if you only visit a few parks that’s not very cost effective. On the other hand, not all national parks charge an admission fee. With that in mind, here are six national parks you can visit for free.
North Cascades National Park
Accessible pier on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park
emerginghorizons.com/north-cascades-national-park
Located in Northern Washington, North Cascades National Park, not only offers free admission, but it also boasts nearly three miles of wheelchair-accessible trails. Enjoy a short jaunt on the .3-mile Trail of the Cedars, or go for a longer hike on the 1.4-mile accessible section of the River Loop. Or just enjoy the scenic drive on the State Route 20 Corridor.
Redwood National & State Parks
Prairie Creek trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
emerginghorizons.com/redwood-national-and-state-parks
Nothing beats the majesty of Northern California’s coastal redwoods in this mixture of federal and state lands. There are numerous wheelchair-accessible trails, campsites and attractions in both the original national park, and the three additional state parks. And if you’d like to spend the night, two of the state parks offer wheelchair-accessible camping cabins.
Great Basin National Park
Wheeler Peak Overlook in Big Basin National Park
A bit off-the-beaten-path in Eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park is one of America’s least visited national parks. And that makes it a great place to get away from the crowds. There are numerous accessible overlooks on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive that offer excellent views of the “great basin”. And if you’d like to stretch your legs, the wheelchair-accessible Island Forest trail makes a .4-mile loop through a pine and fir forest.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove in Great Smokey National Park
Although there’s no entrance fee to this popular national park, there is a parking fee if you stop for longer than 15 minutes. That said, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail begins just outside of Gatlinburg, and winds 5.5 miles through a hardwood forest filled with chestnuts, oaks, maples and magnolias. You can stop along the way and snap a few photos, and still visit without a parking pass. And it’s an absolutely beautiful fall foliage drive.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Everett Covered Bridge in Cuyahoga National Park
This Ohio national park offers a scenic drive along the Cuyahoga River, plus several accessible trails and attractions. Save some time to stop at the Canal Exploration Center and the Breckville Nature Center, and don’t miss the Everett Covered Bridge. And if you’d like a little hike, then take the wheelchair-accessible Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath to the Beaver Boardwalk.
Kenai Fjords
View of Exit Glacier
Wrapping up our list of national parks you can visit for free is Kenai Fjords National Park. Although you can certainly visit this Alaska national park by taking a cruise to see some of the nearly 40 glaciers in the Harding Icefield, you can also get a good view of Exit Glacier from the shore. Located three miles north of Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park boasts a one-mile wheelchair accessible loop trail that leads through a cottonwood forest to an accessible viewing area. And you just can’t beat the sight of Exit Glacier, as it seemingly spills down the mountain.
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located in northern Ohio, Maumee Bay State Park is a nature lovers dream; but that doesn’t mean you have to rough it when you overnight there. Quite the contrary, as Maumee Bay Lodge (www.maumeebaylodge.com/) offers a comfortable and accessible alternative. Not only can you spend the night in this wheelchair-accessible Maumee Bay cabin, but you’re also just a stone’s throw away from some great accessible trails.
Spend the Night
Billed as Ohio’s premier resort, this family friendly lakeside property features accessible parking in the lodge lot, with a barrier-free path to the lobby door. Alternatively, there’s a large drop-off area directly outside the lobby entrance. Inside, there’s wheelchair access to all the public areas, including the Water’s Edge Restaurant and the Icebreaker Lounge; and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter to the front desk.
Accessible Cabin 17 is located a short drive away, along a road that overlooks the adjacent marsh. Accessible parking is available in a paved area in front of the cottage, with a wide level walkway up to the front porch. Although there’s a small lip at the transition from the walkway to the porch, it’s doable for most folks with a little assistance. The four-bedroom deluxe cottage features wide doorways and excellent pathway access to all the first-floor rooms, with stairway access to the two upstairs bedrooms.
One downstairs bedroom is furnished with a bunk bed and a twin bed, while the other bedroom has a 24-inch high king-sized bed. Upstairs, one bedroom has a bunk bed and a double bed, and the other bedroom has a double bed. The ground floor bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated). The second-floor bathroom has a low-step shower, but it lacks grab bars or the space to maneuver a wheelchair.
Shower in cabin 17 on the ground floor
Toilet and sink in Cabin 17 on the ground floor
Downstairs you’ll also find a gas fireplace, a washer and dryer, a spacious deck and a standard hot tub. Top it off with a well equipped kitchen and you have everything you need for a family getaway at this wheelchair-accessible Maumee Bay cabin.
Ground floor of cabin 17 at Maumee Bay Lodge
Explore Maumee Bay Lodge
There’s certainly no shortage of recreational activities at Maumee Bay Lodge, many of which are accessible and can be enjoyed by the whole family. There is barrier-free access to the indoor splash area, which includes seven splash features, as well as a waterfall that spills into the pool. There is also an accessible locker room nearby, which is equipped with roll-in showers.
Soft Play Area at Maumee Bay Lodge
If you’d prefer to keep your little ones active but dry, then check out the soft play area for children, which includes pirate-themed climbing features on a cushioned floor. There is level access to this brightly colored indoor play area, and plenty of room to roll around the climbing features.
Outside, there are a number of accessible options, including bicycling or hiking on one of the many bicycle trails throughout the park. Although the trails weren’t specifically designed to be accessible, most of them are level and very doable for wheelers and slow walkers.
If you want to learn a little about the native flora and fauna, head over to the Trautman Nature Center, located next to the lodge. There is barrier-free access to the building, which houses a number of interpretive exhibits detailing the nature and history of the area.
Maumee Bay Lodge boardwalk
Finally, save some time for a first-hand look at the local inhabitants on the two-mile boardwalk, just east of the lodge. There is barrier-free access to this excellent loop trail, and interpretive signs along the way. Best of all, one side of the boardwalk is pleasantly devoid of railings, so wheelers can enjoy unobstructed views of the surrounding wetlands. It’s the perfect way to top off your wheelchair-accessible Maumee Bay cabin stay.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
