Traveling with a disability: Tips and destination insights
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Mar 31
- 9 min read
Traveling can be a fulfilling experience for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. With careful planning and awareness, you can navigate the world more comfortably and safely.
Traveling with a disability requires additional planning, but with the right preparations and knowledge, it can be a rewarding and enriching experience. By choosing destinations that prioritize accessibility and advocating for inclusive practices, travelers with disabilities can enjoy the vast opportunities that global exploration offers.
Below are practical tips for traveling with a disability, along with insights into countries that are notably accommodating—or challenging—for travelers with mobility impairments.
Pre-travel planning
Consult healthcare providers Before embarking on your journey, discuss your travel plans with your healthcare professionals to ensure you're fit for travel and to address any medical considerations.
Research accessibility Investigate the accessibility features of your destination, including public transportation, accommodations, and tourist attractions. Different resources offer valuable information for travelers with disabilities.
Travel insurance Secure comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, equipment loss or damage, and trip cancellations. Ensure the policy explicitly includes coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Documentation Carry medical documentation detailing your condition, prescriptions, and any necessary medical equipment. This can be crucial during security checks and in case of emergencies.
Air travel tips
Communicate with Airlines Inform your airline about your disability and any specific needs at the time of booking. Airlines can provide assistance such as priority boarding, seating accommodations, and in-flight support.
Mobility equipment If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aids, check the airline's policies regarding the transport of such equipment. Ensure your devices are properly labeled and, if possible, provide instructions for handling.
Security screening Familiarize yourself with the security procedures at airports. You may request a private screening and should be prepared to explain any medical devices or implants.
Accessible destinations
Certain countries have made significant strides in creating inclusive environments for individuals with disabilities. Here are some of the most wheelchair-friendly destinations:
Sweden Renowned for its progressive policies, Sweden offers excellent public transportation accessibility and well-adapted public spaces.
Germany Cities like Berlin and Munich provide accessible public transit and accommodations, with many cultural sites equipped for wheelchair users.
Canada With its inclusive infrastructure, Canada ensures that public buildings and transportation systems are accessible, particularly in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Japan Known for its efficient and accessible public transportation, Japan also features tactile paving and widespread use of Braille signage, enhancing navigation for individuals with visual impairments.
Spain Barcelona stands out for its wheelchair-friendly streets and public transport, making it a model city for accessibility in Europe.
Challenges in other countries
While progress is being made globally, some countries still face challenges in providing accessible environments for individuals with disabilities:
Greece and Ireland These countries have lower employment rates for persons with disabilities, indicating broader societal and infrastructural challenges.
Sierra Leone Individuals with disabilities often face significant discrimination and limited support, leading many to rely on initiatives like the «Farming on Crutches» program for livelihood.
Romania Historically, Romania has faced challenges with inhumane orphanages housing children with disabilities, though organizations like Hope and Homes for Children have been working to improve conditions.
General advice
Advocate for your needs Don't hesitate to communicate your requirements clearly to service providers, whether it's at a hotel, restaurant, or tourist attraction.
Stay informed Laws and facilities can change, so it's advisable to check the latest information and traveler reviews regarding accessibility at your destination.
Connect with local organizations
Reach out to local disability advocacy groups or communities at your destination for insights, support, and recommendations.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has achieved widespread international support since its adoption by the United Nations in 2006. As of January 2025, the CRPD has 164 signatories and 192 parties, including 191 states and the European Union.
For the most current and detailed information on each country's status regarding the CRPD and its Optional Protocol, you can refer to the United Nations Treaty Collection's official page:
This resource provides comprehensive details on signatories, ratifications, accessions, and any reservations or declarations made by participating countries.
International rights for persons with disability
Here are key facts about your legal international rights as a person with a disability, particularly while traveling:
UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD)
Adopted by the United Nations in 2006, the CRPD is the most important international treaty protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
It has been ratified by over 180 countries, including most popular travel destinations.
The CRPD guarantees:
Equal access to transportation, public spaces, and services
Protection from discrimination
The right to live independently and participate fully in society As of early 2025, the vast majority of United Nations member states have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). However, a small number of countries have not ratified it yet, though some may have signed it (which expresses intent but is not legally binding).
Countries that have not ratified the CRPD:
(as per the latest data from the UN Treaty Collection)
United States
Signed the CRPD in 2009
Has not ratified it due to political gridlock in the U.S. Senate
The U.S. still has strong domestic disability laws like the ADA
Liechtenstein
Neither signed nor ratified
Small country with few treaty commitments overall
San Marino
Signed but has not ratified
South Sudan
Not a party to the CRPD as of 2025
Ongoing development of legal and social systems
Palau
Signed in 2007 but not ratified
Notes
Signing a treaty shows intent to comply in the future but does not make it legally binding until ratified.
Some of the countries above may have domestic protections for persons with disabilities but have not officially joined the international legal framework of the CRPD.
Note: While many countries signed the CRPD, enforcement and implementation vary widely.
Airline rights (International)
Airlines operating under international agreements (like IATA) are required to provide:
Free assistance for boarding, deplaning, and connections
Transport of mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs) at no extra cost
Reasonable accommodations during flight
In the European Union, the EU Regulation 1107/2006 ensures air travel rights for persons with reduced mobility. You must inform the airline at least 48 hours in advance to guarantee assistance.
In the United States, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by airlines operating to, from, or within the U.S.
Transportation and access rights in the EU
Under EU law, all public transportation—buses, trains, subways—must be accessible.
New infrastructure must comply with universal design standards, including elevators, ramps, and tactile paving.
In most countries, train and bus companies must provide assistance at stations if notified in advance (usually 24–48 hours).
Accessibility in accommodation (Europe and North America)
Hotels and hostels are subject to anti-discrimination laws in many countries.
In the EU, Directive 2000/78/EC protects against discrimination in services, including lodging.
In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires:
A minimum number of accessible rooms
Features like roll-in showers, visual alarms, and wider doorways
General non-discrimination laws
Many countries have national disability discrimination laws in line with the CRPD.
Examples:
Canada: Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
UK: Equality Act 2010
Australia: Disability Discrimination Act 1992
New Zealand: Human Rights Act 1993
These laws generally guarantee:
Equal access to education, transportation, and public services
Legal remedies if you face discrimination
Government bodies or ombudsmen to file complaints with
What to watch out for
Despite these protections, compliance is inconsistent:
In some countries, laws exist but are poorly enforced.
Small businesses and rural areas may lack accessibility.
Legal processes to file complaints abroad can be slow and complex.
Tips for enforcing your rights abroad
Carry a copy of relevant legal protections, like the CRPD or national laws.
Know how to contact your country’s embassy in case of rights violations.
Keep documentation of any incidents or discrimination.
Use international advocacy organizations like Disability Rights International or Human Rights Watch to report serious violations.
A global disability rights treaty—And why the U.S. still won’t ratify It
The United States, despite being a global leader in disability rights through the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), remains one of the few developed countries that has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
While the treaty has been signed by the U.S., it has languished in the Senate due to deep political divisions, national sovereignty concerns, and lingering ideological fears—many rooted in American exceptionalism and partisanship.
...It also reduces protections for Americans with disabilities living, working, or studying abroad, who may benefit from international standards.
The treaty that nearly passed
The CRPD, adopted by the UN in 2006, aims to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities worldwide. It builds on principles already embedded in U.S. law, particularly the ADA. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the treaty and launched a strong push for Senate ratification.
President Obama stated that ratifying the CRPD would «reaffirm America’s commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.»
His administration emphasized that the treaty would not create new obligations but would help promote U.S. standards globally and support Americans with disabilities traveling, working, or living abroad.
In 2012, the Senate voted on ratification but fell short—61 in favor, 38 opposed—missing the 67 votes required. Despite support from prominent Republicans like Senator John McCain and Senator Bob Dole, the treaty failed amid partisan opposition.
What the opposition said
Opponents of the CRPD cited several concerns:
I do not support the CRPD because I believe it threatens U.S. sovereignty. Senator Mike Lee Republican – Utah
I have deep concerns that this treaty will compromise U.S. sovereignty. Senator Jim Inhofe Republican - Oklahoma
Many feared that vague language in the treaty—such as references to the «best interests of the child» —could be misused to interfere with parental rights, especially regarding homeschooling. Groups like the Home School Legal Defense Association campaigned heavily against the treaty, despite experts and legal scholars repeatedly explaining that U.S. law would not be overridden by the CRPD.
A reflection of polarized politics
The failure to ratify the CRPD reflects the growing partisan gridlock in American politics. While the ADA passed in 1990 with broad bipartisan support—including from President George H.W. Bush—today’s Congress finds it harder to unite, even on issues that previously transcended party lines.
Under the Trump administration, skepticism toward international agreements intensified. While the administration did not take a formal stance on the CRPD, its broader foreign policy—marked by nationalism and withdrawal from multilateral treaties—likely contributed to the lack of momentum.
Does this matter for people with disabilities?
At home, the U.S. maintains robust disability rights protections through laws like the ADA and IDEA. But the failure to ratify the CRPD limits America's ability to influence and assist global disability rights efforts, particularly in developing countries.
It also reduces protections for Americans with disabilities living, working, or studying abroad, who may benefit from international standards.
A missed opportunity for global leadership
CRPD ratification is not about surrendering sovereignty—it’s about sharing a standard of dignity, equality, and inclusion. For the United States, a country that helped lead on disability rights with the ADA, ratifying the CRPD would reinforce that leadership on a global scale.
Veteran Senator Bob Dole, who used a wheelchair and championed the ADA, made this clear when he said:
This is not about changing America—it’s about helping the rest of the world catch up.
More than a decade after the U.S. signed the treaty, the world is still waiting.
