Accessible travel gives wheelers freedom
by Josiah Bruch, Outpost staff
When it comes time to go on vacation, most people just decide where to go and make the reservation. But some of us need to plan our vacations with more attention to detail.
If you're in a wheelchair or traveling with someone in a wheelchair, you know that planning a vacation can be more involved than it normally would.
You need to make sure that the hotel you stay at is accessible, or it will be a long vacation. One thing that will instantly kill the excitement of going on a trip is slamming into the narrow door-jam of the bathroom door when you get there.
And then there are the activities. Events you want to attend and sights you plan to see need to be accessible as well.
In the United States, most hotels and public venues have complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning they have to have at least one accessible room. But that law doesn't apply abroad, meaning international travel is often a challenge.
While most local travel agencies will try to help disabled travelers, a few national companies are committed to providing the best arrangements for individuals with disabilities. One of those companies is Nautilus Tours & Cruises, LTD.
SE Unlimited, based in South Dakota, will also work with you to create a tailor-made travel program on request. I went to Europe over Christmas and spoke with SE Unlimited about my vacation. Not knowing what, if anything would be accessible, I asked some questions. They were very informative and sent me all the information I needed about lodging and transportation.
Itineraries can include Italian cities like Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence and many others. The company will help you plan a vacation wherever you want to go. I went to Germany, France, Holland and Switzerland and had a great time thanks to the information I received. Special vans with lifts are available and will carry three wheelchair users and four able-bodied passengers. If you go to Florence however, vans can only carry one wheeler. SE Unlimited will help you locate the accessible vans.
Accessible tour busses are available for large groups as well. Although I was traveling with one other person and didn't need a huge bus, I got a chance to see one. Most of these vehicles have 40-60 seats, have three wheelchair spaces and eight seats for passengers with disabilities. There is enough room under the busses to put wheelchairs in if you prefer to get out of your wheelchair and use a seat. The cool thing about these busses is the accessible bathroom right there ready to use. I wanted to use it just because I could.
SE Unlimited does not have a web page, but can by reached at (800) 552-9798.
Traveling in a wheelchair can be much easier than you think with some research and good planning. With the help of SE Unlimited, you are just days away from traveling with confidence. Whether you want to go on a cruise, camping, sight-seeing or Disneyland, there is a way if there's a will. Just focus and do it! There are lots of people willing to help if you ask.
Posted May 10, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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