Business & Vacation Travel for People with Disabilities

Whether you are in a wheelchair, hearing or seeing impaired, suffering from Parkinson’s, Epilepsy or other disability, planning and enjoying a vacation in the United States or abroad is only a telephone call away! Hotels, motels, travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines, theme parks, tour companies, restaurants, convention centers and chambers of congress across the globe now offer accessibility, accommodations and discounted travel opportunities for senior citizens and disabled people everywhere.

Every since passage of the American With Disabilities Act in 1990, enormous strides have been made in the United States and elsewhere, in providing complete public access for people with disabilities. In fact, any disabled person can routinely travel almost anywhere in the world, and do so in a very cost-effective and restricted-free manner. But before you rush out and grab the next ship or plane, there are a few things you should know and choices you must make when planning your trip.

DECIDING WHEN TO TRAVEL, AND WHERE AND HOW

Consider that “not anytime is the best time” for visiting the great outdoors, steaming up the wild Mississippi, enjoying a lovely Caribbean cruise or flying down to Cancun, Mexico for the weekend. Most vacation spots, including lodging and sight-seeing tours, are seasonal and often require reservations many months in advance of your stay. While Hawaii and the West Indies
may be fun-filled year-round, places like London, England and Nome, Alaska can be harsh in winter and not as tourist-friendly during certain months of the year. Some airlines and hotels only offer discounted fares and lodging - even to the disabled - during fall and winter months. And like them, cruise lines often try to book travelers for middle-of-the-week vacation travel.