1.1. Hotel Accessibility Check List

Hotel Accessibility begins with the reservations process and its critical to first have an understanding of the overall process, including what the common pitfalls are to a successful, accessible stay.

Checklist for a successful stay
* Search room type on line-More hotels than in the past feature not only bulleted accessibility features but include pictures that can assure you of the room layout you need
* Call the front desk directly, not the remote reservations line. In this way you can be more assured about actual accessibility at that hotel. Obtain and retain the name of the hotel manager in the event of later complications.
* Use your smart phone, Outlook calendar or smart travel app platform to record any specifics such as room numbers for the accessible room you require, the reservation conformation number, dates of your stay and manager name for later use as needed.
* Early on the morning of your stay, phone the front desk again to confirm your name is assigned to the accessible room you require. This is the perfect juncture to inform hotel staff that you specifically request a late check-in accommodation as relief shifts at that hotel may otherwise give your room away before your arrival. Call from the road if driving, from the airport boarding gate or from home prior to air travel.
* Inquire about accessibility of other hotel features, like a battery or water-operated lift for any swimming pools you'd like to use.

Common pitfalls 
* Room numbers are assigned to last names of arriving guests early in the morning of the first day of the stay. This point is one where many errors are made by hotel staff that result in an inappropriate room assignment so avoid this pitfall by calling early in the day of your stay. 
* In spite of your pre-panning, your bed height is way too high for you to transfer. Call the front desk requesting housekeeping staff to remove the base or box spring to lower the bed for ease of transfers.
* Should the worst-case situation happen anyway (they gave your room away and do not have another comparable room to provide you), insist that the front desk staff reach out to other area hotels to help you identify an alternative hotel room. Further, if this happens, advocate strongly against being required to spend more for your replacement room than what your deal would have been at the original hotel. Its the hotel mistake in this situation, hotel staff can obtain the comparable pricing on your behalf.

1.2. United Spinal Association: Accessible Transportation Solutions

1.3. Emerging Horizons

Emerging Horizons is a consumer oriented magazine about accessible travel. Emerging Horizons' primary focus is travel for people with mobility disabilities; everybody from wheelchair-users to slow walkers.

1.4. Handicapped Travel Club

Handicapped Travel Club
The HTC encourages people with disabilities and their families to travel, to meet and to share information on making recreational vehicles accessible for the disabled.

1.5. I Can Travel

I Can Travel
Explore a broad range of handicapped-friendly travel opportunities and discover special cruises, tours and discounts. Learn how to plan your trip properly and what questions to ask before you set out on your journey.

1.6. Matching Houses

Matching Houses
Holiday house exchange where people with disabilities swap houses with other people who have the same accessibility needs.

1.7. The Disabled Traveler

The Disabled Traveler
Web site run by consumer with a disability

1.8. Timeshare Resorts

Wheelchair Accessible Timeshare Resorts
If you are looking to purchase a timeshare that will accommodate your individual needs, this list is a great place to start your search.

1.9. Tips on Finding a Good Wheelchair Accessible Hotel

WhenWeTravel is a travel web site that gives you the power to search for specific vacation and travel destinations, tourist attractions, activities, restaurants, hotel accommodations, and airfare based on your unique requirements.

Excerpt from New Mobility Magazine:

On Feb. 16 2010 one of the largest hotel sites, Hotels.com, announced new features enabling users to search for rooms based on specific needs, such as wheelchair access and roll-in showers. When an accessible room is reserved, Hotels.com will contact the user to confirm the reservation or, if a room is unavailable, find a similar room at the same rate at another hotel.

2.1. Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)

Air Carrier Access Act of 1986

The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986, also known as the ACAA, was enacted to prohibit commercial airlines from discriminating against travelers with disabilities. Governed by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), the ACAA mandates rules and regulations for airlines operating in the United States to follow. A few rules under the ACAA specify airlines:  

• Cannot require travelers with disabilities to accept special services that the travelers do not request unless there are concerns for safety. 
• Cannot take adverse action against someone asserting the rights on their own or on behalf of a traveler with a disability. 
• Cannot limit number of passengers with disabilities on a flight. 
• Cannot charge for accommodations. 

Link to the entire Air Carrier Access Act legislation: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382

Continued advocacy... 

There is still a long way to go ensure that air travel is equitable and fair to all. There are many working groups, that serve to advocate for actions to enhance accessibility in air travel. Some of these continuing efforts have led to the passing of the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2017, which led to incorporate accountability measures regarding accessible air travel including the formation of the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee and increasing civil penalties for damages to mobility aids or injuries to travelers with disabilities.

2.2. Tips for Booking Your Flight

Below are considerations to take into account when booking your flight.

Research the Airlines

• Review the policies of various airlines regarding travelers with disabilities and choose the airline that best meets your needs. 

Try to find direct or nonstop flights to your destination

• If able, try to find nonstop or direct flights to your destination. If no direct flights are available, consider the time required for things like deplaning and traveling to a new gate. Once you’ve factored in all the time needed to meet your needs between flights, find the flight route that works best for you. 
• Types of flights:  
  • Connecting flights: Flights with scheduled stops that require you to change planes at connecting airports. If you choose this type of flight, make sure there is enough time between connections for things like deplaning and wheelchair assistance. 
  • Direct flights: Flights with a scheduled stop, typically to refuel or drop-off/pick-up travelers, before reaching your destination. Direct flights do not require a plane change, but you may need to deplane with your belongings during the break.
  • Nonstop flights: Flights that take you directly to your destination without any stops. If able, choose nonstop flights when booking your trip.
• If you’re traveling to a far destination, consider breaking up the travel into more than one day to allow your body to rest. 

Choose your seat accordingly to your needs (if able)

• Most airlines will prompt you to self-identify any accommodations you need when booking online. If, for any reason, a prompt does not appear, contact the airline directly to provide advance notice of any accommodations you need. 

2.3. Flying with a Ventilator

The International Ventilator Users Network (IVUN) has a great website for information relative to traveling with a ventilator. Their website includes 

Ventilator Users and Their Advocates Are Asked to Contact Nancy Lauck Claussen, FAA, at nancy.l.claussen@faa.gov, to expedite the approval of ventilators for flying and/or delay the implementation of the specific regulation requiring a sticker until the FAA and the manufacturers complete the process. Claussen acknowledged that the FAA stickers are not readily available but the DOT decided to go ahead with the ruling because of its many other improved initiatives for people with disabilities. So for now, it is "up to the carriers."

2.4. TSA Screening

TSA CARES

Every traveler is required to go through the TSA checkpoint for screening. Fortunately, TSA has helpline, TSA CARES, available to provide travelers with disabilities with assistance regarding the screening process. It is best to contact TSA CARES 72 hours before traveling for any specific questions or accommodations you may have.

TSA CARES is available by phone on weekdays from 8 AM to 11 PM EST and from 9 AM to 8 PM EST on weekends and holidays. The phone number for TSA CARES is:

1-855-787-2227

You may also fill out their online form to request assistance at the security checkpoint. 

Disability Notification Card

TSA advises travelers with disabilities to fill out a Disability Notification Card in advance to present to the TSA officers at the security checkpoint. The card notifies the officers that you may need alternative screening procedures. 

2.5. Contact Information for Accessible Travel Services for Major US Airlines

Below is a list of phone numbers and webpages on accessible travel for major US airlines. 

2.6. What to Do if Something Goes Wrong? Complaints Procedure

If you experience any issues or feel that your rights as a traveler with disability were violated while traveling, follow the steps below:

1. Document any damages, injuries, or other issues caused by the airline.
   • Take pictures and videos as needed for evidence.
   • Obtain the names of airline personnel involved.
   • Obtain contact information of witnesses, if able.
2. File a complaint with the airline’s Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). Make sure you get the CRO's name for reference.                                                                                        ........................................................................................................................................................................................
3. The CRO will provide you with a written statement on whether they agree or disagree if an ACAA violation occurred.
   1. If the CRO agrees that a violation of the ACAA occurred, the written statement that the CRO provides must include a summary of the incident and the action steps that the carrier proposes to take in response.
   2. If the CRO disagrees that a violation of the ACAA did not occur, the written statement that the CRO provides must include a summary of the incident and an explanation of why the incident did not violate ACAA standards.
4. File a complaint with the USDOT within 6 months of the day of the incident.
   1. Option #1: Submitting an Air Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form
   2. Option #2: Sending a letter by mail to: 

2.7. VIDEO: Air Travel Tips for Wheelchair Users

Check out this webinar discussion among United Spinal Association staff members on tips for traveling by plane as a wheelchair user.  

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djNg6-finzw

2.8. VIDEO: How to Self-Transfer onto an Aisle Chair

Check out this how-to video by Spinal Cord Injury BC on how to self-transfer on to an aisle chair.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvcFmhTKujY

DISCLAIMER! This video and transfer technique does not apply to everyone. Please consult with your physical or occupational therapist prior to attempting this. 

3.1. Easy Access Travel

Dedicated to meeting the special needs of disabled & mature travelers

Easy Access Travel Specializes in Accessible Cruise Vacations and Packaged Land Tours for Persons with Physical Disabilities.

3.2. Disney Accessible Cruise destinations

Accessible Disney cruise ports: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/accessible-port-adventures/

3.3. Travel For All

                                                                   Travel For All

United Spinal members are invited to plan their next vacation adventure with Travel For All, accessible travel specialists. Travel for All is offering a discount to United Spinal members and donating 15% to United Spinal on commissions from each booked trip. Enjoy this vacation video and complete this contact form to contact Travel for All and book your next adventure!

                                                              Book your travel now!

3.4. Wheel the World

Wheel the World
Telephone: +1 (628) 900 7778
Wheel the World is a comprehensive guide for travelers with disabilities to find and book accessible travel experiences. Find and book accessible Places to Stay, Things to Do, and Multi-day Trips +160 destinations with detailed information about accessibility and an experienced customer support staff.

4.1. Africa

4.2. Asia

Accessible Nepal Travel — Kathmandu, Nepal
Email:  Connect@AccessibleNepal.Com
Accessible Nepal specializes in accessible tours in Nepal. Their mission is to empower their community by bringing people with reduced mobility closer to the beauties of Nepal. Accessible Nepal offers different tour activities planned in detail for people with physical disabilities, depending on each traveler’s needs.

4.3. Europe

Accessible Greece

Accessible Turkey

5.1. Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel Online Resources

Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel Online Resources is exactly the kind of tool that can help demystify travel and give you the confidence to make a leap abroad. This 99-page PDF was curated by Martin Heng, an Australian with quadriplegia, and is available for free download via Lonely Planet's web site.

This guide includes country-by-country resource listings and accessible travel agent listings for more than 40 countries, synopses of key travel blogs and websites, and tons of great tips. Available for free download from Lonely Planet's website. 

5.2. Curb Free with Cory Lee

Curb Free with Cory Lee

A blog from Cory Lee (an avid traveler)— Sharing the World From a Wheelchair User's Perspective. 

5.3. 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers is the first guidebook dedicated exclusively to wheelchair-accessible destinations, lodgings and recreational opportunities.

5.4. Papa Wheelie Blog

Papa Wheelie is a blog detailing the first-hand travel experiences of a wheelchair user and his family as they explore the world. Every hotel, resort and cruise ship is reviewed in detail from an accessibility point of view. The good, the bad and the ugly of each experience is shared and pictures of important accessibility features that are difficult to find elsewhere are included with each post (grab bars, wheel-under sinks, wheel-in showers, etc.).

5.5. TRAC Bus Travel-ADA Guidance

Transit Research Accessibility Center (TRAC) is designed to educate people about the ADA required accessible features of fixed route buses. The APP applies only to the Albany, NY area at this time but the training videos are relevant nationwide regarding ADA transit requirements

5.6. Wheelchair Traveling

Wheelchair Traveling was created in 2006 and works to empower people with limited mobility, their friends, and loved ones to access and experience the world of adventure and leisure travel.