Planning an accessible road trip just got a little easier for people with disabilities. There are more resources being created by and for the disability community, and the tourism industry is beginning to recognize the value of accessible travel. As someone who is disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent, I take road trips every year and have learned a few tips and tricks along the way.
rent a car
Most major car companies offer adaptive drives for their vehicles at no additional cost. For example, the Enterprise offers hand controls, left-foot accelerator, pedal extenders, and spinner knobs to make steering easier. Depending on your budget, we can provide hand controls, spinner knobs, panoramic mirrors, swivel seats, and transfer boards. Please allow at least 3 business days in advance to request your adaptive device.
If you want a wheelchair-accessible van with a ramp or lift, rent from a mobility company like BraunAbility, one of the nation's largest wheelchair-accessible van manufacturers. Many locations offer rentals. MobilityWorks, an accessible vehicle and adaptive equipment dealer, has rental locations in 34 states. AccessibleGO provides a one-stop shop for adaptive rental cars and wheelchair-accessible vans, with agreements in place with 100 wheelchair van rental locations nationwide. Request a quote on our website. For AccessibleGO rental cars, you can request hand controls and spinner knobs at checkout.
route planning
For initial accessibility research using photos and Street View, you can use Google Maps, Waze, and MapQuest. Google Maps provides directions for wheelchair-accessible pedestrian and transit routes.
Sites like Roadtrippers and Furkot allow you to plan your entire itinerary. Although these websites are not disability-specific, they are an invaluable tool. (Roadtrippers' search feature includes a wheelchair accessible check box.) You can filter by destination type, such as national parks or museums, or search for hotels and campgrounds. Furkot allows you to enter your daily driving time, whether you want to hit the interstate or take more scenic roads. The app determines the best route and time between stops and suggests places to stay overnight.
Find accommodation
Hotels and other lodging facilities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but many hotels do not meet all accessibility needs. Most booking sites list hotels with accessible rooms for people with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, and visual impairments, but this information is not always verified. Do more research and look for photos on review sites. Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Fairmont hotels offer allergy-free and fragrance-free rooms in some areas. Please call the hotel to confirm accessibility and ensure your specific room is reserved.
Vacation rentals typically do not have to be ADA compliant, but some do provide accessibility information. Airbnb recently introduced categories with accessibility search features and homes scanned for accessibility. Check photos and contact host for details. Some hosts will do things like replace cleaning supplies or move furniture, but document your request using an in-app messaging system so that customer service can help if an issue arises.
Wheel the World is an accessible travel agency offering reservations at over 3,000 verified accessible hotels in the United States. Hotels are directly reviewed by trained evaluators. Only those that meet the criteria will be listed. Register as a disabled traveler or companion and complete a personal profile with options to accommodate a variety of disabilities and accessibility needs. The site provides a list of matches to your profile, with options for broad matches, good matches, and salient matches.
food and medicine
There are various options for keeping food and medicine cold while traveling. Electric coolers can be plugged into your vehicle's 12-volt outlet, but be careful about the type of cooling mechanism. Cheaper versions are usually thermoelectric and only cool down to about 30 degrees below ambient temperature (if it's 70 degrees inside the car, it will cool down to 40 degrees). Compressor coolers are expensive but maintain normal refrigeration temperatures.
Many hotels have small refrigerators. If you know you'll be stopping by the fridge most nights, layer the cooler with large ice packs and essentials, then layer an insulating layer like an ice pack on top. This will keep everything cold for days at a time.
Also, carry a single-burner cooktop (electric for indoor use, propane for use at a rest area or campsite) and a set of camping utensils so you can cook your meals safely. I recommend traveling.
Some of the best apps to find food, restaurants, and grocery stores for your dietary needs include Fig for allergy-friendly options, Happy Cow for vegan-friendly options, and Find Me Gluten Free for celiac-safe spots. there is. Add your favorite options to your route planning app so you know where to stop.
Find activities
In addition to the apps mentioned in the route planning section, state and local tourism organizations are also good sources for finding accessible destinations.
National parks and monuments that are required to meet federal accessibility guidelines typically have visitor centers and recreation sites with accessible features. Each park's website provides information as well as the programs and services within the park. Accessibility varies, but you can usually find information about wheelchair-accessible trails and campsites, tactile and audio features, assistive listening devices, and American Sign Language interpretation.
State parks may have inconsistent accessibility features, but you can usually find some information on each park's website.
Apps like AllTrails list wheelchair-friendly trails across the country, but the information may not be verified, so check with your park or land manager for confirmation. Parks with easily accessible trails include Redwood National Park, North Cascades National Park, Badlands National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Shiren Nagakiri, non-profit founder hiker with a disability author of and “A Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon” and “A Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California” Among other guidebooks, he has led group hikes and conducted evaluations throughout the United States.
