ADA/Handicapped Hotel Rooms Are Not All Alike

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted to give equal rights to those with a disability or handicap. This affects hotel rooms, parking spaces, seating and public spaces. One would think that these adjustments are standardized but not so!

As a travel counselor if asked to request a handicapped room or ADA compliant room, I would do just that.  I never thought of asking what it was that they really needed. My assumption was the client knew exactly what they were asking for and no further clarification was needed.  I also believed that these ADA rooms were standardized.   Not until I met my husband did I ask for, receive, and realize the differences in what you get when you receive a handicapped accessible room.

In 2006 my husband was riding his motorcycle and was hit by a car. He flew over 150 ft and sustained major injuries. Needless to say he is lucky to be alive but lost his left leg during the process. He is a below the knee amputee but does very well with his prosthetic.  The man comes across able bodied and if he has long pants on no one would know his disability.  We have been given sideways glances, apologized to, and asked if we requested a handicapped room almost everytime we have checked into a hotel room.  Until we explain that we actually requested that room and need it, do the front desk clerks settle down. 

ADA rooms are designed to assist every person with every disability. As we all know, we are not all created equal.  Are you in a wheelchair? Deaf? Blind? Elderly?  Do you need grab bars in the bathroom? Shower chair? Doorbell with tone? Smoke alarm and phone with light? Wide doorways for a wheelchair?

Many handicap accessible rooms have a roll in shower.  This is great if you are in a wheelchair. In my husbands case, he then needs a shower chair. It is very difficult to shower while standing on one leg!  Other rooms have the closet rods very low for the wheelchair bound patrons.  This is great but rooms also need rods up high for the tall man on one leg.  Grab bars in the bathroom are great but do you need them low or high? Is the adjustable shower head all u need? Or what about the companion of the disabled person, they prefer a shower head that is higher than their belly button!

I say so much of this in jest but it's food for thought for the hoteliers, travel agents, travelers and others who request the handicap rooms.  

Pet peave?? Why would any hotel put an ADA room on a 2nd or higher floor? If there was a fire or other emergency and their was an evacuation, how would a handicapped person get out? Elevator or stairs?  Elevator is deactivated during an emergency... FYI 

And, if the lowest priced room is not accessible for the disabled then they should NOT have to pay addition to get in a special room!

While efforts are being made to accommodate all individuals who needs added assistance, be sure to be clear as to what you need to make your stay workable and enjoyable. Where not all able bodied individuals are created the same, neither are the hotel rooms intended to assist those with disabilities.