Technology has made travel exponentially easier compared to the days of paper guide books. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to planning wheelchair accessible adventures. Here are some useful apps and resources to plan your next escapade:
Map Apps:
AccessNow (iOS) (android)
This free app is a Canadian start-up, crowd-sourced database which displays accessibility ratings for restaurants, bars, stores, hotels and more. Its three tier rating system categories locations either: fully accessible (green thumbs up symbol), partially accessible (yellow traffic cone symbol) or not accessible (red thumbs down symbol). You can search specific locations by name, or you can discover new locations in your area with your specific accessibility needs. You can also explore locations worldwide and use information to help plan future trips. In addition, you can add information on unrated buildings or businesses if not listed and help contribute to the worldwide network. Some locations are more populated than others, but overall it is a well designed and easy to use app.
WheelMate (iOS) (android)
This is a free crowd sourced app developed by Coloplast which helps locate wheelchair friendly restrooms and parking spaces. It gives an instant overview of the closest accessible bathrooms and parking spaces on an interactive map. It gives users the option to add and verify new locations to add to the database. However, it is a bit glitchy and not as user friendly as it could be. Content is limited but hopefully will improve as people add more information in their area. At the time of writing this there is little to no Canadian information, it seems to have the most information about the UK and European destinations.
Wheelmap (iOS) (android)
Wheelmap is another free crowd sourced accessibility app, giving accessibility information for restaurants, cinemas, shops and parking spots. It can be accessed on its website as well which is a nice feature. It is developed in Germany, as a partner with OpenStreetMap so there are many locations listed. Ratings are based on the traffic light system: green for accessible, yellow for partial accessibility and red for inaccessible. As with the other crowd sourced apps it will become better as more information is added and updated.
Access Earth (iOS) (android)
Access Earth is a start-up based out of Dublin, Ireland. It is another example of a crowd sourced accessibility app, it also allows you to create a custom profile to make it easier to find locations that suit your needs. It also has Uber and Lyft integration in some areas to streamline the travel process. Access Earth is available in app form, as well as online, There is limited North American information, and seems to be more useful for Euro-travel at the moment. It gives accessibility information regarding bathrooms, parking spaces, step-free entrances and interior accessibility.
Flush Toilet Finder (iOS)(android)
This is an app designed to help you find accessible bathrooms in your vicinity. It is much quicker and reliable than asking strangers in the street. There is a database of over 200 000 toilets and can be accessed offline without internet connection as well for when you are on the go, and need to go. It will also let you know if the bathroom requires a special key or not.
Google Maps (iOS) (android)
This is the ubiquitous map app. Wheelchair accessibility information is not guaranteed, but the ‘about’ section of many businesses will give some bare bones accessibility information: such as entrance accessibility and whether or not there are accessible restrooms. Even if accessibility information is not implicitly stated, there are street view photos of establishments, and sometimes even interior photos which can help you judge if the overall accessibility features are suitable to your needs. The 360° street view is hands down the best way to get an idea of the accessibility of an area, you can easily see if there are curb cuts, what the pavement quality is like and whether there are step free entrances to establishments. Depending on where you are travelling, google maps has unrolled a wheelchair accessible route planning in six major metropolitan cities (London, New York, Tokyo, Mexico City, Boston, and Sydney) with hopefully more to be added in the future. It makes route planning much simpler giving information about step free routes and accessible public transportation options.
maps.me(iOS) (android)
This is a downloadable offline map that can be used while you are travelling. It doesn’t have any accessibility information built in. But once you have done your research regarding accessibility you can create points on the map and have navigation information even when there is no wifi or service. It provides fast, detailed maps while on the go, with bookmarks that save your favourited locations such as your hotel, attractions, or restaurants. This is my go to map app when I am travelling.
Accessible Transportation Apps:
Uber WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles)
Wheelchair accessible uber vehicles that are outfitted with ramps or lifts are available in a select number of cities: these include Bangalore, Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington, DC; with plans to expand into other cities in the future. Wait times might be longer than traditional ubers since there are a smaller fleet available. This is a great option to have and saves the hassle of transferring to a vehicle and breaking down a wheelchair which can be time consuming and tiring if done multiple times a day. If you have no problem breaking down a wheelchair and transferring to vehicles you can use any ride sharing app such as: Uber, Lyft, or Grabber.
Local Public Transportation Apps
Public transportation is usually the most cost effective way to travel with a wheelchair. Unfortunately, not all stations or routes may be equipped to handle accessibility needs. It can be helpful to download a local transit map to help plan routes and get detailed and reliable accessibility information. Many cities have public transportation apps available, for example the My TTC App for Toronto and Metro App for Madrid.
Communication Apps:
Google Translate (iOS) (android)
This is the best language reference app to use while traveling. It won’t teach you to speak a local language like Duolingo will, but it is a great resource to use while travelling to find your way around and communicate basic phrases in the local language. It is also helpful that you can download favourite languages to use the app offline while on the go.
Whatsapp (iOS) (android)
Whatsapp is pretty much ubiquitous worldwide, but it is still worth mentioning for anyone who doesn’t know about it yet. It allows you to communicate with using messaging and video chat to people worldwide over wifi for free. Bonus points that the messaging system is encrypted as well. It is great to keep in touch with people back home, and can also be helpful when booking hotels or excursions at your destination.
Trip Planning Apps:
Rome2rio (iOS) (android)
Unfortunately this app doesn’t have dedicated accessibility information at this time. But it is a great resource for showing all the possible ways you get from point A to point B when travelling. It gives detailed information about bus, train, plane, ferry and taxi routes. You will still have to do some secondary sleuthing to determine if the listed transportation options are wheelchair accessible, but it is a great starting point to help plan your travels and see what options are available. You can use the trip planner on their website, or by using it as an app.
Get Your Guide (iOS) (android)
It can be extremely helpful to travel with a guide as a wheelchair user. It provides peace of mind, and it can be reassuring to have someone help you with your wheelchair to navigate accessibility hurdles, as well as someone who can speak the local language if you do not. Get your guide is a great resource to find wheelchair accessible tours and excursions. On their website you can specifically search for wheelchair accessible activities by checking the box under the services filter. You can book tickets for attractions ahead of time and save yourself waiting in lines. Even if you choose not to purchase directly off of the website it is a great resource to help with trip planning.
TripAdvisor (iOS) (android)
Most people are familiar with this one as a travel planning app, it is useful that you can book through the app to streamline the planning process. You can filter wheelchair friendly locations by selecting “wheelchair access’ under the amenities tab. The most useful thing about TripAdvisor for me is that there are first hand recommendations from people who leave reviews and comments. Accessibility and wheelchair friendly can mean a lot of different things to businesses, so often the best source of information is from other wheelchair users and their experience. To get information about a specific destination, activity or business simply search it and add wheelchair as a code word, this will give you a list of relevant reviews that can help you with your trip planning. You can search directly on their website or by using the app.
Accommodation Apps:
Airbnb (iOS) (android)
This is hands down the best resource for booking accessible accommodations. You can search properties directly on their website, or by using the app. It provides detailed accessibility information for all properties with photo evidence of all features to make sure nothing is misinterpreted or lost in translation. The accessibility features allow you to filter properties for accessible parking spots, wide doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, shower chair availability; as well as, step free showers, rooms, entrances and paths. In addition, since you are booking directly with a person you can get more accurate information about specifics and a more in-depth property knowledge rather than someone working the front desk of a hotel. But make sure to double check all accessibility requirements before booking (I have seen a property listed as “step -free” and “wheelchair accessible” when there was literally a ladder you had to climb at the entrance, how this is considered wheelchair accessible beats me.. Just be mindful and do your research).
Vrbo (iOS) (android)
The app allows you to filter properties for wheelchair accessibility, although it doesn’t specify what this entails, I am still choosing to include it on the list since you can message the renter directly to determine whether or not it will fit your accessibility requirements. but keep in mind that even if the room is suitable, not all areas of the property may be wheelchair accessible, so make sure you do your research before booking. You can search for properties on their website, or by using the app.
Hotels.com (iOS) (android)
This is a fairly good booking app for searching accessible properties. It allows you to filter rooms by several accessibility needs: roll in showers, accessible paths of travel, wheelchair accessible rooms, and accessible bathrooms. It is a good starting point to get accessibility information, but it would probably be best to contact the property directly to confirm accessibility requirements before booking, and if possible booking directly with the hotel to make sure the accessible room you book is guaranteed on arrival. I have heard horror stories of rooms being double booked or under maintenance/repair upon arrival. It is recommended you get an email chain going that specifies and ensures that your accessibility requirements are met upon arrival to save stress. Once again you can search properties on their website, or by using the app.
Convenience Apps:
IFTTT (If This Then That) (iOS) (android)
This is an app that can help streamline and simplify and automate your daily life by connecting apps on your phone using “if this then that” statements. This can be useful while travelling. For example if you arrive at your destination you can have it automatically send a location update to let people know you have arrived. Save time and automatically post a photo across all of your social media platforms. Save tagged Facebook photos to your dropbox. Keep track of your vacation spending by taking photos of receipts and have them automatically upload to a google drive spreadsheet. Or even link your smarthome devices and use it to keep your house safe while you are away, by using features that turn on your house lights at sunset. The possibilities are endless!
Colibra (iOS) (android)
Flight delays are an inevitable part of travelling. They can be frustrating and disrupting. Colibra is an app that allows you to enter your flight details and in the event of travel delays exceeding 1 hour they will automatically file a claim to reward you compensation for a delayed flight. In addition, here is an increased compensation for longer delays or cancelled flights. They take a portion of any compensation rewarded, but it saves you the time and hassle of filing a claim and allows for you to enjoy your vacation to the max, hopefully with a little bit of extra money in your pocket to boot!
Meal Delivery Apps
UberEats SkiptheDishes DoorDash GrabFood FoodPanda
Sometimes at the end of a long day exploring, it can be hard to muster the energy to go out and find a good bite to eat. Luckily there are many different food delivery apps that will bring the food to you! While it may not be as good as fresh at the restaurant, it is a nice option to have to save the hassle about worrying whether a restaurant is accessible or not and saves the trip there and back as well.
Additional Travel Planning Resources:
As a final note, these last few resources aren’t specifically apps, but they are extremely useful in planning an accessible trip:
Lonely Planet Accessible Travel Guide
Lonely Planet Travel Guides are the cream of the crop when it comes to travel resources. They have complied a free online pdf detailing accessibility information for a multitude of countries around the world. The most recently updated is the 2017 version which can be downloaded for free and used to plan your upcoming adventures.
Accessible Travel Facebook Groups
There are several accessible travel Facebook groups with first hand reviews and recommendations from travelers with a range of disabilities and mobility considerations. The popular ones include: Accessible Travel Club, Disabled Accessible Travel, Wheelchair Accessible Travel and Handicapped Travel Club. Several of these are members only groups and you have to answer a few questions before joining, but there is a wealth of information and lots of friendly people who will help you out making accessible travel plans.
Accessible Travel Blogs
There are lot of different accessible travel blogs out there to help get you inspired for you next trip. Everyone has different reasons for their wheelchair use, so it can be helpful to get information about a location from someone with similar mobility requirements to yourself, whether it be a manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, or mobility scooter. Here’s a list of some of the popular wheelchair travel blogs to check out: Curb Free With Cory Lee, WheelchairTravel.org, Spin the Globe, Simply Emma, Have Wheelchair Will Travel, Journey of a Brave Women, Little Miss Turtle and of course a shameless plug for Wheelie Girl Travel to cap it off.
I hope this has been a helpful guide for resources to use when planning your next accessible trip!
