Dreaming of a getaway but wondering about accessible travel? You’re in luck! A Foundation Building Strength (AFBS) recently hosted an incredibly informative webinar, “Accessible Adventures – Travel Q&A with Cory Lee,” as part of our “Building Strength Together” Webinar series. Led by moderator and AFBS board member Lyn Baier, we spoke with renowned accessible travel expert and influencer Cory Lee (Curb Free with Cory Lee ) and his mother and caregiver, Sandy Lee , for a candid and comprehensive discussion on making world travel as barrier-free as possible.
If you missed it live, don’t worry! We’re thrilled to present the full recording of this invaluable conversation. Cory and Sandy shared a wealth of practical tips, advice, and resources for individuals and families eager to embark on their own accessible adventures. Many of these insights will be particularly invaluable for families making plans to travel to the SciFam conference in Philadelphia this summer!
Watch the Full Webinar Here:
Key Takeaways from Our Accessible Travel Q&A:
Cory and Sandy covered a wide array of topics, offering real-world strategies for navigating common travel challenges:
- Flying with a Wheelchair: Learn about streamlining airport security, preparing your wheelchair for cargo to prevent damage (like removing easy-to-damage parts such as kneepads, headrests, and joysticks ), and protective measures for sensitive components. They also discussed airline seating arrangements (including the pros and cons of bulkhead seats ), the limitations of accessible restrooms on planes, and practical alternatives like the Travel John/Jane. Remember, medical equipment often flies free on flights to or from the U.S..
- Accessible Accommodations: Get tips on finding and booking truly accessible hotels and vacation rentals. This included advice on calling hotels directly to confirm details like bed height and roll-in showers , and even requesting photos of accessible rooms. Cory highlighted resources like Becoming Rentable, a platform dedicated to accessible vacation rentals. They also shared insights on bringing your own shower chair (transported in a large Stanley toolbox ) and using transfer slings.
- Beach Accessibility: Discover options for enjoying the beach, from all-terrain wheelchairs like the Magic Mobility Extreme X8 (best for drive-to destinations ) to researching available powered or amphibious beach wheelchairs at your destination. Aulani, a Disney Hawaii Resort, was highly recommended for its excellent accessibility , including amphibious beach wheelchairs, pool lifts, and paved beach pathways.
- Cruising with a Disability: Cory shared his top picks for accessible cruise lines, praising Virgin Voyages for its comprehensive accessibility (including companion care restrooms and accessible private islands ), and Disney Cruise Line’s newer ships (Wish, Fantasy, Treasure). He also noted that Royal Caribbean’s private island might not be the best. For accessible shore excursions, specific companies like Accessible Caribbean Vacations and Sage Travel were mentioned.
- Getting Around in Accessible Cities: Learn about public transportation options in international cities such as Helsinki, Sydney, Melbourne, and Barcelona. For areas with less accessible public transit, utilizing accessible tour companies (like Iceland Unlimited or Inside Japan Tours ) can provide necessary transportation, guides, and hotel bookings. For those attending SciFam in Philadelphia, Cory specifically recommended the “Philadelphia PHLASH” bus system, which is fully wheelchair accessible and serves popular tourist attractions.
- Essential Travel Tips: The discussion also covered crucial general advice, including the importance of travel insurance (Allianz Travel Insurance was highlighted for covering pre-existing conditions ) and its coverage even close to home. Finding accessible restrooms on the road (Starbucks being a good option ) and the benefits of AAA or similar roadside assistance for accessible vans were also discussed.
Useful Resources from the Q&A:
For your convenience, here are the links and resources mentioned during the webinar:
- Wheelchair Accessible Cargo Hold Dimensions: Provides information on airplane cargo hold dimensions for wheelchairs.
- Travel Jane Emergency Bathroom Kit: Portable urinals for women that turn liquid into a gel.
- Becoming Rentable: A website for accessible vacation rental accommodations, similar to Airbnb.
- AbleSling Lite Transfer Sling: A transfer sling for wheelchair users to assist with transfers.
- 18″ PVC Shower Commode Chair: A disassembling shower chair for travel.
- STANLEY 50 Gallon Mobile Tool Box Chest with Wheels: Used as a case for the disassembled shower chair.
- Magic Mobility Extreme X8 All-Terrain Wheelchair: An all-terrain wheelchair that can roll in sand and other challenging environments.
- Mobi-Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair: An amphibious beach wheelchair that can go in the water.
- Curb Free with Cory Lee – Beach Wheelchair for Sand Article: An article by Cory Lee about beach wheelchairs.
- Beach Powered Mobility: A private company in Panama City Beach, Florida, that rents powered beach wheelchairs.
- Seahorse Condo at Treasure Island (Panama City Beach, Florida): An accessible beachfront condo owned by a wheelchair user.
- Allianz Global Assistance: Travel insurance provider that covers pre-existing medical conditions.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises – Accessible Shore Excursions: Information on accessible shore excursions offered by Royal Caribbean.
- Sage Traveling: A company specializing in accessible shore excursions in Europe.
- Curb Free with Cory Lee – Best Things to Do in Philadelphia (Wheelchair Access): Cory Lee’s blog post about accessible attractions in Philadelphia.
- RidePhillyPHLASH.com: Philadelphia’s accessible bus system for tourists.
- SciFam Philadelphia Visitors Guide: A comprehensive guide for visitors to Philadelphia, including accessible information.
- Curb Free with Cory Lee – Wheelchair Accessible Philadelphia Transportation: Cory Lee’s blog post specifically about accessible transportation in Philadelphia.
- Inside Japan Tours: A tour company that plans accessible trips throughout Japan.
- Accessible Japan: A website run by Josh Grisdell, a wheelchair user living in Japan, providing extensive information on accessibility in Japan.
We hope this webinar and these resources empower you to plan your next accessible adventure with confidence!
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