During this time of self isolation and staying at home, I wanted to still bring the planet to you guys and share accessible travel finds, and so i decided to launch a Facebook Live series called #CurbFreeFromHome. Every week, for that near future a minimum of, I'll go Accept an agent from a different destination on my Facebook page. We'll discuss that destination's accessible offerings because despite the fact that it's tough to travel at this time, it's rarely too early to start dreaming about future trips. After all, planning trips is almost just as fun as actually traveling anyway, don't you think?
For the very first ever #CurbFreeFromHome, I reached to my good friend Kay Maghan. Kay is the Pr Manager for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, which is one of my favorite destinations within the U.S. I've visited the Alabama Gulf Coast a few times and I am always impressed using its wheelchair accessibility. From beach wheelchairs to access mats and a number of fun-filled attractions, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach don't have any shortage of wheelchair accessible offerings.
Kay and I loved discussing the area's accessibility during our Facebook Live. You can view it and hear all of our insight within this video –
I hope that you simply love our video, but here is some basic information that people discussed and companies in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to be aware of:
AccessMat around the Beach
o Gulf Shores Public Beach has wide sidewalks and paths across the beach, plus two AccessMat “blue” beach mats going 350 feet out on the beach, so that tourists in wheelchairs or with limited mobility can certainly and safely want to be out on the sand.
Beach Wheelchairs in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
o A few companies rent power and non-motorized beach wheelchairs.
– Beach Power Rentals rents motorized beach wheelchairs, but additionally has manual beach wheelchairs, electric scooters, beach umbrellas, shower chairs and transfer chairs.
– Beach'N Buggys manufactures, rents and sells electric beach wheelchairs. They provide three different types of electric beach wheelchairs.
– Ike's Beach Service rents non-motorized beach wheelchairs.
Wheelchair Accessible Van Rentals
o Team Adaptive Medical provides accessible van rentals located in both Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, where Gulf Shores' two closest airports are located. They offer daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rates. NOTE: If you are flying into Pensacola, you do need to notify them ahead of time you'll be driving the van to Alabama.
o Superior Van & Mobility is based in Pensacola and also provides wheelchair van rentals.
Accessible Lodging Options in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
– The lodging section of www.gulfshores.com comes with “Handicap Accessible” like a filter option to find properties.
– Harris Properties, has an 8-bedroom beach house out on Fort Morgan called “Barefoot” that has an elevator, a bathroom on the main floor with a roll-in shower, and an open layout that allows for simple flow around the kitchen, dining and family room space.
– Vacasa offers a wheelchair friendly house, known as Snell's Pace, on the bay. Find out about it here.
– Meyer Holiday rentals has multiple beach houses with elevators – from 5 bedrooms up to 20 bedrooms!