Good News for Travelers on the Road, the Seas and the Mountains

by Andy Vladimir

For those of us who like to take our trips on the road, the AAA (American Automobile Association) has developed a new travel guidebook series called Barrier-Free Travel. AAA has done a first-class job of informing members about accessible lodgings, restaurants and attractions.

For instance, the guides give properties such as hotels and resorts three different mobility ratings. Mobility 1 means an establishment can accommodate a person who can walk; may use a mobility aid such as a cane, crutch or walker; may be frail; has limited stamina; and can manage a few steps with difficulty. Mobility 2 establishments can generally accommodate someone using a manual wheelchair or electric scooter who has good upper body strength or is able to stand; transfers independently; can manage with no lateral transfer space; and uses a transfer shower or tub. Mobility 3 lodgings can generally accommodate those who use manual or electric wheelchairs but don't have good upper body strength; may need assistance to transfer; and require roll-in showers.

Besides mobility ratings, the guides also rate accessibility for those with hearing or vision disabilities. These comprehensive guidebooks include general travel information such as major points of interest, things to see and do, and major theme parks, and they list health care providers, transportation options, medical suppliers and medical equipment availability.

The first two titles in the series, Central Florida and California, have been published, and another four are planned, for Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, New York City and Hawaii. These books are available at AAA club offices, or by calling (800) 222-1134.

Sail On

Ever dream of going sailing? The nation's largest adaptive sailing program is located in Miami. It's called Shake-A-Leg and uses a fleet of fully accessible sailboats. In the interest of fair disclosure, I'm on the board of directors so anything I say is certainly biased.

Shake-A-Leg maintains a community water sports center where you can learn to sail, rent sailboats and even go kayaking. Besides the spacious 21-foot Freedom boats, Shake-A-Leg has 12 special 7-foot sailboats designed for people with a variety of disabilities. By using a single electronic joystick, a person can steer the vessel easily. One student who has limited use of his arms steers the boat by controlling the joystick with his chin. These boats can't capsize because they're weighted with lead.

Shake-A-Leg in Miami has a fleet of fully accessible sailboats.

Besides year-round sailing, Shake-A-Leg offers a series of summer camps for youths at which swimming and boat safety are also taught. Write to Shake-A-Leg at 2600 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; telephone (305) 858-5550; or visit www.shakealegmiami.org.

Go Ashore

The two-hour trip takes passengers to the island's many historic and scenic attractions and features stops at accessible points of interest. These include the famous Mountain Top (home of the banana daiquiri), which now has a platform lift to reach the observation area. Guests travel in a colorful trolley fully equipped with lifting devices and four-point tie-down systems. Each vehicle has flip-up seats accommodating up to three wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms are available at two stops.

First available on the Grand Princess sailings, the new excursion is also offered on the Golden Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess sailings, with tours to come for other Caribbean destinations. I've always given Princess the highest scores for accessible cruise ships, and with these new excursions the line really offers the first completely accessible Caribbean cruise vacation on the market.

As always, I recommend that you shop for cruises at your local travel agent.

The Rockies in Summer

Breckenridge, Colo., offers accessible fun in the summer as well as winter.

Breckenridge is a ski resort in the winter with an accessible ski program. But in the summer it's a glorious mountain resort with art festivals, music festivals and all kinds of activities for families. The town planners clearly had those of us who use wheelchairs in mind when they laid this place out.

The main shopping street is completely accessible with ramped curbs, and a good number of the shops and restaurants are accessible, too. A fully accessible river walk goes through town, and the free bus system has some accessible buses. However, if there's not one available, they'll call one for you at no charge. The Summit Stage, which runs buses between Breckenridge and other close-by resorts, is accessible as well.

If you're a music lover there's a music festival every summer in a specially built venue beside the river. There are concerts almost every night, featuring classical, pops, jazz, choral, opera, rock, Broadway, New Orleans funk and more. We especially enjoyed the National Repertory Orchestra — a group of top musicians who are students at some of the nation's finest music schools.

We found a good-size horseback-riding program, an alpine slide and even a drive up one of the ski slopes (there were also some lifts running).

Through the Access-Able Travel Source (www.access-able.com), we found the Village, a large complex with convenient underground parking. They have 10 fully equipped handicapped rooms, but we opted for a two-bedroom condo that was fully accessible but not equipped, at a reasonable price. Our grandchildren loved the indoor pool and there's a gym and other facilities. You can call the Village at (970) 943-2000.

One caveat. Breckenridge is 10,000 feet high. Check with your doctor if you think that could be a problem. If you go, make sure and take the first day to just sit around and adjust to the altitude.