Parents of children with special needs, as well as adults with physical challenges, are all too familiar with the difficulties of planning a vacation in a world that caters to people without disabilities. Thanks to Candy Harrington, who edits Emerging Horizons accessible travel magazine and hosts the "Barrier Free Travels" radio show in New York's Hudson Valley, those who use wheelchairs as well as those who are slow walkers now have a guidebook chock full of information that can make traveling in the U.S. and abroad much easier.

101 Accessible Vacations grew out of a single question the author kept hearing when she spoke to groups about disability-friendly travel: "Where can I go on vacation?" Many lecture participants seemed to be fishing for a broad and magical answer, as if certain cities or tourist attractions were somehow more appropriate than others for people with disabilities. That just isn't the case, Harrington writes in the book's introduction. Although Disneyland is known for its accessibility, she says, "If you don't like theme parks, you just don't like theme parks." Fueled by the recurring vacation question, she set out to pen "the first guidebook dedicated exclusively to wheelchair-accessible destinations, lodgings, and recreational opportunities."

Unlike most travel guides, this one is organized by activity, not geographic location, so readers can make plans based on specific interests such as bird watching, camping, or shopping for handcrafted furniture. Another unique aspect of the book is the fact that Harrington has not only done her research, but it's obvious she's experienced most of the vacations herself and not simply rewritten the usual travel brochures. 101 Accessible Vacations offers plenty of insider tips not found in most guidebooks, such as how to find a beach wheelchair or a sailboat that won't easily capsize. It also takes some of the guesswork out of finding the right hotel room, dude ranch, or taxi. Black-and-white photographs of adaptive skiing, accessible tree cabins, and other sites and activities are helpful for those who need to see to believe.


Suggested destinations span the globe from France to the French Quarter. How about a tour of San Francisco's notorious Alcatraz Island or a visit to Fort Worth, Texas, to see the twice-daily cattle drive on Exchange Avenue? Also recommended are plenty of cruise options, small towns to explore, arts venues, quirky museums, historic sites, and local festivals--pretty much something for everyone, from singles to couples to families. The "Off the Beaten Path" chapter is delightful (check out the wine-tasting in Calaveras County, CA or the W.C. Handy Museum in Florence, AL), as is "Candy's Picks," which features a section on factory tours where curious travelers can watch Gibson guitars or Ben & Jerry's ice cream being made on the spot.

Because it covers such a variety of topics and destinations, 101 Accessible Vacations is not an in-depth guide to any one place; the author lists phone numbers and Web sites for that. This book, however, excels at blending practical advice with adventurous ideas to make any vacation a fun, pleasant experience for people with disabilities and those who accompany them. Bon voyage!

Nancy Henderson, an EP contributing editor, is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Smithsonian, The New York Times, Parade, US Airways magazine and many other publications. She is the author of Able! How One Company's Disabled Workforce Became the Key to Extraordinary Success (BenBella Books), which will be reissued the summer of 2008 with endorsements from top business executives and disability advocates. A member of The Authors Guild and the prestigious American Society of Journalists and Authors, Nancy often writes about disability issues and people who are making a difference through their work.