Welcome to the accessible travel news roundup, published on Fridays, which highlights interesting stories that are worth sharing, but not suited for dedicated, long-form coverage on this website.
Accessible travel and industry news from around the web:
- Power Wheelchair Users Stopped by Police After Driving on Ohio Freeway — A cross-party select committee on transportation in the United Kingdom said that "too great a burden is placed on individual disabled people" because the country has failed to make public transport fully accessible. Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said that "It's clear that accessibility has been an afterthought in developing transport services." Ruth Cadbury MP, chair of the committee, said the lack of equal access is a "national embarrassment." Now the question arises — after statements such as these from members across party lines, will any action be taken?
- Expensive ADA Seating Keeps Wheelchair User from San Francisco 49ers Games — A lifelong 49ers fan who uses a wheelchair says she has stopped attending home games because accessible seats are held by season ticket holders. In my view, she should purchase the cheapest available standard seat and request to be reseated in an ADA section.
- More trouble in San Francisco: Influencer blasts 49ers over wheelchair accessible seating issues — Disabled creator Kevin Ortiz, who is seeking to visit all 32 NFL stadiums, said Levi’s Stadium denied him accessible seating because most ADA seats are held by season ticket holders and resold at a significant markup. He was eventually seated, but in an empty ADA seating section that had apparently been reserved for television crew (which seems like a slam dunk ADA violation).
- United crew told passenger that flight attendant bags outrank wheelchair closet access — A United Airlines passenger reported that flight attendants refused to clear crew luggage from the onboard wheelchair storage closet, even though the space is reserved for passengers’ mobility devices per the Air Carrier Access Act. Wheelchair Travel readers have reported similar incidents, and it's evidence that airlines should be subject to steep penalties for ACAA civil rights violations.
- Disabled veteran says Alaska Airlines refused to check his wheelchair — A veteran claims Alaska Airlines violated federal disability law by refusing to load his wheelchair on a return flight (they did — no question), despite having accepted it on the outbound. He had to purchase last-minute tickets with Delta Air Lines for $1800 (who let him fly without issue). Alaska has refused to reimburse him, but I would bet they will be cutting a check soon. Why do airlines jerk disabled passengers around?
- WestJet institutes arbitrary weight limit on power wheelchairs — Does your wheelchair weigh more than 300 pounds? Forget about traveling on Canada's second largest carrier WestJet. In this story, I spoke to a CBC reporter about the impact it will have on disabled travelers. Their arbitrary weight limit reminds me of my 2020 battle against the American Airlines wheelchair weight limit. I won. I hope Canadians will be able to as well.
- Not soon enough: British couple traveling the world with disabled son say their only regret is waiting — A UK family who sold their possessions to travel long term with their disabled son says they wish they had begun the journey sooner. Their story is very exciting to read and proves that accessible family travel is worth seeking out.
Now, a couple of uplifting stories about off-road wheelchairs that are designed for outdoor exploration.
- Off-road “trackchairs” expand hiking access for disabled adventurers — The Guardian profiled hikers using all-terrain trackchairs in New York’s Mohonk Preserve, allowing wheelchair users to navigate rugged trails previously considered impossible. Users describe the experience as transformative, demonstrating how adaptive equipment is reshaping outdoor accessibility.
- Wisconsin school district buys all-terrain wheelchairs for students — Racine Unified School District purchased three track wheelchairs so students with physical disabilities can participate fully in recess, field trips and outdoor learning. Staff say the devices help ensure that education and play are accessible beyond the classroom walls. Bravo to the school district for thinking outside the box on including disabled students!
