Visitors with Disabilities

A lack of mobility should not deter you from traveling to Alberta [1], but you should definitely do some research before leaving home.

If you haven’t traveled extensively, start by doing some research at the website of the Access-Able Travel Source (www.access-able.com [2]), where you will find databases of specialist travel agencies and lodgings in western Canada that cater to travelers with disabilities. Flying Wheels Travel (507/451-5005, www.flyingwheelstravel.com [3]) caters solely to the needs of travelers with disabilities.

The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (212/447-7284, www.sath.org [4]) supplies information on tour operators, vehicle rentals, specific destinations, and companion services. For frequent travelers, the annual membership fee (adult US$45, senior US$30) is well worthwhile. Emerging Horizons (www.emerginghorizons.com [5]) is a U.S. quarterly magazine dedicated to travelers with special needs.

Access to Travel (800/465-7735, www.accesstotravel.gc.ca [6]) is an initiative of the Canadian government that includes information on travel within and between Canadian cities, including Calgary [7] and Edmonton [8]. The website also has a lot of general travel information for those with disabilities. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (800/563-2642, www.cnib.ca [9]) offers a wide range of services from its regional office in Edmonton (780/488-4871). Finally, the Canadian Paraplegic Association (613/723-1033, www.canparaplegic.org [10]), with a chapter office in Calgary (403/228-3001), is another good source of information.