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Choosing Accessible Accommodations

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Choosing Accessible Accommodations

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In this episode we share details about choosing accommodations for people with disabilities. You may be surprised to know that ADA only requests that lodging institutions meet minimal standards to comply. Comfort and ADA may be two totally different things. Living The Could Life contains affiliate links. They don’t cost you anything, but we may earn a small commission if you use them. We may have been hosted on a trip, excursion or other travel-related event. We may have received or experienced a product for review. Any opinion is our own. Transcript Click Here for Transcript : Theresa: I once checked into an ADA compliant hotel room and it was not what I expected. The shower chair was in the closet, the bed was too high, and the rolling shower had a three inch lip. Robert: And that's when you know this trip just got complicated. Theresa: Today we're talking about accessible lodging, what ADA compliance really means, why it can be misleading, and how to choose a place that actually works for your needs. Robert: And we're also talking about something that gets overlooked way too often, comfort and support for caregivers. Theresa: Welcome back to Living the Could Life. Robert: I'm Theresa Robert: and I'm your co-host Robert. Let's get into it. Robert: We've all seen the blue and green sign from the highway. Holiday Inn Express is the king of the consistent stay. But if you're a traveler with a disability, is consistent always a good thing? Theresa: To some, it's a lifesaver. To others, it's a minefield of almost accessible features. Today we're breaking down what it's really like to navigate mid-scale chain hotels, the psychology of why we pick them, and the red flag phrases that should make you run for the hills. Robert: I used to think these hotels were so bland. It's like they copy-pasted the room across 2,000 locations. Everything is always in the same exact spot. Isn't that boring? Theresa: Well, to you, and formerly to me, it was bland. But then, it's a map I have already memorized. When I roll into a Holiday Inn Express, I don't have to solve the puzzle of the room. I already know the bathroom's here. The bed height's predictable. And I can reach the light switch from the bed. Robert: So the lack of surprise is actually the luxury? Theresa: Exactly. In my world, and for many others with body disruptions, a surprise is usually a barrier. That boring layout reduces my cognitive load. I'll take predictable over pretty every day of the week. Robert: Let's talk about the booking process. I called a hotel last week for a friend and asked about the roll-in shower. And the guy at the desk said, it's pretty accessible. What does pretty accessible even mean? Theresa: In hotel speak, that means the door is wide, but good luck getting to the sink. It's a huge red flag. If they use adjectives like pretty, mostly, should be fine, or I think so, it means they haven't had real accessibility. A real accessibility audit. Robert: So if I hear it should be fine, I should probably keep looking? Theresa: I think I would run or ask them to specifically go look at the room. Sometimes even when we check in, they can't tell you. Or at least get a manager on the phone. You might, you want to hear nouns and numbers. The bed's 22 inches high. The shower has a built-in bench. That's the language of a safe stay. Robert: So I'm at the my luggage. Isn't that just standard business? Theresa: Well, we just ran into this recently. And for me, or for others who have a chair with battery life, you have a waiting limit and you can't always control when your flight arrives. You might need to access medical supplies. You can't just dig through those in a crowded lobby. Or what if you have to change something like a colostomy bag or take medications? When a hotel charges you to access a room that you need for your health, they're not just charging for time, they're charging for your disability. Robert: That feels like a disability surcharge. How do you fight that? Theresa: Well, join the loyalty programs. Often basic status even gets you a guaranteed late checkout or a waived early fee. It also lets you put a permanent note in your profile like requires first floor. So the desk sees it before you even arrive. Robert: You can't talk about Holiday Inn Express without the free breakfast. Theresa: Um, it's usually pretty good, but sometimes it could be a challenge. Some of the pancake machines and cereal dispensers are designed for standing adults. They're way too high for a seated guest. Robert: What's the move there? Just skip the pancakes? Theresa: Ah, never skip the pancakes. There's no problem with asking for help. You could ask for a reasonable modification. A staff member can get your cereal and bring tray to a lower table. A good hotel knows that hospitality does not stop at the bedroom door. Robert: What if they're sold out and the accessible room they gave me is actually a disaster? Theresa: This is where the ADA walk comes in. If...

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