Barrier–Free Travel

Q&As with Barrier-Free Travel Author, Candy Harrington

Q: What led you to start writing about accessible travel, and eventually to write Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers?

Harrington: I’ve been a travel writer for over 30 years, and about 12 years ago I decided to cover accessible travel. Nobody was really doing it at that time and to be honest, it just seemed like a challenge. In 1997 I founded Emerging Horizons, a magazine which focuses on accessible travel.

Barrier-Free Travel is the result of my experience with Emerging Horizons. I found a lot of new resources over the years, but I kept answering the same basic questions over and over again. At one point I finally realized there was a need for a comprehensive resource on the basics of barrier-free travel. I guess you could say I wrote the book so I didn’t have to keep repeating myself.

Q: What kind of information does Barrier-Free Travel contain?

Harrington: Well, as the title suggests, the book focuses on travel for people with mobility disabilities -- from slow walkers to wheelchair-users. It’s a nuts and bolts guide that educates readers about access laws, so they know what to expect when they get on an airplane or call a hotel to reserve an accessible room. I included an expanded cruise chapter and added a new kids travel chapter in the second edition. There is also a long chapter about what to do when things go wrong, but I think the most popular chapter is the one about protecting your wheelchair when you fly.

Q: How have travel opportunities for people with disabilities changed or improved in the years since you started Emerging Horizons and wrote the first edition of Barrier-Free Travel?

Harrington: Well, I will definitely say there is improved access, and there are more accessible travel options today. When I first started, I had to really pound the pavement to find things that were accessible. Today, I have an oversupply, so I get to pick and choose. I think the travel and tourism industry finally realizes the spending potential of our aging Baby Boomer population.

Q: What are some of the best vacation destinations for people with disabilities?

Harrington: The great thing is, today you really have a choice in that matter. It depends on your tastes and your interests. It’s not like your only option is a theme park, although if you like theme parks there are certainly a lot of accessible choices in that category too.

Some of my favorite choices include the Rocky Mountaineer rail tour between Vancouver and Calgary, museum hopping in St. Petersburg (Florida), hitting the tourist highlights of London, cruising the Columbia River on the Queen of the West, kayaking in Maui, birding in South Texas and hiking in Yosemite.

Q: What is the biggest travel barrier facing people with disabilities today?

Harrington: The biggest problem that exists worldwide is the lack of accessible ground transportation. Now, some places are great. Take San Francisco, for example. There you’ll find accessible taxis and a pretty accessible public transportation system. Not all cities are like that. Still, there are work-arounds, and many people just take their own vehicles.

Q: What’s the best advice you can give someone with a disability who is thinking about traveling for the first time?

Harrington: I think the best thing a traveler can do is to learn their rights. I know that sounds incredibly boring, but not only will it let you know what to expect (so you know when to complain if things are not handled properly) but it can also save you money.

For example, under the ADA if a hotel provides a free airport shuttle, they also have to provide an accessible shuttle free of charge. Not all hotels own an accessible shuttle bus, so sometimes they contract out that service. That’s fine, but sometimes they try to charge customers for it. That’s not fine. Legally, they can’t do this, so if it happens to you, ask to speak to the manager. Again, not all front-line personnel know the law.

Q: How do you think legislation has helped or hindered accessible travel?

Harrington: Well, it’s helped because there are specific accessibility standards (ADA Accessibility Guidelines) for all new properties that are constructed today in the US. We even have trail standards and transportation standards. So new things being constructed today are, for the most part, very accessible. And outside the US, most first-world countries have some type of access-related legislation. I don’t think the US would be as accessible as it is today without the ADA. The law isn’t perfect, but it has improved access.

Q: Does travel often end up costing more for people with disabilities, because of special accommodations or arrangements?

Harrington: Accessible hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins are the same price as standard rooms and the airlines don’t charge extra for wheelchair assistance. Additionally, the airlines don’t charge extra to transport medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers. So in most cases, no, it doesn’t cost extra for accessible accommodations.

On the other hand, if you have to travel with an aide, you’ll have to pay for their expenses too, so in that respect it will cost extra. Some people get around this by traveling with a friend or family member who also acts as an aide.

Another place where you will pay more is for accessible rental vans. The average price is $100 per day for these specially equipped vans. That’s a big chunk of change for a week - $700 for an accessible van as opposed to $179 for a rental car. It should be noted that all US rental car outlets can provide hand controls (with 48 hours notice) at no extra charge. So if you can get by with a large car and hand controls, you can save a few bucks.

Q: Do people with disabilities typically need to start planning their travel farther in advance than other travelers?

Harrington: I would say in some cases, yes, especially for a cruise. If you want an accessible cabin, then you need to book very early, sometimes more than a year in advance. The accessible balcony cabins go like hotcakes, especially on Alaska cruises. But you should plan cruises early anyway, because in most cases you need to find accessible shore options on your own. If you can’t walk a few steps and transfer to a standard bus seat, the shore excursions the cruise lines offer are generally not wheelchair-accessible.

As for other types of travel, in most cases availability is not a big issue, so you don’t need a lot of lead time. I’m a great believer in researching your destination though, so I think you need enough lead time to do that. In most cases, you only have limited time in a destination and you don’t want to waste your time orienting yourself, trying to find a place to buy a map, finding out what days your favorite museum is open, or asking around to find out if the metro is accessible. You should do these things before you leave home.

Q: Does making travel more accessible for people with disabilities improve travel experiences for everyone, including those without disabilities?

Harrington: Yes. First off, I’m a great fan of integration. I think we should have inclusive tourist attractions and tours so that we are exposed to all types of people. That’s part of the whole travel experience after all - meeting new and different people.

Also, by making things accessible it’s easier on parents and grandparents with strollers. And it’s safer. You don’t have to worry about twisting your ankle on a curb, tripping on a raised threshold or falling down a few stairs.

In the long run, good access really benefits everyone.