ACCESS GUIDES
Links to United States, Asia, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East.
We have criteria for the access guides we list on our site. They have to provide detailed information so that users have to do a minimum of pre-planning for their outing, overnight stay, weekend trip, or vacation. Any use of symbols must be limited or accompanied by extensive explanations and accessibility data.
UNITED STATES
Accessible Astronomy
Everyone's Universe: A Guide to Accessible Astronomy Places by Noreen Grice, is the second edition of a state-by-state travel guide to exciting science destinations through mobility, non-visual, non-hearing and non-verbal communication access, including a new chapter that includes learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. You can experience the wonders of the night sky by visiting an accessible planetarium or observatory. This is a great resource for space science enthusiasts. Everyone's Universe is available in large print and Kindle e-book format through Amazon.com.
Chicago
Accessible Chicago is a project of Catherine Marsden from her experiences as the parent of a child who uses a wheelchair. The site has a wealth of information on attractions, restaurants, transportation, and resources. Site users can enter their own experiences and tips on getting around Chicago.
Email: support@accessiblechicago.org
Colorado
Access Anything: Colorado written by Andrea and Craig Kennedy is the first of a series on adventure travel for persons with disabilities. They have done it all – skiing, white water rafting, camping. It is the guidebook for travelers with disabilities and anyone traveling with special needs to Colorado
Phone: ( 970)846-9859
Email: ask@accessanything.net
Los Angeles and Orange County
A Wheelchair Rider's Guide: Los Angeles and Orange County covers access information on areas from Malibu to San Clemente and includes details on accessible parking, free beach wheelchairs, accessible restrooms, picnic areas and information centers.
Interactive on-line version.
Download PDF version.
Minnesota
Modeled after Virginia's acclaimed guide, Access for All headed by Mike Chevrette has developed both a print and on-line version of this excellent resource for Minnesota. It is being continually updated with new listings involving lodging, restaurants, attractions, historic sites, nightclubs and bars, dialysis centers, arts / theater, resorts, convention centers, transportation, parks and campgrounds.
Phone: (763) 571-0875
Email: mchevrette@usinternet.com
North Carolina
The first state to do an extensive access guide was North Carolina. This publication covers only attractions, but gives a wealth of details and practical information. Access North Carolina is available in print, as well as on-line in text and PDF formats.
To request a FREE print edition or CD version, call ....
Phone: 919-733-0390, 919-855-3500,800-VISIT-NC (800-847-4862)
Email
Download PDF version.
Download text version.
Philadelphia Area
Access the Arts gives information about physical and program accessibility about more than 150 arts, historic, and cultural organizations. The interactive database allows for searches based on type of venue, location, and accessibility features. The geographic area included Philadelphia, Bucks Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties as well as parts of New Jersey and Delaware.
Rhode Island
Accessible Rhode Island includes access information on restaurants, museums, cinemas and cultural sites in Providence, Newport, and their vicinities.
San Francisco, California
Access San Francisco, published by Access Northern California is a comprehensive, detailed, free guide. It is the essential access guide to planning a trip to San Francisco and was produced by Bonnie Lewkowicz.
The guide offers detailed access information on more than 150 San Francisco hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, shopping centers, recreation, public transportation and service providers.
Phone: (510) 524-2026
Email: info@accessnca.com
A Wheelchair Rider's Guide: San Francisco Bay and the Nearby Coast provides details on access for over 100 trails and parks in Northern California.
Download PDF version.
Tempe, Arizona
Access Tempe contains access details on restaurants, parks, lodging, transportation, and local resources, along with information on city services. The 48-page guide is available free from the Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Phone: (480) 894-8158.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The free 75-page large-print guide for Tuscaloosa County is an excellent resource for any visitor to this area.The publication provides information on hospitals, attractions, places of worship, campgrounds, lodging, restaurants, shopping, specialty shops, and healthcare supplies, transportation, and veterinarians. Contact the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information.
Phone: (800) 538-8696 or (205) 391-9200
Virginia
For almost 25 years The Virginia Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities has been the best travel guide in the nation, according to travelers with disabilities and the media. The guide is now available in a digital version at Accessible Virginia. You have to see this outstanding guide to believe it!
"Unless guides for disabled travelers are carefully detailed, they can be more of a problem than a solution. I can certainly see that the VTGFPWD won't mislead wheelchair, white-cane or hearing-impaired travelers but will, in fact, give them the peace-of-mind to plan a trip to this beautiful state."
Lois Reamy, Author
TravelAbility: A Guide for Disabled Travelers in the United States
Email: contactus@AccessibleVirginia.org
ASIA
Accessible Japan is an on-line guide to this country featuring information on accommodations, transportation, and points of interest.
Accessible Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kamakura are access guides for these three cities that provide data on hotels, attractions, shopping, and other useful information.
AUSTRALIA
Access Brisbane is an on-line resource having detailed information on their access ratings database link. You can select the category such as accommodation, entertainment, shopping, sports, recreation and much more. Then you can click on more links to get more in-depth data.
Accessibility.com.au has city guides for Sydney, Canberra, Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, and Perth. Clink on the links for the individual attractions, museums, accommodations, etc. to get to the more precise access information.
Blue Mountains has an on-line guide covering accommodations, national parks, adventure companies, restaurants, galleries, and retail establishments.
Easy Access Australia is a commercial publication covering the major cities of Australia with outstanding access maps of the best routes to attractions, as well as detailed accessibility information, such as floor plans of hotel rooms with key measurements and features including grab rails over the toilet, types of shower, and location of beds. Measurements include bed heights, door widths, sink and toilet heights, and walking/wheeling distances to nearby places of interest.
An innovative feature are the Easy Access Maps showing the most accessible pathways around the most interesting parts of major cities. Also included are historical information and important access information such as parking, and accessible toilets (and where possible if they are unisex). This guide provides essential information on tour operators, vehicle rental and hand controls, hospitals, medical supplies, accessible taxis, and attendant care.
CANADA
British Columbia's Lower Sunshine Coast
Sticks and Wheels: A Guide to Accessible Travel on the Lower Sunshine Coast is a book on accessible travel to this area of Canada, near Vancouver. Visitors can easily locate accessible recreation, restaurants, accommodations, shopping, and cultural facilities. It is aimed at a wide range of people. There is a web site that is an extension of that book which has a wealth of information on Canada's accessibility.
Niagara, Ontario
Accessible Niagara is an on-line site providing detailed access information on bed and breakfasts, cottage rentals, lodging, attractions, camping, restaurants, and shopping.
Ottawa
Accessible Ottawa has information on accessible lodging, transportation, and tours.
Peterborough, Ontario
This charming city located along the Otonabee River in Ontario is the first municipality in Canada to have a detailed travel guide for persons with disabilities. This 64-page guide includes access information on a variety of interests to travelers with disabilities. It includes not only lodging, restaurants, attractions, indoor and outdoor recreation, shopping, places of worship, but also full-service gas stations, hospitals, pharmacies, and veterinary offices. It is now on line as part of Access Guide Canada.
This area of Ontario is an undiscovered gem for travelers with special needs. The scenic charm of this city begins the Town Clock and continues with the Liftlocks, the Peterborough Zoo, and Festival of Lights during the summer months. Hockey fans already know the city as the having one of the best known minor league teams with the Peterborough Petes. So adaptive sports opportunities abound for persons with disabilities from sledge hockey to horseback riding.
Phone:800-461-6424 or 705-742-2201,
Email:info@thekawarthas.net
Address: Council for Persons with Disabilities, Attn. John Macdonald, 826 Cumberland Avenue, Peterborough, Ont. K9H 7B2. Email: janddmacd@cogeco.ca
CARIBBEAN
Accessible Adventures of St. Thomas, V. I. does sightseeing and tours designed for those who may be restricted in their mobility or use wheelchairs.
Accessible Aruba has basic information on hotels, sports, transportation, and tours.
EUROPE
Access Project provides practical and well-researched information with clear and concise descriptions for people with disabilities. They have guides for London and Paris.
Ireland
Access Ireland is a web-base guide giving important accessibility data on accommodations, places to visit, transportation, dining and entertainment.
Disability Access Ireland has basic access information on each county for accommodations, attractions, food and drink, shopping, sport and recreation, and transportation.
Germany
Munich for the Physically Challenged provides a range of suggestions and ideas for a largely barrier-free stay in a downloadable format. The information is for both physical and sensory disabilities.
Netherlands
Accessible Rotterdam is an on-line guide that provides detailed information on access to just about every type of public building in Rotterdam including discos. Click on a category and a list apprears with symbols. Click on the name and detailed access information is available.
United Kingdom
Disabled Go is a complex site covering all of the United Kingdom with detailed access information to empower users to judge the access to venues as it fits specific needs. The site covers hotels, cinemas, restaurants, tourist attractions, pubs, train stations, and leisure centers.
Good Access Guide is an online guide to life and leisure in the United Kingdom with a directory of services for people with disabilities and seniors. The site offers comprehensive information on accommodations, leisure activities, and vacations.
London Pubs allows you to search for accessible pubs from its database.
MIDDLE EAST
Access Israel is an extensive site of anything you want to know about accessible travel, accommodations, historic sites, transportation throughout this nation.
Accessible Israel, written by Eli Me’iri, an experienced tour guide who specializes in tours for people with special needs, offers travelers with disabilities a wide range of tour routes in the north, center and south of Israel, as well as in Jerusalem. For each tour, there is a historical introduction and useful information on each site, including how to get there and accessibility at the site for persons with vision and hearing disabilities, wheelchair users as well as those with difficulty walking or persons using baby carriages.
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