Travel Resource Center

1. Access for Disabled Americans
   Access for Disabled Americans is a non-profit corporation founded in 1993 to help all persons with disabilities live and function in an accessible environment. The site does not have many on-line resources, but there is information on publications that may be informative, especially if you are interested in traveling in a wheelchair. [More Information]
2. Access Guide Canada
   The mission of Access Guide Canada (AGC) is to bring together listings on accessible resources in Canada. Users are encouraged to add their own favorite accessible locations. Access Guide Canada is a project of the Canadian Abilities Foundation and is part of the organization's website, EnableLink. [More Information]
3. Access to Travel (Transport Canada)
   Access to Travel provides information on accessible transportation and travel across Canada with the aim of making traveling an easier and more enjoyable experience for people with disabilities. The development of this Web site was spearheaded by Transport Canada in cooperation with other Canadian government departments, provincial governments and not-for-profit associations. [More Information]
4. Access Travel
   Access Travel China is a professional tour operator in China dedicated to providing travel services for people with physical or cognitive disabilities around the world. The organization plans and escorts tailor-made tours in China for slow walkers, wheelchair users, people with vision and hearing disabilities, etc. in a safe, respectful, and leisurely atmosphere. Services begin with attentively listening to every special need and accommodating those needs by arranging the most appropriate accessible hotel, van, and tour. For wheelchair users and travelers who are blind, the staff to traveler ratio can be 1:1. Also available are sign language interrupters and licensed nurses. [More Information]
5. Access-Able Travel Source
   Access-Able provides a wide variety of travel resources for travelers with disabilities. The site offers a database of information on transportation, accommodations, attractions, adventures, tours, travel resources, equipment rental, repair and medical resources around the world. They also offer a monthly newsletter you can order by email. [More Information]
6. Accessible Alaska Adventures
   Cruise information in Alaska for the elderly, families and those with disabilities. [More Information]
7. Accessible Canadian Adventures
   Accessible Canadian Adventures (ACA) designs, coordinates and arranges hunting, fishing and wildlife photography adventures specifically for sportsmen and women with disabilities. [More Information]
8. Accessible Europe
   Accessible Europe is a pool of European travel agents who are experts in accessible tourism services for people with special needs, including people with disabilities and seniors. [More Information]
9. Accessible Italy
   An Italian tour company that provides information and services for tourists with disabilities. [More Information]
10. Accessible Journeys
    "We design custom, wheelchair accessible vacations and escort groups on accessible cruises and tours exclusively for slow walkers, wheelchair travelers, their families and their friends. We have also collected a vast amount of disability resources regarding destinations, services, access, barrier free travel and international suppliers." [More Information]
11. Accessible Portugal
    Accessible Portugal is "a tourism company set up to offer innovative and quality tourism in Portugal" that is accessible to people with mobility disabilities, their families and friends. [More Information]
12. Accessible Vans of America (AVA)
    AVA rents and sells both full-size and lowered floor minivans, through a national owner-operated dealer network. Vans are available for business, vacation, a replacement vehicle, or to evaluate before purchasing. [More Information]
13. Air Travelers with Disabilities Hotline, U.S. Department of Transportation
    The toll-free hotline provides general information to consumers about the rights of air travelers with disabilities, responds to requests for printed consumer information, and assists air travelers with time-sensitive disability-related issues that need to be addressed in "real time." The line is staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time, seven days a week. Air travelers who experience disability-related air travel service problems may call the hotline to obtain assistance. Air travelers who would like DOT to investigate a complaint about a disability issue must submit their complaint in writing or via e-mail. [More Information]
14. Alternative Leisure Co. & Trips Unlimited
    Trips Unlimited/Alternative Leisure, is a New England based company founded in 1983, as an organization providing recreation and travel for seniors and people with disabilities. [More Information]
15. Association des Paralyses de France
    The entire site is in French. This organization has chapters in every region of France. [More Information]
16. Association HANDIPLAGE
    Association Handiplage works to promote the accessibility of French beaches to people with disabilities of all sorts. In partnership with Handisport Pays – Basque, it publishes Handi Long, a guidebook rating the accessibility of beaches in Aquitaine and the Atlantic Pyrenees region to people with disabilities. Beaches are rated as independently accessible, accessible with assistance, or for the adventurous only. Association Handiplage has also participated in the development of products, such as the Tiralo amphibious beach wheelchair. [More Information]
17. Baan Khun Daeng: Wheelchair Accessible Holiday in Thailand
    "Baan Khun Daeng" offers people with a physical disability an accessible place to stay in northern Thailand. "Khun Daeng" (The Thai nick-name of Karsten Blokker) is a wheelchair user himself who has lived in Thailand since 1995 and speaks the Thai language. He has extensive experience and knowledge regarding the organization of nice/interesting trip and activities that can be enjoyed by wheelchair users. [More Information]
18. Blind Bargains
    Blind Bargains tracks deals and bargains on blindness-related products including deals from online stores, used items, and auctions. The goal is to connect blind people with reasonably-priced equipment. Many items, especially used items, are listed on Ebay and on various Web sites, and the goal is to centralize this information. The site also offer a feature called Blind Search, a customized search engine for dozens of blindness-related websites. [More Information]
19. Broken Beauties
    Broken Beauties offers "fashionable" products for people temporary disabilities resulting from injury or illness. Items include color crutch and cast covers, canes, dressing aids, footwear, eating aids, and writing and typing aids. There also is a section with information to aid travelers with temporary disabilities. [More Information]
20. Camp Cummings
    Camp Cummings is a residential camp in Brewster, NY with a private lake where individuals with developmental disabilities can enjoy sports, recreation and educational activities. [More Information]
21. Camp Needlepoint and Camp Daypoint
    "Designed by the American Diabetes Association, Minnesota Area, Camp Needlepoint and Camp Daypoint give young people with diabetes a chance to: Challenge their abilities through everything from swimming and sailing to hiking and horseback riding, make unforgettable memories in the outdoors, and meet friends who share the need for insulin." [More Information]
22. CARE Medical Equipment
    CARE Medical Equipment rents an electric wheelchair or medical equipment for a full day or multiple days to visitors to the Orlando, Florida area. CARE Medical Equipment provides free delivery and pick up to hotels or resorts. [More Information]
23. Challenge Aspen
    Aspen , Colorado offers a year-round program supporting sports and recreational activities for people with physical and mental disabilities. [More Information]
24. Costa Rica Deaf Travel Corporation
    Costa Rica Deaf Travel Corporation is a travel agency that specializes in arranging trips and tours in Costa Rica for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Costa Rica Deaf Travel was founded in 1998 and it invites people with or without hearing disabilities to learn about Costa Rica's culture, language and biodiversity. They also offer programmed tour for seniors, families, and individual travelers. They have deaf tour guides in ASL, English sign language, German sign language and international sign language. [More Information]
25. Dodecanese Association
    Headquartered on Rhodes, the Association is serves people with disabilities on the Dodecanese Islands. [More Information]
26. Emerging Horizons
    Emerging Horizons is a consumer oriented magazine about accessible travel. Its primary focus is travel for people with mobility disabilities; everybody from wheelchair-users to slow walkers. The magazine has lots of access information, resources, news and travel tips with no advertising. Emerging Horizons is available in print and online. Selected articles and columns from past issues are available online as is the current issue's table of contents. [More Information]
27. Endeavour Safaris
    "Endeavour Safaris would like to welcome you to see and feel Africa in ways that have rarely been experienced by wheelchair reliant people before. The company is family-owned and our vision was to provide a way for physically challenged people to enjoy a real African Safari by catering to their special needs first. By doing this, we are now able to offer safari destinations that were inaccessible before." [More Information]
28. Epic Enabled Travel
    Epic Enabled offers exciting overland wheelchair-accessible camping and adventure safaris in the Kruger National Park, Garden Route and day tours in Johannesburg and Cape Town, all in South Africa. Travel is done in a specially adapted and equipped Mercedes Benz truck, which has been modified by qualified mechanical engineers for passengers who use wheelchairs and is outfitted with a hydraulic passenger lift. This truck is ideal for maximizing viewing pleasure (e.g. when driving during the Kruger Park tour). The seats are removable, providing space and maneuverability in the passenger section. This means that travellers can actually move themselves around from the one side of the vehicle to the other side to follow the game. Epic Enabled also has a Mercedes Benz Sprinter Bus, which is used for smaller groups and airport transfers. Tours include a wide range of fully equipped, accessible accommodations: tented camps, bungalows and cottages. All accommodations have solid off-the-ground beds. Epic Enabled also provides three wholesome meals a day while on tour, including traditional African dishes served in a boma, barbecues, potjie, picnics etc. Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements have different meals to choose from. The Kruger National Park tour is eight days long, four of which are spent exploring the Kruger National Park. The next three days are spent at a private game reserve for game drives, walks with the animals (lion cubs) and get to touch a cheetah. Also included is a visit to a Nyani Tribal Village to taste their traditional food and experience their exhilarating dancing and a visit to the Hoedspruit Research & Breeding Centre for Endangered Species before returning to Johannesburg. The company also offers stays at the Blue Tangerine Guesthouse, a fully-accessible five-star luxury guesthouse. [More Information]
29. Family Resource Center
    "Family Resource Center is an innovative nonprofit agency that fosters partnerships, increases access to health and human services and builds the capacity of agencies to serve the community. Centrally located for Eastsiders, the Center's "one-stop" campus was designed to relieve the difficulties of getting to community services. The Center houses wide-ranging and complementary services to meet the multiple needs of clients, overcome transportation barriers and provide the community with a large service mix. Twenty-two independent agencies are current members of the Family Resource Center Association." [More Information]
30. Flying Wheels
    Flying Wheels specializes in travel for persons with physical disabilities. [More Information]
31. Global Dialysis
    Global Dialysis is a resource for dialysis patients who want to travel. Its major resource is a directory of over 11,800 dialysis centers in 127 countries. In addition, there are lists of accommodation, travel agents, tours and cruises and travel insurance companies that cater to dialysis patients. There is also a directory of kidney patient associations around the world. [More Information]
32. Globe Trotter Club
    GlobeTrotterClub is a travel agency that offers tourism packages and services designed for the physically challenged travelers, their families and friends, making all areas of the world accessible to them. Their vision is to provide a way for the physically challenged travelers to enjoy their vacations by addressing special needs. By doing this, they are able to offer exclusive lifestyle vacations, escorted tours, safaris, vacation rentals, short breaks, special offers and educational stays to a variety of destinations. GlobeTrotterClub's partners have been carefully selected because they have the skills and resources to make a vacation enjoyable and also because they value personalized attention to create unique vacation. [More Information]
33. GoAfrica Safaris & Travel
    GoAfrica Safaris & Travel tailors safaris to suit individual needs and interests. Rather than offer a selection of set packaged safari options, the company creates an itinerary for the individual traveler. They work with individuals to select an itinerary, choose destinations, decide how they want to travel and how long to stay in each location. Choose from a range of budgets, accommodation options, and activities. [More Information]
34. handiCAPABLE Guide Service, Inc.
    "Dedicated to educating and rehabilitating through recreation. We provide the developmentally delayed and physically challenged youth and adults in Kentucky and surrounding states the opportunity to experience the thrills and challenges of boating, fishing, and other forms of outdoor recreation." [More Information]
35. Handicapped Scuba Association International
    The HSA was founded in 1981 by Jim Gatacre and is now the world's leading authority on recreational diving for people with disabilities. Headquartered in California, HSA International extends its underwater educational programs worldwide. [More Information]
36. Hibiscus Travel
    This agency specializes in cruises for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. [More Information]
37. Hire Mobility
    Based in Perth, Western Australia, Hire Mobility is a family-owned and operated company that rents wheelchair-accessible vans. Vehicles seat up to ten people, including a person in a wheelchair. Overseas and interstate enquiries are welcome and flexible pick-up and delivery arrangements are offered. Hire Mobility also offer a breakdown service. [More Information]
38. International Association for Handicapped Divers
    The International Association for Handicapped Divers (IAHD) is a diving association, which has focused upon providing the means for those with physical disabilities who wish to become scuba divers. To enable individuals with serious physical disabilities to participate in underwater activities the IAHD provides competent, instructors, underwater guides, capable dive buddies, as well as training programs, standards, guidelines, materials, and member support. The IAHD also conducts update seminars, symposiums and attend Dive conventions. Members are kept informed of the latest information via the IAHD Newsletters. [More Information]
39. Medical Travel Inc.
    Medical Travel, Inc. is a full service medical travel agency that caters only to people with special medical needs. They supply 24 hour oxygen dependent patients medical equipment for worldwide travel. Medical Travel offers wheelchair accessible villas located in a resort community only 4 miles from Disney World in Florida. These rental units have 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and are wheelchair accessible and have roll-in showers. Resort amenities are included with our rentals and they are more affordable than hotels. They also organize dialysis cruises and provide rentals for our scooters and power chairs. [More Information]
40. Meeting the Need
    The goal of Meeting the Need is to provide a unique and readily accessible adventure Retreat destination geared towards individuals and/or groups with special needs, providing an adventure retreat for people with disabilities in a historic mining, mountain environment that is totally accessible. [More Information]
41. Mobility International USA
    MIUSA seeks "to empower people with disabilities around the world through international exchange, information, technical assistance and training, and to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in international exchange and development programs." MIUSA manages the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) The NCDE works to educate people with disabilities and disability-related organizations about international educational exchange opportunities, promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in all types of exchange, community and volunteer service programs. The NCDE also provides advice and technical assistance to international exchange organizations and colleges and universities on how to include people with disabilities in their exchange programs. [More Information]
42. Mobility-Advisor.com
    Mobility-Advisor.com is designed to be an educational guide on wheelchair options, mobility resources and recreational outlets that enhance the lives of individuals of all ages who need mobility assistance. [More Information]
43. MossRehab Hospital
    MossRehab is a hospital in the Philadelphia area offers comprehensive care to people with a broad range of conditions--including stroke, brain injury, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal disabilities, spinal cord dysfunction, pulmonary disorders, amputations, and other forms of disability. The site also offers a wide variety of other information on disability-related subjects including the ADA and accessible travel. [More Information]
44. New England Handicapped Sports Association
    "NEHSA is a group of people who pool their knowledge, skill and courage to participate in sports activities. Skiing, however, is still the central sport because of its amazing adaptability to many types of disabilities." [More Information]
45. Ontario Sailing Association - Able Sail
    Sponsored by the Ontario Sailing Association, Able Sail provides training in accessible sailing, sponsors races, and has an accessible boat loan program. Its web site contains links to a wide range of resources to meet the information needs of people with disabilities who are interested in sailing. [More Information]
46. Open World
    Published by the Society for the Advancement of Travelers with Handicaps (SATH), each issue of Open World contains travel accounts written by individuals with disabilities, as well as updates on exciting tours, the latest accessible cruise ships, new regulations affecting disability travel, and travel advice from experts. The contents of the current issue are available online, but the "Back Issues" link only provides access to a list of the old issues. [More Information]
47. Palma Tours
    This agency specializes in tours of Egypt for deaf travel groups. [More Information]
48. Project ACTION Accessible Traveler's Database
    "Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration, Easter Seals Project ACTION promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA and beyond. We offer various resources, as well as training and technical assistance, in an effort to make the ADA work for everyone, everyday. More than a dozen years after our creation, our goal - and our name - remains unchanged: Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation (ACTION)." [More Information]
49. Regional Disabilities Resources
    Provides local transit information for persons with disabilities. [More Information]
50. Rullaten ry
    Rullaten ry was founded in 1987 to provide information and counselling for disabled persons in Finland. The organization focuses on issues relating to transportation and travel for people with disabilities and provides information on travel-related issues. Rullaten ry serves all disabled people, their relatives, caregivers, policy makers and travel service providers as well as providers of assistive services and products. Their annual publication, "Accessible Helsinki," provides information on over 800 destinations in Finland including accessibility, accommodations, disability-related services, nature experiences, and other information of interest to travellers with disabilities. [More Information]
51. Sailing Alternatives
    Provides instruction and the opportunity to sail, for those affected by disabilities. [More Information]
52. SeeMore Scenic Tours
    SeeMore Scenic Tours offers wheelchair accessible tours and travel packages for people with disabilities and mobility problems to South East Queensland in Australia. [More Information]
53. Serena's Song: Accessible Hot Air Ballooning
    Serena's Song is the only FAA approved hot air balloon that is accessible for people who use a wheelchair. The design, a side door that opens to permit ramped entry, was designed by Gary Waldman. It was inspired by his daughter, Serena, who has cerebral palsy. After seeing how much she enjoyed riding the balloon he created one that now appears at events all over the country. [More Information]
54. Smithsonian Institution Accessibility Program
    This site offers information on the efforts of the Smithsonian to offer accessible exhibits, learning activities, publications, and multimedia materials. [More Information]
55. Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality
    The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality, founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization. Its mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations. The SATH site offers resources on accessible modes of travel and destinations. [More Information]
56. Special Magic Travel
    Special Magic Travel is a travel agency specializing in travel tours and destinations for people with disabilities and seniors. They work to customize accomodations and provide arrangements necessary for special services. [More Information]
57. Sprout
    "Sprout is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with developmental disabilities and mental retardation grow through challenging and safe travel experiences." Based in New York City, the programs are available to people with MR/DD and the agencies that serve them throughout the United States. Participants have the opportunity to experience age-appropriate, recreational and leisure activities in a small group setting. By offering these experiences, through these activities, the organization seeks to enhance the mobility, self-confidence, and socialization of our participants. And through community-based activities, Sprout strives to break down some of the barriers that exist between participants and the general public. The organization offers a vacation program for adults, custom-designed trips for other organizations, and programs and activities based in New York City. Sprout also offers a Make-A-Movie program which offers people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to star in and be part of the creative video-making process. Sprout also sponsors an anual film festival and the Sproutstock music festival. [More Information]
58. Touring Friends Assisted Travel Association
    A non-profit, registered charity in Guelph, Ontario, Touring Friends Assisted Travel Association was established to deliver therapeutic and enrichment experiences to persons with a disability, illness, or apprehension, physical or mental. [More Information]
59. Transportation, U.S. Department of
    The DOT site provides access to national transportation laws, rules and regulations. For specific information on disabilitiy issues, go to the "Accessibility" section of the "Citizen Services" area. [More Information]
60. Trips Inc.
    Trips Inc. provides award winning, all-inclusive vacation packages for adults with developmental disabilities. Trips Inc. also has a Young Adventurers program for youths between the ages of 16 and 22. [More Information]
61. WebAccess New Mexico
    WebAccess New Mexico is an online travel guide for people with disabilities in New Mexico. It was prepared by the New Mexico Governor's Committee on Concerns of the Handicapped. [More Information]
62. Wheelchair Getaways
    "America's largest wheelchair accessible van rental organization." They offer delivery to major airports and other convenient locations and carry full size vans with lifts and minivans with ramps. Hand controls and other adaptive features are available. [More Information]
63. Wheelers Accessible Vans
    Wheelers offers van rentals in 26 states and Washington, D.C., with delivery available. Vans and minivans can be rented in a variety of configurations and with hand controls or other modifications. The individual locations can also help arrange scooter and wheelchair rentals. [More Information]
64. Wheeling Around the Algarve
    Information on arranging for a vacation in Portugal that is fully wheelchair accessible. [More Information]
65. Wilderness Inquiry
    Wilderness Inquiry (WI) is a non-profit organization that focuses on getting people from all walks of life to personally experience the natural world. Since 1978, WI has served over 150,000 people, including many who have disabilities or otherwise do not fit the "wilderness traveler" stereotype. Recent trips have included dogsledding in Alaska, canoeing in the Everglades, and kayaking on Lake Powell. [More Information]
66. Wilderness on Wheels
    The Wilderness On Wheels Foundation operates a model wilderness-access facility which makes a Colorado mountain environment accessible to all. The organization is a nonprofit agency with no paid administrative staff. [More Information]
67. Wired on Wheels
    Wired on Wheels, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enabling people with disabilities to make more informed decisions about the dining destinations they might visit. This community-based rating system seeks to build the first nationwide database of accessibility ratings for dining establishments. [More Information]

View State Specific Organizations

1. 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED 2007)
   In accordance with its theme, "Benchmarking, Evaluation and Vision for the Future", TRANSED 2007 will review advances in research, profile international breakthroughs and explore perspectives for technological innovations in order to respond to the mobility challenges of an aging population and of persons with disabilities, as part of an inclusive society. The conference will offer an exhibition where participants will have an overview of the deployment of innovation in the field of accessible transportation. [More Information]

1. "Access America for People with Disabilities" Website Opens
   In keeping with President Clinton's vision of using information technology to increase and improve customer service, the President announced a new website, Access America for People with Disabilities - www.disAbility.gov - that will serve as a "one-stop" electronic link to an enormous range of useful information to people with disabilities and their families. The website contains information relating to children and youth; employment, self employment, and entrepreneurship; transportation; health care and long term services and supports; choice and self-determination; recreation and travel; civil rights and protections; college, adult and vocational education; housing; technology; income supports; tax credits and deductions; disability statistics; and emergency preparedness. [More Information]
2. Scoot-Around North America
   Scoot-Around North America arranges worry-free scooter rentals for business or vacation travelers with restricted mobility. A call to a 24-hour toll-free number, a fax, or an E-mail can arrange a scooter rental. The company provides a no-obligation quotation, sources the type of scooter required and delivers it to the customer- at an airport, a hotel, a cruise ship-- anywhere. Rentals are available virtually anywhere in North America, and the company is presently expanding operations in Europe and the Americas, with many popular travel destinations being added as the need arises. Contact the company at Scoot-Around North America 396 Furby Street Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada R3B 2V5. Toll Free Phone: 1-888-441-7575; Fax : 204-772-6299. E-Mail: info@scootaround.com [More Information]
3. Supreme Court Rules that ADA Applies to Cruise Ships
   The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that international cruise lines sailing in U.S. waters must comply with Americans with Disabilites Act requirements that apply to U.S.-based cruise lines. The 5-4 ruling was unclear abount how much the foreign cruise lines will actually have to reconfigure the pools, restaurants and emergency equipment on their ships. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that cruise lines need not comply with the ADA to the extent it creates too much international discord or disruption of internal affairs, under a provision of the ADA limiting modification to those that are "readily achievable". The decision resulted from a suit by three people with disabilities claimed that they paid for accessible staterooms on board a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship only to find that they were unable to use elevators, restaurants and other facilities on the ship. [More Information]
4. Wired on Wheels to Offer Accessiblity Information on Restaurants and other Travel Destinations
   Wired on Wheels (WOW!) is a new, not-for-profit Internet organization committed to providing people with disabilities with information on the accessibility of potential travel destinations such as restaurants. WOW! offers people who are disabled â?? and their friends and family â?? an online community where they can rate accessibility, find out what other reviewers think about a destination, and make informed decisions about where to go. The information will be posted with the restaurant reviews found on Digital City.com. WOW! needs your input. [More Information]

ABLEDATA, 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930, Silver Spring, MD 20910. 1-800-227-0216.
Maintained for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Dept. of Education
by Macro International Inc. under Contract No. ED-02-CO-0038.