Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling. There are more options and resources out there than ever before.

Because of the endless flights of stairs in most buildings in Barcelona, visitors with disabilities may have difficulty getting around the city, but conditions are slowly improving: Newer hotels are more sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities, and the more expensive restaurants are generally wheelchair-accessible. However, since most places have very limited, if any, facilities for people with disabilities, you might consider taking an organized tour specifically designed to accommodate such travelers.

For the names and addresses of such tour operators as well as other related information, contact the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality, 347 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10016 (tel. 212/447-7284). Annual membership dues are $45, or $30 for seniors and students.

You can also obtain a free copy of Air Transportation of Handicapped Persons, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Write for Free Advisory Circular No. AC12032, Distribution Unit, U.S. Department of Transportation, Publications Division, M-4332, Washington, DC 20590.

For the blind or visually impaired, the best source is the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB; tel. 800/232-5463; www.afb.org), 15 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011 (tel. 800/232-5463 to order information kits and supplies, or 212/502-7600). It offers information on travel and various requirements for the transport and border formalities for Seeing Eye dogs. It also issues identification cards to those who are legally blind.

Other organizations that offer assistance to disabled travelers include MossRehab (www.mossresourcenet.org) and SATH (Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality; tel. 212/447-7284; www.sath.org). AirAmbulanceCard.com is now partnered with SATH and allows you to preselect top-notch hospitals in case of an emergency.

Many travel agencies offer customized tours and itineraries for travelers with disabilities. One of the best organizations serving the needs of persons with disabilities (wheelchairs and walkers) is Flying Wheels Travel, 143 W. Bridge, P.O. Box 382, Owatonna, MN 55060 (tel. 800/535-6790 or 507/451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com), which offers various escorted tours and cruises internationally. Others include Access-Able Travel Source (tel. 303/232-2979; www.access-able.com); and Accessible Journeys (tel. 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com).

For a $35 annual fee, consider joining Mobility International USA, P.O. Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440 (tel. 888/241-3366, or 541/343-1284 voice and TDD; www.miusa.org). It answers questions on various destinations and also offers discounts on videos, publications, and programs it sponsors.

If you're flying around Spain, the airline and ground staff will help you on and off planes and reserve seats for you with sufficient legroom, but it is essential to arrange for this assistance in advance by contacting your airline.

Avis Rent a Car has an "Avis Access" program that offers such services as a dedicated 24-hour toll-free number (tel. 888/879-4273) for customers with special travel needs; special car features such as swivel seats, spinner knobs, and hand controls; and accessible bus service.

The community website iCan (www.icanonline.net/channels/travel) has destination guides and several regular columns on accessible travel. Also check out the quarterly magazine Emerging Horizons (www.emerginghorizons.com), and Open World magazine, published by SATH.

For British Travelers with Disabilities -- The annual vacation guide Holidays and Travel Abroad costs £5 from Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), Unit 12, City Forum, 250 City Rd., London EC1V 8AF (tel. 020/7250-3222; www.radar.org.uk). RADAR also provides a number of information packets on such subjects as sports and outdoor vacations, insurance, financial arrangements for persons with disabilities, and accommodations in nursing care units for groups or for the elderly. Each of these fact sheets is available for £2. Both the fact sheets and the holiday guides can be mailed outside the United Kingdom for a nominal postage fee.

Another good service is the Holiday Care, 2nd Floor Imperial Buildings, Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey RH6 7PZ (tel. 01293/774-535; fax 01293/784-647; www.holidaycare.org.uk), a national charity that advises on accessible accommodations for elderly people or those with disabilities. Annual membership costs £15 (U.K. residents) and £30 (abroad). Once you're a member, you can receive a newsletter and access to a free reservations network for hotels throughout Britain and, to a lesser degree, Europe and the rest of the world.