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
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
Beginning on September 25, 2025 Southwest Airlines will implement new regulations for passengers traveling with lithium-powered mobility devices. The new regulation requires customers to remove all lithium batteries from their wheelchairs or scooters before boarding the aircraft. The batteries will need to be carried aboard by passengers, but will not count towards their checked baggage allowance or personal items.
Have you ever had an access-related problem while traveling on Greyhound or FlixBus? If so, the Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to hear from you. After receiving a number of complaints on these carriers, the DOJ is in full investigation mode. But they can’t proceed without your help. They want to hear from you if you’ve ever had your Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rights violated. This includes:
Failure to maintain bus lifts.
Refusal to assist disabled passengers.
Refusal to allow service animals aboard.
Abandoned disabled passengers in the middle of their journey.
Failure to assist disabled passengers off the bus at rest stops.
Disabled passengers who travel on domestic planes, trains, buses or ferries within Canada may be eligible for free caregiver fares under the One Person One Fare regulation (otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/highlights-one-person-one-fare-policy-decision). This regulation mandates that domestic carriers cannot charge a disabled person for their caregiver’s fare, if that caregiver’s assistance is required during their journey. In 2008 this regulation was challenged in the Supreme Court of Canada, but in the end the rule was upheld. There are of course a few restrictions; so here’s what you need to know to get free caregiver travel under the One Person One Fare regulation.
The Program
One Person One Fare mandates free caregiver travel it you fall under the requirements of the regulation. First off, the passenger needing assistance has to be disabled as defined by the Canada Transportation Act. That definition includes “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.”
Furthermore, the passenger has to require assistance with their personal care or safety during the flight. This can include assistance with:
Eating
Taking medication
Using the washroom
Orientation or communication
Responding to an emergency
One Person One Fare doe not apply if you just need assistance boarding, help with your luggage or attendant care at your destination. This regulation generally applies to people with severe disabilities who cannot travel alone.
The Process
So how do you get free caregiver travel under the One Person One Fare regulation? First and foremost, check the website of your transportation carrier, as most have detailed instructions on the documentation required for the One Person One Fare exemption. Most carriers have a “fitness to travel” form that needs to be filled out by a physician. This form has detailed questions about your medical condition and limitations. A separate doctors certificate may also be required.
It may take the carrier between 48 and 96 hours to get back to you after you have submitted your forms, And if they have any questions, then the whole process will take even longer. It’s essential to plan ahead and allow adequate time to get the required forms completed and signed.
Granted, the first time that you fill out the documents is time intensive, but the good news is, that you don’t have to do it for every trip. Ask your carrier to keep a copy of the documentation on file, and save a copy for yourself, just in case. The documentation is good for three years, so it you travel with the same carrier you won’t have to resubmit it during that time.
One Person One Fare helps more folks get out and travel domestically. So the next time you travel within Canada, don’t forget to make advance plans for your free caregiver travel under this program. It may take a little extra planning, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips 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.
If a trip to Japan is in your future, then surf on by this website with tons of accessibility information (www.accessible-japan.com). It’s a consumer-created resource with details about wheelchair-accessible attractions, transportation and lodging throughout Japan. Additionally, the website includes information about wheelchair-accessible day tours, and companies that offer wheelchair-accessible options. Essential information about getting around, accessible transfers, disability discounts, equipment rentals, voltage and suggested guide books and resources are also included. And if you’d like to know about something that isn’t listed on the website, there’s a link to a forum where you can ask additional questions.
All in all, it’s a very comprehensive resource for accessible travel in Japan.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Every time I book a trip these days, it seems that I’m asked if I’d like to purchase travel insurance. Some of the queries are pretty low-key, while others almost border on alarmist, as the perils and possible financial losses that could befall me on my trip are described in graphic detail. Truth be told, if I wasn’t so well traveled, I might be afraid to even venture outside of my own living room after listening to some of the high-pressure doomsday sales pitches.
To be fair though, there are valid reasons for the aggressive travel insurance sales tactics. First and foremost travel agents and providers want happy clients, and if a medical emergency happens and a client loses a lot of money when they have to cancel a trip, then they are not happy. On the other hand if a client is reimbursed for their covered expenses through travel insurance, they are happy campers.
Second, some policies also protect commissions, so agents get paid even if clients cancel. And last but certainly not least, there’s a high commission to be made on most travel insurance policies, so it only makes sense to try and upsell clients.
But do you really need travel insurance?
Well, that depends on many things. There are several types of travel insurance, so in the end it really depends on the type of coverage you need, and your own personal situation. With that in mind, here’s a short primer on the different types of travel insurance, along with a few reasons you may or may not need the coverage.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance is pretty straightforward. If you have to cancel the trip, you will be reimbursed for any non-refundable deposits and other expenses that result from the cancellation. Typical policies allow for cancellations due to illness, injury, weather and unforeseen disasters. Additionally, you can purchase a “cancel for any reason policy”; which offers comprehensive coverage; however that type of policy usually has to be purchased within 10 to 30 days of your initial deposit. The same is true for policies that cover pre-existing conditions.
Generally speaking, if you or any member of your family has a pre-existing condition or a chronic illness, trip cancellation insurance is prudent. That said, if you just booked a cheapie cruise and can afford to lose the deposit, then you may be ahead of the game to skip the trip cancellation insurance. Many frequent travelers “self-insure” against trip cancellation. In other words, they forego the expensive policies and instead ante up when they do have to cancel a trip. If they only have to cancel one out of every 20 trips, they’re usually still ahead of the game.
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance covers medical costs that you incur while away from home – in most cases, at least 100 miles away from home. Typically it pays secondary to your own medical insurance; which means it covers what your personal medical insurance policy doesn’t cover. That said, it’s a good idea to find out what your personal medical plan covers, including if it offers coverage away from home, and outside the US. It’s also important to remember that Medicare does not include coverage outside the US. Some Medicare supplement plans do provide this coverage, so if you plan to travel a lot in your retirement years, then choose a Medicare supplement plan that includes overseas coverage.
It also pays to do a little research and find out if the country you plan to visit has a national healthcare plan. You’ll also need to find out if visitors are covered under that plan. If so, then you’re in good shape. Be diligent in your research though, and don’t just rely on word of mouth.
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to purchase travel medical insurance if you or anyone in your party has a pre-existing condition. And it goes without saying that if your personal medical policy doesn’t extend outside of your home area, then travel medical insurance is also a good idea.
Additionally if you do have a pre-existing condition, make sure it’s not excluded from your travel medical insurance policy. To include pre-existing conditions, travel medical policies usually have to be purchased shortly after you make your initial deposit for the trip. Be sure and also find out what exactly constitutes a pre-existing condition, as sometimes even something as simple as seasonal allergies can disqualify you from coverage if you don’t purchase a policy that includes pre-existing conditions.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Medical evacuation insurance covers transportation back home if your are injured or have a serious illness while you’re on the road. It should be noted that an air ambulance trip back to the US can cost $50,000 to $100,000; and air ambulance companies expect either an insurance assignment or payment-in-full at the time of service. Suffice it to say that everyone should have this coverage, because you never know when you will need it.
For example, even if you are young and healthy, a simple fall could immobilize you, and require medical evacuation in an air ambulance. I have known several people who’ve had to mortgage their homes in order to pay for air ambulance transportation, so don’t get caught unprotected.
It’s also a good idea to check to see if you have any existing coverage through work, credit cards or other travel companies. For example, I have $25,000 of medical evacuation coverage through my one of my credit cards. The extra coverage is great, but I still carry an annual $100,000 medical evacuation policy, as $25,000 won’t cover a major evacuation. And I get a better deal on my medical evacuation policy since I buy it annually rather than as I book each trip. So start digging and see what hidden benefits you can discover. You may have more coverage than you think.
My Cancellations — And Their Costs
Although I carry medical evacuation insurance, I’m in the “self-insured” group as far as trip cancellation insurance goes. In my almost 50 years as a travel writer. I’ve only cancelled my trips a handful of times. I’ve traveled while I was sick, broke my foot, and a few days after my mother passed away. This was mostly because I had to, and if I had been a leisure traveler it might have been different.
I did have to cancel a personal trip to see family once, but Delta Airlines waived my cancellation penalty because it was due to a major hurricane. That’s not unusual. The same thing happened when I was stuck in London after 9/11 – British Airways waived all cancellation and change fees. So even though trip cancellation policies insure against these perils, in many cases when there’s a big weather issue or a major disaster, most airlines step up and waive their penalties.
And after COVID shut down virtually all travel, my trip to China (Wuhan) was cancelled. I lost about $300 on that, but considering the number of trips I’ve taken, I was still ahead of the game by not buying travel cancellation insurance. Of course this may be different if you only travel once or twice a year, and you have to cancel because of sickness, a death in the family or a lost job.
As far as travel medical insurance goes, outside of being treated for cholera by a medicine man in the highlands of Thailand, I’ve never needed medical attention out of the country. That said I’m fairly healthy and I don’t have any pre-existing conditions. And I do have international medical coverage through my personal health insurance policy.
So What’s a Traveler to Do?
Of course, all travelers are different, and what works for me, might not necessarily work for you. The best thing to do is to first check with your bank, credit union, auto club and credit card companies to see if they provide any type of travel insurance as a member benefit. Once you know what you already have, you can begin shopping for additional coverage.
The best way to shop for travel insurance is to contact your insurance agent. A reputable insurance agent can point out the pros and cons of different offerings, and help you find a policy that meets your needs. Insurance agents also offer annual policies that are much more affordable than per-trip policies; in fact, you may be able to get yearly coverage for all of your trips, for less than you’d pay for single trip coverage through a travel professional.
Additionally, once you have coverage be sure to carry the insurance cards and other documentation with you. You should also know who to contact in an emergency. Some plans require that you contact them when you are hospitalized overseas, while others require relatively little paperwork. Even if you have travel coverage, if you don’t know how to use it, you still could be left out in the cold. So become an educated consumer, do your research and have a plan of action in place, in case you become injured or fall ill on the road.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
I’ve been covering accessible travel for nearly 30 years, and in that time I have most certainly seen a lot of changes. Travel really is more accessible today for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Granted, if you are in your 30s, you probably don’t remember what things were like decades ago with the archaic attitudes about disability — before the ADA and other laws made access possible. If that’s the case I totally understand why you feel things are still not accessible enough, as that’s a fair assessment from your perspective.
Enacted in 1986, the Air Carrier Access Act, covers access-related travel issues on all US airlines, and on foreign airlines on flights to and from the US. And as with many regulations, it’s continually updated. The 2025 Air Carrier Act updates include minor wording changes and definitions, updated training requirements, and some specific changes in existing regulations. This update of the regulations focuses mainly on preventing and mitigating wheelchair damage, and providing timely and appropriate repairs when it does occur. Here are the highlights of what to expect in 2025. These 2025 Air Carrier Access Act Updates will take effect January 16, 2025 unless otherwise noted.
Notification upon Loading Wheelchair
As of December 17, 2025, airlines covered by the Air Carrier Access Act will be required to notify passengers when their assistive devices have been loaded and unloaded from the cargo hold.
Publication of Cargo Hold Dimensions
Airlines will be required to publish the dimensions of their cargo holds — and any limitations they may have — on their websites. This applies to all the aircraft in their fleet.
Prompt Return of Delayed Assistive Devices
As of June 6, 2025 airlines will be required to deliver delayed assistive devices within 24 hours for a domestic flight, 12 hours for an international flight, and 30 hours for a long international flight (more than 12 hours). The passenger will have the choice of picking up the delayed assistive device at the airport or having it delivered to a reasonable location.
Reimbursement For Accessible Ground Transportation
Passengers will be reimbursed for accessible ground transportation should they decide to pick up their delayed assistive device at the airport.
Prompt Repair or Replacement of Damaged Assistive Devices
As of March 17, 2025 carriers must offer passengers a choice in regards to repair or replacement of damaged assistive devices. Passengers can opt to have the carrier arrange for repair or replacement, or the passenger can arrange for repair or replacement at their chosen vendor. If the latter option is chosen, the carrier will transport the assistive device to the repair location and pay for the needed repairs.
It should be noted that the Montreal Convention still remains in effect for the liability limits for assistive devices damaged or lost on international flights. The carrier liability limit for this is $1731.
Appropriate Loaner Wheelchairs
If the airline provides a loaner assistive device because of loss or damage, and it does not meet the passenger’s needs, the passenger can find an appropriate substitute elsewhere. If this happens, the airline must reimburse the passenger for the rental within 30 days. The airline can require receipts, invoices or other documentation.
Rebooking Requirements for Service Failures
If a passenger’s assistive device will not fit into the cargo hold, the airline must book the passenger on the next available flight that can accommodate it. This will be done at no additional charge, even if a partner carrier is used.
New Onboard Wheelchair Standards
Finally, the 2025 Air Carrier Access Act updates include requirements for new safety standards and accessibility features for on-board wheelchairs. These include adequate padding, locking wheels, restraints and new size requirements. They go into effect for new aisle chairs purchased on twin aisle aircraft and aircraft with over 60 seats on October 2, 2026. And they go into effect for all other covered aircraft on October 2, 2031.
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?
