Companies Help Disabled Travelers Have a Great Trip

on Nov 22, 2025

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By Victor Block

Mary Thompson is enjoying her tour of Sicily, which includes a cooking class in Palermo, wine-tasting in Marsala and a stop at the magnificent Piazza Duomo square in Catania. Bill and Betty Condon are equally pleased with their cruise along the Mississippi River, with daily shore excursions to explore towns and other attractions along the way.

While these travel experiences are different in a number of ways, they share a common trait. Both are accessible to people who deal with a disability. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in four adults in the United States suffer from some type of impairment. Fortunately this doesn't prevent many of them from traveling wherever they want to go.

Some tour companies focus on offering trips for disabled people. Their challenges might range from sight and hearing problems to mobility issues and other impediments. The goal is to provide an experience as equal as possible to that available to anyone else. If you or a travel companion deals with some sort of injury, loss of movement or other potential obstacle, help is on the way.

Thompson received the assistance she sought and needed during her tour of Sicily with Easy Access Travel. That company specializes in accessible land trips and cruise vacations. As a result, Mary traveled through Sicily in a Mercedes Sprinter van equipped with an elevating platform and room enough to accommodate her open wheelchair, which enabled her to visit historic and other sites along the way.

The Condons stayed in one of the accessible wheelchair-friendly rooms available on American Cruise Lines ships. They appreciated the elevator, which provided ease of movement between decks, and the fact that the dining room, lounges and sun decks were wheelchair-friendly. That also held true when they went ashore to take part in the daily sightseeing excursions that were offered.

Given the company's name, it is not surprising that Elder Treks caters to people age 50 and older. With that in mind, it rates trips on an activity level scale so participants can choose one that fits their preferences and physical condition. Those who opt for itineraries identified as "easy" should be able to walk one to two hours through "varying levels of rugged terrain." More challenging hikes might last five or more hours, cover at least 5 miles and traverse slopes that could be slippery.

As its name implies, Travel for All specializes in customized vacations for people with a variety of disabilities. The company works with more than 1,000 suppliers around the world, including land and tour operators and cruise lines. After ascertaining a customer's preferences and needs, the firm provides recommendations intended to fit individual travel styles.

Appropriately named Seeable Holidays goes well beyond just suggesting a trip for those with a sight impairment. It does much of the planning and work involved. Travelers who are partially or completely unsighted pick dates and a destination and submit a wish list. Then the company takes over.

Local chaperones with visual-awareness training who are knowledgeable about the destination and its history spend eight to 10 hours a day with visitors. In addition to introducing the must-see, must-do sites and attractions, these guides use their familiarity with the setting to steer visitors to the best local restaurants, keep them away from tourist traps and arrange private behind-the-scenes experiences.

This kind of help can take a travel experience to a new level. From seeing a locale through the eyes of a resident to cruising along the mighty Mississippi, whether sampling the sights of Sicily or enjoying a hike suited to your fitness level, a wide range of experiences awaits those who are willing to venture out. A disability doesn't need to be an issue.

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WHEN YOU GO

easyaccesstravel.com com

americancruiselines.com

eldertreks.com

travelforall.com

seable.co.uk

Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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