5 easy ways you can be an ally to disabled travelers
If you are an “able-bodied” traveler, there are many things that you can do to help improve travel for those of us with disabilities. After all, it could also be of tremendous value to you in the future. Anyone, at any time, can join the disability community, so by making the world more inclusive now, you can help future generations as well.
Did you know that approximately one in four people have a disability? By encouraging destinations to be inclusive of all travelers and speaking up if accessibility is limited in a tourist site, you are not only potentially helping yourself for the future, but you are also helping your extended family, friends, and everyone in general.
Below is a list of ways you can be the best ally to disabled travelers. As a wheelchair user myself, I thank you for taking the time to read this article and taking the actions below.
Support legislation that improves accessibility
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination by air carriers against individuals with disabilities. The ACAA has provided regulations for 35 years, but it is in need of an update. Currently, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act is trying to be passed in congress. It would strengthen enforcement of the ACAA, require airlines to meet accessibility standards, and most importantly, improve the safety of air travel for passengers with disabilities. You can ask your members of Congress to support this bill by filling out this simple form online.
The airline industry is very aware of the rights of disabled passengers, but as stressors arise in the airport, there may be times that fairness is overlooked. If you are on a plane or in an airport and see someone in a wheelchair being treated unfairly, remind the airline of the ACAA.
Support organizations that are working to make travel more accessible
All Wheels Up, for example, is an incredible organization that is pushing for wheelchair users to be able to remain in their wheelchair during flight.
Currently, the wheelchair is stowed beneath the plane and the wheelchair user has to be transferred from their wheelchair into a small “aisle chair” and then again transferred into the plane seat. This makes the flight very uncomfortable, as most wheelchairs are custom-fitted. The wheelchairs also are often damaged during flight (an average of 29 wheelchairs are damaged per day on flights), which not only causes the wheelchair user days, weeks, or even months of discomfort and immobility, but also costs the airline millions of dollars every year in repairs.
Related: A day in the life: What it’s like to travel through an airport and on a plane as a wheelchair user
By donating to organizations like All Wheels Up, travelers of all abilities will one day be able to enjoy flying without the stress of being manhandled by the airline crew members or having a wheelchair damaged. Every dollar that is donated to All Wheels Up goes toward improving the air travel process for wheelchair users.
Speak up when you see inaccessibility while traveling
You’ve probably heard the phrase “When you see something, say something," right? Well, this is one of the best and easiest things that you, as an able-bodied traveler, can do to help improve accessibility in the destinations you visit.
For example, if you are walking up stairs into a restaurant, ask a worker if there is another entrance for wheelchair users. You may get them thinking about accessibility for the first time just by asking that simple question. They may have never even thought about this scenario before. Often, the workers will even say, “Well, we never have customers in wheelchairs here, so we really do not need a ramp," but remind them that wheelchair users may have tried to visit, but cannot due to the inaccessibility.
Related: These are the most wheelchair-accessible cities around the world
By speaking up about accessibility in a kind manner, you could be the reason why a restaurant, shop, or attraction becomes accessible.
Share accessibility insights online
When writing about your travel experiences post-trip, whether on TripAdvisor, Yelp, your own social media pages, or somewhere else on the internet, always include info on accessibility of the location you’re writing about.
Accessible travel information is often extremely difficult to find online, but even if you just put one sentence saying that whatever attraction you visited had a ramp to enter, that could be a huge help. You don’t have to go into full accessibility detail, but any bit of information is super helpful.
Related: Planning an accessible trip? These travel resources can help.
The more accessibility information that we can make available online, the easier trips will be to plan in the future and the more mainstream accessibility will become.
Use accessible travel companies to plan your own trips
Use accessible travel booking platforms like Handiscover to book hotel rooms or use accessibility-focused tour companies to help support them. Sure, sites like Handiscover do specialize in accessibility, but they also allow you to book standard rooms.
Likewise, many companies that offer accessible tours also offer tours for non-disabled travelers. However, the opposite is not usually true. By supporting tour companies and booking platforms that cater to all travelers instead of spending your hard-earned money on discriminatory companies, this puts more money in the pockets of inclusive companies and therefore, they will be able to provide better accessible features to accommodate wheelchair users.
Related: 10 wheelchair-accessible tour companies that are changing the travel industry
As you can see, there are multiple ways that you can be an ally for disabled travelers and none of the above scenarios take away from your own travel experiences. They are just helping to improve travel for people of all abilities. By being an ally, you will not only improve the lives of others, but it could also improve your outlook on travel and enable you to have a more fulfilling trip.
Photo by Carlo Prearo/EyeEm/Getty Images
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.