Mary Thompson is enjoying her tour of Sicily, which includes a cooking class in
Palermo, wine tasting in Marsala and a stop at the magnificent Piazza Duomo square in
Catania.
Bill and Betty Condon are equally pleased with their cruise along the Mississippi River,
with daily shore excursions to explore towns and other attractions along the way.
While these travel experiences are different in a number of ways, they share a common
trait. Both are accessible to people with disabilities.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, more than one in four
adults in the United States has some form of disability. Fortunately, this doesn’t
prevent many of them from traveling to places near and far from where they live.
Companies Making Travel Accessible for All
Some tour companies specialize in offering trips for individuals with disabilities. These
challenges vary from sight and hearing problems to mobility issues and other impediments. The goal is to provide an experience as equal as possible to that available to those with no such impairment.
Whether you or a travel companion deals with injury, loss of movement, or other potential obstacles, help is on the way.
Mary Thompson received the assistance she sought and needed during her tour of Sicily with Easy Access Travel. This is a company that specializes in accessible land trips and
cruise vacations.
As a result, Mary traveled through Sicily in a Mercedes Sprinter van equipped with an elevating platform and room enough to accommodate her open wheelchair. This enabled Mary to visit historic and other sites along the way comfortably.
The Condons were staying in one of the accessible wheelchair-friendly rooms, which are
available on American Cruise Lines ships. They appreciated the elevator, which provides ease of movement between decks. Also, the fact that the dining room, lounges and sun decks are wheelchair friendly.
That also held true when they went ashore to participate in the daily sightseeing excursions that were offered.
Matching Adventures to Your Ability Level
Given the company’s name, it’s not surprising that Elder Treks caters to people aged 50
and older. With that in mind, it rates trips on an activity level scale so participants may
choose one that fits their preferences and physical state.
Those who opt for itineraries identified as “easy” should be able to walk one to two
hours through “varying levels of rugged terrain.”
“Challenging” hikes may last five or more hours, cover at least five miles and traverse slopes that may be slippery.
As its name implies, Travel for All specializes in customized vacations for people with a
variety of disabilities. The company works with more than 1,000 suppliers around the
world, including land and tour operators, and cruise lines.
After ascertaining a customer’s preferences and needs, the firm provides recommendations intended to fit individual travel styles.
Specialized Support for Travelers With Visual Impairments
Appropriately named Seable Holidays goes well beyond just suggesting a trip for those
with a visual impairment. It provides much of the planning and work that is involved. Travelers who are blind or partially sighted pick dates and a destination, submit a wish
list and the company takes over.
Local chaperones with visual awareness training, who are knowledgeable about the
destination and its history, spend 8-to-10 hours a day with visitors. In addition to introducing the top sites and attractions, these guides use their familiarity with the setting to steer visitors to the best local restaurants, avoid tourist traps and arrange private behind-the-scenes experiences.
This kind of help can take a travel experience to the next level. From experiencing a locale
through the eyes of a resident to cruising along the Mighty Mississippi. Whether
sampling the sights of Sicily or enjoying a hike suited to your fitness level, a wide range
of experiences awaits those who wish to venture out near and far from home.
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