Wheelchair Accessibility: Traveling With Ease Locally and Internationally

2011 has kicked off in full force here at Van Products, and if you’re like most people we know, you may occasionally find yourself a bit overwhelmed by the busyness of life, or even consider taking a short break!  For those of you considering taking a little trip or getaway, we thought we’d offer tips and a perspective we hope is helpful!

Maybe you or someone in your family uses a wheelchair and you think taking a big vacation is not a possibility for you but we’re here to tell you to think again!  We’ve collected a few of our favorite travel tips to highlight a few exciting opportunities:

1. Wheel the World:  Created by a group of wheelchair-using Norwegians, this company offers a number of handicap-accessible opportunities for those of you wishing to visit somewhere you might never have thought possible before.  They’ve aggregated a list of all potential travel options for you based by country.  So, if you’ve been dying to visit Costa Rica but thought it was out of the question, visit their website to find out more!

2.  Wilderness Inquiry:  This adventure program strives to provide outdoor adventure experiences that inspire personal growth, community integration and enhanced awareness of the environment for all who use it.  A total of about 40% of their participants     live with disabilities and promise to bring everyone with a spirit of adventure on any trip they’d like.   Specializing in multi-day outdoor excursions all around the world, a wheelchair or other mobility device will not impair your ability to see the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania or to see San Juan by kayak!
Take a look at the United Spinal Association’s more comprehensive list of accessible travel options for those of you using a wheelchair or caring for someone who is physically handicapped.  We fully believe that everyone should have the chance to live the life they want and not be prevented from doing that simply because of a mobility concern.

Van Products wants to help you to travel easier locally as well by offering a number of new and used wheelchair vans for rent or purchase, like the one we offered in our Holiday Getaway Giveaway contest  Even if just for the day, we want to make sure you keep moving, so please drop us a note and we’ll find you the wheelchair-accessible van that best suits your lifestyle!