Summer is right around the corner and most everyone has gotten stir-crazy spending the cold winter and rainy spring indoors. Living with a disability can often feel as if your world has become increasingly small. Wheelchair accessibility may be the first thought that pops into your mind when deciding where it is you’d like to travel this summer.
However, thanks to the spirit of adventure and persistence of those living with disabilities, numerous destinations have been discovered as exciting and easily accessible to those in wheelchairs. Below is a list compiled of many incredible places to visit with great accessibility for the handicapped.
There is no need to miss out on an exciting summer getaway because of a disability!
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
While Delaware may not seem like an exciting and exotic getaway, this East Coast beach boasts pristine sand, fun shops, restaurants, bars and great wheelchair accessibility. Rehoboth Beach is located along a wide boardwalk. There are ramps down to the sand and free beach wheelchairs. There are also many great hotels and condominium rentals with roll-in showers.
Sheri and Tony, authors of the blog Happy on Wheels, are both wheelchair users and have been vacationing there for years. According to Sheri, “Traveling with a disability can be frustrating. Rehoboth makes it easy, that’s why we love it.”
St. Simon’s Island, Georgia
Ellie Potts, author of Freewheelin Through Life, says that St. Simon Island in Georgia is “both beautiful and accessible.” She continues, “Accessibility is important to me because of my Cerebral Palsy. St. Simon’s beach has sand that is very hard and compact so I’m able to roll on it without using a beach wheelchair.” The island of St. Simon is very charming, old and historic.
Sonoma, California
Sonoma is located in the rolling hills and valleys just north of San Francisco. It has been called one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Since downtown Sonoma is in a valley surrounded by mountains, it is very flat. There are numerous wineries, shops, and world-class restaurants perfect for rolling around. Buena Vista Winery, California’s oldest winery built in 1857, has recently completed a massive ADA upgrade. There are ramps and elevators located along the historic premise that make visiting with a wheelchair easy.
Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado California
Silver Strand Beach, commonly known as “The Strand,” is located in sunny San Diego County, California. It is famous for fishing, swimming, surfing, boating, water-skiing, volleyball and picnicking. It is also a fantastic destination for those in wheelchairs. The beach offers beach wheelchairs and beach matts. The Strand offers a bit more solitude than the noisy Ocean and Mission Beaches in San Diego. The ocean side of the Strand features 2.5 miles of silver shells, giving it the name “Silver Strand”.
Ludington State Park, Michigan
Stearns Park, located in Ludington State Park in Michigan, is an idyllic lakeside beach. Along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, Stearns Beach offers great accessibility for those in wheelchairs. Disability connections of West Michigan and the City of Ludington have partnered to install accessible walkways at Stearns Beach. When looking for sleeping accommodations, be sure to check out the many wheelchair accessible hotels and beach condos.
These are just a few of the many thousands of places that are great for those with a handicap and their friends and family. There are countless others across the country and around the world. Look for Part 2 of top destinations for those in wheelchairs coming shortly.
Looking for a wheelchair van? Classic Vans, located in the San Francisco Bay area, has a huge selection of new and used minivan and full-sized wheelchair vans. Call (866) 370-8222 and ask about low cost nationwide van delivery.
