Accessible Travel

By Candy B. Harrington

In the 15-plus years that I've been covering accessible travel, I’ve seen a lot of changes. In fact, I still remember the reaction of my travel writer colleagues when I boldly announced that I was leaving mainstream publishing to write about accessible travel. Most people thought I was having some type of premature mid-life crisis. Information was difficult to find back then, as accessibility wasn’t as prevalent as it is today. But I was doing what I wanted to do, so I was happy.

Fast-forward to 2008, and I’m now the golden child. There’s a huge demand for accessible-travel information, and after writing four books, producing over 40 issues of Emerging Horizons magazine and penning more articles than I can count, I’ve become the go-to expert on the subject. I’m inundated with emails from readers asking for accessibility information, and from public relations folks touting the accessibility of the hotels, attractions and destinations they represent. And nobody thinks I’m crazy anymore – at least not as far as my career choice is concerned.

Did I foresee this playing out so successfully? Hardly. I was just lucky. Changing attitudes toward disability, coupled with the aging of our population, have fuelled tremendous advances in accessible tourism. I just happened to be along for the ride. In short, the world is a much more accessible place than it was just 15 years ago.

IN THE AIR
Over the years, the greatest accessibility advances have occurred in the air-travel arena. For example, just this year, a groundbreaking decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency drastically changed air travel for many Canadians with disabilities. Set to go into effect next year, a new law allows “people with severe disabilities” to travel with an attendant at no extra charge on domestic airlines operating flights within Canada.

Of course, there are some limitations. The attendant must be required for the in-flight personal care or safety of the passenger; and people who prefer to travel with a companion or only require attendant services at their destination are not eligible. Still, the regulation will make a big difference to a lot of travellers. And since the decision was recently upheld on appeal, it looks like it’s a done deal.

Down in the United States, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) also recently underwent some major changes. For starters, its coverage has been extended to all flights arriving in or departing from the U.S., including those operated by foreign carriers.

It also requires airlines to allow the on-board use of all FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators, ventilators, respirators and CPAP machines. Additionally, it requires U.S. airlines that maintain inaccessible websites to make their web-only specials available by phone to passengers with disabilities. These provisions go into effect in May 2009.

The European Union has also been busy strengthening its air-travel rules, with the European Union Passengers with Reduced Mobility (EU PRM) regulations, set to go into full effect on July 26, 2008. These regulations prohibit EU-based airlines, travel agents or tour operators from refusing service or denying boarding to passengers with disabilities. They also prohibit EU airlines from charging for the transportation of wheelchairs or service animals, or for wheelchair assistance in airports.

Even aircraft design has improved as far as access is concerned. Take Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner, for example. Although it’s still in its design and pro- duction stages, the finished product is slated to have a truly accessible on-board lavatory, which is something sorely lacking on most long-haul planes. This will especially benefit folks who need assistance in the lavatory, as there’s simply not enough room for two people now. Air Canada plans to add 37 Dreamliners to its fleet, with delivery scheduled to begin in 2012.

Of course, there are still some rough spots in air travel, but the biggest problems seem to occur outside of North America and Europe. For example, Nationwide Airlines (a domestic South African carrier) charges passengers for airport wheelchair assistance, while Thai Airways, AirAsia, South African Airways and Regional Express (an Australian carrier) have all denied boarding to unaccompanied wheelchair users.

THE INFORMATION AGE
Sometimes, major events like the Olympics can be the impetus for accessibility improvements. And because the Paralympics closely follow the Olympics, the host city also has to be able to accommodate a large contingent of visitors with disabilities. So, if a venue wants to host the Games, it must make accessibility one of its top considerations in the bidding process. And the good news is that accessibility improvements in host cities generally extend well beyond the sports venues to include hotels, restaurants and even local transportation.

And with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic alpine events slated for Whistler, that B.C. resort city has enthusiastically jumped on the accessibility bandwagon. In fact, Whistler is one of 10 communities participating in Measuring Up, an initiative of 2010 Legacies Now, which helps cities determine how to become more accessible and inclusive. And that improved accessibility will remain long after the Games are over.

Even private citizens are gearing up for the Paralympics, as evidenced by Hugh Tollett’s excellent “Whistler for the Disabled” website (see “Starting Points”). Although Tollett’s site isn’t officially affiliated with the Games, it provides updated and accurate accessibility information about Whistler.

And Tollett’s not alone out there in cyberspace – there is a wealth of information for travellers with disabilities. For example, in 2007, Kéroul, an organization that promotes accessible travel in Quebec, posted an online version of its popular guide AccessiB – The Open Road, to help visitors plan their trip. And this year, the Open Doors Organization released Easy Access Chicago, the first online accessibility guide to the Windy City.

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve seen online accessibility resources grow exponentially over the years. Ten years ago, the Emerging Horizons website had just a handful of links to sites with useful accessibility information, and today it includes over 800. And it just keeps growing, as nearly every day I stumble onto a new resource.

ON THE GROUND
Looking at the big picture, ground transportation is still the biggest roadblock to accessible travel, but even that’s improved markedly over the past 15 years. In fact, the first thing I saw when I landed in Belfast in April was an accessible taxi.

That’s a very good sign. It’s also not such an uncommon sight these days, as many major cities, including Toronto, Paris and Buenos Aires, have some type of accessible taxi service. In the United States, you can find ramp-equipped taxis in Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Houston and New York. And the famous black cabs that cruise the streets of London are all required to be accessible, either with a portable ramp or fold-down dickie transfer seat. Granted, it’s not yet a seamless worldwide network, but it is certainly growing every year.

Whenever I become disheartened about the lack of accessible ground transportation, I remember what my friend Wes says about his own travel experiences. “Twenty years ago, the only way I could get to the airport was by an ambulance,” he reminds me. “Today, all I have to do is call Super Shuttle.”

And although things are improving, there’s still a general lack of accessibility in most developing countries. But that’s not to say you should cross them off your wish list. If you love adventure and are willing to accept a little physical help, such as being carried up stairs or lifted into a taxi, then go for it. What some places lack in physical accessibility, they make up for with a very welcoming attitude. In short, if you want to do it – from a Toronto theatre excursion to an African safari – it is possible. And that’s a huge and very positive change from recent years.