With summer just around the corner, it will soon be time to make your plans for vacation fun. Unfortunately, arriving at your hotel and discovering it is not ADA compliant, can quickly turn fun into frustration.
The good news is, a little advance homework can help you to confirm your accommodations meet your accessible travel needs. Here are 4 tips to keep your vacation plans on track.
1. Make sure your travel agent understands your needs.
If you are booking plans through a travel agent, be sure to mention you are looking for ADA compliant and accessible accommodations. Ask about the swimming pool and convenience of hotel restaurants for guests with disabilities. If your plans include airport shuttle service, confirm wheelchair accessibility if you require that. Whenever possible, get written confirmation of your accessible travel arrangements.
Click here to find information on the accommodations 15 major airlines do for disabled travelers who need extra support when flying.
2. Call the hotel directly and ask these questions:
Whether or not you use a travel agent, it’s a good idea to contact the hotel directly and ask these key questions:
- Do they have ADA compliant rooms? At a minimum, the hotel must have at least one accessible room with that number increasing based on the hotel size.
- Which floor has wheelchair accessible rooms? Your room should be near the first floor in case of emergency or if elevators are not in service.
- Does the hotel provide a wheelchair accessible shuttle (if necessary) to nearby tourist attractions and shopping or dining areas?
- Is accessible parking available?
3. Listen carefully to how they answer your questions.
The hotel’s response will indicate their experience and desire in meeting the needs of their guests with disabilities. Listen for clues that indicate the hotel has a good understanding of the difficulties faced by an individual with a disability.
4. Remember that YOU are the customer!
Above all, hotels are in the business of customer service and YOU are the customer! A little awareness of the regulatory requirements of ADA compliance for hotels goes a long way.
If you should experience any accessible travel issues or have questions about a building’s compliance, simply contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.