Walking & Active — Keeping Childhood Accessible
Travel changes. Adventure doesn't have to.
Many families continue taking vacations, flying, visiting grandparents, exploring national parks, relaxing on beaches, visiting theme parks, taking cruises, and traveling internationally throughout childhood. The goal isn't to remove every obstacle — it's to help you find resources that make those experiences possible.
Section 1
A starting place for the gear that makes travel easier. Each family's needs are different — talk with your PT and seating specialist before purchasing.
Great for families whose child still walks well at home but needs help conserving energy in airports, theme parks, or long sightseeing days. Look for under-20-lb frames, removable footrests, transit straps, and chairs that fold into an overhead bin or trunk.
Useful for older children and teens who need independent mobility on longer trips. Look for airline-approved lithium batteries (typically under 300 Wh per battery), quick-release frames, and travel cases that protect joysticks during gate-checking.
Single-fold or telescoping ramps help with rental cars, vacation rentals, restaurants, and curbs abroad. Look for lightweight aluminum, a weight rating well above your child plus equipment, and a length that produces a gentle slope.
Wide balloon tires roll across sand and into shallow water. Most families borrow them free of charge from the beach itself rather than buying — call ahead to reserve and confirm pickup location.
Medical strollers with postural support, harnesses, and canopies are often easier to navigate through airports and crowded attractions than a wheelchair, and many fold compactly for travel.
Cushion covers, travel-sized chargers, wheelchair gate-check bags, luggage tags for medical equipment, portable urinals, transfer slings, and a waterproof equipment pouch all make trips smoother.
Section 2
Airlines are required by law in most countries to provide assistance. The more you plan ahead, the smoother the day goes.
Add wheelchair assistance to every leg of your booking and reconfirm 48 hours before. Most airports have meet-and-greet at curbside.
Manual and power chairs fly free as medical equipment. Use a gate-check tag so the chair meets you at the jet bridge on arrival.
Most airlines accept dry-cell and lithium batteries up to 300 Wh per battery (two spares allowed). Bring the spec sheet for your chair.
BiPAP, CPAP, suction, and feeding pumps fly free as medical devices and do not count toward carry-on limits. Carry the doctor's letter.
Always gate-check power chairs and manual chairs you depend on. Photograph the chair before handover in case of damage.
Request a private screening if helpful. In the US, TSA Cares (855-787-2227) arranges screening support 72 hours ahead.
Carry all medications in your hand luggage in original containers. Bring a list of generic names for international trips.
Section 3
A growing library of official accessibility resources, organized by world region.
Section 4 — Signature guide
Beaches around the world have invested in beach wheelchairs, beach mats (often called Mobi-mats), accessible boardwalks, and amphibious chairs. Always call ahead — equipment can be limited or seasonal.
USA — Florida
Free beach wheelchairs, accessible boardwalks, accessible restrooms.
Official accessibility infoUSA — Florida
Mobi-mat beach access, free beach wheelchairs from Sarasota County Lifeguards.
Official accessibility infoUSA — Florida
Accessible beach access information from the city.
Official accessibility infoUSA — California
Beach access, beach wheelchairs, and accessible travel details.
Official accessibility infoUSA — Virginia
Free Mobi-mat access, beach wheelchairs, accessible boardwalk.
Official accessibility infoMexico
Official inclusive beach with accessible infrastructure.
Official accessibility infoMexico
Municipal inclusive beach service at Punta Esmeralda.
Official accessibility infoMexico — Yucatán
Inclusive beach experience with accessibility supports.
Official accessibility infoMexico — Baja California Sur
Official information on amphibious beach chairs for people with disabilities.
Official accessibility infoMexico
Accessible beach excursion with wheelchair-accessible transportation.
Official accessibility infoSpain
Official accessible tourism information for Costa del Sol destinations and beaches.
Official accessibility infoSpain
Accessible bathing assistance program with amphibious chairs and trained staff.
Official accessibility infoPortugal
Accessible Algarve information, including beach access resources.
Official accessibility infoItaly
Beach mats, accessible restrooms, beach wheelchairs available free of charge.
Official accessibility infoAustralia — Sydney
Free beach wheelchairs from the lifeguard tower; accessible boardwalks and viewing platforms.
Official accessibility infoAustralia — Queensland
Beach matting and beach wheelchairs at Coolangatta, Burleigh, Kurrawa, and other patrolled beaches.
Official accessibility infoUK — England
Official beach and seafront accessibility information from BCP Council.
Official accessibility infoUK — England
BEACH ACCESS Brighton offers beach wheelchairs; accessible promenade runs the length of the seafront.
Official accessibility infoCanada — Ontario
Accessible Mobi-mat, beach wheelchairs available through Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.
Official accessibility infoCanada — British Columbia
Accessible boardwalks, beach mats during summer, beach wheelchairs at several Vancouver beaches.
Official accessibility infoSection 5
Accessible rooms vary wildly between properties — even within the same chain. The right questions ahead of time prevent unpleasant surprises at check-in.
Hotels offer predictable accessible features, daily housekeeping, and on-site staff for emergencies. Vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, local agencies) offer more space, real kitchens, and laundry — but accessibility varies dramatically.
If a rental looks promising, message the host with specific questions and ask for photos of the bathroom, doorways, entry steps, and bedroom space. A great host will answer thoroughly; a vague answer is its own kind of answer.
Section 6
Renting at your destination often beats hauling heavy equipment through airports. Many companies deliver directly to hotels, rental homes, cruise terminals, and theme parks.
Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea deliver wheelchairs, scooters, beach wheelchairs, and patient lifts to hotels, cruise ports, theme parks, and airports.
Mobility equipment hire networks operate across the UK and EU; many destinations also have local Red Cross loan banks.
Equipment hire options vary by city. These links point to established mobility-equipment hire or accessible-tourism support resources.
Several specialty companies deliver to cruise ships and major resort destinations worldwide.
Section 7
A short checklist families can save, print, or share with grandparents and travel companions.
Section 8
Official government, transportation, and tourism resources — organized by region.
Related resources
Full guide to adaptive cycling for kids with Duchenne.
OpenYou are here — worldwide travel resource library.
OpenComing soon — leagues, camps, and adaptive sports.
OpenComing soon — finding inclusive playgrounds.
OpenComing soon — accessible camping and the outdoors.
OpenJump to our beach guide on this page.
Open