Candy Harrington is an expert on accessible travel. She edits Emerging Horizons, an accessible travel magazine, and she has published several books on the subject of accessible travel and accommodations, including her newest book, 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. Ms. Harrington has graciously agreed to answer some questions for About.com's readers.
Senior Travel Guide Nancy Parode: How did you get started writing about accessible travel?
Candy Harrington: Well, I've been a travel writer for over 30 years and about 17 years ago I got tired of writing what I considered "fluff". I wanted to tackle something with more meat in it, and a friend who was a travel agent suggested accessible travel. Nobody was really doing it at that time and to be honest, it just seemed like a challenge. Actually, most folks thought I was crazy when I told them what I was doing back then, but I've always marched to the beat of my own drummer, so it didn't bother me. In the end I spent several years researching the laws and realities of accessible travel before I wrote one word about it. In 1997 I founded Emerging Horizons, a magazine which focuses on accessible travel, and it was pretty much all downhill from there.
Today I also write columns for other publications, craft internet content, pen books and even do a radio show – all on the subject of accessible travel. It's odd because this former niche subject has taken center stage with the aging of the Baby Boomers, so in a way I'm kind of back in the mainstream.
Guide Nancy: You have years of experience covering accessible travel issues and helping people resolve accessibility travel problems. What are the most common problems wheelers and slow walkers face when planning and taking trips?
Candy Harrington: Believe it or not a lot of people forget to arrange accessible airport transportation. They just assume there will be accessible options or they don't even think about how they will get from the airport to the hotel. Granted, many airports have accessible public transportation right to the terminal; but that's not the case at every airport. Best bet is to do some advance research and find out if accessible taxis or airport shuttles are available. And in the U.S., if a hotel provides free airport transfers, they also have to provide accessible airport transfers, free of charge - even if it costs them to do this. It's the law, but some hotels aren't aware of it, so it pays (literally) to be educated.
Guide Nancy: I've read in your book, Barrier-Free Travel, and on your website that you recommend planning your own accessible shore excursions if you are taking a cruise. I have also read elsewhere that some cruise lines won't help passengers with transfers unless they book shore excursions through the cruise line. Have you encountered this situation, and, if so, how did you resolve it?
Candy Harrington: Actually some cruise lines won't arrange accessible airport transfers if you don't book the air from them, and come in the on the departure day. Generally you need to be aware of this, plus you also have to realize that there will be a high demand for accessible taxis and shuttles on cruise arrival/departure days. Best bet is to work with a travel agent that truly specializes in accessible cruises and have them arrange the transfers for you. The same is true with the shore excursions. It’s not that the cruise lines won't book accessible ones for you, it's just that most of their approved vendors don't provide truly accessible shore excursions. In most cases you have to be able to walk a few steps and transfer to a standard vehicle in order to do most of their "accessible" tours. So if you want a shore tour with accessible transportation (a lift or ramp equipped vehicle) you need to do your research and book it yourself or book your cruise with a travel agent who specializes in accessible cruises.
Guide Nancy: How has accessible travel changed – hopefully for the better – since you began editing Emerging Horizons magazine 10 years ago? What travel trends, in your opinion, will be most important in the next 10 years?
Candy Harrington: Well, there are definitely more choices than there were 10 years ago, and I think that's due to the fact that people are just getting out and traveling more. There's more of a demand for accessible services these days, and the hospitality industry is very competitive. Everyone wants those tourism dollars. In the past 10 years I've seen just about everything from accessible safari parks and Adirondack lean-tos, to canal boats, tree houses, dude ranches and even a hot air balloon. To be honest, if you have a specific interest, there's something accessible out there for you. I look for that to continue in the next 10 years as we have a large Baby Boomer population that's going to have the time and money to travel, and many of those folks will have some type of an age related disability. I see accessible tourism evolving, from being something that's legally mandated to becoming more market driven. I believe the hospitality industry will follow the tourism dollars – and adapt.
