TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

TravelAbility Report: March 2019

Handicap Accessible vs. Wheelchair Accessible: Do You Know the Difference?

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Entire family with Dad in front sitting in wheelchair

All accessibility is not equal, although there is some crossover, according to an informative post on thrivingwithparalysis.com. The author clarifies the differences according to her personal experience as a caregiver. This piece covers all the details from ‘the dreaded aisle seat, the perfect table for a wheelchair user and more.  

OUR TAKE: There’s no better expert than a traveler with a disability or their caregiver. This blog, with all of its details, couldn’t possibly be written with such detailed and trustworthy advice had in not been done by a caregiver whose got a lot of real-life knowledge to share. Destinations, attractions, and hotels would be wise to take caregiver through a tour of a place and do some on the spot usability testing.  It’s the little things that can make a huge difference in a traveler’s experience.

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We Took the Bait! Could This Be the Most Accessible Fishing Cabin in America?

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Cabins that are wheelchair accessible are few and far, reports Emerging Horizons. But this find called Rhinelander Cabin in Wisconsin’s North Woods is a winner. It’s an example of what possible, even in a remote location. It designed by a wheelchair user, so the property has all the comforts of home and the access to match. Scroll through the photos and check out that roll-in shower—pretty darn nice! 

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OUR TAKE: Wisconsin is catching up to the National Parks we wrote about last month, where accessibility is top of mind.

 

 

7 Wow-Worthy Destinations Where Using A Wheelchair Isn’t a Hassle

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centuries old trees in a park with green grassThe Getty Museum offers wheelchairs for free. The San Diego Zoo provides special parking, restrooms and access to shows. New Orleans’ oldest parks have plenty of paved paths to get around.  And of course, there’s always The White House. 

OUR TAKE: If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Accessibility shouldn’t be a second thought—it should be top of mind and easy to find on your website, in advertising when visiting. Yes, the destination is the real gem, but if 1 in 5 people with a disability can’t access all it has to offer, it loses some of its sheen. See all of MSN.com’s picks in their slideshow.
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62-Year-Old Autistic Man Creates His Dream Board Game Called Keys to the Capitals

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A Tulsa resident who was diagnosed with autism late in life said that as a kid he spent hours creating games in his mind. He kept them all a secret—for 24 years. But when he was diagnosed with autism, he pulled out his old ideas and began creating a board game that has players heading acroCove of the Keys to the Capitals game box with keys and a map of statesss the country finding the Keys to each state Capital in a prop plane. The game helps kids plan routes, learn geography and memorize the state capitals.

OUR TAKE: This Tulsa native’s experience shows how autism takes many forms and can be diagnosed at any age. Happily, his imagination led him across the U.S. on a travel adventure. READ MORE 

 

 

 

 

New Airline Therapy Dog Guidelines May Not Sit Well with Some

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It’s looA pug stares with a frown into the cameraking like some fuzzy friends will have a tougher time getting on board than they have in past years. The latest guidelines on flying with emotional support animals were announced, covering when and how pets can be transported. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules come on the heels of news that airlines and attendants were being overwhelmed by the number of emotional support animals—cats, dogs, bunnies, birds and beyond— being checked in to planes with their owners as emotional support animals. There were also safety concerns. The DOT remains committed to ensuring that our air transportation system is safe and accessible for everyone. Law enforcement’s focus will be on clear violations of the current rule and alleged violations of the Air Carrier Access Act, according to the report.

OUR TAKE: The guidelines clearly recognize the importance of service animals but are stricter on species, breeds, and documentation in advance of flights. (They do not banish pit bulls, but passengers with pigs, peacocks and squirrels should probably plan alternate routes. The rule favors airlines, saying that they have the right to turn away requests or animals if they seem to be of any threat to the public. .Animals can also be deterred if they are too large or too heavy or too small (under four months). The final statement can be found at regulations.gov, docket number DOT-OST-2018-0067.

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