Travelers with Disabilities--Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling, and those with disabilities should find Utah a generally easy place to get around. Many state and national parks have at least one wheelchair-accessible trail. Some historic buildings, however, are not wheelchair accessible -- check before going. The Utah information and referral line for people with disabilities is tel. 800/333-8824 or visit www.accessut.org.
The federal government offers a Golden Access Passport that gives free lifetime entrance to properties administered by the National Park Service and other federal agencies -- national parks, monuments, historic sites -- for all persons who are visually impaired or permanently disabled. You may pick up the passport at any NPS entrance by showing proof of medically determined disability and eligibility for benefits under federal law. In addition to free entry, the Golden Access Passport also offers a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for such facilities as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm or call tel. 888/467-2757.
Many travel agencies offer customized tours and itineraries for travelers with disabilities. Flying Wheels Travel (tel. 507/451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com) offers escorted tours and cruises that emphasize sports as well as private tours in minivans with lifts. Access-Able Travel Source (tel. 303/232-2979; www.access-able.com) offers extensive access information and advice for traveling around the world with disabilities. Accessible Journeys (tel. 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com) caters to slow walkers, wheelchair travelers, and their families and friends.
Avis Rent a Car has an "Avis Access" program that offers a dedicated 24-hour toll-free number (tel. 888/879-4273) for customers with special travel needs; cars with swivel seats, spinner knobs, and hand controls; and accessible bus service.
Organizations that assist disabled travelers include MossRehab (www.mossresourcenet.org), which provides a library of accessible-travel resources online; the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (tel. 800/232-5463; www.afb.org), a referral resource for the blind or visually impaired that includes information on traveling with Seeing Eye dogs; and SATH (Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality) (tel. 212/447-7284; www.sath.org; annual membership fees: $45 adults, $30 seniors and students), which offers a wealth of travel resources for all types of disabilities and informed recommendations on destinations, access guides, travel agents, tour operators, vehicle rentals, and companion services. AirAmbulanceCard.com, partnered with SATH, allows you to preselect top-notch hospitals in case of an emergency, among other benefits ($195 a year, $295 per family).
For more information specifically targeted to travelers with disabilities, 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; $14.95 per year, $19.95 outside the U.S.); and Open World magazine, published by SATH ($13 per year, $21 outside the U.S.).
