Handicap Hotels

Handicap Hotels

By Henry Francis, eHow Contributor

Disabled facilities at hotels have improved since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed.

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act included a range of provisions for improving accessibility and facilities for disabled Americans in buildings throughout the nation, including hotels. Since the bill's enactment, access for the handicapped at hotels has improved significantly. In particular, large chain hotel groups have committed to making their properties the ideal venue for handicapped travelers. Guests should always specify their need for handicap-accessible rooms when making reservations and should call in advance for details.

1. Hilton Hotel Group
• The Hilton Hotel group oversees 3,600 properties in 81 countries, as of 2010, including Hilton Hotels, Embassy Suites, Doubletree and Hampton Inn and Suites. Handicap-accessible options are available at each of Hilton's brands, and Hilton hotels typically make provisions for wheelchair users and the disabled. Facilities in accessible rooms include roll-in showers, lowered peepholes in the doors, lowered thermostat and a raised toilet seat for ease of access. Accessible rooms are either located on the ground floor with ramp access or can be reached via the hotel elevator.

InterContinental Hotels Group

• The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) hosts more than 4,500 hotels in 100 countries across the world, as of December 2010, and has a number of member hotels, including InterContinental Hotels, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels. InterContinental Hotels make many provisions for wheelchair users and handicapped travelers, allowing service animals to stay free of charge for guests who require seeing-eye dogs. Specialized entrance-adjacent parking is also provided to guests with blue badge disabled parking permits. In guest rooms, disabled guests can utilize a specialized wider bed, a disabled-accessible bathroom, door-view port at wheelchair level, visual fire alarm notification for the deaf and a closed-caption television.

Choice Hotels International

• Choice Hotels International specializes in economy brand accommodations such as Comfort Inn, Clarion, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Suites hotels. Facilities for the handicapped at Choice Hotels vary widely, with some economy brands offering only limited amenities for the disabled. Even the most basic of facilities will provide specialized attached bathroom facilities and ramps to access ground floor guest rooms/elevator access. Other handicapped facilities include Braille or raised signage around hotels and in rooms and handicapped parking facilities for blue badge holders.

Best Western

• The Best Western hotel chain website describes Best Western as "The World's Largest Hotel Chain," with more than 4,000 hotels in over 80 countries, as of 2010. Best Western hotels offer a wide range of facilities for the handicapped traveler, including ramped access and elevators, roll-in showers and wheelchair-accessible attached bathroom facilities, handicapped parking spaces for blue badge holders and Braille or raised signs throughout the hotel and its guest rooms.