Special Needs Vacation Spots to Keep in Mind

Disabled travel was something that was unheard of years ago. Families with accessible

relatives were limited to staying home for during summer and winter vacation due to lack of places to travel. Accessible travel was not only rare but very expensive and only available to

those who could afford it. Nowadays there are places that are fun for the whole family and at

affordable prices. National parks are now wheelchair friendly and consider every physical or mental disability so no one is left out. Thanks to this, parents with a disabled child can now

be certain that these destinations will make planning a vacation a lot easier.

With so many disabilities now recognized what works for some parents might not work for others.  There is autism, Downs syndrome, food allergies just to name a few and all need specific planning. 

Resort Travel

Resort travel is included on the list but note that research should be done on resorts before making reservations. A lot of them advertise having fun activities for the whole family but this is not always the case.  Look for places that offer accessible taxi service for offsite activities, poolside tables, paved walkways to the beach, unisex restrooms and a pool chairlift.

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California is a popular summer spot due to its beautiful beach and boardwalk. Santa Cruz is also home to Shared Adventures, a nonprofit organization that has an impressive collection of fun activities through the summer for children and adults with special needs. They also have a big event in July on the annual day on the beach in which the organization offers assisted kayaking, scuba diving and canoe rides. Every year, dozens of volunteers assist in creating paths for easy wheelchair access and the organization provides live music and free food. 

Club Getaway, Kent Connecticut

Club Getaway as the name suggests is a convenient getaway for urban inhabitants of the tri-

state area (NY-NJ-CT). Club getaway is part of the Berkshires and is located in Kent,

Connecticut. The setting is beautiful and has lots of things to do for children and adults of all

ages. Parents and children take part in activities such as kayaking or trying out the flying trapeze over the lake. The club is convenient as it is safe, calm and relaxing. Club Getaway is the perfect vacation spot for people looking to participate in fun activities not overly stimulating. Special Parents & Kids Getaway programs occur in August.

Ski Resorts in Colorado

We all know skiing is ubiquitous in Colorado. Skiers have a lot of choices when it comes to adaptive ski programs. For those who don’t know, adaptive skiing is the ability to go beyond your limitation and adapt yourself to the environment which in this case is skiing. Any sport can be an adaptive sport and there are many types of adaptive skiing. The Breckenridge Ski Resorts offer lessons for alpine skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing at Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail. Families need to call ahead of time for schedules and to check availability. The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center provides lessons in all types of adaptive skiing and the fee includes one-on-one instruction and specialized equipment.

Cruises

Royal Caribbean became the pioneer in disabled travel and was even the first to be certified as “autism friendly” in 2014. Thanks to them families with special needs are traveling more often. The cruise line provides autism friendly movies and modified kids programs for those

with disabilities. Not to mention dining will be easier for those with dietary limitations as the cruise line now offers more meal options including gluten-free and intolerant options. Assistance from the crew has also improved as the staff has hands on training that help with assisting those with special needs on the ships. Cruises are fun for the whole family as they provide activities for children (and adults) of all ages. 

Disney Resorts

When it comes to fun the whole family can enjoy, we have to bow to the all time leaders in family fun. Disney theme parks year after year continue to top the charts as the most popular tourist destinations. It’s hard to beat the Disney resorts in pretty much any category, and we all know that catering to special needs of children has always been their bread and butter. The downside to these locations is the huge crowd that emerges out of every corner and humid weather which becomes more aggravating with the long lines on almost every attraction. Regardless of all of that, Disney resorts manage to personalize service for families with special needs. These parks offer guides that show mobility requirements for each attraction and if you make reservations ahead of time, you can avoid waiting in long lines!

With more places becoming accessible friendly and taking measurements to have their location not discriminate against anyone, travelling with a disabled relative has become easier and more affordable than ever. As long as you plan ahead, most places will accommodate your family and make sure you have the time of your life. There are also third party companies that make planning your vacation a whole lot easier. Wheelers Accessible Van Rentals offer their services all over the country at competitive prices and have the customer satisfaction you can trust. Wheelers Accessible Van Rentals has been in the industry for over 25 years and offer van rentals, wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals in all 50 states. Wheelers also plans to have rental affiliates available in every city in America. Contact Wheelers today and ask about Iowa Wheelchair Van Rentals, Texas Wheelchair Van Rentals and Orlando Wheelchair Van Rentals.