OVERVIEW

Austin, Texas is a fast growing and friendly city. Given it is a university town, there are a lot of young people and fun activities. Known as the live music capita of the U.S., the city has a vibrant music and arts culture. The city is also home to many major corporations including Dell and Whole Foods. It’s a wondeful place for a disabled holiday, and accessibility is relatively good.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

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

QUICKLINKS

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

AUSTIN : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: The airport is a newer facility, so there are not any major obstacles. There are automatic doors and elevators throughout.

The airport has a jet bridge for easy boarding. For aircrafts that must park and unload passengers onto the tarmac, a lift system is available for assistance.

The airport provides loaner wheelchairs and aisle chairs to easily board the aircraft. Airport personnel are ready to help board the plane, however contact your airline ahead of time to request an escort or assistance.

There are not family/companion restrooms but there are wheelchair accessible stalls.

In the passenger waiting area there are electrical outlets on pillars (easier to access) as well as under seats which was convenient to connect a computer or other devices while waiting. However, the internet stations are designed to be used from a standing position- they are high which makes it hard to reach keys from a wheelchair.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

Austin Cab Company: Austin Cab Company can provide a wheelchair accessible cab upon request – 512 478-2222

Austin Yellow Cab: Austin Yellow Cab Company has wheelchair accessible cabs. Wheelchair accessible cabs must be specifically requested and should be booked ahead of time.

“Most were mini vans with ramps in the back for wheelchair access.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

North Austin taxi Services: according to the website, the only taxi company in North Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park & Georgetown Areas that offer wheelchair accessible transportation for customers who use a wheelchair or other mobility device and cannot transfer into a sedan or mini-van.

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SHUTTLE

“The shuttle bus system has several routes that go to the airport and drop you at reasonable locations.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

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BUS

Metrobus: “All Metro buses in Austin are equipped with lifts for easy access. They have a great bus system, the buses kneel. The buses come around every 20-30 minutes, even in the areas further from downtown. $0.75 one-way. $1.50 for a 24 hr unlimited pass. This was great-it got us around town and back to our hotel for $1.50/day.” Reveca 10/12/2009

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

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TRAIN (Heavy Rail)

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AUSTIN : Accommodations

HOTELS

Super 8 (downtown): “As travelers on a budget, we stayed at the Super 8 Downtown/University. There were curb cuts everywhere around the hotel property. The hotel had an elevator. Key cards were given to access the room. In the computer, there was a computer area and printing was free. Breakfast area offered continental breakfast until 9am and drinks/snacks 24 hrs.”

“The bathroom was exceptionally spacious but only had a tub option (it did have grab bars but the shower head was not hand-held). They did provide a simple shower bench (no back support). The sink faucet fixtures were knobs not levers (difficult for those with limited hand function). I fit under the sink barely—someone with a tall wheelchair would not have fit. The ADA rooms only had a queen size bed. They did bring us a roll-away.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

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AUSTIN : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

LADY BIRD LAKE: ”The lake is located just south of downtown. It is a beautiful lake with 10 miles of trails surrounding it. The grounds are flat and easily maneuvered. You will see students running, mothers with their children in strollers, and cyclists… all throughout the day and into the night.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

6TH STREET:. “On 6th street there are lots of bars and great nightlife. On the east side of Congress you will find college bars and a younger crowd—little more rowdy. On the west side it’s swankier. The bars had easy access, but many had rooftop sitting areas, which seemed to be very popular but had no elevator to them. Many bars had live music.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

SHOPPING: ”We shopped downtown on 2nd and 3rd streets. You will find a lot of locally owned art inspired businesses including sculptures, prints and furniture. The business owners are friendly to visitors. All shops were accessible to get in with ramps.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: “Austin City Limits is a music festival featuring over 100 bands in 3 days. It takes place in Zilker Park right outside of downtown. The grounds are grassy but pretty flat since they recently put a lot of money into fixing the grass. The festival has an access tent with maps on accessibility. Each stage has a separate stage for disabled access and a combined area (for Deaf or Hard of hearing and wheelchair users). They provide ASL interpreters. C3 Productions is in charge of all access and they did a great job coordinating it. They are the same company that does Lollapalooza in Chicago. Each “handicap” stage also has an ADA portable toilet within the fencing to provide easy access for patrons during the show. There was a free accessible shuttle taking patrons from downtown to the park. On the way back the shuttles were too crowded. If in a power chair you can manage the hike back from Zilker Park to downtown (about 45min—sidewalks all the way back).” Reveca, 10/12/2009

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

La Condessa:”Mexican food. It was delicious! They have an outside seating area with regular tables that a wheelchair can fit under. Their restrooms are on the second floor, but there is a lift.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

Lamberts: “Amazing local barbecue. There is a ramp off to the side of the building, and the restaurant has outdoor seating.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

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AUSTIN : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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AUSTIN : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

“Some areas in the downtown are hilly. If you are pushing a manual chair you may get tired.” Reveca, 10/12/2009

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OVERVIEW

Houston offers a variety of wheelchair accessible activities for visitors who are physically challenged and for senior travelers – everything from accessible outdoor parks for the nature and wildlife enthusiast, to rodeos, and performing arts, just to name a few. Accessibility in Houston is relatively good and a great place for a disabled holiday.

LANGUAGE

The national language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

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

QUICKLINKS

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

HOUSTON : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): The airport is equipped with a jet bridge for convenient access.The airport offers accommodations for people with disabilities including, loaner wheelchairs, assistance, accessible bathrooms, elevators, and parking areas. Please contact the Airport Administrative Offices at 281-230-3100 for more information regarding information about accessibility.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

United Cab: When calling United Cab, place your wheelchair accessible cab reservation by giving specific details about which type of vehicle you will require for transportation (e.g. vehicle with ramp or lift).

Yellow Cab Houston: When in need of a wheelchair accessible cab, it’s recommended to place your order ahead of time, well in advance if possible. In Houston, wheelchair accessible cabs are limited in availability. When calling and making a reservation for an accessible cab, you should specify to the operator that you will need a taxi with a lift or ramp to access the vehicle.

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SHUTTLE

Super Shuttle: The Houston Super Shuttle has wheelchair accessible vehicles upon request. The accessible shuttle holds one wheelchair and seven ambulatory passengers.

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RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

AMS Vans Houston: AMS Vans is now renting wheelchair accessible vans. They offer weekly, daily, or monthly rental plans to serve their customers needs.

Wheelchair Getaways: Wheelchair Getaways offers wheelchair accessible van rentals. Upon request, they can provide van drop off and pick up for customer’s convenience. They serve the Houston area and areas within 150 mile parameter.

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BUS

METRO: All Metro buses are wheelchair accessible, equipped with either ramps or lift systems. For each bus, priority seating is marked for people with a disability and for seniors.

For people with seeing or hearing impairments, the Metro provides announcements at major stops and transfer points in both audible and visual form.

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Train (Light Rail)

Metro Rail: The Metro Rail is wheelchair accessible. To access the train, the stations provide level boarding for convenience. The rail also provides audible announcements in English and Spanish before the train arrives and when the train is parked at the station. Seating on the train is clearly marked and designated for people with disabilities. At the station, the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) offer instructions in Braille, which is located on the front of the machine, and also offers users to access instructions by audio.

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HOUSTON : Accommodations

HOTELS

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LUXURY RESORTS

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HOUSTON : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Minute Maid Park Tour: The Minute Maid Park is home of the Houston Astros. This tour offers you a chance to explore many areas inside the park, which as a fan at a game, you might not experience. The tour lasts approximately one hour. Patrons should be able to climb various forms of landscapes (stairs, etc.) However, the tour is said to be wheelchair and stroller accessible.

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ACTIVITIES

Wortham Center: The Wortham Center is home to the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. The Wortham Center consists of two theaters, the Alice and George Brown Theater and the Roy and Lillie Cullen Theater.

Texas Parks and Wildlife: This website offers a list of accessible parks and sites to experience nature and wildlife.

Reliant Park: Many sporting events and other popular attractions are hosted at the Reliant Stadium. The park is wheelchair accessible and there is also wheelchair accessible seating. When purchasing tickets, be sure to tell the individual at the ticket counter if you will require wheelchair accessible seating.

Houston Rodeo: The Houston Rodeo is one of the most popular attractions in Houston, and takes place during the month of March. There is plenty of accessibility at the Reliant Stadium, and many attractions to visit that pertain to the Texas culture. Each rodeo is also followed by various popular artists that perform in concert. Cassie 8/29/09

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Many of the popular restaurants in Houston have ramps for wheelchair accessibility. Cassie 8/29/09

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HOUSTON : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

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EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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HOUSTON : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Summers in Houston can get very hot reaching triple digits, and can also be humid making the heat index higher than actual temperatures. The most comfortable time to visit would be fall through early June. Hurricane season is mid August through mid October. Cassie 8/29/09 Â