Travel

Get out of town: the world awaits you. The Big Sur coast in California, the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the nightlife of Las Vegas. Or, how about the beautiful cities of Europe, the great peaks of Peru, the soothing beaches of the Caribbean?

For many people there is nothing so invigorating as travel. It renews the spirit, recharges the imagination.

Away from the controlled environment of home, of course, most of the planet is not paved. Even in modern urban settings, things are not always accessible.

Travel can be a challenge no matter your level of comfort with uncertainty. Outside of the U.S., bathrooms are going to be a problem. Curbs may not be cut. Airlines have been known to mangle wheelchairs and scooters. But the hassles and even the horror stories supply the contrast to make the good parts all the more special.

But when you’re ready to hit the road or the high seas, it’s best to be well informed. Know what you’re getting into, and what you might expect once you get there.

Some tourists like to have it pretty much laid out for them – if it’s Friday this must be Frankfort. But others, the travelers, embrace the uncertainty and the true adventure of the experience.

You might have heard that the most important piece of luggage is a joyful heart. Or that the heaviest baggage is the empty purse. The best advice is to take all advice with a grain of salt, to be prepared as best you can and be open to the adventure.

Access-Able Travel SourceHi, we are Bill and Carol Randall and we live in Colorado. We have always liked to travel and like many of you don't get to do it enough. Carol has MS and uses a wheelchair or scooter. This has given us some first hand experience with unpleasant surprises and access problems. That's why we started Access-Able Travel Source. We are an information service! We are not travel agents, just travelers. We think we have come up with a way to help fellow travelers.

Access to RecreationOffers some interesting products that may come in handy during your travels.

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on Medical Air Transportation (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on Travel (PDF)

AmtrakAmtrak enjoys a good reputation among travelers with disabilities, offers information on reservations, accessible coaches and sleeping accommodations, boarding, use of oxygen, etc.

Emerging HorizonsLots of information in this accessible travel magazine covering news, resources and travel tips.

Environmental Traveling CompanionsOffers outdoor adventures.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Information on laws regarding air travel for persons with disabilities.

Mobility International USAThe National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange has programs to increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange programs.

The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH)A clearinghouse for accessible tourism information, dedicated to a barrier-free environment throughout the travel and tourism industry.

ScootAround IncOffers scooter and wheelchair rentals in dozens of North America destinations

Quality of Life Grants DatabaseFind resources within the PRC Quality of Life Grants Database. Search by Zip Code, State or an Entire Category.

Library Books and VideosFind resources within the PRC library catalog.

FREE: a comprehensive information tool for people affected by paralysis and for those who care for them. In English and Spanish. Request your copy. Read the online version.

Check out programs in your area on our one-of-a kind online searchable Quality of Life program database. You can search by location or topic. GO

The information provided in the Paralysis Resource Center was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 1U59DD000338 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.