Better together – disability parent Q&A

Q: How can we make traveling with a disability simpler?

A: I appreciate that the person asking included that little “r.” Traveling with a disability may never be simple, but it can certainly be simpler.

Responses from readers included things that the travel industry can do to remove barriers, while all suggestions for travelers focused on sticking with known quantities.

Use Wheel the World to plan your trip. Wheel the World hosts group trips that are fully accessible with no planning required on your end. If you’re looking to plan your own trip, they also feature hundreds of destinations with verified accessibility. Going with a Wheel the World verified destination makes it easy to search accessibility features to make sure each stop of your journey is able to meet your needs.

Follow disabled travelers who have gone before. Disability travel blogs are abundant. It’s becoming rare that you can search accessibility information for a destination and not find a blogger or writer who has gone before. These blogs often have full itineraries that include attractions, dining, hotels, and even street, parking, and transportation accessibility. Wonders Within Reach is a good example for family travel, as Elijah’s Baby Bucket List. Cory Lee has probably covered the most destinations and offers helpful insights, even if it’s not always aimed at families.

Just ask. Even if you’re not able to find an article on your destination of choice, it’s not likely that you’re the sole trail blazer. Check out community groups like tabifolk, Accessible Travel Community, and The World is Accessible to ask even your most disability-specific questions. The large member base is helpful for sorting anything from which bus route is easiest to how to get your prescriptions filled to cover your trip.

Next Issue:

Q: How have real families navigated mixed-access needs?