Destinations, Accommodations and Tour Companies That Shine for Travelers With Disabilities

Accommodations for Travelers With Disabilities

Worldwide, an estimated 1.3 billion individuals—or 1 in 6  people—live with a significant disability. That’s about 16 percent of the global population, according to the World Health Organization. And it’s a very substantial market of potential travel customers. 

Just how valuable is this market of people seeking accommodations for travelers with Disabilities?

In the past two years, the majority of adults with disabilities (63 percent) have taken at least one trip, and about one-third have taken three or more trips, according to the 2024 Open Doors report, which measures how often adults with disabilities travel. Moreover, these individuals spent almost $50 billion across 76.9 million trips.

The same report indicates that for travelers with disabilities seeking accommodations, they are busy exploring a long list of domestic destinations (Atlanta chief among them). Many are also venturing beyond U.S. borders to visit Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean.

This data is impressive – especially given the reality that individuals with disabilities continue to face numerous challenges when traveling – and place primary importance on finding accommodations for travelers with disabilities when planning a trip, even with the assistance of custom travel planners such as My Journey Begins Travel.

Air travel is perhaps one of the most notoriously difficult parts of any journey, with a 2022 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office pointing out that travelers with disabilities continue to face a “range of barriers to accessible air travel” at every step of the process, from passenger screening to onboard planes. That includes difficulties obtaining a wheelchair or customer assistance, to obstacles accessing onboard lavatories.

A separate report published from MMGY titled “Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility and Accessibility,” further underscores this fraught reality when seeking accommodations for travelers with disabilities, explaining that the “challenges for this group are very real and are found at every step of the travel-planning process and journey.” Some of the key takeaways from the MMGY findings included:

• Four in 10 travelers with disabilities have had their mobility aid lost or damaged by an airline.
• Six in 10 have experienced extended wait times for mobility assistance at the airport before or after their flight.
• More than half (54 percent) have been given a room at check-in that did not match the room they booked.
• 81 percent have dealt with inaccessible showers or tubs, and 52 percent have encountered beds that were too high for them to access.

While the travel industry has a long way to go to be genuinely accessible to all, the good news is that a growing number of destinations, brands and tour operators stand out for their efforts thus far to bridge the gap and break down barriers.

Here are some of the destinations, tour operators, transportation companies and more that are helping to make travel far more accessible for individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations for Travelers With Disabilities: Destinations

Ann Arbor, Michigan


Destination Ann Arbor’s approach to accessibility is grounded in a clear mission: make inclusive travel a core part of the visitor experience, not an afterthought.

To help Ann Arbor achieve that goal, the destination regularly convenes an Accessibility Roundtable made up of disability advocates, the local Disability Network, nonprofits, and community leaders “who meet to guide long-term accessibility strategy and shared priorities,” says Chad Wiebesick, director of media relations and special projects for Destination Ann Arbor.

“This collaborative structure ensures accessibility efforts are not a one-time initiative, but a sustained commitment shaped by the lived experiences of people with disabilities,” Wiebesick tells TravelPulse.

So what does that mean in practice for visitors with disabilities?

In partnership with Wheel the World and the local Disability Network, more than 50 hotels, attractions, restaurants, and cultural venues across the Ann Arbor area have completed in-depth accessibility assessments capturing over 200 data points per location.

Those assessments went far beyond basic ADA checklists to document the real-world details travelers with disabilities need to plan confidently, including entrance routes, restroom layouts, elevator dimensions, seating configurations, and more. 

All of this verified information is now publicly available on the Wheel the World website, a travel booking platform for individuals with disabilities that allows travelers to find, compare, and book travel experiences tailored to their accessibility needs. 

As for Ann Arbor, the community’s efforts culminated in the city becoming Michigan’s first Wheel the World Destination Verified community. Having earned such a designation is an important step, underscoring Ann Arbor’s care and commitment to travelers with disabilities.

Ann Arbor’s community-centered approach has also earned the city national recognition. And perhaps even more importantly, the community, says Wiebesick, is now serving as a model for other destinations that are working to better support accessible travel.

Jacksonville, Florida 

With 22 miles of beaches and year-round sunshine, the city of Jacksonville, Florida is a perennial favorite among travelers. And the good news is, the destination’s leaders are busy working to ensure that Jacksonville’s offerings are accessible to all travelers.

In 2023, for instance, Visit Jacksonville, the city’s destination management organization (DMO), became Florida’s first autism-certified DMO. The designation, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), means that the Visit Jacksonville staff has undergone specialized training to better understand and meet the needs of autistic visitors and their families.

That designation is particularly meaningful in light of an IBCCES survey of parents, families, and autistic individuals, which found that 94 percent of these respondents would take more vacations or visit more new places if they had access to autism-trained and certified options.

In Jacksonville there are several attractions designed to be accessible for individuals with autism. That includes the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art, which offers Autism Creates (an educational initiative for children with autism spectrum disorders). The museum also provides an American Sign Language interpreter upon request.

To provide still more assistance to travelers with autism, Visit Jacksonville’s website includes a page that lists other austism-friendly offerings and attractions in the area. 

Accommodations for Travelers With Disabilities: Vacation rentals

Finding accessible accommodations when traveling can be another significant challenge. But it’s one that the luxury vacation villa rental company Rental Escapes has worked to address.

The company, which has more than 5,000 destinations in its global portfolio, offers a curated collection of accessible and wheelchair-friendly luxury villas designed to support travelers with limited mobility without sacrificing comfort or experience. 

That includes villas spanning the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and the United States, offering features such as single-level layouts, step-free entrances, wide doorways, elevators, ground-floor bathrooms and bedrooms, and roll-in showers.

Accessibility with Rental Escapes properties goes beyond the physical space, as well. For instance, each booking is guided by a dedicated villa specialist who personally confirms the available accessibility features at each property to ensure guests’ specific needs are met. In addition, select villas offer dedicated on-site staff who provide comfort and personalized support throughout the stay. 

If additional assistance is needed, Rental Escapes can provide it through a concierge team that curates every detail, from bespoke private excursions to chef-led in-villa dining.

Accommodations for Travelers With Disabilities: Tours and transportation 

Custom Tours of DC

If Washington, DC, is on your to-do list as a disabled traveler, Custom Tours of DC is here to ensure you have a smooth, memorable experience.

“Custom Tours of DC specializes in fully private, customized tours designed around each client’s specific accessibility needs and mobility considerations,” says Adam Plescia, the company’s founder and owner.

Unlike standard group tours with fixed itineraries, the company creates flexible experiences that can be adjusted in real-time based on a traveler’s energy levels, physical capabilities, and comfort, Plescia tells TravelPulse.

“Each tour includes a private, climate-controlled vehicle that serves as a personal rest space throughout the day, stocked with water and accommodations for medical devices or mobility aids,” Plescia explains.

In addition, the company’s guides are trained to design routes that prioritize ADA-accessible venues, well-maintained pathways, and rest opportunities while avoiding challenging terrain. 

This type of one-on-one attention means guides can move at each client’s pace, incorporate frequent breaks, and modify plans as needed—whether that means shortening a walking segment, adding a seated museum experience, or adjusting timing for medication schedules.

“Because every tour is built from scratch around the individual traveler rather than forcing them into a pre-set experience, Custom Tours of DC ensures that visitors with disabilities can experience Washington D.C.’s world-class museums, monuments, and cultural sites with dignity, safety, and genuine enjoyment,” says Plescia.

Daytrip

If you’re an avid globetrotter and you haven’t already heard of Daytrip, now is the time to bookmark this company’s website. The global private car transfer service is one of the best-kept secrets in the travel industry.

Daytrip makes transportation in destinations around the world practically effortless. Using the Daytrip website, travelers can book customizable, private door-to-door car transfers or day trips with English-speaking drivers.

I’ve personally used this company in Italy and Japan, and it made my travels a breeze when I needed transportation between cities. Their drivers are reliable, professional, and friendly, and they consistently show up on time. They also consistently go above and beyond to ensure my comfort.

I also love the fact that when booking car transportation with Daytrip, I have the option to add a sightseeing stop as part of my transfer between two locations. For travelers with disabilities, this means being able to explore locations and sights that may be harder to access using local public transportation.

Some of the specific services Daytrip offers include:

• Day trips: As the company’s name indicates, you can use Daytrip to book a car and driver who will take you to explore a specific point of interest in the country you’re visiting. This service can be used in a variety of scenarios, including when you’re traveling by cruise and want to explore a destination during a port visit.
  
  Daytrip transportation also comes in handy when you’re staying in a city and want to explore beyond city boundaries, where there may be little to no public transportation (Think: exploring smaller towns, castles, or nearby attractions). 
• Transfers (one-way, return, and multi-city): Yet another helpful service offered by Daytrip is private transfer between two points with the option to add one or more sightseeing stops along the way. Travelers often use Daytrip for airport pick-ups and drop-offs as well.
  
  Past travelers with disabilities have written glowing reviews about Daytrip, including one family who said:

“We had two amazing experiences during our trip to Spain and Portugal with Daytrip. Walter drove us from Lisbon to Lagos and Nataliya drove us from Lagos to Seville. Both drivers were professional and kind. They both gave us some history and knowledge of the places we were arriving to. They accommodated our daughter who is in a wheelchair. I would highly recommend Daytrip as a transfer service.”

Claire & George 

One final, but especially notable, company is the Europe-based nonprofit organization Claire & George, which offers accessible holidays in Switzerland.

And for Florida resident Chelsea Bear, who was born with cerebral palsy (CP), the organization turned a trip to Switzerland into a deeply memorable experience that she will remember forever.

“Traveling with cerebral palsy, I’m always thinking 10 steps ahead: ‘Will I be able to get around? Will it be accessible? Will people actually understand what I need?’,” says Bear. “I love seeing new places, but it can also feel like I’m signing up for the unexpected.”

Bear’s 2024 trip to Switzerland with Claire & George, however, changed everything.

It wasn’t the scenery or the food or the people she met that made the trip special (although all of those things were indeed memorable), says Bear. But the game changer was how supported and included Bear says she felt throughout the entire trip, thanks to Claire & George.

Managing Director Susanne Gäumann was on the journey the entire time and ensured that Bear could take part in everything, rather than just watching from the sidelines. “And she did it in a way that didn’t make me feel like ‘the disabled traveler’ I just felt like a traveler,” adds Bear.

What’s more, each day of the trip was packed with moments that Bear says she still thinks about two years later. 

“In St. Gallen, I explored the Old Town, wandered through the gorgeous St. Gallen Cathedral, and tried St. Gallen Bratwurst,” continues Bear. “I also got to tour the Appenzeller cheese factory, which made me appreciate Swiss cheese on a whole new level. We rode a cable car to the summit of Säntis Mountain. The views up there honestly didn’t feel real.”

These are just some of the experiences Bear had while traveling with Claire & George. The organization has more than a decade of experience planning holidays for individuals affected by physical or sensory disabilities. Their services include private tours and connecting travelers with accessible, wheelchair-friendly hotels. 

For Bear, this type of support was especially meaningful. “Accessibility was never an afterthought on this trip; it was a part of every plan, city, and activity,” she says. “Because of that, I got to actually experience Switzerland, not just ‘see’ it.” 

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book a trip tailored to accommodate your disability or the special needs of a member of your traveling party.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Right here in our backyard of Myrtle Beach, SC we have in the neighboring town of Surfside Beach the first autism-friendly travel destination in the world, bestowed January 2016.

Please also check out our article on Low Tide Gaming, a sensory-friendly arcade located in the Town of Surfside Beach.

Accommodations for Travelers With Disabilities: Surfside Beach Autism Friendly Information

• Participating Businesses
• Autism Friendly Lodging
• Resolution Number 16-162 (PDF)

The Autism-Friendly Travel Destination

Staying true to our “Family Beach” motto, Surfside Beach officially became the first autism-friendly travel destination in the world in January 2016.

It’s a first we’re proud of, as Resolution 16-162 declares, “Whereas, the Business Committee has developed a plan for families affected by autism to experience a safe and enjoyable vacation at The Family Beach that will accommodate the families’ needs by hosting events specifically designed for individuals with autism; and whereas, the Lowcountry Autism Foundation Inc., the Autism Academy of South Carolina, and the Reggie Sanders Foundation have endorsed this effort; and whereas the business community has engaged in this effort and together, with the Surfside Beach Business Committee, endorse the recommendation to resolve that the Town of Surfside Beach is ‘An Autism-Friendly Travel Destination.'”

Importance

Why is this so important to our town? As “The Family Beach,” we understand that we need to be sensitive to all families while they visit and stay with us. Becky Large, Surfside Beach resident and founder of Champion Autism Network (CAN), knows, too, which is why she was integral in having the proclamation passed. As a mother of a son on the autism spectrum, she knows it’s an epic move on Surfside’s part; it’s been her mission to spread autism awareness since founding CAN in 2012 and to make families with autistic children aware that businesses, restaurants, attractions and hotels are trained and ready to support them in an empathetic, non-judgmental environment while they travel away for days or weeks from the comfort of home.

Autism

Autism, in general, is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors and sensory processing issues, which means lights, sounds, smells and crowds – especially in a new environment – are difficult to tolerate. Overstimulation then leads to tantrums or meltdowns – and the public eye isn’t usually accepting.

For families living with autism, this can be challenging and unpredictable as it is – and even more so when traveling, which is why most families stay home. But CAN and Surfside Beach are proud supports of the Autism Travel and Card program formerly known as the CAN card. The program offers a way for families to subtly let participating attractions, restaurants, hotels and resorts know that they are an autism family to ensure proper service and support. Participating businesses, in turn, are trained to accommodate your special needs.

For more information on CAN, Surfside Beach’s autism-friendly distinction, and to join the Autism Travel Club, visit the Champion Autism Network.