Thanksgiving, D.C., and Portugal 2026
Hey, everyone!
As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States tomorrow, it is customary to gather with our families and friends — quality time that allows us to reflect on the blessings of life. More on the holiday later, but for now let’s jump right in to some accessible travel news.
What’s going on in Washington, D.C.?
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that it would not enforce some rules designed to improve air travel for wheelchair users — the move has understandably frustrated disability advocates, but it has also led to some confusion about which regulations have actually been paused.
While I strongly encourage you to read the following article in which I attempt to clear up the confusion, the most important thing to know is that airlines are still responsible for repairing or replacing damaged wheelchairs. Learn more about which regulations have been suspended here:
Despite DOT Rollbacks of Consumer Protections, Airline Wheelchair Damage is Still Covered
The Department of Transportation’s pause on the December 2024 rule to improve access to air travel is disappointing, but it is not a disaster.
In this newsletter, my goal is to stay out of politics and report on the facts around accessible travel — but I am consistent in my belief that the Department of Transportation should be advancing policies to improve the disabled passenger experience on planes, trains and automobiles. Under the leadership of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the DOT seems to be moving in the opposite direction by halting consumer protections enacted under the last administration. I am disappointed in Duffy’s performance thus far, but I will continue to advocate for policies that promote equal access to transportation for everyone.
I work hard to cover the latest news in the world of accessible travel, and publish explainers to help you make sense of the goings-on in the industry. Would you consider supporting my work by becoming a member today?
Upgrade today
News Roundup:
On many Fridays throughout the year, I publish a round-up of the latest accessible travel news stories — check out the latest edition here:
News Roundup: 49ers ADA Seating Woes and Wheelchair Weight Limits
A round-up of accessible travel news from around the world, including stories on new wheelchair weight limits, the power of all-terrain wheelchairs and accessible family travel.
College Soccer and Arlington National Cemetery
Speaking of D.C — I have just returned from a few days in the nation’s capital, where I wrapped work around a college soccer game (congratulations to the Lady ‘Noles for advancing in the NCAA Tournament with their win over Georgetown!).
During my time in the nation’s capital, I was also able to tour Arlington National Cemetery, which I last visited during my 4th grade safety patrol trip.
There, I found a hop-on/hop-off shuttle with a wheelchair lift. The narrated tour took me to various points within the 639 acre cemetery, where more than 400,000 American service members are buried. While much of the cemetery is accessible, with paved roadways throughout, some areas — including the gravesite of President William Howard Taft — appeared to be inaccessible (I could not find an accessible route).
Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a highlight of my visit — it raised feelings of gratitude for the sacrifices others have made in support of the United States. May God bless them all.
Catching up on accessible hotel reviews
I stay in a lot of hotels and have a long list of hotels worth recommending — I have been working to publish reviews of some of those properties and today have two more to share. The first is a hotel in Barcelona where I have stayed multiple times:
Wheelchair Accessible Room at Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Catalunya
This wheelchair accessible hotel in the heart of Barcelona has roll-in showers and is within walking distance of major attractions.
My second review is of a hotel in Athens, Greece — If you are traveling there alone (and not on one of my group tours), this affordable property in the heart of Athens is worth considering:
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room at Moxy Athens City
The Moxy Athens City has wheelchair-friendly hotel rooms with roll-in showers, centrally located with convenient access to Metro lines M1 and M2.
I have catalogued accessible hotels in many of the accessible travel guides created for cities that I have visited — to find those and other resources, start with my list of Wheelchair Accessible Destinations Around the World.
2026 Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Portugal Goes On Sale Next Week
When I founded Wheelchair Travel Tours, Portugal was the very first destination I chose to take travelers. I have offered the tour every year (except 2025), and am excited to announce that I will be returning there with a group in 2026!
The Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Portugal is scheduled to take place from September 16-25, 2026. The 10-day tour itinerary will highlight the best in Portuguese history, art, culture and gastronomy, and I am extremely excited to share it with you!
The complete tour itinerary will be released on Monday, December 1 at 10:00 a.m. ET (New York time), exclusively to paid members of this newsletter. Paid members will have a private booking window of 48 hours. If spaces remain, bookings will be opened to free subscribers on Wednesday, December 3.
If you would like to be among the first to receive this trip opportunity and future information about accessible group tours, please upgrade your subscription in advance of the tour release.
Become a member
The spirit of Thanksgiving
I have shared the following words before, but share them again with you because they remain true — and, whether you are a longtime reader who has read them in Thanksgivings past, or a new member of this community, I want you to know how much this work — and you — you mean to me:
I am not typically a fan of holidays. But Thanksgiving offers us an opportunity to gather with family and friends, reflecting on our lives in the spirit of gratitude.
And so, with Thanksgiving Day nearly upon us, I want to thank you. Not just for your readership and support, but for inspiring me with an ever-renewed purpose. Your stories, dreams, desires and frustrations encourage me to push for an accessible world, in whatever small way that I can.
In every travel talk and speech that I give, I start by highlighting the reasons to find joy in travel. Always first and most important to me are the incredible people I am fortunate to meet, and the relationships that develop from those meetings.
When I founded WheelchairTravel.org over ten years ago, I chose “Open Your World” as its tagline. I hoped to encourage in each of you an expanding worldview — not just through travel, but also in interacting with and experiencing diverse people, cultures, art, history, music, theatre, sport, nature, cuisine, etc.
And, with so many of you using this website to do just that, I am especially thankful in the season for our community’s growth in perspective, and the opportunities each of us have to influence understanding in others.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with happiness, love and gratitude.
I have been particularly blessed this year — my engagement to Stevie, and welcoming Robert into my life as a son, has brought life-changing joy. I am grateful too for your well wishes as we look forward to our wedding in the spring. Thank you for your continued readership and for supporting our work!
Talk to you soon,
— John
