Disabled access

[#1]

I am both a host and a guest.  I find it incredibly difficult to find truly accessible accommodation.    When listing, owners tend to tick the box "Wheelchair access" if they think a wheelchair can get through the back door.   I'm not sure what we are supposed to do once we are there, if we can't get into the bathroom, toilet, or even the bedroom!   I feel that the listing should have a separate set of questions for hosts that want to claim that they are wheelchair friendly.   There are so many disabilities, thus a large variety of needs for different people.  If all the facts are presented then a person can decide if they can or can't manage.   It doesn't have to be perfect but there are important issues. - Are the doorways wide enough to take a wheelchair? can the wheelchair access the toilet area? is there a handle for support to transfer to the toilet? is the shower accessible (wet floor, support handles, non slip flooring)? can a wheelchair move to the side of the bed so a guest can transfer from the chair to the bed?  If this information was presented to me, (and other disabled travellers) we could make an informed decision rather than having to ask the same questions over and over again.  Pictures showing the facilities also help hugely.

p.s. - I'm proud to say that our place (New Zealand - Kaikoura - Redbarn Studio) is fully accessible.

Lynda

[#2]

@Lynda exactly!!  A host ticking a box for disability access should lead them into another sub menu with additional questions and measurements requests.  Hopefully a moderator sees this and passes it on!

[#3]

I've given it more thought and for me at least, the following options would be helpful for me to decide if I can carry on with a reservation or not.  

It could be an option to have more tick boxes including options such as

• Width of entrance door,
• Width of internal doors
• wet floor shower,
• handles in normal shower,
• support handle beside toilet
• Wheelchair access to toilet
• main bed has wheelchair access
• Beds in spare room have wheelchair access.  

How do you alert a moderator?   23% of our population is disabled so surely some consideration should be taken to ensure that they have as good a time with Airbnb as we give our other guests.

[#4]

yes ,! that is what we are looking for!!!   when is it gonna happen??

[#5]

I have been traveling for the last 2 decades with a disabled SO and I can tell you, it will take the same "event" (i.e. lawsuit on accessiblity access) as with Uber before AirBnb will make significant changes to ensure that hosts that ticked "wheelchair accessible" option means that their property is INDEED wheelchair accessible.

I remember back in late 90's - ealy 2000's, major travel sites (Travelocity, Expedia, etc.) did not even have an option to search for accessible hotel. Today, it's right there.

It is very frustating to arrive at the host property, thousands of miles away from your home and after long hours of flight, and you find out you cannot even get into the building (stairs, etc.) or the bathroom (door not wide enough, etc.).

The best recommendation I can give today is to contact the host that ticked "wheelchair accessible" option to CONFIRM that they HAVE the following:

1). NO stairs into the building or your room

2). The WIDTH of the doors (front, bathroom and your room) can accomodate xx inches/cm (based on your wheelchair width)

3). The bathroom can accomodate your ENTIRE wheelchair (width and length) that you can close the bathroom door

[#6]

Just listed my place as accessible. I have the ramp entrance, doorway width, roll-in shower, etc. Airbnb does have link to ADA requirements. It's an education thing -- people think they're accessible if they're on the ground floor or elevator building. Went to a listing with a handicapped family member that was ground floor. But there was step up and then down in the entrance, nothing to grab near the toilet, etc. We ended up leaving half the group there and went to a hotel.

[#7]

We are proud to say the same : our place (Campinas vilinha em Joaquim Egídio casa azul) is fully accessible.