Two people that use wheelchairs are looking at a pyramid in the distance.

More people with disabilities are travelling than ever before. They're breaking the barriers and finding that the world is more open and accessible than ever. There's more information, allowing for better planning, with fewer unpleasant surprises. New technology is making it possible for someone in a wheelchair to experience an African safari (http://www.i-can-travel.com/318 ) or ride an ATV through the dramatic and starkly beautiful Icelandic interior (http://www.i-can-travel.com/2011/02/ ). If you're blind, you can learn to ski (http://www.vermontadaptive.org ); if you're deaf, you can enjoy a Broadway show (http://www.tdf.org/emailimages/TAP_Online/TAP_brochure_July1.pdf ). If you have a child with a disability who wants to stay at a ranch and learn to ride a horse, there are fully accessible places to visit (http://www.stagecoachtrailsranch.com/features_for_disabled.htm ). In short, if you're the kind of person who combats stereotypes by not giving in to them, there are plenty of places to go online for sound advice and resources related to recreational travel!

One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the need to adapt; and to work with your situation, not against it. The level of accessibility found in your preferred destination can make or break your travel experience. To avoid potential problems when planning a vacation, take some time to gather information before you decide where to go. Some preliminary steps and ideas to think about can be found below.