Accessible travel and tourism

What is Accessible Tourism? 

Accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavor to ensure tourist destinations, products, and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities, or age.

MOST ACCESSIBLE BEACHES AND PARKS TO VISIT IN CONNECTICUT 

Farmington River Trail (Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury, CT)

Heritage Trail (Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury, CT)

Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands and Squantz Pond: Beach wheelchairs available, Need to show drivers license to rent

Saugatuck Universal Access Trail (Centennial Watershed State Forest, Redding CT)

MOST ACCESSIBLE MUSEUMS, THEATRES, AND AMUSEMENT PARKS IN CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Science Center, Hartford

Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic

Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven

Hartford Stage, Hartford

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic

New England Air Museum, East Granby

Lake Compounce, Bristol

Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket

MOST ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN CONNECTICUT 

Ski Sundown, New Hartford

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme

Leap of Faith Adapted Waterskiing

New England Science & Sailing, Stonington

Manes and Motions: Therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving

MOST ACCESSIBLE PLACES TO VISIT IN THE U.S.

Hawaii

Stagecoach Guest Ranch in Yuka, Arizona

Niagara Falls, New York

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO

Back Country Trail System, Orange Beach, AL

Florida

Wilderness Trails, Etses Park, Colorado

USS Midway Museum San Diego, CA

Philadelphia, PA

NATIONAL PARKS PASS

  • A free, lifetime pass- available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability)
  • May be obtained free in person at a federal recreation site
  • Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Federal operated recreation sites across the country
  • Photo identification may be required to verify ownership
  • Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen

MOST ACCESSIBLE PLACES TO VISIT IN THE WORLD 

Playa De Carmen, Mexico

Barcelona, Spain

Sicily, Italy

Melbourne, Australia

Singapore

Vienna, Austria

BEACH TRAVEL 

Wheeleez All Terrain Beach rollator

Sandpad EZ cane tip 

RESOURCES FOR ADAPTIVE TRAVELING

Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel Online Resources

    • Provides:

      • Country-by-country resources for accessible traveling around the world

      • Travel agents, tour operators, & commercial operators

      • Specialist sports organizations  

Link to resource: 

 https://media.lonelyplanet.com/shop/media/accessible-travel-online-resources-2017-2.pdf

Private Forum on Facebook

Apps 

Friendly Like Me

  • This app allows you to search for restaurants and stores that make accessibility a priority

  • Allows you to see others reviews and ratings of different locations in order to best find locations that meet your needs

Link to resource:

 https://www.friendlylikeme.com/

Tips for traveling

  • Request a wheelchair from the airport:

    -Airports tend to be busy places

    -This can help to decrease feelings of tiredness before boarding the plane

    -You can request a wheelchair when you make your flight reservation








  • Pack noise cancelling ear plugs for the plane ride









  • Sit in a window seat that has the window on your unaffected side







  • Use the bathroom before entering the plane, give yourself plenty of time if using the bathroom on the plane.







  • Bring a lightweight wheelchair with you to place your baggage. It is easier to push a wheelchair than it is to pull a bag. You also can sit in the wheelchair if seats are not available at the gate.







  • Opt for TSA pre-check 1-866-289-9673 so you won't have to remove your AFO during screening





  • Bring enough medication to get through the trip

    -It is a good idea to bring some extra in case you experience a delay






  • Make yourself a written itinerary for your trip

    -This can serve as a good memory guide to refer to throughout the trip






  • It is important to remember to drink water if you are on a long flight in order to stay hydrated

    -Reduces the risk of blood clots






  • You may also consider wearing elastic compression stockings to reduce the risk of blood clots










  • Bring your portable blood pressure cuff







  • Purchase international travel insurance if flying out of country.






  • It is important to remember to move around throughout the flight to prevent blood clots

    -Windshield wiper exercise

    -Pointing toes towards the sky/Point toes towards the floor (Dorsiflexion/Plantar flexion)