AbilityTrip.com » North America

Carbondale, Illinois, USA

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:49:43 +0000

CARBONDALE : Overview

OVERVIEW

Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the dollar.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

CARBONDALE : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

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CARBONDALE : Accommodations

HOTELS

Hampton Inn (Marion, IL.): “The hotel is truly accessible. It had all the typical accessibility features and the hand-held showerhead was placed in a lower position rather than the higher position like most hotels do.” Carolee, 6/26/11

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CARBONDALE : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

17th St. BBQ (in nearby Murfeesburrough): “The restaurant has a separate accessible entrance all the way in the back of the building. You have to ring the doorbell to use it because there is no door handle on the outside. Also, the restrooms are inaccessible to the point that not even a normal sized wheelchair can squeeze through the hallway to get to the restrooms.” Carolee, 6/26/11

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CARBONDALE : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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CARBONDALE : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

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Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:06:20 +0000

GULF SHORES : Overview

OVERVIEW

“Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL is a typical beach resort town with plenty of fresh seafood available and great access to the beach. I would definitely suggest having a car with you to get around.” Carolee, 6/26/11

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the dollar.

QUICKLINKS

GULF SHORES : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

“Bring a car or rent one. You’ll need it!” Carolee, 6/26/11

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GULF SHORES : Accommodations

RESORTS

Escape to the Shore: “All five of the condo units on the fifth floor are wheelchair accessible and each unit has a roll-in shower.

They have games and activities for the entire family, including weekly scavenger hunts and Bingo. The activities are free for property owners and only $3/person for rental guests.

The property also has ramps to an exercise room (no accessible equipment), an indoor pool and several outdoor pools. A wheelchair user has access to all of the pool areas. The outdoor pools have shallow steps that lead directly into the pool (none of the pool areas have lifts).

The doors for the property and the units can be very heavy to open independently.” Carolee, 6/26/11

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GULF SHORES : Entertainment

GULF SHORES : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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GULF SHORES : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

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New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:37:19 +0000

NEW ORLEANS : Overview

OVERVIEW

The City of New Orleans is a mix of old and new. The streets are narrow and not all of them have appropriate curb cuts. For such an old city a number of shops are accessible, but the majority still isn’t unless you can get past a small step up into the shops.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the dollar.

QUICKLINKS

NEW ORLEANS : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

“The city of New Orleans has a small public transportation system. I saw only a few taxis while there and the ones I did see were either an SUV or a mini-van (non-accessible). I saw only one or two sedan taxis the entire time. I believe the city does have a bus system although I can’t say for sure if it is accessible or not. It’s also not very big. While there, I rode on the streetcar. The Red line streetcar is accessible; but the green line is not. The Red line takes you to Greenwood Cemetery.” Carolee, 6/26/11

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NEW ORLEANS : Accommodations

HOTELS

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NEW ORLEANS : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Café Du Monde: “The Cafe Du Monde has an accessible entrance, but I don’t know how the bathrooms are as we weren’t there very long. They only have coffee items and beignets (square donuts).” Carolee, 6/26/11

Court of the Two Sisters: “Court of the Two Sisters is a very upscale restaurant with a very casual feel to it. While there I saw people dressed in anything from shorts and t-shirts to their “Sunday Best”. It has indoor and outdoor dining. As you walk into the restaurant there is a charm gate on either side of you. According to the sign on the gate, if you touch the gate you will be blessed with charm. The average entrée is about $15-20 per item. They have an accessible restroom that is all the way in the back near the cooking and prep area of the restaurant, the good news is that it’s a one-seater with plenty of room inside to maneuver.” Carolee, 6/26/11

Gator Me Crazy: “With a name like “Gator-Me Crazy” It’s not hard to guess that Gator is the specialty of the house in this establishment. They serve anything from Gator Swamp Rolls to Gator Jambalaya and fried Gator. If you’re not quite ready to taste gator they do have other options like fried shrimp and hamburgers and cheeseburgers. The entrance to the restaurant is accessible, but I would suggest going to the restroom ahead of time as the restrooms are inaccessible.” Carolee, 6/26/11

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NEW ORLEANS : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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NEW ORLEANS : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Since New Orleans is in the south, you can expect temperatures to be in the 100’s. Bring plenty of light clothing and water!

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

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Seattle, Washington, USA

admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:59:21 +0000

SEATTLE : Overview

OVERVIEW

Seattle is located in the Pacific Northwest and has the distinction of being the northern most city in the contiguous U.S. The city has a population of approximately 600,000 people. The city is nestled on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Washington Lake, a short drive down from Canadian border. Seattle is a picturesque city boasting beautiful landscapes and many outdoors activities. Seattle is famous for many things including – the home of Starbucks coffee, the origins of Grunge music and a significant amount of performing arts. The city hosts a variety of fairs and festivals including a popular film festivavl, folklife, sea fair event, Native American, and a variety of art / music events.

Seattle is overall relatively accessible for people with disabilities, and wheelchair accessible transportation is available via a variety of modes. Throughout the year you can expect lots of rain, so be prepared for the weather.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the US dollar.

QUICKLINKS

SEATTLE : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Seattle Tacoma International Airport: The Seattle Tacoma International Airport is equipped to handle passengers with disabilities. The airport has accessible bathrooms with large stalls and private restrooms for individuals who need assistance. These restrooms can be found at the Ticketing and Baggage Claim levels of the Main Terminal as well as on Concourses A, B, C, and D.

If passengers require assistance be sure to let your airline know in advance so the airport can make arrangements to have a wheelchair handy, an aisle chair, or assistance if needed when you arrive.

“We traveled to Seattle via SEATAC with my two adult physically disabled sons. We had a horrible experience at this airport on our way home. The flight attendant would not let our daughter pre-board with my husband and two sons. She stated the rules said only one person to assist each disabled individual. Probably would have been fine until we got to the plane and the same flight attendant expected my husband and I to transfer our sons to the aisle chair by ourselves, after stating “it was policy that the individuals preboarding are supposed to be able to be able to take care of handicapped travelers needs”!!!! The pilot noticed my upset reaction and called the luggage loader under the plane to assist my husband!!! We had noticed that passengers requiring assistance were just left outside the gate in wheelchairs for quite along time on the arriving flight at that gate. When these passengers asked how much longer they would wait, the airport staff gave rude reponses. We have traveled to many airports with our sons and never have been treated so rudely. Most airports go above and beyond not the case at SEATAC! We have plans to visit WA again BUT will drive or fly into BC!!!” 10/19/2010, Jean

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Project: Information regarding wheelchair accessible taxi services in Seattle.

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SHUTTLE

Four Points LLC: Four Points LLC offers wheelchair accessible shuttle service. Contact Four Points in advance and request an accessible shuttle for your travel needs.

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RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

Absolute Mobility Center: Absolute Mobility offers a variety of accessible vans for your rental needs. They also rent other equipment such as scooters and power wheelchairs.

AMS: AMS offers wheelchair accessible vans for rent. Vans are equipped with a ramp or lift, and a variety of other accessible features are available. AMS also rents power scooters, power wheelchairs, and portable ramps.

Wheelchair Getaways: Wheelchair Getaways rents accessible vans in the Seattle area. They offer convenient services such as drop off (for a fee) and 24 hour emergency service.

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BUS

King Metro Transit: All Metro buses in Seattle are wheelchair accessible.

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

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SEATTLE : Accommodations

HOTELS

Seattle has a variety of hotels to choose from for every budget. However, it’s important if you’re a guest who requires an accessible room to ask the right questions when booking a room. If you use a motorized wheelchair important questions to ask might be:

-          How wide are the doors in your accessible room?
-          Does the accessible room have a roll in shower?
-          Are there lowered closets, sinks, and desks in the accessible room?
-          Can you share other accessible features?

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LUXURY RESORTS

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SEATTLE : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Argosy Cruise: “All of the cruises offer varying degrees of being wheelchair friendly. The most wheelchair friendly of the sightseeing cruises would be the one hour Harbor Cruise. This cruise has a ramp leading from the dock onto the first deck of the boat. The restrooms on the first deck are able to accommodate a standard sized wheelchair. Unfortunately a guest in a wheelchair will not have access to the upper decks as they are only accessible via stairs. Our other sightseeing cruises (Locks, Seattle Lakes & Kirkland Lake Cruises) can accommodate a standard sized wheelchair on board, however, none of them have restrooms on board which can accommodate a wheelchair. The Locks Cruise requires a 24 hour advance notice as a short portion of the cruise is done via Grayline bus and we do need that advance notice in order to ensure that we have an accessible bus for the guest.” 10/13/2010, Argosy Guest Services

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ACTIVITIES

Mount Rainer Park: Visiting Mount Rainer Park is a must do. There is so much to do for any ability, everything from driving tours, festivals, skiing, hiking, fishing, and more. Visit the Mount Rainer Park website for more information.

Space Needle: The Space Needle is a must do activity when visiting Seattle. The observation deck is wheelchair accessible as well as the restaurant.

Woodland Park Zoo: The Woodland Park Zoo is wheelchair accessible. Manual wheelchairs can be rented from Guest Services. Accessible restrooms and drinking fountains can be found throughout the zoo grounds.

For people requiring sign language interpreters, the zoo can provide one, however two week advanced notice is required.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

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SEATTLE : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Northwest Hospital and Medical Center

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Virginia Mason Seattle Main Clinic

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Access Medical Equipment: Access Medical Equipment rents a variety of medical related equipment. Please visit the Access Medical Equipment website for a complete list of items for rent.

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SEATTLE : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

If you’re visiting downtown Seattle, beware that there are a lot of hills, which can be annoying if you’re using a mobility device. There are plenty of accessible transportation options that connect and travel through the downtown area to avoid the hills.

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SEATTLE : Additional Links

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Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:40:18 +0000

VICTORIA : Overview

OVERVIEW

Victoria is the capitol of British Columbia and is located on the Southern end of Vancouver Island. Victoria is a small city (less than 100K people) but is a significant tourist destination with over 3 million visitors annually. Overall the island is relatively wheelchair friendly, with cutouts at the curbs, and traffic lights with audio crossing signals. This amazing city also has a fantastic public transportation system (80% of all city bus service is now accessible), a ferry service from Vancouver Island to The Mainland which is very wheelchair friendly, and there is also a supplier in Vancouver who has a wheelchair accessible RV Rental. Most Provincial Parks are accessible as well. During the Summer, there are a constant wave of Festivals and the Inner Harbour is the best place ever for People watching!

LANGUAGE

The official language of Victoria is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Victoria is the Canadian Dollar.

QUICKLINKS

VICTORIA : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Victoria International Airport (YYJ): The airport has multiple levels which are accessible via elevator, and has many other modern features. The restrooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible stalls and companion bathrooms also exist. Boarding the plane is made easy via Jet Bridge. Prior to your flight, passengers should contact their airline to arrange special assistance if required.

“Very well organized airport, all staff well trained and can handle even complicated requests (Stretcher wheelchair transportation, ventilators and oxygen handling). Some of the smaller commuter planes do have stairs, but again, the Ground crew is competent and can manage most things. My only warning (and this would be for taking a flight anywhere is to take as much as you can off a wheelchair going into the hold, (headrests, footrests etc) baggage handlers not known for being gentle with EXPENSIVE equipment.” Alex, 9/15/10

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CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

Blue Bird Cabs: Blue Bird Cabs currently has 3 wheelchair accessible cabs in their fleet. Reservations should be made in advance to avoid long waits.

Empress Taxi (Yellow Cab of Victoria): Empress has 8 wheelchair accessible vans currently in their fleet to serve passengers with disabilities. Reservations should be booked in advance.

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SHUTTLE

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BUS

BC Tranist: To learn more about the accessible features of BC Transit visit their website. They offer a PDF guide of accessible bus features for passengers to review.

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Rental Vehicle (accessible van)

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

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TRAIN (Heavy Rail)

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VICTORIA : Accommodations

HOTELS

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VICTORIA : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Wilson’s Bus Tours: Wilson’s LTD has a variety of bus options for people with disabilities. For more information about sightseeing tours contact the website.

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ACTIVITIES

Wheelchair Accessible Motorhome: British Columbia Wheelchair Services has two wheelchair accessible motorhomes for rent to sightsee the beautiful area of BC, a family vacation you won’t forget. Both motorhomes have a lift and other accessible features.

Wheelchair accessible boat: A wheelchair accessible boat for fishing and sightseeing enthusiasts. For more information visit the website listed.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Butchart Gardens: “You can’t come to Victoria without a trip to Buchart Gardens! Beautiful old quarry turned into a fantastic garden gorgeous all year round and completely accessible. Some tour buses have lifts for wheelchairs, best to organize in advance.” Alex, 9/15/10

John’s Place Restaurant: “They have a wooden ramp they put out to go up the 2 steps into this amazing restaurant! It’s been there for over 20 years and makes the best Eggs Benedict I have ever tasted. Worth the hassle!” Alex, 9/15/10

Spinnikers Brew pub and Restaurant: “Downstairs is accessible and they serve fresh Island grown food, the best Fish and Chips in town and great home brewed beer as well as a great wine selection.” Alex, 9/15/10

The Empress Hotel: “High Tea, Dinner or fantastic Curry and Martinis in the Bengal Lounge! The Empress hotel is a Victoria Institution, expensive but worth a splurge! (they also have wheelchair accessible rooms.)” Alex, 9/15/10

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VICTORIA : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Scoot Around: Scoot Around rents wheelchairs and scooters throughout the USA, and in Victoria, British Columbia.

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VICTORIA : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

“During the summer Victoria is often full of tourists coming off the many Cruise Ships that come into port, down town can get crowded!” Alex, 9/15/10

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

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Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:01:22 +0000

MACKINAC ISLAND : Overview

OVERVIEW

Mackinac Island, is part of the state of Michigan and is located in the area connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron (of the Great Lakes). It is a small, quaint Victorian community that will take you back to the era of horse drawn carriages and simplicity. No personal cars are allowed on the island. Bikes, horse drawn carriages, horses and by foot are the common means of transportation. Mackinac is full of rich history, which can be experienced through a wheelchair accessible sightseeing horse drawn carriage tour. It’s a wonderful place for the whole family to visit.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the dollar.

QUICKLINKS

MACKINAC ISLAND : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

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FERRY

Arnold Transit Co. Mackinac Ferry: The catamarans at Arnold Transit Co. are all wheel chair accessible with both inside and outside seating available. Contact the company for specific details regarding schedules and accessibility.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

There are no motorized vehicles prohibited on the island, only horse drawn carriages. All horse drawn taxis are radio dispatched; customers cannot whistle or signal a horse drawn taxi for service.

Mackinac Island Carriage Tours: On the island there is only one wheelchair accessible carriage tour available. Reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance. The Carriage can also be used for taxi service as well, but again reservations should be made well in advance. The carriage will seat up to two wheelchairs and 8 non-wheelchair users. Again, remember to reserve early, sometimes 24 hours notice isn’t enough during the busy season.

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MACKINAC ISLAND: Accommodations

BED AND BREAKFAST

Market Street Inn: The Market Street in is a Bed and Breakfast and is not currently wheelchair accessible.

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HOTELS

Grand Hotel: The Grand Hotel is the only hotel on the island that offers wheelchair accessible rooms with a roll in shower. Reservations should be booked in advance, and an accessible room should be requested at time of booking. Note that the Cupola Bar at Grand Hotel requires a person to be able to walk up two flights of stairs.

Hotel Iroquois: Due to the historic nature of the building there are no wheelchair accessible rooms at Hotel Iroquois.

Island House Hotel: The hotel does have a lift that is able to take a wheelchair from the ground level into the hotel as well as an elevator that can take you up to the rooms. As for the shower, there is a seat and grab bars. There is no roll in shower; one would be required to get up out of the chair and into the shower. If you have further questions regarding accessibility or decide to make reservations you can call (800) 626-6304. Be sure to specify you need a handicap accessible room.

Main Street Inn and Suites: The Main Street Inn and Suites has one bedroom suite with king bed, large sitting room and balcony. The room is wheelchair accessible and the bathroom is a bath/shower combination with a shower seat. The room does not have a roll in shower. The bathroom also has grab bars which are also located around the toilet.

There are no barriers to get into the hotel, and there are no steps. The hotel is equipped with an elevator.

The Main Street Inn and Suites is located right down town, within a minute or two walking distance from the ferry docks. Also, almost all the shopping, dining and carriage tours are within a few minutes distance from the hotel.

Murray Hotel and Inn on Mackinac: The Inn on Mackinac and the Murray Hotel don’t have roll-in showers. Check with the hotel for specific accessible features.

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Condos

Lake Bluff Condos: The Lake Bluff Condos do not have any wheelchair accessible accommodations as they are privately owned condos.

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MACKINAC ISLAND : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

Mackinac Island Butterfly House: The Mackinac Island Butterfly House is fully wheelchair accessible. Check with the website, they are only open during high season.

Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory: The Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory is wheelchair friendly. There are no restrooms located on the property, but they are available at Surrey Hills Carriage Museum, next to Wings of Mackinac at Surrey Hills.

Fort Mackinac: There are wheelchairs available for use, first come first served. For people with hearing impairments, all audiovisual materials contain captioning. Fort Mackinac is considered to be fairly accessible. Visit the website for specifics as they list access difficulties as well.

Golf: There are three beautiful golf courses on Mackinac Island. Horse drawn carriages can give you a lift between the courses. Regular golf carts are available for use on the courses.

The Haunted Theater: The Haunted Theater is not fully accessible. People must be able to walk up one flight of stairs to enter the theater.

Mission Point Resort: The Tower Maritime Museum at Mission Point Resort requires a person to be able to walk up three flights of stairs to reach the top of the Tower.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

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MACKINAC ISLAND : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Northern Medical Regional Health System

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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MACKINAC ISLAND : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Since motorized transportation is prohibited on the island, there are a couple of choices to get around: Horse carriage ride, wheelchair or walking. Remember if you plan on walking to bring some good shoes along.

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

Mackinac Island

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Kona, Hawaii, USA

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:02:23 +0000

KONA : Overview

OVERVIEW

Kona, Hawaii, is also known as “The Big Island of Hawaii.” It is the largest island in the chain of the Hawaiian Islands (part of the United States). It is not only a beautiful area, but offers a variety of accessible things to do. The Kona community is very supportive for anyone with a disability and welcomes visitors of all abilities. There are training centers for people with mobility impairments who would like to participate in disabled Iron Man competitions, at least one accessible community snorkeling group, and accessible horseback riding, just to name a few.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the dollar.

QUICKLINKS

KONA : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Kona International Airport: At the Kona airport there are no jetbridges. All boarding of passengers is done from the tarmac via stairs. People with mobility impairments will be assisted on the plane typically via lift or aisle chair. Passengers with mobility impairments should contact their airline ahead of time to arrange assistance.

For people who have a hearing impairment the Kona International Airport is equipped with Text Telephones (TTYs).

The Kona International Airport has both wheelchair accessible restrooms with accessible stalls and family/companion restrooms. The family restrooms are located in the following areas:

North Terminal, east of security checkpoint
South Terminal, south of security checkpoint
Ground Transportation Building

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FERRY

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

RENTAL VEHICLES

“At the airport the rental car agencies can get you hand controls (free, but order in advance by phone) or Wheelchair Getaways (800-638-1912) rents wheelchair vans (pricey at about a $100 a day plus pick up charges, but worth it is that is what you need). My recommendation for airport transport is Speedi Shuttle (877-242-5777) – friendly service, portable ramp to get any chair into their modern vans with lots of room.” Lew, 9/7/10

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SHUTTLE

Speedishuttle, LLC: Speedishuttle is ADA accessible. Accessible shuttles should be made 48 hours in advance. When making a reservation state that you require a shuttle van with a ramp if required. The company has a portable ramp and needs time to install the ramp before pick-up.

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TAXI

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KONA : Accommodations

HOTELS

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Condos

Accessible Ocean Front Condo on the Kona Coast: This 2 bedroom ocean front condo is located in Kanaloa at Kona and offers wheelchair accessibility throughout. Some of the features include a lift, a roll in shower, and air conditioning, to name a few. It’s a perfect vacation place for you and your family and is just a short walk to the beach.

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KONA : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

Blue Sea Cruises: Blue Sea Cruises is a glass bottom boat that offers an incredible view into the underwater world, amazing sunsets, and dinner cruises. Note that wheelchairs must be stored on dock during the cruise. For more details contact Blue Sea Cruises.

Body Glove Whale Watching and Sunset Cruises: At the back of the boat there is a ramp for easy wheelchair and water access.

Canoe Paddling: There is a special outrigger canoe paddling adventure for people with disabilities offered on the last Sunday of each month. For more details email: brianwwjd2001@aol.com

“Canoe paddling focused on wheel chair users is sponsored by Kalamaku (official ministry of Mokuaikaua Congregational Church). Its a special outrigger canoe paddling experience for people with disabilities, launched from an easy-entry beach near the Kona pier and King Kamehameha Hotel into the calm waters of Kona bay. Reach at 808-937-3208, or email brianwwjd2001@aol.com. Wheelchair paddlers – this was created just for you.” Lew, 9/7/10

Accessible Horseback Riding: See the beautiful Island by horseback riding. If you’ve never ridden a horse, a physical therapist is on hand for lessons. Book lessons in advance. Wondering how to board the horse access is made easy via ramp.

Jack’s Diving Locker: Jack’s Diving Locker offers accessible scuba diving through PADI and HAS (Handicapped Suba Association) certified instructors. Arrangements should be made well in advance. Contact them for more details.

Snorkeling at Kahalu’u Bay: Kahalu’u Bay offers the best snorkeling on the island for people with disabilities, and for families with children. It’s the only beach on the island with protected, calm waters, which are relatively shallow and surrounded by sea life.

Sunlight on Water: Sunlight on Water offers wheelchair accessible boat tours to watch dolphins and whales or to swim with the dolphins or manta rays.

“For great dolphin and whale watching snorkel cruises during the day and manta rays at night its Sunlight On Water cruises and Capt. Mike ((808) 896-2480, with strong arms available to swim with you and get you into and out of the water.” Lew, 9/7/10

Sports: “if you want to be active and exercise, the spirit of support for Ironman helps you there too. On a personal coaching level I can recommend Eric Nielsen (a physical therapist, triathelete and swim-run-bike coach, at http://coachericneilsen.com/ ” Lew, 9/7/10

Swimming: Located in Kona, there is an Olympic size pool aquatic center that is accessible for people with disabilities – there is plenty of staff to assist people into the water.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

“Although many sites, stores and restaurants are still not accessible on the Kona side, many are and the community support for wheelchair users is amazing on the Big Island – mostly due to the true spirit of Aloha that is part of the Big Island’s proud heritage.” Lew, 9/7/10

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KONA : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Big Island Medical: Big Island Medical supplies medical equipment for rent to travelers visiting Kona resorts. Big Island Medical rents and sells oxygen, mobility devices, Hoyer lifts, and electric beds to name a few.

“For your own transport you can rent scoters and other accessible items from Big Island Medical (808-323-3313).” Lew, 9/7/10

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KONA : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

Disabled Adventures Hawaii: ”For more activities Disabled Adventures Hawaii is a great resource, with info on snorkeling, whale watching, surfing lessons, horseback riding.” Lew 9/7/10

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Anchorage, Alaska, USA

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:58:20 +0000

ANCHORAGE : Overview

OVERVIEW

Anchorage, Alaska is a wonderful place to visit for people who love wildlife and the outdoors. Alaska has relatively good accessibility features, and people of all disabilities can enjoy this wonderful place. Summers are typically mild, and is the best time to visit.

LANGUAGE

The official language is English

CURRENCY

The U.S. Dollar

QUICKLINKS

ANCHORAGE : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: Travelers with a disability should make arrangements through their airlines if assistance is required (arrangements for an aisle chair, help with transfer) before departure so that they can easily plan for your arrival.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

Alaska Yellow Dispatch: Contact the Alaska Yellow Dispatch if for your accessible transportation needs. The Alaska Yellow Dispatch has 2 wheelchair accessible vehicles. Reservations should be made well in advance!

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SHUTTLE

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BUS

“Buses from the airport to downtown and around the city are also wheelchair accessible. Paratransit service is also available. The trick is the transit service between Anchorage and Seaward and the closer port where the glacial cruises leave from. The service that provides ground transportation for the glacial crew services only have one wheelchair accessible Boston must rent from another service and they do not like to run it unless they have a full bus since it costs them more. the owner sits on the panel concerning accessibility accommodations, but our partners at Assistive Technology of Alaska mentioned people knew his own minibuses were not wheelchair accessible.” Mark, 7/19/2010

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

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TRAIN (Heavy Rail)

Alaska Railroad: The Alaska Railroad trains are ADA compliant. They offer wheelchair lifts at each station. Passengers are able to remain in their wheelchair for the duration of the ride, if they wish. There are designated areas which allow space for wheelchairs. If special needs are required, please advise the railroad in advance.

Note that the Hurricane Turn would not offer any stopping along the way, since there are no stations along the route. However, passengers can still ride roundtrip.

Also Spencer and Grandview would not be available since they are more remote. Passengers can still ride to those areas, but would not be able to disembark.

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ANCHORAGE : Accommodations

HOTELS

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ANCHORAGE : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Boat Tours: “Also certain boats provided and run by the glacial crew services are far more wheelchair accessible and enjoyable than others. 2 of them are more modern and do not have a large threshold you must step over when going outside the heated cabin area. Otherwise as a wheelchair user you are relegated to one spot and are not able to take in the sites like all of the other clients.” Mark, 7/19/2010

Sightseeing by Air: ”For flight seeing services there is one that actually operates off of floats and has a mini ramp to get you into a small aircraft, I looked for one that operated off of wheels and found one willing to accommodate me with my Comfort Carrier Travel, Recreation, and Emergency Preparedness Transfer Sling that I patented and manufacture.” Mark, 7/19/2010

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ACTIVITIES

Denali National Park: The Denali National Park has accessible features for people who utilize mobility devices and for individuals who have hearing impairments. Please visit the link listed to learn more about the park’s accessible features and accessible transportation.

RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

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Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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ANCHORAGE : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

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ANCHORAGE : Questions and Responses

“I have done a few carribean cruises on Carnival and loved them. The staff was great and very helpful. I would love to travel to Alaska, but would like to know more. If anyone has ever gone and can recommend a ship PLEASE SHARE. You can also email me at joemonte@nep.net “ Joe, 9/22/10

“My grandmother and I took a trip to Alaska this past summer. She is on oxygen and only able to walk short distances so we used a wheelchair for most of the trip. We traveled with Royal Caribbean on their ship “Radiance of the Seas.” My assessment:

PROS:

+ Staff was very accommodating and willing to help my grandma in and out of her wheelchair when needed (at meal times, when boarding smaller vessels, etc)

+ If they take any excursions where they need to travel by smaller vessels to reach land, the smaller vessels abord the ship had wheelchair “parking” and they had a ramp for my grandma

+ A wheelchair ramp and crew assistance was always provided upon entering/exiting the ship

+ On a few occasions we had to take a bus or taxi. Official bus drivers of Royal Caribbean (those responsible for shuttling you to and from the airport) had wheelchair accommodations and knew precisely what to do to help us.

+ The ship was well equipped with wheelchair accessible restrooms and several family restrooms.

Because my grandmother had some mobility, we did not stay in a room designed for a wheelchair so I cannot comment on that.

CONS:

- The hallway to our room was VERY narrow. There was enough room to push a chair through, but hardly enough room for use to maneuver around people standing in the halls leading to the rooms. I’m not aware if the hallways leading to the wheelchair accessible rooms are different.

- If you’re traveling with batteries, be ready to have some spares on hand. Because my grandma had oxygen and the tours would take us far from the ship, we carried around 8, dry cell batteries with us at all times. That was a hassle.

- Icy Straight Point (Royal Caribbean’s own port of call) had wheelchair accessibility in the main shopping area, but accessibility is limited if you want to watch people go down the zip line or eat at the main restaurant.

- In Juneau there are numerous tour buses ready to take you on (overpriced) tours, however it did not appear that many of these had good wheelchair access. We opted for a taxi – a much better option from the reports we got from our friends on the cruise.

- Most of the excursions were too rigorous for my grandma. Additionally, many did not seem to be very wheelchair friendly.

OVERALL: Royal Caribbean is great and we’d all do the cruise again! However, if you’re looking to really get off the ship and have some adventures, be sure to look carefully at the accessibility since many excursions take you into the wilderness and off the beaten path.” Dustin, 9/23/10

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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:33:54 +0000

GETTYSBURG : Overview

OVERVIEW

Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, not too far from D.C. or Baltimore, Gettysburg is a quaint town with great historical Civil War significance. In 1863 a historic 3 day battle was fought there, costing the lives of over 51,000 soldiers and turning the tide of the war towards the Union Army (North). Today Gettysburg remains a small town with a large national memorial / battlefield park. It is a great stop for any history fan. Accessibility in Gettysburg is relatively good.

LANGUAGE

The official language is English

CURRENCY

The U.S. Dollar

QUICKLINKS

GETTYSBURG : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Getting to Gettysburg does require some driving. You can fly into one of the D.C. airports – National or Dulles. Alternatively you can fly into Baltimore, Maryland or Harrisburg, PA. The drive from these locations varies – about 45 min from Harrisburg, 1 hour from Baltimore and 1 hour 45 min from D.C.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

There are few taxi’s in the town of Gettysburg. You should plan on renting / driving your own accessible vehicle.

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SHUTTLE

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BUS

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

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TRAIN (Heavy Rail)

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GETTYSBURG : Accommodations

HOTELS

Country Inn and Suites: Located conveniently outside the center of town. The hotel has 2 accessible rooms with roll in showers. It is also near an outlet mall and right off the highway for easy access.

Best Western Gettysburg: Located in the center of the town, the Best Western Gettysburg is a historic hotel built in 1797. They have two accessible rooms, one with a roll in shower.

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GETTYSBURG : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Gettysburg Battlefield / National Park is the main attraction in Gettysburg. This large battlefield has been well documented and there is a very thorough auto tour that goes throughout. You can easily spent several hours in your car driving to the various sites that track the three days of the historic battle in 1863.

In addition to the auto tour there is a visitor center located in the National Park.

The downtown area of Gettysburg also offers a variety of walking and other historic tours.

During the July 4^th weekend there is an annual reenactment of the historic battle. It is by far the busiest weekend in Gettysburg but does offer a unique historical perspective on the event.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

The downtown area of Gettysburg has many restaurants and bars. Most are accessible but a few are more difficult due to their age.

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Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Caring Hearts Ambulance Service

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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GETTYSBURG : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

The summers in Gettysburg can be very hot and humid.

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

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Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:23:43 +0000

PUERTO VALLARTA : Overview

OVERVIEW

Puerto Vallarta is a popular resort town situated on the western coast of Mexico, south of Baja. Puerto Vallarta has a lot to offer visitors with mobility impairment, but accessibility can be a bit challenging. In the older part of town, there are many streets paved with cobblestones, and there are also a lot of sidewalks that are missing curb cuts. The city is still continuing to work on making Puerto Vallarta a more accessible travel destination for people who utilize mobility devices. Accessible transportation is a must because the town is very spread out. The best time to visit is between November and March.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Mexico is Spanish.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Mexico is the Peso.

QUICKLINKS

PUERTO VALLARTA : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Puerto Vallarta Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport: We were unable to locate any information about accessibility at this airport.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

There are taxis in Puerto Vallarta, but unfortunatelly we weren’t able to locate any with accessible features (e.g. ramp, lift).

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RENTAL VEHICLE (Accessible Van)

Mexico Accesible: Mexico Accesible offers wheelchair accessible transportation complete with a driver. The company has one van and it cannot be rented without using the company’s driver. The vehicle is a full size van with a pop top and a rear lift. There is plenty of room for an individual utilizing a power wheelchair, plus family and friends. The service is for rent by the hour. Mexico Accesible will also provide a car seat upon request. Mexico Accesible also offers scooter rentals and beach wheelchair rentals.

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SHUTTLE

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BUS

Buses in Puerto Vallarta are currently not wheelchair accessible.

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

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FERRY

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PUERTO VALLARTA : Accommodations

HOTELS & RESORTS

“My partner Tom and I just got back from Puerto Vallarta. We were down there for 9 days. We stayed at a hotel in the “Zona Romantica” or “Old Vallarta”. I rely on a motorized wheelchair, and was unable to use it at all in this part of town. The cobblestone streets, and sidewalks with many steps, made it impossible to use a wheelchair of any kind. Its lovely, but not for ppl who have trouble getting around. I would guess that the Marina area, and Nuevo Vallarta are more modern and more accessible, however we wanted to stay in the wonderful Zona Romantica. I used a cane, and my partner’s help to get around to cafe’s etc., on Olas Altas.” Rick, 11/24/2011

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PUERTO VALLARTA : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Mexico Accesible: Mexico Accesible offers wheelchair accessible tours. The vehicle is a full size van with a pop top and a rear lift. There is plenty of room for an individual utilizing a power wheelchair, plus family and friends. Mexico Accesible will also provide a car seat upon request. Tours are for rent by the hour.

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ACTIVITIES

Aquaventuras Park: Aquaventuras Park is a water park 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. A featured activity of the park is “swim with the dolphins,” where visitors can swim in a pool with dolphins and interact (e.g., kissing, touching belly, shaking fin). There are 3 tiers of interaction available at varying prices. Trainers educate participants about the dolphins and how to be more responsible with our environment so we can preserve the oceans. People with disabilities are welcome to participate; however, there is not a wheelchair accessible beach entry. Life jackets are provided and must be worn in the dolphin pool. Only water proof cameras are allowed in the dolphin area.

Beaches: There are some fabulous beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Unfortunately, none are accessible without the use of a beach wheelchair. Beach wheelchairs are available for rent from Mexico Accesible.

The Malecon (Boardwalk): The Boardwalk is a scenic walkway along the downtown seaside and is a popular place for both locals and tourists to visit. The curb on the boardwalk is very high but there are access points for individuals utilizing wheelchairs or scooters. There are numerous sculptures along the boardwalk, and it’s also a great place to people watch. There are also many restaurants and bars lining the road opposite the Malecon, but most have steps at entryways.

Cathedral of our Lady Guadalupe: The Cathedral is a landmark site in Puerto Vallarta and was built in the early 1920s. The cathedral is ornately decorated on the inside with large columns and elaborate molding. Unfortunately, the Cathedral of our Lady Guadalupe is not wheelchair accessible. There is a small step at the entrance of the cathedral making it difficult for people who use mobility devices. There has been talk about rennovation to make this landmark accessible in the near future.

City Tour: A city tour is a great way to visit Puerto Vallarta and gives visitors a taste of what Puerto Vallarta has to offer. It’s also a great tour if you’re just visiting Puerto Vallarta for a day and want to see the highlights. Mexico Accessible listed above offers city tours.

Galleria Dante (Art Gallery): “The Galleria Dante has ramps into the garden areas. Because of the high sidewalks in Vallarta, for the rainy season, getting to the gallery may be the biggest obstacle. Most street corners have ramps, but not all sidewalks are level.” Claire, 5/10/2010

Olas Altas (Romantica Zone): Olas Altas, also known as the Romantica Zone, is a popular area in Puerto Vallarta for both visitors and locals. There are several restaurants and shops with either ramps or flush entryways in Olas Altas. Compared to other areas of Puerto Vallarta, Olas Altas is relatively wheelchair accessible.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Finding a wheelchair accessible restaurant can be difficult in Puerto Vallarta due to the overall age of the buildings in the city. There are steps at entrances of the majority of restaurants. However, there are some that are accessible; below we have listed some restaurants, which are accessible to varying degrees. Although some of the restaurants in Puerto Vallarta are wheelchair accessible, most do not have accessible bathrooms.

El Dorado by Boca Bento: El Dorado restaurant is located on the Los Muertos beachfront in Olas Altas (Romantica Zone). The restaurant’s entrance is wheelchair accessible, and there is also outdoor dining underneath palapas. Note that only portions of the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

La Palapa Restaurant and Lounge: The La Palapa Restaurant and Lounge is wheelchair accessible, and is located on Los Muertos Beach in Olas Altas (Romantica Zone). Live Jazz music is featured in the evenings.

Mi Querencia: Mi Querencia offers traditional Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible via ramp and is located on Morelos #426 Col. Centro.

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PUERTO VALLARTA : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Mexico Accesible: Mexico Accesible offers medical equipment rentals including wheelchairs, roll in showers, and beach wheelchairs. These items are available for delivery.

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PUERTO VALLARTA : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

“We rented a wheelchair accessible sightseeing tour in Puerto Vallarta and visited the Aquadventuras Park to swim with the dolphins. Our friends wanted to stay longer with their child while we explored the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta. When we came back to pick them up, a taxi service contracted with Aquaventuras would not allow us to pick up our friends without paying a fee $15 (wanted to charge us $30). He claimed we were taking a taxi fare from his company, although we clearly rented the van service as a group. We feel he took advantage of us because we were tourists.” Christopher, 5/3/2010

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