An Oxford sunset
Photo by: Sara Haj-Hassan (Stock Exchange)

Howdy, all! It’s been great sharing travel tips with you and whipping up access guides for your exotic travel destinations.

I do hope you’ve found Disabled Travelers useful, and that you’ll keep rolling wherever your urge to travel takes you!

Sadly, this will be my final post on our blog, so I thought I would take the time to share a couple of personal memories about my favorite travel destinations.

Naturally, I’ll include some accessibility information so you can join in!

Oxford: Oxford is the first “university town” in the English-speaking world, and has been hosting international scholars — the first of these from France — for thousands of years. The university buildings are spread out across a bit more than seventeen square miles, and are totally intermingled with the town proper. Students are divvied up into “colleges,” all with their own focus and culture. Tourists come from all over the world to see the ancient buildings, housing research libraries, meeting places, and living space. I can honestly say that Oxford was the origin of my love of travel, as my first trip abroad was to study as a history student there as part of Trinity College.

Official accessibility info from the city here. Transport, including accessible taxis, here. Accessible hotels through AOL Travel here. London-area airports service Oxford; a bus service is available that makes the complete journey in a very short time. See National Express Coach for information on this, and our earlier London post for disabled travel resources focusing on the local airports.

Stockholm: Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and easily the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. The city itself is located on 14 islands, so ferry accessibility is both a necessity and a priority for the locals. It also features some of the lowest income inequality in the world and a widely bilingual population. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to get around and communicate. In fact, in my entire time in Sweden, I never looked at a map for more than two minutes without being helped by a friendly local. Be sure to visit the Kingsgarten area, a wonderful place to while away the day; home to beautiful fountains, historic statues of famous kings, and outstanding local and American cuisine. Though I only stopped a few days on a whirlwind tour of Scandinavia, I can’t wait to get back!

Disabled Travelers has done Stockholm here.

Dublin: No matter where you come from, Ireland is truly the greenest thing you’ll ever see. Flying in over that patchwork of amazing emerald shades is a great experience, and that’s before you even get where you’re going. I definitely recommend setting at least part of your Emerald Isle journey out in the countryside, among the rolling hills. (Frankly, even the golf courses are pretty amazing.) Accessibility can be patchy out there, but that’s why there’s a thriving business in bed-and-breakfasts that cater to your every need, including your mobility impaired access needs. This is truly Irish hospitality at its finest, and something I enjoyed recently in a trip to Cork and Blarney.

Disabled Travelers has done Dublin here.

Boston: If you’ve never been to Boston, you might think of it as an immense, rushed, and kind of impersonal city, the way New York can be. But in fact, Boston has a style and a flavor all its own, and often “acts” like a much smaller town. With northeastern influences, a distinct love of seafood, and a long intellectual tradition intertwined with the founding days of the nation, you’ll be amazed at your first visit. While you’re in the neighborhood, please don’t forget to visit Cambridge, home to some of the largest and oldest bookstores in the United States, including a thriving community of family-owned and secondhand stores like you can’t see anywhere else! I definitely recommend a guided tour to point out the historic sites and locales that are literally around every corner. During my wayward history days, a Ph.D. candidate in American history showed me around, and it was truly amazing.

AbilityTrip provides good “one stop shopping” on accessibility in Boston.

Well, folks, that’s it for me! Thanks for joining me on this great trip, and as always, adventure on!

Si

The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, one of my favorite destinations
Photo by: Alan Rainbow (Stock Exchange)

Thanks again for visiting Disabled Travelers!

You know, over the past many months we’ve covered a lot of territory, and some of our favorite sites – the ones that are most useful for handicapped travelers around the world – haven’t gotten as much attention as they used to.

In this post, we’ll visit some old favorites and also some new entries in the world of accessible travel, and take a little refresher course on what they offer and where to find them.

Quite a few new pages have popped up, too!

Let’s look …

Start off with 14 hot disabled travel tips from Independent Traveler, which also offers a great links page that covers a lot of topics including accessible cruises. Then try Global Access News for a local, ground-level perspective on international travel destinations; new travelogues from wheelchair users are posted every month! Current articles cover Prague, Amsterdam, and points of interest in England, and accessible hotels are highlighted, too. Speaking of hotels, please use Hotels.com and encourage them to continue expanding their disability-friendly search features!

Gimp on the Go is good for a collection of interesting travelogues; though the site itself hasn’t been updated in many moons, the archives are still worth visiting. Apparelyzed, a spinal cord injury support and community website, is also great for reading about others’ valuable international travel experiences. Disabled World also boasts a huge number of articles on many, many topics relevant to disabled travel, including accessible cruises, tour operators, and way more stuff than I could even list! Makoa.org also has a stellar general directory of handicapped travel links; prepare to be astonished!

Speaking of tour operators, Accessible Journeys has always been at the top of our scorecard. Providing customized, disability-friendly itineraries worldwide for over 25 years, it’s now visiting destinations including New Zealand, South Africa, Buenos Aires, Israel, and Chile. World on Wheelz is another well-established firm that seems to be everywhere at once: Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and the U.S. West, among many other places. It’s the only handicapped travel organization I know of to visit Ecuador and the Amazon! For another option that’s adventurous and challenging, Endeavor Safaris is a big name in African excursions for the wheeled crowd.

And what about wheelchairs? A lot of “all-terrain” wheelchairs have sprung up on the market, which we like to highlight from time to time for those who want to get off the beaten path. Renegade Wheelchairs is one of the pioneers in this biz; and many folks find the Renegade ideal for outdoor sports like hunting and fishing. Everyone enjoys a day at the beach, and you might want something more specialized for such a trip, so check out De Bug Beach Wheelchairs and Natural Access. For getting in the pool or spa, Aqua Creek products might be your best bet, and the Tiralo handles beautifully in the ocean!

So, here you see the best of the best, the creme de la creme, the Triple Crown winners of handicapped travel in a whole slew of categories. Also remember that we’ve covered dozens of destinations around North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and even a few trips down south now and again, so anything that’s not covered here is probably in there somewhere! It’s been a pleasure to serve you – thanks again for reading, and adventure on!

Si

Villa on the Amalfi coast of Italy
Photo by: Owen Tosh (Stock Exchange)

Welcome one and all to our August edition of Disabled Travelers for the Deaf.

Today, more great tour operators, news, articles, information, and handicapped travel resources just for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

I’m excited to get right down to it, so let’s dig in! And, as always, if there’s something I missed or you have a story to share, don’t be shy!

Drop me a line and let me know what you’re thinking! For now, onward …

I’m always mining the internet for great deaf tour operators, and though there aren’t as many as I’d like, the ones that are out there are highly regarded – and sometimes it’s a good idea to check in and see what’s new. Deaf World Travel UK, for example, has some amazing trips planned in September and October to cover Brazil and Tunisia. Past trips have included Egypt, Cuba, Thailand, and the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, famed accessible scuba diving outfit Worldwide Dive and Sail is embarking on a ten-day trip to the Visaya Islands. The trip is going on as you read this, so needless to say it’s a touch late to get involved. But the Worldwide crew is specially trained in creating diving experiences for the deaf, and there are fully interpreted training sessions and trips all the time, so keep an eye out!

Fresh on our ever-growing roster of tour operators is Deaf Travel With Joy. Joy has a unique roster of destinations, including the Canadian coast, Norway, Romania, and Bulgaria. A professional interpreter with over thirty years of tour experience, she has visits to most of her signature destinations planned for mid-2011. There’s plenty of time to get involved, and the itineraries and full-color brochures are super convenient! Note that Joy has also done Israel and U.S. national park tours in the past.

Considering how long the Disabled Travelers blog spent in Australia, it’s high time I mentioned Deaf Planet, which focuses on Australian travelers and visitors. Of course, not everyone is headed to the Land Down Under, but you really don’t have to be to benefit from this great, and well-established, website. For example, take this fully signed and subtitled video on deaf traveling tips. There are lots of gems like this scattered around the site that anybody can use!

For those who are interested in the great outdoors and travel within the U.S., you can now enjoy fully interpreted bicycle tours throughout the beautiful coast of Maine. If you happen to be up north, there’s still time to get involved in the first trip for 2010 later this month, which will lead bicyclists around Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. The second scheduled excursion is to Camden and its vicinity, and doesn’t take place until the end of September. The tours are provided by Summer Feet, a local company that specializes in coastal cycling tours through the state of Maine.

Wrapping things up for today is the National Association of the Deaf’s Transportation and Travel page. NAD is one of the best-regarded handicapped organizations, and no surprise considering their history of effective advocacy and great resources that they provide. They’ll give you the inside track on all the latest developments in deaf rights and how you, too, can get involved and make the world a better place.

That’s all for today! See you next time, and adventure on!

Si

The view from LAX
Photo by: David Kwok (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to Disabled Travelers, everyone! Today’s News Round-Up includes some great pieces from the States and around the world, giving you a good look at some of the most helpful happenings in mobility impaired access and handicapped travel.

With the 2010 Paralympic Games coming up soon, coverage is starting to heat up and international travel is a big part of putting together such a key event. So let’s start there …

Interest is especially high for the Paralympics this year, and there are already plans to cover 2012’s London Paralympics extensively on TV in the UK.

Also check out Metro Spirit’s article on U.S. Paralympics standout Jeanette Thompson. There’s also the inspiring story of partially sighted sprinter Jason Smyth, who has recently advanced from world-class Paralympic performances to compete with able-bodied athletes in recent major meets and events.

Unfortunately, there is some bad news: Ryan Cockbill, an exceptional wheelchair-bound shooter and rugby player, is out of Paralympic consideration as it came to light that the NHS will not fund the travel costs of his medically necessary carer.

In airlines news, LAX has become the latest of many major airports to add canine rest areas throughout the terminals. These areas are being added in response to the needs of handicapped travelers who rely on guide and service dogs, and come equipped complete with grass, water bowls, and even replica fire hydrants. Other major airports with similar amenities include Atlanta International, San Francisco International, O’Hare, Sky Harbor in Phoenix, and the two key international airports in the Washington, D.C. area, Dulles and Reagan.

Can having a mobility (or hearing, or vision) impairment actually make you a better traveler? “Bad Latitude” travel writer Spud Hilton, with The San Francisco Chronicle, certainly thinks so. In more travel writer news, hilarious wheelchair-bound adventurer Zach Anner has started his own travel show on YouTube, which is expected to be a hit. Zach, who has cerebral palsy much like your friendly Disabled Travelers blogger, was recently featured on Oprah as part of her “Your OWN Show” contest. Anner is now going it alone to do a travel show for “people who never thought they could travel.” Best of luck to him, and let’s hope he moves up to even bigger and better venues soon!

That’s it for this month’s news round-up! With Australia behind us, we’ll be continuing our access guides and travelogues with the next installment of the blog. Hope you enjoyed today’s post, and that you’ll tune in next time to see what we have in store! Thanks for dropping in, and adventure on!

Si

Northern Rockhole Waterfall, Australia
Photo by: Stephen Eastop (Stock Exchange)

Howdy, folks!

We’re finally at the end of the all-encompassing Disabled Travelers Australia Series, and we’ve provided access guides for every single one of the Australian states and their capitals!

(This even included Tasmania, our most recent stop.)

Now it’s time to clean things up and close them down by providing everything that “didn’t quite fit” earlier — such as handicapped organizations and disabled travel resources that cover the whole country or have a more general focus.

Like just about anywhere else you can name, Australia has its own fully-featured .com website which is always a great place to start digging for information. And there’s also the official tourism portal, aptly named Tourism Australia. If you’d rather let a good tour operator put your trip together for you, look no further than Wheelchair Tours Australia. There are day tours, evening tours, and multi-day tours to cover a variety of tastes, whether you enjoy native wildlife, native culture, or anything else to do with Australia. You can also arrange special accessible charter tours. For more general information, Lonely Planet’s Australia coverage helps get you a good overview of what you’re getting into, whereas e-bility’s Access Travel Australia fills in some key gaps.

Need a wheelchair-friendly vehicle for your Australia trip? Freedom Motors has them, plus wheelchair ramps and information on converting an existing vehicle. There are at least two other strong, national options for accessible vehicles: Fleetworks Mobility and Flashcab Australia. Continuing the theme of pairs, two of the country’s major advocates for disability access are The Association of Consultants in Access and Access Audits Australia, both of which provide valuable information for a barrier-free “built environment.” Australia For All is another useful stop, focusing on information especially for handicapped travelers and helping businesses to become proactive about accessibility. There’s also Wheelies Australia, a service supported by MS Australia, that helps people find, buy, sell, trade, and rent accessible properties around the island.

And of course, don’t miss out on the rest of our series if you haven’t been around lately. We’ve done Darwin, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra, as well as Tasmania and two posts on the Outback. All this in a country I wasn’t even sure was quite “ready” for Disabled Travelers — but I’m glad to be proven wrong (just this once!) Not quite sure where we’ll be next, but tune in soon for more great accessible attractions, hotels, and everything you need for globe-trotting fun! Adventure on!

Si

A stormy sunset in Australia’s Northern Territory
Photo by: Juho Tastula (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to Disabled Travelers! As we wind down our stupendous and compendious series of access guides for Australia, we come to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. Though it’s the least populous capital on the island, it’s the heart and soul of the Northern Territory and well-known as a jumping off point for Asian destinations. Darwin Harbor and surroundings have grown from pioneer days and include historic shipwrecks and terrific fishing. But how’s the wheelchair access? Let’s see …

One of the biggest attractions in Darwin is the harbor area, so let’s start with accessible hotels around Darwin Harbor. You can also get plenty of listings for wheelchair-friendly accommodations from PleaseTakeMeTo, Australian Bed and Breakfast, and of course, Stayz. One very well-located and reputable option is the Darwin Central Hotel, which has a selection of accessible rooms. There’s also Escape Travel for even more hits. If you’re headed between Darwin and Adelaide, or planning to pop by famous Alice Springs, you’ll want to hear about The Ghan, one of Rail Australia’s most historic trains. Of course, Darwin International Airport is another handy option.

For getting by and getting around, check out Travelling Darwin, an article by the late public speaker Matt Laffan. Matt was not a wheelchair user, but had a serious height impairment from medical issues, and his observations are very incisive. As in Adelaide, you’ll probably be interested in accessibility at the Darwin Festival, which happens to be coming up later this month. It’s a huge event for the Northern Territory and has a whole range of offerings to be enjoyed by the deaf, those with visual difficulties, and of course, anyone who needs mobility impaired access. The fun doesn’t stop for seventeen days!

Around Darwin is one of the most useful sites on the ‘net focused on Darwin, and includes a huge amount of general tourist information, as well as a lot that’s useful for handicapped travelers. Some valuable highlights: a few accessible swimming spots, accommodations in the Darwin outback, and some local hotels and motels. The rest of the site has plenty of restaurants, tour operators, cruises, and a whole bunch of other neat stuff that’s sure to make your trip up north memorable.

You can also check out Lonely Planet’s Introducing Darwin. For a comprehensive guide to the area, do not miss Your Guide to Everything Darwin, which delivers on the name with a database filled with just about all you could want: hotels to flights to attractions and everything in between. It also aggregates the latest Darwin news!

That’s it for dusty but delightful Darwin, and we’re finally driving toward the end of the Australia Series here on Disabled Travelers. See you next time, and adventure on!

Si

A view of central Perth from the Bell Tower
Photo by: Vaughan James (Stock Exchange)

We’re on an Australia marathon here at Disabled Travelers, and we’re coming ‘round the bend to the sun-soaked city of Perth, capital of Western Australia and fourth-largest city on the island, known for its brilliant beaches and lively nightlife, made even more lively by the steady stream of able-bodied and handicapped travelers who visit on a regular basis. Perth is a beautiful city, and a big part of our access guide countdown to hit all the major metro zones in the wacky and wonderful Land of Oz.

So far, local airports and airlines have been a little hit-or-miss with accessibility, and that’s a shame. Perth Airport is pretty terse about accessibility within the terminals, but you can get a wheelchair by calling ahead to the airline you’re flying with. Better news is provided by official outlets: the City of Perth website affirms its commitment to universal access in a glowing and detailed listing of accessibility features, including transit, parking, streets, and buildings. Ramps, tactile indicators and audible street signs are common throughout the city. For a more whimsical take on the city’s attractions and offerings, try Perth Tourist Centre Online.

Need a little help getting around? Swan Taxis’ Easy Access Perth fleet is totally wheelchair accessible. Captain Cook Cruises has some accessibility on cruises, but can only accommodate manual wheelchairs, and any assistance needed must be provided by members of the wheelchair user’s group.

The best all-inclusive access guides for Perth and Western Australia generally are provided by You’re Welcome Western Australia, a handicapped organization that advocates for universal access. Using their sophisticated search features, you can search for specific accessibility features like parking, restrooms, accommodations, beaches, and more in virtually every city and town in the region. Info is provided by volunteers or business owners, and seems pretty sound. There are 24 accessible hotels listed at the time of this writing, with very detailed run-downs of just what adaptations are available.

For past beachfront destinations (like my own home state, Florida) we’ve discussed beach accessibility in depth, and seen a lot of intriguing new wheelchair designs to help everyone get out on the sand. Information for Perth is a tiny bit more scant, but there’s a good report from the news site Local Government Focus. In summer 2008, a bold new pilot project aimed at increasing accessibility at popular beaches was launched. Focused largely on North Cottesloe Beach, with the North Cottesloe Beach Surf Living Saving Club at the forefront, aimed to establish special beach chairs and other features.

Naturally, I can’t get out of Perth without a wave to the accessible restaurant database at eatability. AOL Travel has the hookup on accessible hotels in the city, and so does PleaseTakeMeTo. The giant observation wheel known as the “Wheel of Perth” is accessible and loans wheelchairs. For more accessible attractions, see the article from WheelieGood, which provides total access guides for Western Australia. Places to stay, parks, beaches, and all kinds of other sights are a click away!

Would you believe there are still more cities, more attractions, and more vital info to share on Australia? It’s time for me to take a little breather, but we’ll be seeing each other again real soon – in Darwin, in Adelaide, or maybe in your own backyard! Thanks for visiting, and adventure on!

Si

Want MORE deaf travel news? You got it!
Photo by: Henning Buchholz (Stock Exchange)

Welcome everyone to Disabled Travelers, where we’ve decided to push the envelope and provide just a little more especially for deaf travel this month.

Finding accessible hotels, attractions, and tour operators when you’re hard of hearing isn’t easy, but things are getting better – and if we do our part to make it easier, then I’d consider it a job well done!

We have a few more points of interest to share today, and then it’s back to the Land Down Under to finish up our Australia access guides. Right now, I am excited to present July’s deaf travel resources … the sequel!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: a good tour operator makes all the difference in the world when you’re traveling. We’ve mentioned Connie George Travel before as a good “general” travel consultant, with interesting packages for groups, women travelers, and more. An important thing to note is that Connie George also specializes in accessible cruises and sightseeing for deaf individuals, and has plenty of in-depth knowledge for making your travel experience top notch.

islbook is a massive social networking site especially for the deaf and users of sign language. The English is a little spotty, and the site is relatively new, but it shows every sign of becoming a major resource for the deaf, and has sections set aside for accessible travel and for the world’s deaf wanderers to meet up, plan trips, and exchange advice. While I would beware of any new site, this looks like one to keep an eye on, and we definitely hope that it grows into its amazing potential! Cheers to the islbook team! Also, see DeafHello for a similar concept, a little bit more established.

Deaf Rave is a community website organized by and for the deaf. Though it focuses on meet ups, music, and other general social topics, it provides some travel links and you can find many diehard travelers among the community. In fact, it was this site that turned me on to Smile Tours Vietnam, which offers international itineraries throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Laos, and Burma. Several purpose-built deaf tours are available, including five or seven day tours of Ho Chi Minh City. There are also eight-day countrywide tours. Traveling Asia can be a challenge if you’re not familiar with the local customs, but this looks like a great option for deaf adventurers.

Last in our lineup today is Especially 4-U Tours, a tour operator with extensive connections in California, Arizona, and Mexico. plus some excellent theme tours, and even a stop in China now and then. Accessible deaf tours are available, fully customized and staffed by certified signers. Family owned and operated, they have been in business over thirty years now. If you are looking to see the see the States, the South, or the Far East, put them at the top of your list.

Wow! There are some promising new companies and sites in this batch. Here at Disabled Travelers, we believe everyone should be able to go around the corner or around the world – travel is for everyone, and there’s just no replacement for it. So, I hope we’ve helped our deaf and hard of hearing friends to make their next trip that much easier and more special. Next time, it’s back to Oz for the continuation of our Australia series, so seeya again right here in a few days. Adventure on!

Si

Costa Rica, one of the more popular deaf travel destinations
Photo by: Kurt Raihn (Stock Exchange)

Good day, all, and welcome!

It’s time for July’s Disabled Travelers deaf travel update … and just as I predicted, there’s more and more going on in the deaf travel world every month!

Granted, I haven’t found what I would call “access guides” for the globetrotter with hearing loss, but I’m kicking up my search a notch and hope to report back with more findings very soon.

There’s so much to share lately, you might see a deaf travel doubleheader from me this month!

From Travel Weekly, the insider news source for the travel industry, ‘My heart is with the deaf’ tells the story of travel agent Rod Smith and his company, Harvesttime Deaf Travel, based in Minnesota. Smith, raised by deaf parents at a time when “experts” warned against teaching children sign language, became interested in travel at an early age, and now operates Harvesttime on a part-time basis while teaching at North Central University. His heart is definitely in it, and we wish him luck growing his business!

The tour operator of the day is Great Deaf Vacations, an affiliate of Cruises and Tours Unlimited providing information on group travel for the deaf. Accessible cruises are a big feature here, with an upcoming selection including a Halloween cruise, new Disney dream vacation for families, and even the “epic” seven night round trip bringing you through the Caribbean from beautiful Miami. Next on the horizon? A trip to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas. Sounds like a place I want to visit!

In partnership with GoPhilanthropic, the new handicapped organization Discovering Deaf Worlds is offering travel opportunities including Costa Rica, Cambodia, and Thailand. In addition to great sightseeing at sites like Thailand’s world famous temples, you’ll learn all about local deaf communities, meet local deaf leaders, and find out how you can contribute to international solidarity and full integration for the deaf.

When you think of handicapped travel, the tiny African nation of The Gambia probably isn’t at the top of your list. Interestingly, though, an article on the UK’s Deaf Travel site suggests there is a thriving deaf community there, very proud and protective of its recently developed Gambian Sign Language. The Gambian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is working diligently to develop the language, which is unique in a region where most deaf folks use American Sign Language. Aside from info on the deaf lifestyle in The Gambia, there are interesting facts here about travel and tourism.

One of the big challenges I always face when traveling abroad is getting a good alarm clock for the journey. and it can be extra difficult for those who are deaf. Though I don’t usually endorse products here at Disabled Travelers, I would definitely recommend taking a look at Harris Communications, which provides a whole array of products keyed into the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing abroad. Vibrating clocks, ADA-compliant hotel kits, closed captioning decoders, and much more are available. There’s a healthy selection in every category, so you should be able to find exactly what you need!

That’s a wrap for today, but tomorrow’s another day at Disabled Travelers. There’s more coming down the pike for our deaf readers, and we still have a lot to do to finish up our ongoing Australia adventure, which has looked at accessibility in the Outback, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane so far! See you soon, and adventure on!
Si

An Australian rainbow
Photo by: Thomas Hotopp (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to Disabled Travelers, all!

After dropping by Oceania a few posts back and taking a look at Australia, a vast and unique country that’s working hard to leave behind a checkered past in accessibility, I’ve decided it’s finally time for the long-awaited Disabled Access: Australia series.

We’ll be visiting the major cities as well as touring the wilderness – which is exactly what’s on today’s agenda.

Now, bear in mind that “the outback” can refer to several different remote, wild areas in Australia; it’s much harder to point and say “there it is” than it would be, say, to go to Yellowstone National Park. So we’ll be looking at handicapped travel resources around Australia for this journey. When we start looking at cities, we can “zoom in” more.

Located in central Australia, Alice Springs is one of the biggest tourist draws in Australia, for able-bodied and handicapped travelers alike. eBility showcases the area and its attractions in a great, but somewhat dated article. Nearby Alice Springs Desert Park offers a number of accessibility features, including electric wheelchair rental and accessible restroom facilities. Try the All Seasons Oasis Alice Springs for an accessible hotel option. For a peek at the other side of Australia, drop by Apparelyzed’s Itinerary for a Holiday in Adelaide,

Outback Australia Travel Secrets is a great website where you can get expert travel advice on the Australian Outback, no matter what your interest or the region you intend to travel. Among the archived information from reader-provided questions is the article on Wheelchair Accessible Kakadu Tours, discussing accessible tours through Kakadu National Park, located in the Northern Territory. Kakadu is famous for its diverse wildlife as well as the distinct influences from Aboriginal culture. Saltwater crocodiles are another famous find – the Crocodile Dundee films of the 1980s were partly filmed here.

Independent travelers are known for leaving the trails behind, and it’s easier to do that in the Outback than anywhere else you might visit. The Royal Flying Doctor Service, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency and primary medical care in Australia’s remote areas, has Tips on Safe Outback Travel that any visitor should be aware of. While most major tourist attractions are accessible by top-quality roads in areas where all emergency services and modern conveniences are freely available, there’s plenty of terrain on this nearly 3,000,000 square mile island continent where that’s not the case!

For a terrific all-purpose resource on Australian travel, see Touring Australia, a well-established guide to the best that the country has to offer. With a full-color, glossy magazine of a quality you barely see anymore, this respected outlet has been operating for twenty years to keep its finger on the pulse of truly outstanding Australian adventures. From general travel tips to fishing, camping, train journeys, and even local recipes, there’s nothing about Australia that it hasn’t covered. Recommended highly!

This is only the beginning for the Disabled Travelers tour of Australia! See you next time, mates, and adventure on!

Si