In her most recent book, accessible-travel expert Candy Harrington has focused on a very specific audience: those travelers who use wheelchairs, walkers, or otherwise have mobility limitations. Happily, she’s done it with her usual thoroughness, passion, and attention to detail.

In this third edition of Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, Ms. Harrington has included updated travel rules and regulations (for travel both inside and outside of the United States), added even more insider travel tips to help readers navigate confidently among the maze of travel systems and providers, and addressed both airlines and cruises. In addition, she take a “start-to-finish” approach that includes practical information about budget travel options, how and when to use travel agents, nailing down an accessible hotel room, and even what to expect with accessible shore excursions.

Written in a first-person, conversational style that includes valuable (and entertaining) personal travel anecdotes, the guide is also strong on information resources for each topic covered, giving readers the opportunity to track down further information in areas of interest. The 100 new photographs in this updated edition both clarify the text and provide further enticement to those who have been unsure about traveling with a mobility limitation to “give it a try.”

Accessible Travel Bible
The previous edition of Harrington’s Barrier-Free Travel for Wheelchair Users and Slow Walkers was described as “the Bible for barrier-free travel.” Clearly, with its consumer-friendly style, detailed and thorough information, and engaging presentation, this is the place to start for jumping into accessible travel.

Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, 3rd ed., by Candy B. Harrington. Demos Health, 2009. 200p. ISBN 1932603832.