The Challenges and Joys of Accessible Travel: What We Miss and How We Adapt

1. We like to keep the mood light and optimistic here, sharing good news stories about access and swapping crucial pieces of advice and information regarding the entire spectrum of accessible travel. But let’s face it, it’s not always sunshine and lollipops. There are moments when things drag us down, we feel like our mobility restrictions are causing us to miss out on some of the fun, and we generally just feel rather frustrated – and that’s ok. It can be somewhat therapeutic to discuss these down moments and to hear about each other’s struggles. A cathartic exercise, if you will. That’s why a little while ago we took to social media to ask: “What thing do you feel like you miss out on the most when traveling with a disability?”, and honestly, the responses we received were really eye-opening. In this blog post, we thought we’d explore some of the more common themes, the moments of frustration that came up most, and to round things off, the resilience that inevitably shines through.

To protect people’s identity, we’ll only reference commenters by their first names. You can, however, join the Facebook group in which these answers were first given, details on how to do so can be found at the bottom of this blog post.

Missing Out on Nature’s Wonders

It can be hard when you just want to get out there and feel what it feels like to be truly “in” nature. Sure, we can get a nice view from a car window, or we can enjoy the restricted access that comes with the rarity of an accessible trail, and that’s great, but sometimes we just want the freedom to go wherever our mood takes us – whilst keeping safe, of course. One of the responders to our post, Angi, shared how a trail she can’t access brings on feelings of frustration and sadness. Similarly, Marilyn highlighted the difficulty of accessing beaches and paved trails in national parks, echoing a sentiment shared by many in our community.

Sue, who became a full-time wheelchair user over a decade ago, misses the sensation of splashing in the sea and feeling the sand between her toes. “I wish the world was more accessible,” she reflected, noting that even accommodations marketed as “accessible” often fall short of their promises. There are workarounds, such as beach chairs with huge wheels that go on sand and SEATRAC systems that take users from the beach to the sea, but these are not found everywhere. They’re only located in a handful of places, and you need to know ahead of time where they’ll be to avoid disappointment.

The Struggle with Spontaneity

For many, part of the fun associated with travel comes from the freedom to be spontaneous. Being relaxed with your plans can lead to the discovery of hidden gems, such as that perfect little pizza spot down a secluded side street in Milan or that lively rooftop bar you didn’t intend on visiting near Manly Beach in Sydney. Kate responded to our post to reminisce about her pre-wheelchair days, where she’d enjoy nothing more than wandering through cities without a care in the world and stumbling upon new and exciting places. Nowadays, she has to be much more careful about where she goes and what her next move will be, ensuring that there are transport links if needed and that she always has a backup plan in case of fatigue.

Planning ahead was also a significant concern for Sarah, who noted the extra time, cost, and effort required to ensure accessible accommodations and transport. “I’d love to just book a weekend away and not worry about it,” she said – sentiments echoed by several of the 175-plus comments we received on this one post.

Sharing the Experience with Loved Ones

There were also a number of comments from folks who were not only disappointed for themselves, but also felt concerned for their loved ones. Bethany shared, “The worst part for me is feeling like my husband misses out.” She encourages him to explore when they encounter inaccessible areas, but he often chooses to stay with her. One reason for this could be a subconscious feeling of guilt over leaving a disabled loved one alone while the able-bodied members of the family go and enjoy their surroundings.

Scotty voiced a similar concern about his upcoming Alaskan honeymoon. “I worry my wife will miss out on the adventure of a lifetime simply because she doesn’t want to do any excursions without me.”

Barriers to Everyday Activities

The responses also brought to light how activities many take for granted can become monumental challenges. Beaches, for instance, were a recurring point of frustration. Caitlin shared how, while beach wheelchairs can be helpful, they’re often bulky, hard to maneuver, and not always available. Others, like John, expressed the sadness of watching their family enjoy the sun and surf while they’re stuck at a distance, longing to join in.

For others, the barriers are more structural. Erin shared her frustration with narrow shop aisles, making it nearly impossible to browse without knocking things over; or feeling like an inconvenience. Lindsey pointed out an overlooked flaw in “accessible” parking: while they may feature ramps, they’re sometimes farther from entrances than regular spots, defeating their purpose entirely.

Adapting and Finding Joy in New Ways

Despite these hurdles, the creativity and resilience of the community shone through. Kate shared how she uses a drone to capture stunning aerial views of tide pools and rugged coastlines she can’t physically reach, allowing her to experience these landscapes in a new, unexpected way. Scotty’s perspective was equally uplifting, highlighting the joy that comes from focusing on what is possible instead of what isn’t.

Others, like Ian, find joy in embracing accessible experiences without dwelling on limitations. “I choose not to focus on missing out,” he said. “Instead, I dive headfirst into what I can do.” Similarly, Thomas and Geoff emphasized the power of gratitude; celebrating the accessible spaces and moments available rather than mourning the ones that aren’t.

A Call for Better Accessibility

While the community’s adaptability is inspiring, one message came through loud and clear: accessibility still has a long way to go. Hotels advertising as “accessible” often fall short, transportation systems can be unreliable, and everyday activities are riddled with unnecessary challenges. Sue put it best when she muted: “I just wish the world was more accessible.”

That said, some examples of progress give hope. Respondents like Terry praised England for its well-thought-out accessible bathrooms and RADAR keys that empower travelers to access them with ease. These efforts show how thoughtful design can make a world of difference. Yet, as Jennifer aptly noted, the problem lies in awareness: “Able-bodied people just don’t get it. They say, ‘Just find somewhere accessible,’ as if it were that simple.”

Looking Ahead

The stories shared in response to our question highlight not only the challenges but also the strength and creativity within the disability community. Each experience serves as a reminder that while the journey may involve extra effort, the rewards of exploring, connecting, and embracing new possibilities are well worth it.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. This community is here to share advice, offer support, and amplify voices calling for better accessibility – and we’re glad to have you here. Together, we can push for a world where travel truly is for everyone.

If you’d like to see the original post that generated all of the responses outlined within this blog, you can find it here (though you will need to be a member of The World is Accessible Facebook group to properly view it).