Accommodations
Accommodations can be tricky as different people and countries have different ideas about accessibility. It’s wise to know in advance the size and width of your wheelchair, walker or other mobility device so you can clearly explain what’s necessary and make sure it is available prior to your arrival.
A number of things you ought to look for are the following:
- Bathrooms should have grab rails, commodes, shower stalls and bath lifts. (For more information on accessible bathrooms, click here.)
- The room as a whole should have a bed that’s neither too high nor too low for you to get in and out of, sufficient room to turn a wheelchair or walker, wide doors and ramps as needed.
- Sight- impaired travelers could benefit from special television sets, large print signs, bright lighting and special services, such as guides for visually impaired tourists.
- Hearing impaired people could use televisions with subtitles, special alarm and telephone equipment, as well as guides who know sign language.
In the U.S., public restrooms must have at least one stall designed for handicapped access. For every six additional stalls, one stall must be added that conforms to the rules of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Each ADA stall should be 36 inches wide with a door that swings out to allow wheelchair users to enter. The toilet should be no higher than 19 inches, and two grab bars must be placed around the toilet to help users transfer from a chair.
Accommodations are important, but it’s also wise to consider how close the hotel is to attractions you’ll want to see, whether it has a restaurant, an accessible swimming pool, etc. For more information on what to look for and questions to ask before booking, please see: Wheelchair Accessible Hotels The site also lists hotels and Bed and Breakfasts with at least one accessible room.
If you’ve a wheelchair, look for dining areas that are wide enough for you to enter, with tables spaced sufficiently apart to allow for a wheelchair to fit through without disturbing others.
