By Candy B. Harrington,
author of the guidebook, Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers and editor of Emerging Horizons magazine.

Looking for inspiring barrier-free travel opportunities? Check listings of specialized accessible travel tour operators at the bottom of this page. More will be added from time to time.

Over the past five years, the city of Toronto has worked hard to promote accessible tourism. Today, city leaders and tourism professionals continue to work side-by-side and jointly support many access-related projects such as the Toronto With Ease access guide, the Senior Friendly program and Tourism Toronto's reservation hotline. Together these programs help increase access awareness and bring Toronto one step closer to becoming the most accessible city in the world.

Now in its seventh edition, Toronto With Ease is freely available by going to www.torontotourism.com or by phone request. This handy resource contains detailed access information about hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and transportation in Toronto. A list of local disability resources is also included.

In another effort to increase access, the Toronto Seniors Council introduced a new Senior Friendly program in 2001, combining sensitivity training, site inspections and educational strategies. One of the goals of the program is to encourage local businesses to offer accessible locations with barrier-free entrances. Innovative programs like this will ultimately serve to increase awareness and accessible tourism.

Last but not least, Tourism Toronto operates a toll-free hotel reservation hotline. Toronto-bound visitors who need help finding a accessible hotel room can now just pick up the phone and call 1-800-794-2209 from anywhere in Canada or the U.S. or 416-203-2500 worldwide.

Tourism Toronto travel counselors are well educated about access issues and can help callers find a room that fits their specific access needs. They can find an appropriate property, answer questions and make hotel reservations. They can also help with theater tickets and museum passes. It's a great resource for planning an accessible Toronto getaway.

Images courtesy of Tourism Toronto.

                           
In past issues, the author's Emerging Horizons consumer-oriented magazine has covered Toronto in depth, and the publication continues to highlight new destinations with every issue. Check the Emerging Horizons website, www.emerginghorizons.com, for current themes, to subscribe, or to obtain a free sample issue.

For general tourism information about Toronto, visit www.torontotourism.com. Toronto is Canada's largest city at 4.2 million people, with a very cosmopolitan mix of more than 100 cultures.

Looking for tips on finding disability-friendly accommodation? See Candy Harrington's companion article on this site, "Finding an Accessible Room".

Accessible Travel is delivered on an all-inclusive
red carpet with this tour operator.

Family-owned and operated, Endeavour Safaris specializes in unforgettable wilderness camping safaris for physically challenged vacationers wishing to explore South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. Specialized equipment and vehicles open doors to safe, full service, authentic bush adventures for disabled people, their friends and families. www.endeavour-safaris.com.