travel for special needs adults

Inclusive Adventures

For exceptional people.

Exceptional Vacations Provides High Quality Vacations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Exceptional Vacations’ trips provide a wonderful opportunity for personal growth and socialization in a safe and fun atmosphere. We have a professional staff committed to providing our travelers with the experience of a lifetime. We ensure a safe environment with an emphasis on inclusion.

Our tours are all inclusive. Vacationers only need to bring the desire for a new and rewarding experience.

Had lots of fun meeting new people and new friends!

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Inclusive Adventures for Exceptional People 🌎✈️🧩

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Our Services

Exceptional Vacations provides pre-planned, all-inclusive and supervised tours for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilites.  These trips allow travelers to meet new friends in a safe and fun atmosphere.

If one of the supervised tours does not meet your needs, we can design a custom travel package for your group travel. Our experience gives us the expertise to put together wonderful trips for special needs travelers.

All of our trips open doors for travelers with disabilities to experience everything the world has to offer.

Supervised Tours

Custom trips.

Why choose us?

We are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality of services.  We know planning vacations can be difficult and time consuming.  We make it easy and worry free!

20+ Years of Experience

Trustworthy and commited, easy communications, outstanding reputation, exceptional customer service, popular destinations, orlando, fl  theme parks – disney world, universal studios…, dolphin encounters, international trips and cruises, let's travel together.

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Helping People Grow Together Through Travel Since 1972!

Since 1972, thousands of men and women with developmental challenges, autism, down syndrome, and other special needs have achieved greater independence through special needs travel experiences provided by The Guided Tour, Inc. The focus of The Guided Tour is to offer special needs vacations that provide a growth-producing experience, in which our travelers are able to travel and socialize independent of their families. Through our special needs trips, many of our travelers can share of their own experiences, many for the first time, with their families, their supervisors, co-workers and friends. The Guided Tour staff make sure our travelers not only have their independence, but they also make sure our travelers have assistance with money, medication, and of course, a fantastic memorable vacation!

Our Director Ari Segal with his wonderful family

Rates & Dates

The guided tour, inc. provides:.

• Supervised vacations for adults with developmental challenges.
• 50 years of special needs travel experience and expertise!
• Experienced staff who are paid professionals.
• A staff to traveler ratio of 1:3, and trip coordinators with many years of experience leading special needs travel groups.
• “On-Wheels” trips with 1:1 staffing for individuals who use a wheelchair or are slow-pacers.
• A nurse on the majority of trips to oversee any additional medical needs.
• A variety of local, national and international trips to choose from with exciting itineraries exploring new horizons. We meet new people and places and make memories that will last a lifetime.
• Summer Vacations at the Seashore in New Jersey with a beautiful beach house located just one block from the beach.
• Adult Resort camp experiences available three times a year in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
• Special vacations and social groups for adults with special needs to expand their friendship circle.
• Our travelers enjoy sending us new trip ideas each year, and we work hard to hammer travel plans out to create exceptional special needs vacations.

Celebrating 34 years of Special Needs Travel!

EMPOWERING ADVENTURE FOR EVERYONE!

AN AWARD-WINNING  INCLUSIVE TRAVEL COMPANY – PERFECT FOR YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS!

All-inclusive vacation packages for travelers ages 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities

TRAVEL THE WORLD

Trips Inc.™ vacations promote independence and inclusion through travel for the BEST life experiences!

QUALITY, SAFETY & FUN

Trips Inc.™ is dedicated to planning fun-filled, worry-free vacations that meet your individual needs!

WHY CHOOSE US?

Trips Inc.™ is an award-winning company that has been providing special needs travel vacations since 1991!

CHOOSE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE!

HOW DO DISABLED TRAVEL TOURS WORK?

After you officially book a Trips Inc. Special Adventures® trip, all you have to do is show up and know that everything else is taken care of by our amazing team. Our travel planners, program directors, tour group leaders and chaperones carefully evaluate every detail of your trip with particular attention to your individual needs to create a completely worry-free and fun-filled vacation!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRIPS

HOW OUR VACATIONS CHANGE LIVES

“Our son has grown through your trips.  He has become more independent and motivated to stay healthy so he can do all the activities your provide!” - Amy Parent

REQUEST A FREE BROCHURE Our annual brochure has information regarding this year’s trips that we have carefully curated to offer unique, unforgettable and treasured memories.  E xplore all the exciting travel experiences we have planned for this year. Get our brochure sent directly to your home.

Do you love to travel? Come join us!

At Hammer Travel, we organize fun-filled, all-inclusive vacations for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Whether you’re after gorgeous landscapes, thrilling adventures, or tasty cuisine, we’ll hit it all throughout our various trips for disabled adults. Our Minnesota-based agency takes our travelers all over the country — from Nashville to San Francisco. Our staff of accredited professionals provides a worry-free, exciting experience, wherever you are headed.

Let’s see the world.

Pricing Notice Real ID – Enhanced Notice – May 2025

Pack your bags and get ready to travel.

We are thrilled to offer great destination trips for travelers with developmental and intellectual disabilities from around the country to enjoy. We take great pride in making your travel a positive experience one and look forward to providing enhanced travel opportunities.

Prepayment Account This is a great option if you know you want to travel in the future and would like to set money aside for a trip. There are no services fees, and accounts can be used for any destination you choose.

Volunteer Opportunities Do you like what you see? We are always looking for fun loving people to assist us in making dreams come true! If you are interested in volunteering or would like more info, contact Cathy Thoma at   [email protected]   or call 952-345-8554.

Vacation Destinations

We love to provide our travelers the opportunity to travel the country to see all that it has to offer. We offer an impressive selection of destinations, so that our travelers can find the perfect trip package and locale — from a baseball game in Chicago to a cruise up the Alaskan coast.

Why Hammer Travel

Our team provides outstanding customer service to ensure every detail is verified along the way. Hammer Travel is a leader in vacations for disabled adults because of our outstanding, commitment to safety, and unique destinations.

We are here to help you have a positive experience from choosing the right trip to filling out the forms and submitting to Hammer Travel.

If you have questions or concerns, we are happy to connect with you via email or phone.

RE AL ID INFORMATION & ENHANCED ID

Beginning May 7, 2025 , a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, enhanced driver’s license or ID, or another acceptable form of identification will be required to fly domestically and enter federal facilities. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration accepts several other forms of identify documents. The enhanced ID is a step above the REAL ID and is accepted as well. 

NOTICE: Prices on the website are current and may be different from our brochure due to fluctuating travel-related expenses since publication. If you are registered for a trip and the price has changed, you will not be charged a higher price, and will be given credit towards a future trip if the price has gone down.

Hammer Travel COVID Policy

Until farther notice, all trip staff, volunteers, and travelers are required to be fully vaccinated for international destinations and cruises.

To ensure the safety of participants, staff and others, Hammer Travel staff, volunteers and travelers will follow all safety requirements set by the CDC, cities, states and countries we are traveling to, and travel/destination entities (airlines, hotels, theaters, etc.); including but not limited to, regular hand washing/sanitizing, wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth when required, distancing in common areas, monitoring for and reporting signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.

For complete details, please read our COVID-19 Awareness Statement and Policy document found in the “Next Steps” tab.  

  For current CDC COVID updates,  CDC-Covid Updates 

Upcoming Hammer Travel Destinations

Sedona/verde canyon, new york city.

Did you know that New York City, not Washington D.C., was the first capital of the United States of America?

Nashville’s Best

Did you know that Nashville has the highest concentration of people working in the music industry per capita than anywhere else in the world?

View All Hammer Travel Destinations

We are excited to provide thrilling destinations throughout the Midwest, as well as across the country. Whether you're after an autumn road trip to see the foliage in Duluth, Minnesota or a sun-filled vacation in southern California, we'll take you there. Explore our next upcoming destinations below to learn more about our trips for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

View all Destinations »

6 Tour Companies Dedicated to Travelers with Disabilities

By Arundhati Nath

Growing up, Neha Arora didn’t have the easiest time traveling with her family—her father is visually impaired and her mother is a wheelchair user. “We’d travel 2,000 miles only to realize the place wasn’t accessible or wouldn’t give us the experience we were looking forward to,” says Arora. In 2016, she founded Planet Abled , a travel company that caters to the needs of people with various disabilities, a group the World Health Organization estimates at 15 percent of the world’s population. Arora isn’t the only one pushing for more thoughtful travel experiences—here’s a look at six companies focused on accessible travel .

Travel for All

Travel for All has organized more than 5,000 vacations around the world for travelers with a variety of requirements, including cane users, slow walkers, hearing and vision impaired persons, travelers with complex health issues like dialysis and developmental disabilities, and wheelchair users. “As multiple sclerosis began to affect my own personal travel, I researched what resources could assist me with executing travel using my wheelchair,” says CEO Tarita Davenock. “I was shocked when I saw the lack of services.” Every trip Travel for All plans comes with an accessibility specialist. “We research and give our clients the pros and cons of any area in the world before planning the trip, so our client knows what to expect while they are in that destination,” says Davenock. “Meticulous planning and great attention to detail are the keystones of keeping our vacations safe.”

A Seable group trip in Cambodia, where travelers visited the Wat Phnom temple

Seable Holidays

Seable Holidays specializes in trips for visually impaired travelers. All trips include trained chaperones—who undergo a background check—as well as inclusive sports and sensory activities like horse riding, scuba diving, kayaking, wine tasting, yoga, and tactile museum excursions. And everything is thoroughly vetted, with chaperones, activities, and accommodations tested by blind people before they’re recommended by the company. While trips are on pause during the pandemic, Seable Holidays will bring them back in summer 2022.

Easy Access Travel

Debra Kerper and her team at Easy Access Travel accommodate most types of physical disabilities in their solo trips and mixed group tours. While Kerper sometimes relies on her own experiences as a traveler in a wheelchair, she says every trip needs to be tailored to an individual client’s needs. To do so, the team spends time getting to know their clients to match them with the best vacation choice, and visits hotels and tourist spots for inspection, takes cruises beforehand, and collects information from trustworthy sources to ensure a safe, accessible, and fun experience.

Planet Abled

Neha Arora’s Planet Abled arranges customized tours for people with different types of disabilities, and also plans group tours that include non-disabled people. Their trips mostly take place in India and South East Asia , with plans to expand to countries in Europe, and popular activities include river rafting, skiing, trekking, and wildlife safaris. Some of their extra touches include assigning a travel buddy for the blind, seeking special permission from museums so clients can touch and feel the articles on display, and arranging for sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired.

Wheel the World

Alvaro Silberstein, the CEO of Wheel the World , was paralyzed from the chest down after surviving an accident at 18. This didn’t stop him from seeing the world—he’s since visited 30 countries on five continents. “I realized that people with disabilities should be able to explore places as anyone else,” he says. Most of his clients are adults or seniors with mobility disabilities and wheelchair users, and he can arrange solo travel or group trips. Silberstein wants to create more awareness around accessibility, and his company pays special attention to details like the height of beds, width of doors, and accessibility of bathrooms, compiling this information on the Wheel the World website. Their multi-day trips are designed with local tour operators with a focus on accessible travel, and includes access to adaptive bikes, beach wheelchairs, and equipment for hiking, skydiving, kayaking, scuba diving, and surfing—they’ve even planned Macchu Pichu trips for wheelchair users . The company makes sure “prices are competitive and the pricing is the same no matter if the clients have a disability or not,” says Silberstein.

A quiet moment in Sintra, Portugal

Tapooz Travel

Laurent Roffe and Aicha Nystrom spent years volunteering with an organization that provides outdoors excursions to people with disabilities. “We have many friends in wheelchairs as part of our close community,” says Roffe. “I’m a sea kayak guide and [Aicha] is a ski guide and this has always been a source of immense joy for us. Launching our accessible travel business was a natural extension of what we are and what we like to do.” Their company, Tapooz Travel , specializes in trips for those with mobility issues, including visual and hearing impairment, rather than cognitive disabilities. When they have a client with a visual or hearing impairment, they make sure there’s at least one guide trained in sign language, or have a guide who can help with things like reading the menu at the restaurant and providing a voice narration during a site visit. Their network also includes adaptive sports instructors, sailboat skippers, tribal elders, massage therapists, and hot air balloon operators , all of whom are trained to work with travelers with disabilities.

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New Directions for people with disabilities, inc. (New Directions Travel) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing leisure and educational travel opportunities for adults who have mild to moderate intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome and autism. Since 1985, we have taken over 19,000 people with special needs on tours all over the world. (more...)

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5276 Hollister Ave #207  Santa Barbara, CA  93111   • (805) 967-2841

New Directions, Inc. is a registered Seller of Travel in the State of California, Reg. #2113686-40.  We are also a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, Member #601444.

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The safety of our travelers and tour guides is our top priority. We are actively following the CDC's guidelines regarding safe travel. Please be assured that all funds received for future trips have been deposited by New Directions in accounts that are fully insured by the F.D.I.C.

LUXURY SPECIAL NEEDS AND AUTISM SPECTRUM TOURS

High-functioning young adults unite for unique summer experiences..

Frontier Travel Camp was established in 1998 as a Luxury Special Needs Tours operator catering to individuals on the Autism Spectrum or with high-functioning Developmental Disabilities.  We believe that group trips are an ideal way to experience independence, improve social skills, and increase self-esteem in a secure and exciting environment.

Frontier Travel Camp has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, including Hawaii and Alaska. We have also traveled throughout Iceland, Japan, Australia, and Europe including Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece, all of Scandinavia, and so many more.

We know that all people, regardless of their clinical label, must have the opportunities that others have to See the World, Make Friends, and Live Life!

Frontier travelers are high functioning individuals aged from 16 years old. They have varying learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or other difficulties requiring more supervision and guidance than the mainstream camper. Diagnoses include: Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, William’s Syndrome, and other special needs. No matter the diagnosis, our travelers are kind-hearted individuals who are interested in making lasting relationships and in seeing the world.

We have rafted some of the best rivers in the west, hiked on some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, and explored some of our most interesting cities and national parks.

These incomparable experiences endow our travelers with more than just priceless memories. They return home empowered by their newfound independence, confident in their ability to make new friends, and proud of their efforts to challenge themselves and try new things.

What makes Frontier Travel Camp truly special is the bond shared by all the staff, travelers, and their families. Our special needs camp is an ever-growing family. Travelers feel respected and cared for as they form friendships that they can maintain throughout the year.

See where we’re heading next! Download our 2024 brochure

IN THE NEWS

Frontier Travel Camp will embark on it’s Mid-Winter cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas to Aruba, Haiti, and Curacao. Come join Frontier travelers as we get back on the open seas for fun times and adventure. Upgrades to single inside (Add $1500) and balcony (Add $2500) cabins are available. We must have a […]

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Highlight Vacations

Top-of-the-line educational traveling club and socialization program that organizes vacations, weekend getaways, and day activities for adults with intellectual disabilities..

Our goal of the program is to get you a place to feel like you belong, while facilitating the development of appropriate traveling & socialization skills in a nurturing environment. The program is under the leadership of Mary E. Bozzone, Retired Technology Educator, PSIA Adaptive Instructor, and sibling to a special needs adult. Our staff are industry professionals, including teachers, social workers, and other health care providers with years of experience.

FEATURED TRIPS

Historic route 66, new mexico.

August 8 - 15, 2024 (Activity Level 3:On Your Feet Traveler)

This trip will keep you on your feet. It is packed full of amazing activities for the whole family. We start the trip with the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial and continuing to the Acoma Sky City. If that hasn't we your whistle, how about some time in Santa Fe, it's full of wonderful sites. There is so much to see that you and your friends will be talking about for months

End of the Summer in the Finger Lakes

Sept. 16 - 19, 2024 (Activity Level 2: Keep the Pace)

Come celebrate the end of summer in beautiful upstate New York. Bring a friend and save more with our Friends and Family program. Enjoy a walk at Taughannock Falls to see one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains or maybe you prefer a sightseeing cruise on Seneca Lake abroad a vintage motor stroller christened in 1934. We have something for everyone in the family, so come share the memories with us.

Germany-Berlin, Munich & Frankfurt

July 5 - 15, 2024 (Activity Level 3:On Your Feet Traveler)

This trip will keep you on your feet. This trip will keep you on your feet.  We start our trip in Europe's youngest capital cities, only being founded in the 13th century (Berlin). Then we travel to the castles of Neuschwanstein (inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle) and Linderhof Palace for the day.  If you are Sound of Music fan come visit some of the locations that the movie was filmed in Salzburg.  That's just a small taste of this trips activities.

Enjoy a day of fun and educational sightseeing and learn about the many local landmarks or have an afternoon walking around our beautiful parks & bridges.

Multi-day Trips

We offer top-of-the-line vacations, weekend getaways, and sightseeing tours. Our vacations & getaways are open to everyone.

Events include everything from daytime walking tours, museums, and sporting events to lunch/dinner outings, parties, and the theatre.

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Vacations and getaways are open to everybody regardless of membership. Day trips have a $25 fee for non-membership and free to member plus the cost of the activity. Sign up at [email protected] or call (718) 938-2122.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

American airpower museum.

Join us for this sky high adventure into history at the American Airpower Museum. The admissions is $15 per person, please sign up by April 6th, 2024. I have to order the tickets in advance. All day trips have a $25 fee per traveler for administration cost. Please sign up for this trip by April 15th.

NYC Public Library

We will meet at 11 am in front of Patience and Fortitude Lions on 5th Avenue and 42nd street. It is free to get into the library. All day trips have a $25 fee per traveler for administration cost. Bring lunch or money to buy lunch. Please sign up for this trip by April 15th.

Sagamore Hill National Site

There is a $10 fee for the tour of the Roosevelt Home but the grounds, including the nature trail, beach, paths and picnic area are free. We will be enjoying a picnic lunch after our walk around the grounds, bring lunch. All day trips have a $25 fee per traveler for administration cost.

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Easy Access Travel - Special needs of disabled travelers

Accessible Cruising

Dedicated to meeting the special needs of disabled & mature travelers.

Easy Access Travel Specializes in Accessible Cruise Vacations and Packaged Land Tours for Persons with Physical Disabilities. Consider a Cruise for your next Family Reunion. A Cruise will meet the needs of everyone in your group, a family member with a disability, seniors, active adults, teenagers, children and toddlers.

Cruise on Six Star Luxury Liners!

Indulge on decadent food prepared by top chefs

Experience impeccable service and pampering

Enjoy overnight stays in ports around the world

Sail Away on the New Mega Ships!

The opportunities exist, the choice is yours… we have the knowledge and know how to make it happen for you. the time is now… contact easy access travel and start planning your dream trip.

Call us today 951-202-2208 to book your trip!

Accessible Land Trip to Portugal 2024

Accessible South Africa 2024

Accessible Israel 2022

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We are part of Cruise Planners and can offer amazing travel deals. Baby Boomer & Multi-Generational Travel is our Specialty. Let us use our Special Needs Travel Expertise to enhance your next trip. Belong to a group? We can customize a Group Cruise or Land Trip for your next event!

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Easy Access Travel

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Travel for all: 12 autism-friendly vacation destinations

Editor's Note

At TPG, we feel strongly that travel should be not only accessible to all but also enjoyable for all. In honor of World Autism Awareness Month, we're highlighting cities and tourist attractions worldwide that are doing just that: making their destinations welcoming to all visitors.

About 1 in 36 kids in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every year, more and more destinations join a growing list of places dedicated to meeting every visitor's needs so they can have fun while feeling welcome, cared for and respected.

To do so, these destinations partner with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards , an organization that focuses on autism and cognitive differences. In addition to health care and public safety training, IBCCES has developed a robust certification program for cities, zoos, restaurants, theme parks, hotels, museums and other tourist destinations committed to serving individuals with autism.

Planning your next vacation? Here are 12 autism-friendly destinations to consider.

Beaches Resorts

The Beaches brand includes three family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Negril and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands that aim to welcome all kinds of guests, including those with autism.

These resorts are designated Advanced Certified Autism Centers, and staff members have received special training from IBCCES. Not to mention, each property offers kids camps, custom dining options, sensory-friendly areas and sensory guides ; the guides provide details on sensory stimulation levels for the various amenities and activities at these Beaches resorts, including those led by popular "Sesame Street" characters.

The resorts also offer one-on-one accredited staff members called "Beaches Buddies" who can assist your family during all or part of your trip, and there's an expedited "Fast Track Arrival & Departure Service." Both services cost an additional fee.

Mesa, Arizona

Mesa is the first autism-certified city in the U.S. This designation means visitors can find autism-friendly attractions, hotels, restaurants and more throughout the city.

The city's website provides a directory of certified lodging, dining and attractions. You can download a mobile passport that lists the attractions and earn a special prize if you check in to five Certified Autism Center locations during your visit.

Nearby at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) , visitors with special needs can visit a specially designed sensory room and request a complimentary " Compassion Cacti " lanyard so staff members can easily recognize who may need additional assistance.

Visalia, California

In December 2022, Visalia, California, earned the Certified Autism Destination designation after a yearlong collaborative effort by the Visit Visalia tourism board and local hotels and tourist attractions.

Visalia keeps an updated list of Certified Autism Centers on its website, along with details on what is required for those hotels and attractions to earn that classification; such requirements include employee training, accommodations and amenities like sensory guides, quiet spaces and exclusive low-sensory events.

The city also partakes in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program , which provides visitors with a complimentary sunflower-printed lanyard. This alerts staff members at local hotels, restaurants and attractions that special accommodations may be necessary.

As of the 2023 operating season, all Legoland resorts across the U.S. are Certified Autism Centers.

Employees at Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven, Florida; Legoland California Resort in San Diego; and Legoland New York Resort in Goshen, New York, are specially trained to ensure guests with autism or other sensory disorders can enjoy the theme park. In the case of Legoland Florida, all three on-site hotels are also Certified Autism Centers.

Additionally, Legoland New York and Legoland Florida offer quiet rooms, and all three resorts feature sensory-friendly areas and sensory guides for all attractions. These guides rate each attraction's sensory levels regarding touch, taste, sound, sight and smell. Visitors can also request a skip-the-line pass called a Hero Pass for guests with disabilities.

Peppa Pig Theme Park

Peppa Pig Theme Park — adjacent to Legoland Florida — opened in February 2022 as an IBCCES Certified Autism Center.

Peppa Pig Theme Park trains staff on sensory awareness and continues education about the needs of visitors with autism. Additionally, the park has an in-depth sensory guide on its website, sensory signage at each attraction and a skip-the-line pass for visitors with special needs. There are also areas designed for those with autism, such as an indoor theater that shows episodes of "Peppa Pig" in a dark, quiet room with comfortable floor cushions.

A second Peppa Pig Theme Park is slated to open this year in the Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas, area. This new location will likely have similar autism-friendly offerings.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando has been an IBCCES Certified Autism Center since World Autism Day in 2019. The theme park that blends thrilling and kid-friendly rides with aquatic animal observation and education — along with its Aquatica Orlando water park and Discovery Cove all-inclusive day resort — offers staff-wide training in autism awareness and sensitivity. This way, all visitors can enjoy the breadth of fun and educational experiences SeaWorld offers.

SeaWorld Orlando's website provides information on the park's skip-the-line ride accessibility program, plus the park's quiet room and low sensory area. You can also download a sensory guide with details about each attraction at SeaWorld Orlando.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, one of Orlando's many family-friendly hotels , is also designated as a Certified Autism Center. This makes it a convenient option for families traveling with children with autism.

Sesame Place

Sesame Place locations — one in Philadelphia and one in San Diego — are the only theme parks where you can visit the friendly characters who call Sesame Street home; they are also Certified Autism Centers.

In addition to the requisite training and sensory awareness guides, Sesame Place allows visitors to meet Julia, a resident of Sesame Street with autism. Julia has been a prominent character on the "Sesame Street" TV show since 2017.

Related: First look at the brand-new Sesame Place theme park in San Diego

Six Flags has more than 20 theme park locations across the country. In 2020, Six Flags became the first family of parks to earn the Certified Autism Center designation at all locations.

Related: Celebrate National Roller Coaster Day on 1 of the 10 best coasters in the US

The parks partnered with IBCCES to remove the challenges of visiting a theme park with a child with special needs while making every guest feel welcome.

Each park has its own sensory guide, customized menu options at dining locations, sensory-friendly spaces and warm, accommodating staff members. Several locations also offer sensory-friendly days that are quieter and host private character meet-and-greets.

Morgan's Wonderland

Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio is the world's only "ultra-accessible" theme park. Rather than making accommodations for guests with special needs, Morgan's Wonderland was designed specifically for guests with mobility issues and neurodivergent or special needs. This includes guests with autism.

The park has more than 25 accessible attractions, play areas and interactive elements, as well as an accessible splash park called Morgan's Inspiration Island. For the 2024 season, Morgan's Wonderland made a $6 million investment in new attractions, including a 4D cinema, a roller coaster, a boat ride and a zip line ride.

Morgan's Wonderland is always free for guests with special needs . Accompanying friends and family can purchase single-day tickets or take advantage of the park's Summer Pass; the pass grants access to the theme park and water park all summer long for $40 per person.

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is the first JW Marriott property to earn a Certified Autism Center designation from the IBCCES. The family-friendly resort in Palm Desert, California, has five pools, two golf courses, a tennis club and a 12,000-square-foot arcade area.

Related: TPG's ultimate guide to Palm Springs, California

For guests with autism, JW Marriott Desert Springs provides sensory kits with weighted blankets, sound machines and fidget toys, along with a map showing low-sensory areas around the property.

Visit Greater Palm Springs offers a helpful autism travel guide to attractions in the area on its website.

Great Wolf Lodge

In 2023, Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resorts partnered with the IBCCES to develop sensory guides for all 19 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the U.S. The sensory guide is available online and details sensory levels for all attractions, slides, pools, rides, shows and activities. It also provides information on where to find quiet areas.

The guide displays ratings for sight, smell, sound, touch and taste for individual attractions and experiences. This helps families best prepare for what to expect during their visit.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

In July of 2023, Florida's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was designated a Certified Autism Center by the IBCCES. To earn the certification, Kennedy Space Center staff completed training to best accommodate autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors.

Additionally, visitors can use sensory guidance signage at attractions and activities throughout the complex and take a relaxing break in low-sensory areas. They can also prepare for their visit with an online sensory guide .

Bottom line

These 12 cities, resorts and tourist attractions are doing everything they can to meet the needs of travelers with autism.

For a full list of IBCCES-certified locations, visit the organization's online autism travel directory .

Related reading:

• TPG's 8 top family vacation destinations for 2024
• 43 real-world family travel tips that actually work
• Your guide to flying with kids of every age
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Autism Travel

Taking a vacation together as a family can be challenging. We created Autism Travel to provide families and individuals with easy access to destinations and attractions that are trained and certified in autism and sensory sensitivities.

Recent Blogs & New Certified Options

Shores & Islands Ohio is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The CAC designation is awarded to organizations that have completed autism training and certification to…

The Caribbean’s beloved family-friendly all-inclusive resorts continue a legacy of inclusion as the only hospitality company globally with ACAC designation Together with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), the family-friendly all-inclusive Beaches Resorts proudly announces the…

The Pompano Beach Department of Cultural Affairs is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The CAC designation is awarded to organizations that have completed autism training…

Provided by IBCCES

IBCCES – the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards – is the global leader in training and certification programs that help organizations better serve guests and clients with cognitive disorders, including autism, sensory disorders, and other hidden disabilities. We work to create inclusion and acceptance for these individuals with research-based training and certification programs designed for a variety of industries.

Certified Autism Centers™ (CACs) have been covered on:

Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) need autism certified recreational activities.  Many times, we concentrate on housing and education, neglecting the need for ‘fun’.  We do the same activities – roller skating, movies and outdoor activities, never thinking outside the box.  Having other opportunities will increase individuals’ quality of life immensely. I will always encourage people providing experiences from organizations that are committed and understand people with an ASD.

In an unprecedented manner , the IBCCES Certified Autism Center program continues to expand travel options for people on the autism spectrum and their families. The work of IBCCES brings us closer to where understanding and support of the autism community by travel providers and destination points will become the rule rather than the exception.

As someone who serves on the Panel of People on the Spectrum of Autism Advisors (PSA) for the Autism Society and as a board member of IBCCES, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the tremendous work that both these groups continue to provide for our community. I’m thrilled with the endorsement from the Autism Society and I hope our families will be excited as they look at all the inclusive travel options IBCCES continues to provide. I can’t stress the impact that this will have in terms of forward progress, as when I was growing up on the autism spectrum I could only dream about having these options available for me and my family.

Traveling to a destination where the staff are trained to recognize and address the needs of children on the Autism Spectrum simply makes our trip less stressful and more enjoyable. We know that once we arrive on resort that the stress of the trip is over and we can relax without having to worry over what the next meal will be or how the staff will react to the kids. It give us the freedom to enjoy a vacation in the same way that ‘regular’ families can.

We are so proud to have become a Certified Autism Center after our associates went through specialized training provided by the wonderful staff of IBCCES. Families that live with autism can feel comfortable knowing our employees understand their needs. We have continuing education and videos available today to help us maintain this caring and inclusive culture throughout our resort.

As a mom of three boys, two with Autism and sensory processing issues, it’s such a great comfort to now have a wide range of Certified Autism Centers to choose from when selecting a destination for our next family vacation.

AutismTravel.com gives families like mine a stronger sense of hope that more theme parks/resorts, restaurants, theaters, cruise ships, airlines, etc are trained and certified in the skills they need to accommodate families on the autism spectrum so that they can also live and experience the typical dream of making great family memories together.

Featured Destinations

Travel survey.

Survey conducted and collected by IBCCES

Families with autistic members and individuals who are on the spectrum were asked:

Are you hesitant to travel or visit new locations because you and/or your child is autistic?

Would you be more inclined to travel if autism certified options were available?

Would you take more vacations or visit more new places if you had access to autism-trained and certified options?

Do you look to physicians or therapists for travel approval?

responded “Yes”

Download your copy of the new Adventure Guide with certified travel and entertainment options and other resources.

Free Tool for Theme Park & Attraction Visits. Created to help streamline the accommodations requests process.

Free Trips for Disabled

And other disability travel discounts.

There aren’t many completely free vacation options based on disabilities, but there are loads of discounts and ways to travel for less. Most of these are specific to the U.S., because that’s where my experience is. There are some disability travel grants available, and a few options for families with kids with disabilities to get away for free.

Here’s all I know on free and discounted trips for the disabled traveler!

Give Kids the World Village

Give Kids the World Village is one of the only ways I know of that a disabled person can have a completely free vacation, and it’s only offered to kids and their families. Eligibility varies by disability, but it’s one of the few wish-granting programs that is open to children who are severely impacted by a disability, as opposed to only terminally ill patients. The village includes a theme park, a kids’ spa, mini golf, and loads of other things to keep you busy for your one week stay. This is probably the free vacation for special needs families that covers the widest audience.

Cherry Blossom Vacations

Cherry Blossom Vacations gifts vacation home stays to adoptive, foster, and families of children with a disability. When a family vacations in a Cherry Blossom vacation home, they will experience a time of fun, rest, and relaxation that can be difficult to find in the stress of everyday life. 

While they currently have more applicants than homes, so there may be a wait, it’s an easy application process for a completely free vacation home stay. 

Travel Grants

This is brand new, and really cool. Cory Lee has set up the Curb Free Foundation to give travel grants to people with disabilities. There are no age restrictions for this one. It’s aimed at full time wheelchair users. The grants are given out on an ongoing basis, so it’s easy to apply . Not sure if these will be completely free vacations for the disabled, but this looks like it will be a great opportunity for wheelchair users looking to travel more!

Bernie’s Pura Vida Fund grants children with disabilities the opportunity to explore and enjoy the wonders of Costa Rica.

Wish Granting Agencies

Make-A-Wish is often limited to children with terminal illnesses, but not always. The requirements vary by state , so it’s worth looking into your local chapter to see if your disability qualifies you for a free trip!

If Make-A-Wish won’t work for you, there are actually loads of other wish-granting agencies for children, with fewer restrictions. Sunshine Foundation is another big one. Start with your state’s wish-granting agencies. If you don’t qualify for those, check out the national agencies. Almost every agency will require that you haven’t received a wish from another agency, previously.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so use it wisely! We haven’t used our opportunity yet because the last time we asked our son what he would wish for if he could do any one thing, he picked bowling. We just took him bowling and called it a day!

Wonders Within Reach

This one is still in the making, but we’re partnering with The Flying Mum through her Clothing for a Cause campaign to build a foundation for grant money for families with disabilities to get away. Stay tuned for future giveaways!

Disability Camps

There are general camps for families with disabilities that are usually absurdly expensive (we saved money by skipping camp and spending a month in Europe, instead!), but there are also disability specific camps that are often free. Try a google search of your specific disability +camp. These vary widely, but you could find something perfect for you. We aren’t able to afford the Camp Spifida under my middle son’s diagnosis, but my oldest son’s nephrotic syndrome can get the whole family a free week of camp . A free camp for kids with disabilities makes a great vacation option.

Disability Discounts

These aren’t completely free vacations, but you can find steep discounts all around the world! Before paying for any attraction, always search their website for disability discounts (This includes big name theme parks like Disneyland Paris ).

Our biggest go-tos are:

National Park Access Pass

This gets us free admission to any National Park in the U.S. It also gives discounts on lodges and camping.

Access Pass and Museums4All

If you have a permanent disability and qualify for Medicaid, you’ll receive an ACCESS card, or your state’s equivalent. This gets you discounted admission to attractions all over the country. Admission with the card ranges from $0-$3. Depending on where you’re traveling, you’ll want to confirm that your ACCESS card qualifies you for the discount. We’ve used ours in PA, NY, VT, NJ, DE, DC, ME, MA, OH, MI, FL, TN, and CA.

When we were in North Carolina, they distinguished between an access card and an EBT. Because we don’t receive food benefits, only medical assistance, we weren’t able to use the discount in NC.

Disabled Veterans

If your disability is because of a war injury, you’re eligible for discounts pretty much everywhere. This is the most comprehensive list I’ve found. It includes rental cars, hotels, airfare, and loads of attractions around the nation.

Other Ways to Travel for Less

We like to travel, so we’ve been creative in finding ways to travel more for less.

HomeExchange

We pay $175 for a HomeExchange membership , and travel all year. We ended up paying less than $3 per night last year, for all the nights we stayed. The idea is that you exchange homes, but it doesn’t have to be a direct exchange. You can learn more, here .

Travel Hacking

I’m not the expert on this, but the linked article is helpful. We sign up for credit cards with massive sign-on bonuses. We put all our regular spending onto that card for three months, to meet the minimum spend, and then we earn 8 nights in a hotel, or 100,000 airline miles, or something like that.

Budget Travel

Budget for travel and while traveling makes a difference. Here are some general life hacks that help spread our dollar a little further.

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3 tips for traveling with special needs children and adults.

How to handle being on the road as part of a special needs family.

Travel Tips for Special Needs Kids

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For people with chronic illnesses, difficulty walking or those who are confined to a wheelchair, Flying Wheels Travel makes accessibility arrangements and provides tours.

Planning and executing a perfect family trip that appeals to all ages can be a headache for anyone. However, if your family includes a person with special needs, it can seem like even more of a challenge. Lack of accessibility, amenities or understanding from staff and fellow travelers can feel like immovable barriers if you or your travel companions have physical or developmental disabilities. But, with some careful planning and a positive attitude, special needs don't have to hinder families from traveling anywhere they want, whether that's across the country or around the world.

U.S. News spoke with Meghann Harris, founder of SpecialGlobe , an online resource that helps families plan and book travel based on their unique needs, about how to get started and how to handle being on the road as part of a special needs family. Harris is a mother of two, including 9-year-old Eliza, who has a neurological disorder called Rett syndrome.

Planning is critical

Planning ahead takes on a new meaning for families with special needs travelers. Aside from the regular preparation and packing, families have to ensure that facilities are equipped for their specific needs.

For physical disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all public spaces be "designed, constructed, and altered in compliance with the accessibility standards" of those with special needs. For developmental disabilities, it's a little trickier. Travelers have to call ahead to inquire about accommodations that are safe for their family member – like a quiet room for those with sensory issues or one with a balcony door that locks, for those who wander. 

Also, families with special needs kids or adults have to anticipate exposure to new sights, sounds and people who are not part of their routine. Harris suggested walking through the transportation process (whether that be by air, car or ship) so they know what to expect. Using social stories – interactive guides or workbooks that describe social situations and appropriate social cues and interactions – can help prevent possible travel anxieties before the day of departure.

If you're flying and want to learn what security screening will be like or if you need to request assistance, the Transportation Security Administration sponsors the TSA Cares Helpline that you can call 72 hours before your flight for information about what to expect.

"Before we flew, we used to go out to the airport and watch the planes take off and land to get used to the sound of the power of the engine. We've gotten a map out to show [the kids] the location where we are going and been reading books and facts about locations," Harris said. "Just trying to educate them to alleviate the stress."

Harris also pointed out families should include sufficient relaxation time in their itineraries to prevent those with intellectual impairments from being overwhelmed.

"Travel is expensive for all families and you want to try to get in as much as you can, but you have to build downtime into your plan or all kids are going to melt down," Harris said. "You have to be flexible."

Seek help from the experts

If the planning process seems exhausting, there are travel agencies and organizations that specialize in designing vacations and finding resources for those with special needs, whether it be intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome or physical impairments that require a wheelchair.

While the ADA applies to the United States, other countries may not offer the same level of accessibility, so companies like Flying Wheels Travel specialize in making accessibility arrangements and providing tours to locations around the world for those with chronic illnesses, difficulty walking or those who are confined to a wheelchair.

Families can also find individual travel agents from groups like Ensemble Travel Group that can plan trips for the whole family based on their specific special needs. For adults with cognitive disabilities, organizations like Trips Inc. provide all-inclusive vacation packages.

Additionally, theme parks like Disney offer a variety of services like wheelchair rentals and quiet break areas, as well as the new Disability Access Service Card. The pass allows parkgoers who can't wait in conventional ride lines (whether it's due to a physical or cognitive disability) to schedule a return time based on the current wait time for any attraction (similar to the park's FastPass program).

To take to the ocean, nonprofit Autism on the Seas uses vacation grants and a trained staff to help provide cruise vacations for those with autism or other cognitive disabilities. The organization works with a number of cruise lines to provide highly trained staff to travel with families and provide services varying from priority boarding to assisted beach excursions to meal assistance at no additional cost to families.

The organization also certifies fleets as "Autism Friendly" on a number of levels. So far, Carnival Cruise Lines is certified in providing services and amenities (like sensory related toys, expedited boarding and dietary accommodations), while Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises both train staff in basic engagement and communication with those who have developmental disabilities.

No matter which type of vacation you think is right for your family, Harris suggested allowing your kids to participate in the decision-making. "I love to empower kids on the road, things like letting them find the room on the floor once we get the key," Harris said. "The more you involve them in the process, the more they enjoy it."

The world is ready for you

Another worry for families with special needs travelers is how they will be perceived while on the road. Families with special needs children live with their disabilities every day and know exactly what settings or behaviors will cause obstacles, which can be difficult for fellow travelers to understand.

Harris said that while she was nervous about how people would treat her daughter while they were traveling, she's rarely encountered harsh treatment and instead found people to be generous, accommodating and willing to help.

"I've found that there is no need to fear being on the road with our kids because the world is really ready for them and that has not always been the case,"  Harris said.

Harris pointed out that travel means different things to everyone, especially with the degree of disability a family member might have. Encouraging those with physical or cognitive disabilities to explore a world outside of their comfort zones will not only let the whole family enjoy a vacation together, but it can also break boundaries that you may have never thought possible, according to Harris.

"The benefits of traveling with your kids are incredible. My daughter was not supposed to speak. I really believe that with every trip she's creating new neuropathways by seeing and experiencing new things. She comes back from every trip with the most amazing vocabulary," Harris said.

Tags: Travel , children's health , Airlines

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Travel and Beach Equipment for Special Needs Adults and Children.

Traveling with mobility constraints shouldn't be difficult, consider folding and compact products that may make travel and packing easier. There are folding lightweight wheelchairs, portable lifts, beach chairs, luggage for travel all designed to make your travel fun and easy.

Our team has compiled tips to help make this year's vacation easier. Check out our travel articles below:

Traveling with a child or adult with special needs doesn’t have to be challenging. Planning early is the most important way to ensure a stress-free vacation. Before you book your next vacation... Read More

Traveling by plane is a stressful for everyone and surprises can pop up at any time SO be prepared! Traveling with a person with special needs can be made much easier with pre-planning and being ready for the unexpected. The 3 best resources are, your medical team, TSA and your airline. They are available and happy to help you prepare for your travels... Read More

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What To Say Instead of 'Special Needs'

The term "special needs" is used everywhere, but it's a euphemism that can be confusing and offensive. Learn what to say instead.

• Origins of the Term
• Why It's Confusing
• Why It's Offensive
• What To Say Instead

The term "special needs" has come under increasing scrutiny over the years—and for good reason. It's a vague, euphemistic phrase that can be offensive to many people. Nevertheless, it's still used within educational (think: special education ) and community settings throughout the United States, and is often used interchangeably with diagnostic terms or words like "disabled." Incidentally, the term "special needs" has no legal meaning.

We've turned to the experts to learn about the origins of the term "special needs," understand more about why the term is problematic, and what to say instead.

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Origins of the Term "Special Needs"

While the exact origins of the term "special needs" are difficult to trace, it's important to note that the phrase does not appear in several key legal documents in U.S. history. It's noticeably absent from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (IDEA) of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and 2014.

"Never once [in these acts] are children with disabilities or adults with disabilities referred to as children with special needs or adults with special needs," emphasizes  Morton Ann Gersbacher, PhD , professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. "Rather, individuals with disabilities are always referred to in US law as individuals with disabilities."

We do know that the term "special needs" has become a catch-all phrase for all forms of disability and a variety of diagnoses. Currently, "special needs" can refer to anything from "difficulty with reading at grade level" to "unable to complete the most basic tasks of daily living."  

We also know that the phrase has become a euphemism that's vague and confusing—especially when it aims to encapsulate a wide variety of conditions and diagnoses.

Why the Term "Special Needs" Is Confusing

The term "special needs" is extremely general. As it's used today, it refers to any behavioral, physical, emotional, or learning difficulties that require specialized accommodations of any sort at school, work, or in the community.

While the list of possible diagnoses included under the label "special needs" is enormous, some of the most common relate to academic settings and can include:

• Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia , etc.)
• Tourette's syndrome
• Conditions that include intellectual disabilities, such as Down syndrome
• Disorders that make physical activity challenging, including cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness
• Speech and language disorders ranging from apraxia of speech to stuttering
• Emotional and behavioral disorders including anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder , and more
• Physical differences such as amputated limbs or dwarfism

Other lesser-known disorders, such as non-verbal learning disorder, also fall under the umbrella of "special needs."

Why "Special Needs" Can Be Offensive

The term "special needs" is a euphemism for terms like "disability." Euphemisms, by definition, are terms used to soften the meaning of other phrases. We don't use the toilet; we euphemistically "go to the restroom." We don't die; we "pass away."

It was once thought that words like "disability" or "impairment" might require a euphemism like "special needs." The thinking was that parents might feel more comfortable saying "My child has special needs" rather than "My child is disabled."

The term "special needs," however, has become stigmatized in the same way as the term "handicapped." A 2016 study found that people think of the term "special needs" as more negative than the word "disabled."

The presence of a disability is not and should not be seen as shameful. The use of a euphemism in place of a diagnosis or even in place of the term "disability" creates the sense that there is something negative or even embarrassing to gloss over. The same sense of shame can be communicated by other euphemistic language like "differently abled," "handicapable," or "challenged."

What To Say Instead of "Special Needs"

While the phrase "special needs" has no legal meaning, the word "disability" does. "Disabled" is a straightforward word with a clear-cut meaning, which is why many disabled people prefer it to the phrase "special needs."

As the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) tells us, "An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment."

Another option is to describe a person's disabilities by simply naming their diagnosis. In some cases, it's helpful to use "person-first" language ("a person with ADHD") as opposed to describing the person in terms of their disability ("an anxious person"). It's important to note that this is not always the best choice. For example, many people with autism diagnoses prefer the term "autistic person."

Because there are differences of opinion about the "best" terms to use, an ideal option is to just ask. This isn't always possible; when it's not, it's preferable to use the term "disabled." Always avoid terms that are clearly euphemisms for disability, such as "special" and "exceptional."

Emily Ladau, author of " Demystifying Disability ," explains, "I believe deeply that language preferences are a personal choice, and everyone should have a right to choose identifying terms that feel best for them. I try to remind people that language isn't one-size-fits-all, especially since there are more than a billion disabled people in the world."

Ladau adds that the term "disability" is not a bad word. In some cases, a disability can actually connote identity, history, and culture. Avoiding the term can come across as more patronizing than respectful.

"Special needs" is an ineffective euphemism .  Cogn Res Princ Implic . 2016.

Disability Language Style Guide . National Center on Disability and Journalism . 2021.

A Guide to Disability Rights Laws . US Department of Justice . 2020.

Writing Respectfully: Person-First and Identity-First Language . National Institutes of Health . 2023.

Disabilities . National Institutes of Health . 2024.

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There are accommodations to pick from in Elektrostal, with recommendations to check out so that you will know what to expect at each possible accommodation. Once you check-in to your Elektrostal hotel, you can investigate all this region has to offer. You can ask your hotel's concierge or click on our "Things To Do" tab if you are unsure where start off your vacation in Elektrostal. While you begin setting up your getaway, we can also help you put together some things to do. When you book with AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia, you will spend more time making the most out of your trip, no matter where you decide to travel.

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15 Best National Parks for Seniors To Visit in 2024

Posted: March 21, 2024 | Last updated: March 21, 2024

From Yosemite to the Everglades, many retirees have national park visits on their bucket list.

The National Park Service even offers a senior pass for anyone 62 or over. Seniors can purchase an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80 to get unlimited access to any park. This is a great deal, no matter where you stand financially.

Of course, some parks are more accessible than others. So, if you want to step up your travel game , here are the 15 best national parks for seniors to visit this year.

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Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Aging in Place — an organization that offers resources for older adults — has released a ranking of the most accessible national parks. Badlands National Park took the top spot.

The rugged and beautiful park has visitor centers, trails, and even campgrounds with ramps and that are accessible to all, including those in wheelchairs.

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Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

Many of Grand Canyon National Park facilities were built before modern accessibility standards were established. However, all the park's shuttle buses are accessible to those in wheelchairs, and plenty of areas around the park can be comfortably explored.

Grand Canyon also offers a "Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit" that allows visitors with mobility issues to access areas not otherwise open to the public.

Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

Yellowstone National Park — the country’s first national park — also made Aging in Place’s list of the most accessible parks.

Like the Grand Canyon, some of the park’s facilities are over a century old and may not meet today’s accessibility standards. However, the park is upgrading many of its facilities, programs, and services.

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Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)

Mesa Verde National Park is another gem in the West that offers a lot of accessible options to seniors.

While certain trails and activities — such as the park’s cliff dwelling tours — involve hiking through steep and tough terrain, the visitor center has plenty of information about which trails and areas are accessible.

Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

Bryce Canyon National Park — a stunning park offering incredible views of massive rock formations — also earns high accessibility ratings from Aging in Place.

The park’s visitor centers and several of its viewpoints and trails are relatively easy to access. Bryce Canyon also has campgrounds that are reserved for visitors with mobility impairments.

Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

From the ancient thermal springs to stunning hikes and mountain views, Hot Springs National Park has plenty to offer.

The park’s Fordyce Visitor Center and Gulpha Gorge Campground are accessible to all. The park boasts several short, simple, and beautiful trails as well.

Retire Sooner: Take this quiz to see if you can retire early

Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)

While certain beach areas at Indiana Dunes National Park may be difficult to navigate, there are plenty of sites in the stunning park that are easy to navigate and great for older adult visitors.

Such sites include Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, and Dunewood Campground.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)

Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another gem that earned top rankings on the Aging In Place list.

All the park’s visitor centers and many of its most beautiful sites, such as the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Everett Covered Bridge, and Brandywine Falls, are accessible.

Death Valley National Park (California, Nevada)

The weather can be quite unpredictable in Death Valley National Park's desert environment, but that's part of what makes it such a fascinating place to visit.

While the terrain varies quite a bit, there are several accessible trails and viewpoints throughout the park's 3.4 million acres.

9 nearly secret things to do if you fly Southwest

Joshua Tree National Park (California)

Joshua Tree National Park is another bucket-list destination for many nature lovers. It has several accessible visitor centers, nature trails, and campgrounds.

The true wonder of the Mojave and Colorado deserts can be seen in the park. However, as in Death Valley, older visitors should be aware that the ecosystem can lead to some difficult weather.

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

It may take some careful planning to truly experience the wonder of the Teton Range, but Grand Teton National Park is another breathtaking place.

Here, seniors will find plenty of options if they seek more accessible trails and easy-to-access campgrounds, lodging, and visitor centers.

Yosemite National Park (California)

Nearly four million visitors pass through Yosemite National Park every year to marvel at stunning waterfalls, beautiful meadows, deep valleys, and more.

Among nearly 1,200 square miles of wilderness, there are plenty of accessible areas — and more on the way as the park goes through regular upgrades.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (Colorado)

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve has the tallest dunes in North America and an incredible mix of wetlands, forests, lakes, and more.

Due to loose sand, those with limited mobility may have issues navigating the dune field. However, the park does have balloon tire wheelchairs that guests can reserve.

Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)

Gateway Arch National Park offers many ways to enjoy the stunning monument in St. Louis.

Visitors with limited mobility may have trouble accessing the tram ride to the top of the arch. Still, there are plenty of paved paths and riverboat cruises along the Mississippi River that all can enjoy.

Everglades National Park (Florida)

Everglades National Park — home to the largest subtropical wilderness in the country and a habitat for many rare species, such as manatees and crocodiles — offers visitors plenty to see and do.

Many of its trails and visitor centers are accessible — as are several frontcountry campsites and the Pearl Bay Chickee backcountry campsite.

Bottom line

A National Park Service Senior Pass offers access to hundreds of recreation sites, including those operated by other agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

If you frequent the parks, a senior pass is a great way to avoid wasting money  in retirement. 

Many of these sites regularly update their facilities to be more accessible, making a park visit a great vacation option for retirees and older adults. 

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Charm city trykers helps children with special needs get adaptive bikes for free.

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A Maryland organization is working to give children with special needs the freedom to ride a bike.

Isabellah Norris feels unstoppable when she rides her very own bike on a beautiful day.

"I don't feel left out even though it's something unique," said Isabellah, age 9.

Isabellah's unique bike has unique features that are perfectly suited to her unique needs.

"Isabella has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, so she has some spasticity in her muscles and her arms and legs, so finding her balance is not always the easiest with a standard bike," said Colleen Norris, Isabellah's mom.

Colleen Norris connected with Charm City Trykers, a Baltimore nonprofit organization founded by a group of pediatric physical therapists who want to give children with special needs a chance to ride.

"We all know that there's so many great benefits for kids doing something as simple as riding a bike, and we really wanted our kids to have this opportunity," said Alexandra Parra, the founding president of Charm City Trykers. "However, insurance doesn't always cover an adaptive bike for kids."

Adaptive bikes can cost thousands of dollars, but Charm City Trykers raises money and gives the bikes to families across Maryland free of charge.

"There's normally lots of tears and happy emotions, and you also just see this sense of accomplishment in the kids because they can actually do something on their own," said Parra.

The organization has given away 50 bikes so far, including Isabellah's.

"The tryke gives her that balance and the freedom and it has safety advances on it so she has access to be able to control it independently," said Colleen Norris. "I think it does an amazing thing for mental health, honestly. It helps get her out and be closer with peers. It helps her be involved."

It also helps her feel unstoppable as she rides her very own bike with a sense of pride.

There are at least eight children on the waitlist for an adaptive bike from Charm City Trykers. The organization is hosting a golf tournament on May 10 to raise money to get adaptive bikes to the children on the list. For more information on the tournament and how you can donate to the organization, tap here .

Karishma Ramoutar gives special-needs children dance classes

A lifelong love affair with Indian dance and her devotion to her brother has led 35-year-old Karishma Ramoutar to establish her own dance school in McBean, Couva.

In a phone interview, Ramoutar told WMN her focus is children, especially those with special needs.

This is influenced by her younger brother, Kavir who has Down’s syndrome.

Ramoutar said she was attracted to dance from a young age, and one of her core memories is running next door to watch an Indian dance class on a Saturday morning.

“Dancing was a happy accident for me because there used to be a dance school next door to where I lived, so on a Saturday morning, I’d get up and before I brushed my teeth or anything I would run next door through a little hole in the fence, and go sit down and look at these girls dance.

“Some of the girls, now women, who used to be there when I was coming across, they always make fun and say, 'look how big you get. I remember when you used to run across to the temple in a nightie with your dolly in your hand.'”

She said her mother eventually enrolled her in dance classes, and she went on to take part in competitions and pursued further training.

“I entered Mastana Bahar in 2004. It was the first major competition I entered solo. I don’t remember what I placed, but I made it to the finals. When I was a teenager I placed second in a talented teenager competition and I did the Divali Nagar circuit.

“I trained with various people around Trinidad including with Sophia Mustapha and Michael Salickram, as well as Medhakshetra from India where I did khatak dance online during covid.”

Her mother was also the one who encouraged her to open her dance studio, Nritta Dance Company, because Ramoutar found she wasn’t satisfied with the experience she was getting at other dance studios.

“That’s where it started. Nritta means dance in its purest form. One of the first major events I would have performed for was with Island People on the road, for their Kuchela Bollywood theme in 2010. The rest was just building from there, so now I do classes at various schools around the country.

"I’m the PRO of the McBean Ramleela and Cultural Group. Dance is heavily influenced in Ramleela as well, even as make-up is part of it, so dance has helped my skill set in that.

“I’ve been one of the East Indian dance judges for Best Village for the last three years. Judging the competition gives me the chance to see the talent and the effort that the groups put into their presentations.

“One of the more recent fun things that dance has awarded me, was that White Oak cast me as part of its It’s Just A Lil Wine documentary during the pandemic, and I’ve been part of a couple of their campaigns since then. I was part of their Fuh D Culture campaign for this Carnival.”

For the past two years Ramoutar has worked at co-director of Pro Caribbean Group, which offers marketing, logistic solutions and distribution services.

She had originally planned to go into dance full-time but was forced to find other sources of income because of the covid19 pandemic. The studio was opened in early 2020, shortly before pandemic hit. Then she was only able to give classes online.

“We got it done because we didn’t have a choice, but it’s difficult to do an online class with children, especially with the intricacies of Indian dance.”

She now works from home which gives her more time to teach classes.

“I have four classes in different schools as well as teaching in the home studio. I’ve also started an adult fusion class. It’s a mixture of Indian dance and belly dance, and it’s for older people. It’s more movement-based and theory-based, so we’re not super-focused on getting the moves correct. It’s more to encourage movement of the body. Research has shown that dance helps improve memory and helps reduce the effects of dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.”

She said she got the idea when her mother retired and was looking for something to do.

“The class is for women 35 and up and younger women with kids. It’s one hour a day. Some days they might not feel like dancing, so they sit and chat with each other. We formed our own little community there in the studio, so it’s a safe space, a comfort. You come and dance, move your body, release any extra stress and tension. We’ll have tea parties after and talk about life and children and whatever else they’re enduring at that stage in life.”

Ramoutar said a major inspiration for her is her younger brother. She said the studio is located close to her home so he has access to it.

“It also gives him a sense of responsibility because he says he’s my manager, which translates to him being manager of my studio. From all the years of observing me dance, he’s picked up all the moves. A couple years ago I went to perform and he took over my performance. He’s done a music video with us as well.”

She said her brother takes his responsibility seriously, especially when he goes with her to performances.

“From being with me all the time, he’s very accustomed to what performance and dance class entails. I remember when they were launching Starbucks in Chaguanas, I went to perform and he had my bag. He walked up to a man and asked 'where is backstage?' because he knows we have to go backstage and put our things down before a performance. The man in charge said 'we don’t have a backstage,' and he looked at this man as if to say, 'what do you mean you don’t have a backstage area?' He was in complete shock.”

Ramoutar said, based on her relationship with her brother, she plans to have free classes for special needs children in the near future.

“Dance helps him to interact with ‘normal’ children. Also, you find a lot of children have never interacted with someone who is special needs before, so on their end it gives them an opportunity to interact with someone who is a little bit different to them, and who may take a little while longer to understand something.”

She said the endeavour would be challenging, but she has experience working with special needs children.

“These children all learn at their own pace. When my brother was at the Pointe-a-Pierre special school, I taught a group of them a dance to perform for an event. It would follow the same format as a regular dance class, it would just be paced differently to account for their abilities,” she said.

She said if someone wants to take up Indian dance, they should do their research and figure out what style appeals to them.

“Get a guru, study, and never stop learning. A good classical style is always the best place to start. To this day, I do refresher courses and delve into new styles of dance, because dance is so encompassing and dynamic. There’s also a new skill or something you haven’t learned.”

She believes dance is more widely accepted in society than it was in the past.

“Many years ago, dance, especially Indian dance, was taboo in families. It wasn’t something ‘respectable’ girls did, but now it’s extremely widely accepted. Everyone wants to dance, no matter the age or race.

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Nepal earn historic win vs windies 'a' in 1st t20, tha revokes $10,000 shark bounty, delaware national guard in joint training mission with defence force, debe businessman, 40, shot dead in front of home, "karishma ramoutar gives special-needs children dance classes", more in this section, vaneisa baksh launches bio of sir frank worrell: son of grace, kwynn johnson unveils lagoon at big black box, naheem's big football dream, karen stollmeyer to host peace, wellness festival.