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A tempting sight for golf-lovers!

A tempting sight for golf-lovers!
Photo by: Robert Linder (Stock Exchange)

Fore! Howdy all, and welcome to Disabled Travelers! In today’s blog, DT dips into the mailbag to answer another scintillating viewer question. I actually have a friend to thank for this one, an avid golfer who suggested we take a look at accessibility on the green. So, today’s Disabled Travelers trip is one to the fairway. Wheelchair golfers rejoice, as there’s much in the way of good news while we look at the venerable sport and art of golf – barrier-free, no less! – here in the United States. [more]

Chicago Cityscape
Photo by: Nate Brelsford (Stock Exchange)

Hello, everybody! After taking a tour through the Disabled Travelers archives, I realized that one of our best-received recent articles was Disabled Access: Chicago. Now, I don’t usually do this, but since so many folks are queuing up to head to the Windy City and want more info about it, I thought I’d give the city a second look. Definitely read the original post for some great access guides, but in this post we’ll be going a bit deeper and searching out wheelchair accessible hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Let’s go!

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Photo by: strakplan (Stock Exchange)

A cruise ship at the harbor of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands

Hello, everyone! I’m back and it’s time for more news from Disabled Travelers. Since the debacle I described last week about accessible travel problems with Canadian airlines, I’ve been thinking a lot about cruises. Cruises are a great way to get from place to place without the hassle of air travel; you get to explore at your leisure and enjoy luxury, wonderful scenery, and a whole slew of activities. So I’d like to spend some time in today’s post talking about wheelchair accessible cruises and disabled travel on the sea. I’ve had the good fortune to make a transatlantic journey on the Queen Mary II, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade in for any airplane, no matter how nice it was!

To start with, know that though most major cruise lines are very proactive about making accessibility easy for handicapped travelers, many ports of call outside the United States are not known for much in the way of mobility impaired access. It’s always a good idea to check with cruise companies and find out about individual stops on the itinerary before booking a cruise. The AARP’s Peter Greenberg has a huge assortment of great articles on accessibility in cruises. Peter covers transatlantic cruises and visits to plenty of exotic locales, including Alaska, China, and many more. Definitely worth a look. On top of that, Cruise Critic has a detailed piece on Top Ships for Cruisers with Disabilities. [more]

This was emailed to me to share with everyone – Thank you Robert Craig!

TWO MONTH TOUR OF NORTH THAILAND IN A WHEELCHAIR—INCLUDING EXCURSIONS INTO BURMA, AND TWO SEPARATE VISITS TO LAOS.

22 February 2009

Here we are, just home from an experience of a lifetime. It all started with myself, age 82 (and disabled), my Wife 76 and Brother 77, booking deluxe, flat-bed, return business class ETIHAD (the Abu Dhabi airline) flights from Manchester to Bangkok and leaving everything else to Randy and his Team at http://www.all-thailand-exp.com.

Over the years, we have traveled the 5 Continents extensively and in some style, generally staying in the best hotels—such as the Danielli in Venice—sailing on the most exclusive ships—such as Hebridean International (the Queen’s favorite)—or riding on the most luxurious of trains—such as The Captain’s Choice (4,000 miles across Tibet and China).

So it was with a sense of considerable adventure that we placed ourselves wholly in the hands of http://www.all-thailand-exp.com, particularly since their quotation was relatively modest, compared to the pro rata cost of our other recent travels.

We needn’t have worried a jot. Indeed the motto of the trip, jokingly, became DON’T WORRY. From the moment of our arrival to the moment of departure we were looked after on a 24/7 basis, even being loaned a local Thai mobile phone with the local staff numbers programmed in. [more]

I came across this site the other day and it seems quite useful. It doesn’t have every location but the ones it does have are researched very extensively with in depth review and explanation of the locations accessibility.

In their words:

DisabledGo provides free detailed access information for disabled people across the UK. Our detailed access information will empower you to judge the disabled access to venues for yourself. See examples of our access guides for hotels, cinemas, restaurants, tourist attractions, pubs, train stations, leisure centres and universities.

http://www.disabledgo.info

This review was emailed to me September 26, 2007:

Recently we spent a week in Hervey Bay in Australia. Off course the highlight of our trip was whale watching, even though one of us is in a wheelchair. The crew of Quick Cat 2 were very considerate in advising us to postpone our outing by a day, due to the rough conditions. The 18th of September was indeed much smoother, and we had an ample display of whale activity.

We sincerely appreciate the help and care received from the skipper and crew. The cruise was a great experience for us all.

Regards,

Paul, Kathleen & Michael V

Hervey Bay Whale Watch website

This review was emailed to me in August 2005:

Main dining room accessible but expensive. Irish pub accessible and prices reasonable. One block from wheelchair accessible subway station. 10 min. ride to White House, Capitol, Smithsonian Museums. Located on Dupont Circle many outdoor cafes, restaurants, antiques, bookstores, embassies. WARNING.. D.C. HAS NO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXIS! They allow w/ch accessible taxis from surrounding areas to pick you up at the airport and drop off at D.C. hotels. Same with taking you to the airport but they cannot pick you up in D.C. and drop you in D.C. You must make taxi arrangements in advance or it may be impossible to get one.

Sincerely,

Anna P.

Jurys Washington Hotel InformationTripAdivsor Reviews

This review was emailed to me in December 2005 from Adrian S.:

Paris on Wheels in Middleton, New Jersey – This company is actually one man, Mr. Guzman, an American. While in Paris I did walking tours with him (he pushed me in my chair), and he referred me to another good company (great service) with whom I did van tours of Paris, Versailles, and Normandy. He knows accessible Paris like no one else I’ve come across. I believe he also does work as a travel companion for trips to Paris and other places. This company was outstanding!

Sincerely,

Adrian S.

Paris on Wheels website

The review was emailed to me in May 2005 from Gail S:

When I called this motel for a reservation (in 2006, not 2005; this system wouldn’t let! me choose 2006), I was assured that there was a handicap-accessible room. I was unhappily surprised to arrive at the motel and find out that neither the room nor the office of the motel were accessible (steps up into each). Additionally, my traveling companion looked at the room and told me that the only grab bar in the bathroom was designed to be used by someone standing up (it was above her height of 5’1″). I had to find another lodging at the last minute and when I later contacted the hotel to complain, the manager was verbally abusive and unconcerned about the lack of customer service and honesty. This is a place to avoid at all costs.

Sincerely,

Gail S.

TripAdisor ReviewsHotel Information

Dear Jeremy,

I have a physical disability and am unable to bear any weight on my legs. I recently visited Becco’s for lunch and want to suggest it to other people who are going to NYC and have similar limitations as I do.

Since they have steps to enter, I had to call ahead to let them know when I would arrive. Once I called they were happy to put out their ramp. They were not only physically accommodating of my needs(they have a large bathroom with a high toilet), but they were helpful in other ways. After eating I needed directions to another location. The server immediately went online and gave me directions and suggested bus routes to my destination.

Sincerely,
Susan S.

Other Information on Becco’s: Becco WebsiteTripAdvisor ReviewFrommers InformationMap to Becco