Access for Travelers with Disabilities

While the vast majority of attractions and accommodations make every effort to comply with federal law regarding those with disabilities, as they’re obliged to do, the very historic nature of this region means that some structures simply cannot be retrofitted for maximum accessibility. This is something you’ll need to find out on a case-by-case basis, so call ahead.

The sites administered by the National Park Service in this travel guide (Charles Pinckney National Historic Site [1], Fort Sumter [2], Fort Moultrie [3], Fort Pulaski [4], Fort Frederica, and Cumberland Island National Seashore) are as wheelchair-accessible as possible.

Some special shuttles are available. In Charleston [5], call the “Tel-A-Ride” service at 843/724-7420. A couple of cab companies in town to check out are Express Cab Company (843/577-8816) and Flag A Cab (842/554-1231). In Savannah [6], Chatham Area Transit (www.catchacat.org [7]) runs a Teleride service (912/354-6900).

For the visually impaired, in Charleston there’s the Association for the Blind (1071 Morrison Dr., 843/723-6915, www.afb.org [8]) and in Savannah there’s the Savannah Association for the Blind (214 Drayton St., 912/236-4473).

Hearing disadvantaged persons can get assistance in Charleston at the Charleston Speech and Hearing Center (843/552-1212).