What are considerations for finding accommodations?

Authors: Sharon Jang , Dominik Zbogar | Reviewers: Duncan Campbell , Janice Eng | Published: 16 November 2022 | Updated: ~

After you have selected a destination, think about where you will stay when you arrive. Hotel accessibility is important to consider to make your stay comfortable. When picking accommodation, think about your needs and how they may be accommodated. Some things to consider when selecting a hotel include:

Whether a power chair or a manual chair (as pictured here) know how wide your wheelchair is at its widest point.

• Shower needs: Does the hotel have a roll in shower? If not, are there rooms with a handheld shower?
• Mobility needs: How wide are the doorways to the room and to the bathroom? Can the bathroom door be removed? Is there carpet? If so, how thick is the carpet? Will you be able to roll on it?
• Transfer needs: What is the height of the bed? Can the bedframe be removed if it is too high? What is the space between the bed and the wall? What is the height of the toilet in the bathroom? Can you get on the toilet? Is there space to transfer onto a toilet?
• Assistance needs: are attendants charged full price for an extra room? Are there adjoining rooms?
• Transportation: Is there accessible parking? If taking public transit, is public transit located close and is the route to the stop accessible?

The standard width for interior doors can depend on the country and will usually range from 711-914 mm (28-36 inches) though older buildings may have doorways built before standards were established.

In the USA, standard toilets are 15-16 inches whereas ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant toilets are 17-19 inches from floor to seat.

If you are ever unsure about a room, ask the hotel staff to view the room prior to checking in to ensure that it meets all of your needs.