Spring is fast approaching, and with the season come spring vacations. When choosing the best destination for you or your family, there are many things to consider, but one of the most important aspects to think of is accessibility. As an adult with disabilities, you want to relax and enjoy your vacation without the added worry of planning around inaccessibility or stressful situations. To help you plan your perfect trip for the perfect spring getaway, take a look at our top five accessible vacation destinations for adults with disabilities—
Miami, Florida
Looking for somewhere sunny and warm this season? Miami is a wonderful option for you. Many beaches in this gorgeous city are wheelchair accessible, including South Beach, Hollywood Beach, and Haulover Park. These locations and many others have wheelchair-specific access points, rentable beach wheelchairs, and accessible bathrooms available for guests of all mobility levels. Miami’s attractions, such as the Miami Seaquarium and Wynwood Walls, also have many accessible features available. In addition, all hotels in Miami are required to provide ADA-compliant accessible amenities, ensuring that no matter your needs, your stay will be a comfortable and fun-filled experience.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu has long been the ultimate getaway for folks from all over the world, and it just so happens to also be one of the most accessible. Like Miami, many of the famous beaches prioritize accessibility for individuals with disabilities, offering all-terrain wheelchairs, ramps, and other amenities. This destination is also equipped with accessible transportation through their public bus service, TheBus, and transportation program specifically for individuals with disabilities, TheHandi-Van. Exciting and informative attractions like the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and Pearl Harbor are very accessible with wheelchair-friendly accommodations, ASL-interpreters upon request, and assistive listening devices, among many other features.
Barcelona, Spain
If you are looking to head across the pond this season for a rich and beautiful cultural experience, Barcelona is the place for you. Not only is this destination an incredible place with amazing history, it has been described by many travelers with disabilities as being accessible in every way you can imagine. Nearly everything in the city is accessible—public transportation, museums, beaches, parks, hotels, you name it. Even the cobblestone streets, which are often a problem for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, have paved pathways, so you will have no problem getting around. Whether you want to gaze at original Picassos, do some shopping in Rambla del Mar, experience the ever-evolving beauty of Sagrada Familia, or enjoy some time in the sun on one the city’s beaches, you will always find that Barcelona is committed to accessibility.
London, United Kingdom
Another famous and wonderful destination for your travels this season is London. Like Barcelona, it is known as one of the most accessible cities in Europe. While the size of the city may make it seem like a daunting visit, the transportation system is very well equipped to accommodate individuals with disabilities, whether you prefer the Tube, the bus, taxis, or trains. The paved sidewalks are easy to navigate, and ramps are extremely common. London’s famous attractions, such as the British Museum, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, are all accessible for wheelchair users, and many include special features for individuals with auditory impairments, visual impairments, and sensory needs. There is always something new to discover in London, and with these features, it is definitely a wonderful accessible vacation destination for disabled adults.
Costa Rica
If you are a lover of the outdoors and warm weather, take a look at the vibrant country of Costa Rica. Many of the national parks in the nation feature accessible trails for trekking in the rainforests, so you will never miss one opportunity to see the beauty of these natural locations. If you are more of a beach kind of person, Costa Rica offers accessible beaches, with wheelchair-friendly areas and adaptive equipment available for use. Want to try something new? This destination has opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn and enjoy adaptive surfing! Like all of the places mentioned above, Costa Rica’s hotels are very accessible, and you can easily make specific requests for your room to fit your needs. Costa Rica has taken many steps as a nation to make sure its most popular attractions and locations are accessible for all.
You deserve to relax and enjoy yourself on your vacation—picking a fun, accessible destination is one of the best ways to make sure this happens. Planning trips as an adult with disabilities can be stressful, with so many parts to consider. What is the best method of travel for your needs? Will the lodging be accommodating? Are there spots and activities you can easily access? We understand that these questions can be hard to answer, and this is why we are happy to provide you with resources to help you plan your dream trip with accessibility in mind. This help goes beyond the first step of finding accessible vacation destinations and into the logistics that come with it to ensure that you are given the best opportunities to enjoy your vacation. Looking to take a vacation this spring? Feel free to contact us.