Traveling is one of life’s great pleasures, yet when it comes to accessibility and inclusivity, the travel industry is shockingly behind. Horror stories of broken wheelchairs and poor accessibility at airports, hotels, public transport and more are legion, making travelling a dangerous experience for people with disabilities.
AccessibleGO, which describes itself as a “one-stop destination for all your disability travel needs,” is working to significantly improve the user experience, and this week the company announced a slew of new services for its users.
In addition to hotel reservations, the website now allows users to book equipment rentals, flights, car rentals with manual controls, wheelchair van rentals, mobility rentals, and concierge ride services for wheelchair accessible vehicles. AccessibleGO also offers a concierge service to help accommodate accessibility requests, offers discounts to users, and has an online community for exchanging travel experiences and tips.
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The need for greater accessibility
The need for greater accessibility is illustrated by a 2022 study by the Government Accountability Office, which found that challenges such as large and complex airports, the frequency of additional security screening for people with disabilities and mishandling of equipment create barriers to air travel.
As an AARP report on the issue points out, travel companies that specialize in serving people with disabilities are working to make travel more inclusive, and thanks to social media, there’s no shortage of resources for people looking for advice on making travel easier and more enjoyable.
Accessibility Travel Costs
But traveling with a disability can be too costly for a variety of reasons. For example, wheelchair users may have fewer budget-friendly hotel options or find it harder to rent equipment, according to Wheelchairtravel.org.
Miriam Eljas, co-founder and CEO of AccessibleGO, said in a statement that the company’s expansion will make this process a little easier.
“In a world where traveling can feel downright impossible for travelers with accessibility needs, we are committed to doing all we can to empower travelers with disabilities as they plan their trip,” she said. “We’re excited about the progress we’ve made with our partners in the disability community and look forward to continuing to improve the travel booking process so that people with accessibility needs and their companions can travel freely and confidently.”
AccesibleGO also serves as a resource for travelers when choosing a destination: its City Guides section features travel recommendations, accessible attractions, tour operators, and links to caregivers for 30 major U.S. cities.
You can also check out the online community forums where you can find itinerary ideas and share your thoughts with fellow travelers.
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