General Travel Information

Guidebook describes wheelchair-accessible B&Bs in US

Need help finding a wheelchair-accessible inn or B&B in the United States? Then pick up a copy of There Is Room at the Inn, the first guidebook devoted entirely to accessible inns and B&Bs.

This resource focuses on the needs of wheelchair-users and slow walkers. It contains 117 properties in 40 states and features a wide selection of lodging choices, from Victorian Inns and quaint B&Bs to mountain retreats, a dude ranch and even two safari parks.

Says author Candy Harrington, "Most people think that B&Bs are not accessible at all. This book proves otherwise, Granted it took a bit of research to find the inns included in the book, but they are out there."

Unlike some other B&B guidebooks, There Is Room at the Inn includes access details on each property. Each listing includes a detailed description of the access features of the property, with emphasis on the access features in the accessible guestrooms. The emphasis in There Is Room at the Inn is on describing the access so that readers can make appropriate choices.

"I certainly recognize that even among wheelchair-users, there are a wide range of access preferences and needs," says Harrington. "Add slow walkers to the equation and that range dramatically increases. In short, what is accessible to one person may not even be useable to the next. That's why describing the access is so important -- so people can

make appropriate choices."

Of course, there is a lot more to access than just ramps and roll-in showers. Attitudinal access is just as important as physical access. To that end, this book also contains comments from innkeepers regarding their own attitudes about access. These comments help readers get a real feel for the personality of the individual properties (and the innkeepers).

Additionally, Harrington includes accessible sightseeing suggestions for each property. Says Harrington, "In most cases people like to go out and see things when they stay at a B&B, so I've included a number of accessible suggestions with each listing."

Also included in the book is an access checklist, so travelers know the right questions to ask innkeepers. This checklist is designed to help people find even more accessible properties. Innkeepers could also find this book useful, as it includes "A Note to Innkeepers." a short chapter that offers insight into this growing market and some suggestions on how to make inns and B&Bs more appealing to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Published by Demos Publishing, There Is Room at the Inn is follow-up to Harrington's first title, Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers.

There Is Room at the Inn is available at bookstores, through the publisher (800-532-8663) or on-line at EmergingHorizons.com/inn. Visit EmergingHorizons.com/inn to read a sample chapter, see the table of contents or for more information about There Is Room at the Inn or Candy Harrington.