Let me tell you about Venice. I have been there twice in my manual wheelchair, and it was excellent. The first time was 1991 and I only went because people warned me not to go. I was told it was smelly and dirty and the people were unfriendly and the whole place was not wheelchair accessible. When I arrived by train, I went straight to the railway information and asked them what their wheelchair access was like ( half joking) and lo and behold, I was most impressed when the woman handed me a map put together by uni students. I brought an all day ferry pass as suggested on the map and basically island hopped -neatly avoiding all bridges, all day.I found two accessible toilets marked on my map. I stayed in a youth hostel which was upstairs but friendly employees helped me up the stairs. 

I went back again with my husband and children five years ago and was delighted to find nothing had really changed with regard to the ferries but I did find more disabled toilets. I recommend Venice to everyone and providing you don't go on a rainy day, it doesn't smell at all.

 

Hope this helps others.

 

Regards visitor from Australia

 

 

 

 

Rebecca -- I am constantly on the lookout for accessible vacation spots.  We
just spent a weekend at the just opened Chesapeake Bay Hyatt Regency on
Maryland's Eastern Shore. A wonderful place with many accessibility features, such as: a pool lift that can used in any of the three pools [one indoor and
two outdoor]; a roll-in shower in a room with a decent view [unlike some
hotels which tend to put the ADA rooms over a parking lot]; ramps everywhere, even to the boat dock/pier.

 

There is a spa there and they were very accommodating -- they gave me a facial from my wheelchair by propping pillows on the handles of my chair.  The sauna has a wide door and no bump so it was usable and there was an accessible shower stall in the spa locker room. 

 

The resort is on a remote, scenic spot on the Chesapeake Bay and I highly
recommend it to anyone in a wheelchair.  The nearest airport is Baltimore
Washington International [around an hour and a half drive from the Eastern
shore].  There are several accessible van rental companies in the area.  I
will send you other East Coast destinations as I come across them.  

 

Guest contributor
 

 

 

Dear Rebecca,

 

Several years ago I had major reconstructive hip surgery.  Not wanting to hold back my career, I scheduled myself to speak at a conference just three months later.  At the time of the conference I was still on crutches and only allowed to put 10% weight on the surgery side.  My conference was 3000 miles from home and I have to admit I wondered what had possessed me to make this commitment.  I was delighted to find out that theres' help available every step of the way.  At the airport my friend requested a wheelchair and attendant for me.  We whisked right through security, moving to the head of the line.  Whe I landed in Chicago to change planes, I was greeted by another smiling attendant and wheelchair.  He returned right on time and wheeled me to the next gate for take off.  At my destination, another smiling attendant and wheelchair were waiting.  The shuttle driver took over from there, depositing me and my luggage at my hotel.  And of course, the hotel staff took care of things from there.  Every place I turned, there were offers of help.  I still walk with a cane, so now when I travel I carry a lot of one dollar bills for tipping and have an opportunity to smile and thank people all day.  You know how good it feels when you do something for someone?  I give others that gift everytime I travel.

 

Guest contributor