Special Needs Travel Destinations And Programs For Travelers With Disabilities

There are many special needs travel destinations and activity programs for those with physical or mental disabilities or special dietary needs. As both snow and sand vacation resorts become more inclusive, they offer fun for the whole family.

Disability travelers will appreciate the resources available, whether for themselves or companions who have special needs. From mainstream destinations with special programs for the deaf or mobility challenged, to specialty locations that focus primarily on working with autism and other mental disabilities, travelers of all backgrounds and interests should be able to plan a fun family vacation.

Year Round Recreation for Special Needs Travelers

Summer and winter, certain mountain resorts offer learning programs to train our next generation of para-Olympians. Here are two of our favorite programs.

Loon Mountain NEDS

NEDS New England Disabled Sports
60 Loon Mountain Road
Lincoln, NH 03251
800/229-5666
New England Disabled Sports at Loon Mountain offers year round recreation for disabled children and adults. Summer programs include water skiing, cycling, kayaking and hiking. In winter, go forskiing, snowboarding, and telemarking for ages 4+. They employ over 160 volunteers who teach guests with both cognitive and physical disabilities. The New England Disabled Ski Team is for young, up-and-coming skiers and features elite-level skiers who have competed in Paralympics. A great program offered at this destination is PAC (Pre Adaptive Coach) Program. It is for teens ages 14-18 who want to become volunteer coaches. Our feature story on Loon Mountain has a complete list of activities and attractions on the destination.

Aspen Snowmass Adaptive Programs

P.O. Box 6639
Snowmass Village, CO 81615
800/525-6200
All four Aspen Snowmass mountains welcome those with disabilities. Each is able to accommodate special needs in limited ways. At Snowmass mountain in Aspen, the Challenge Aspen program is specifically designed for those ages 4 and older with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. They offer adaptive, recreational, and cultural activities year-round, with skiing and snowboarding in the winter. That’s the time for elite ski racing for adults with disabilities, or arranging a volunteer who may be available to ski with you for a nominal fee. There’s hiking and fishing in the summer, along with therapeutic art, drama, and outdoor adventure camps.

The mountains’ Ascendigo program provides specially trained instructors for children and adults anywhere on the autism spectrum. Snowmass also offers the Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in operation for more than 50 years. For more information regarding the Snowmass Aspen resort, read our article on Snowmass.

Snowsports Resort for Special Needs Travelers

Greek Peak Mountain Resort

2000 NYS Rte 392
Cortland, NY 13045
855-732-7971
This comprehensive adaptive ski program takes place winters only at a smaller ski resort in the Adirondacks. Greek Peak founded GP Adaptive Snowports in 1974 with a dedicated training center and volunteers. They provide instruction, as well as offering reduced rate lift tickets on weekends for skiers and snowboarders with disabilities. New York State Ski areas host other adaptive snowsports programs as well. Greek Peak has recently expanded with the Hope Lake Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, strengthening the family-friendly atmosphere and making it a fun mountain destination for families at any time of year.

Caribbean Resorts for Families with Special Needs Kids

Thankfully, some resorts do cater specifically to the needs of those with disabilities. However, that doesn’t make the getting there and getting home any easier. Follow expert Dawn Barclay as she shares travel tips for the neurodiverse to make these vacations more predictable.

Franklyn D. Resort

P.O. Box 201
Runaway Bay
St. Ann, Jamaica W.I.
876/973-4124
Book the all-inclusive FDR resort if a personal vacation nanny sounds perfect. These talented staff members look after your kids, regardless of their needs, when parents want a break. Family members with physical or cognitive challenges have an opportunity to get to know the nanny and feel comfortable with her. Whenever you don’t need her help, the nanny will stay back at your suite. All of the air-conditioned suites are wheelchair accessible and numerous activities are offered that kids and adults of all abilities can partake in. Rooms come with a stocked refrigerator, free internet access, full kitchen, dining area and a balcony or terrace. Yellow Bird’s Kids Club runs daily from 7:30am to 10pm, with everything from crafts and swimming to snorkeling and a video games room. All activities, meals and programs are included in rates.

Beaches Resorts

Negril and Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Turks & Caicos
Sandals’ three, family-oriented Beaches brand of resorts in the Caribbean have an array of assistance for special needs families. Staff are well trained in dealing with physical and mental disabilities. Those traveling with children on the spectrum find sensory toys, a culinary concierge to support dietary restrictions, advanced training for staff, and an optional service of a “One-on-One Beaches Buddy.” The “buddy” is a staff member who is autism certified. Read this account of Julia, “Sesame Street’s” first character on the autism spectrum who joins the Beaches team at kids clubs.

Specialty Tour Operators for Travelers with Special Needs

Wheel the World
628/900-7778
Wheel the World was recognized in 2021 by Lonely Planet as “Best in Travel for Diversity and Inclusion.” This online travel booking company empowers people with disabilities, seniors and their families to explore the world. Their multi-national team covers more than 80 destinations with places to stay, things to do, multi-day private trips and multi-day group tours, all with detailed accessibility information. Their team will help your family decide what’s right for your needs.

Shared Adventures
P.O. Box 396
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
831/459-7210
This company organizes wheelchair accessible activities along with great adventures for all disabilities. To facilitate a day on the beach, they rent fat-tire beach wheelchairs (a wonderful tool if you’ve never tried it.) Explore adaptive yoga, gardening, an annual four-day kids’ summer camp and a multitude of arts ‘n’ crafts events. Shared Adventures caters to all ages and developmental abilities. In addition, they have sailing and kayaking excursions, a luau dance, indoor rock climbing, table tennis tournaments and more.

Special Needs at Sea as Cruising Becomes More Inclusive

Several of the major cruise lines strive to serve passengers of all abilities. Royal Caribbean, for example, has staff certified by Autism on the Seas with an Autism Friendly Certification. That includes priority check-in for special needs guests, and prompt boarding and departure. Ask about special dietary accommodations, and flexible grouping by ability in Adventure Ocean programs.

Autism on the Seas, meanwhile, offers “staffed cruises” on Royal Caribbean and Disney. They also handle resort stays catering to families with children, teens and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Special Needs at Sea – This company offers special physical needs rental equipment, ranging from wheelchairs and scooters to power chairs and oxygen tanks. In addition you can get referrals to more information regarding special needs travel.

Special Needs Travel Information

Each day, there are more resources available for travelers with special needs, physical disabilities and developmental challenges.

New York State, for example, guides more than 1.5 million disabled people with a special online Disability Travel in NY resource. State attractions and amenities are sorted so that travelers know where Blind/Low Vision, Cognitive/Autism Spectrum, Deaf/Hearing Loss and Mobility/Wheelchair Access are most easily accommodated.

Autism Speaks is a major advocacy organization that developed an Autism Friendly Designation program, and an employee-training program adopted by businesses. Their website lists several travel businesses you can consult with.

Also check the  Autism Travel Directory. This handy website is part of IBCCES, a company that runs training and certification programs. Resorts, cultural facilities and attractions that have completed the IBCCES training earn the “Certified Autism Center” designation and are promoted on this website.

Autism Double Checked is a welcome organization founded by travel professional Alan Day. They understand how to create a safe and enjoyable space for individuals with ASD while away from home. They classify companies into three levels of autism readiness to welcome guests traveling with autistic family members. Breeze Airways, for example, is the first US commercial airline to be certified.

TSA Special Procedures for Disabilities and Medical Conditons – Know your rights when it comes to TSA Security Screenings and get the latest information about transporting medications through airport security.

Special Needs Travel and Disability Resources for all Families

If you’re a parent or caretaker of a child with special needs, here are some other resources.

Cerebral Palsy Family Network – Discover resources for transportation, recreation and other support for loved ones with Cerebral Palsy.

Emerging Horizons – This site is a great resource, providing travel news for wheelchair users and slow walkers. The site also highlights destinations or resorts that focus on special needs travelers, reviewed by special needs author Candy Harrington.

Use a Special Needs Travel Professional

In addition to the above resources, most airlines have procedures and services to assist travelers with disabilities. To ensure a more accessible experience, be sure to arrange for them ahead of time with your travel professional. In fact, this guide to how the airlines handle passengers with disabilities will be useful in your planning.

For tips from an expert on how to make the most of travel, follow our guide on Traveling With Special Needs Kids.