Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

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

Québec regulations regarding accessibility for wheelchairs are similar to those in the U.S., including curb cuts, entrance ramps, designated parking spaces, and specially equipped bathrooms. However, access to the restaurants and inns housed in 18th- and 19th-century buildings, especially in Québec City, is often difficult or impossible.

Advice for travelers with physical limitations is provided in the French-language brochure Le Québec Accessible listing over 1,000 hotels, restaurants, theaters, and museums. It costs C$19.95 (US$17.35/£8.60) from Kéroul (tel. 514/252-3104; www.keroul.qc.ca). Kéroul also offers English-language brochures in downloadable PDF form called AccessiB -- The Open Road, with information about everything from how to get a handicapped parking sticker to which top attractions are most accessible inside and via public transport. The PDFs are online at www.keroul.qc.ca.

In Québec City, the Loews Le Concorde hotel touts spacious layout for easy wheelchair access, accessible safety bars throughout the room and bathroom, and accessible door handles, peep holes, and light switches.

When you're out and about, look for the Tourist and Leisure Companion Sticker (T.L.C.S.) at tourist sites; it designates that companions of travelers with disabilities can enter for free.

Organizations that offer a vast range of resources and assistance to disabled travelers include MossRehab (tel. 800/CALL-MOSS; www.mossresourcenet.org); the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (tel. 800/232-5463; www.afb.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.

Access-Able Travel Source (tel. 303/232-2979; www.access-able.com) offers a comprehensive database on travel agents from around the world with experience in accessible travel; destination-specific access information; and links to such resources as service animals, equipment rentals, and access guides.

Flying with Disability (www.flying-with-disability.org) is a comprehensive information source on airplane travel. Avis Rent a Car (tel. 888/879-4273) has an "Avis Access" program that offers services for customers with special travel needs. These include specially outfitted vehicles with swivel seats, spinner knobs, and hand controls; mobility scooter rentals; and accessible bus service. Be sure to reserve well in advance.

The "Accessible Travel" link at Mobility-Advisor.com (www.mobility-advisor.com) offers a variety of travel resources to disabled persons.

The magazine Emerging Horizons (www.emerginghorizons.com), available by subscription ($16.95 year U.S.; US$21.95/£10.85 outside the U.S.), is another resource.

British travelers should contact Holiday Care (tel. 0845-124-9971 in the U.K. only; www.holidaycare.org.uk) for a wide range of travel information and resources for disabled and elderly people.