Handicap Friendly Travel

Welcome to the Crystal Coast. Our island has been praised by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post for providing a vacation getaway that affords an atmosphere that embraces every member of the family. Whatever your needs, they can be met here.

It is estimated that approximately 1.2 million American are disabled, using a wheelchair as their primary means of locomotion. Many of these are young or young at heart people who have the same enthusiasm for travel as any one of us. Providing facilities that accommodate all the varieties of mental and physical challenges is difficult at best. The ability to enjoy travel to all areas has become much easier since 1990, when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offered civil rights protection to the disabled at every facility open to the public. These facilities must be accessible, regardless of the age of the facility. Every year the number of disabled Americans that enjoy travel grows. Resource material on the internet has become readily available at the click of a mouse.

Here on the island we have several options. The town will provide, at no charge, all-terrain wheelchairs on a first come, first served basis. A community Center with a gym, exercise room and aerobics class is available for a small daily fee. Many beach access ramps can accommodate wheelchairs, but some do not extend all the way to the sand. All state and national parks are handicap accessible, but not all are completely negotiable by wheelchair. At the east end of the island the 3d Street Park furnishes ten parking spaces in addition to a handicap accessible ramp. Bluewater Drive and Seagull Drive each have single parking spaces. At the other end of the island Ocean Oaks has a single parking space as well as Randy’s Way, a handicap accessible ramp. Wyndtree Lane has a single parking space and Channel Drive has three parking spaces available. These parking spaces may be used with handicap license plates or placards. The fine for violating the use of these spots is a fine of $100.

When you visit the Crystal Coast, you can enjoy the warm days, cool nights and gentle breezes every day of the week. The Crystal Coast is waiting for you!

Click here for a list of handicap friendly vacation rentals offered by Bluewater GMAC.