Wheelchair Travel: 5 Exciting Destinations

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Approximately 3.6 million individuals in America over 15 years of age use a wheelchair, due to lower back injuries, cerebral palsy, or other conditions.
In countries where life expectancy exceeds 70 years, individuals spend roughly eight years (11.5% of their lives) living with disabilities.

For adventurous spirits who love to travel, we suggest five exciting trips that offer accessibility to suit your active lifestyle.

1. Off-Road Wheelchair Exploration.

Hoe Grange Holidays offers accommodations in their beautiful, accessible log cabins in the Yorkshire Dales, complete with stunning views. You'll also have access to their Boma 7 wheelchair, and with its off-road wheelchair tires, exploring the countryside knows no bounds.

2. Sit-Skiing or Skiing at Whistler Adaptive.

Located in Canada, Whistler Adaptive is growing in popularity due to its specialized ski gear, ski lessons, and complete therapeutic program. An ideal place to hit the slopes and have fun.

3. A South African Safari.

Take an eight-day guided safari with Epic Enabled, where you'll mingle with your fellow travelers, enjoy a traditional supper, and most likely see the Big Five (lions, African elephants, leopards, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo). Epic Enabled uses specially adapted vehicles, and you'll stay in accessible cabins and huts during the trip.

4. Scuba Diving in Bali.

The adaptive diving specialists at Bali International Diving Professionals (BIDP) give four-day beginner's courses in open-water diving, which include lessons in theory and thoroughly supported ocean dives.

5. Flying Lessons.

At the APT Charitable Trust near Salisbury, certified instructors offer flying lessons in modified gliders. You can go on a trial flight or begin training for your private pilot's license.

WheelchairTravel.org also offers first-hand knowledge and a great deal of helpful information about wheelchair accessible travel, including accessible modes of transportation as well as accessible destinations and accommodations. The site also offers practical advice about essential travel gear and travel insurance, and answers many of the questions asked by readers.

When individuals with conditions requiring the use of a wheelchair, such as lower back injuries, cerebral palsy, or ALS, are armed with the proper information, safaris, scuba diving, flying planes, off-road exploration, and skiing are just some of the exciting adventures that can become a part of an active lifestyle.