More Accessible Than Ever
Awareness for accessibility needs is higher than ever before. While it may have been triggered by lawsuits and complaints, governments around the world are noticing the need for improvements. Just this year, ADA requirements in the USA, the UK, and the EU have been improved to mandate more accessibility. Airlines are changing procedures, hotels, restaurants, and galleries are revamping, and curbs are being done away with. Here are some places that are making serious improvements to be on your travel list for next year!
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls has been hard at work to improve accessibility. Over the past few years, Ontario has improved public transit and local attractions for added accessibility. This year, Niagara Falls USA was in the midst of a $70 million renovation that included making the park and scenic views more accessible. Not only are all of the major attractions accessible, but they also offer complimentary wheelchairs. Worried about all those steps to the bottom of the gorge? Don’t be. You can just hop on the elevator at the Cave of the Winds tour.
Kill Devil Hills, NC
While the California coast took the lead on accessible beaches, the eastern shore is catching up. Almost all of the beaches from New Jersey to Maryland have free beach wheelchairs, and many of them have added ramps, restrooms, and surf chairs. Kill Devil Hills is bringing progressive to North Carolina with fully handicap-accessible beach access. In addition to beach wheelchairs, they put in a wooden handicap ramp and several fixed position mats and roll out mats to accommodate wheelchair entry onto the beach. I’ve been wanting a NC beach trip, now I know where to go!
Lancaster County, PA
Across the county, restaurants and shops are adding ramps and improving accessibility. The Hands on House just added a ramp from the parking lot for safer and easier access to the children’s museum. Children’s attractions have been implementing new programs and resources for kids with special needs. Strasburg, also known as train heaven, was already a pretty handicap accessible town. The historic railway has a wheelchair lift, the museums are accessible, and the tourist attractions work with you to make sure you don’t miss a thing. The only thing that was missing before was a place to stay (outside of the usual chain hotels). None of the bed and breakfasts or authentic lodgings were handicap accessible. This year, the Red Caboose Motel started working to change that. In 2020, you’ll be able to stay in a train car… in train heaven… for a complete experience.
Tokyo, Japan
As host for the 2020 Paralympic games, Tokyo has been working hard to become more accessible. While they’re still short on accessible rooms for the Paralympics, they’ve added a lot more than they had previously. They’ve also added accessible taxis and have improved accessibility in railway stations. Many restaurants and attractions are still inaccessible, but the city is working to be more accessible than ever before.
Quebec, Canada
This year Quebec put $5.8 million towards projects to improve accessibility in communities across the province. From automated doors to elevators and ramps to lowered counters and accessible pathways: Quebec is going to be easier to navigate than ever before.
Chicago, IL
Chicago is on a mission to become the most inclusive and accessible city in the nation. Granted, it may take them a while to meet this goal, but they got a good start this year on adding ramps and accessible pedestrian signals in intersections, eliminating curbs, and improving elevator access to railway stations.
Around
Bergen, Norway; Washington, D.C.; Disney World, Florida; and most of California have been ahead of the curve and noted for their accessibility. Thanks to the increase in disabled travelers on social media, the word is out and the tourism industry is working to catch up. Just google “accessibility improvements” and you’ll find places in California, Oregon, and around the world that are making changes. The world is not what it was last year. Inclusive playgrounds are popping up, and curbs and steps are disappearing. There’s no reason to stay home from vacation. Who knows, maybe in another decade or so we’ll truly live in an accessible world.
