If you’re looking to make your considering investing in wheelchair accessible vacation rentals, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll talk about what it takes to make your rental wheelchair friendly.

This post covers wheelchair ramps to grab bars and everything in between. Wheelchair accessible vacation rentals is not only good for business, but it’s also the right thing to do. Travelers with disabilities deserve to have an exceptional experience when they visit your property!

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today! 

What Is A Wheelchair Accessible Vacation Rental?

A wheelchair-accessible vacation rental is a property that has been specifically adapted to accommodate guests with disabilities. These properties typically feature ramps, wider doorways, and other features that make them more accessible for those who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Many vacation rentals also offer special equipment such as wheelchair-accessible showers and kitchens.

Why Make Wheelchair Accessible Vacation Rentals?

An important reason to make your home a wheelchair-accessible vacation rental is that it can significantly increase your potential customer base. By making your rental property accessible to those with mobility impairments, you are opening up your business to a whole new group of people who may not have considered staying at your property before.

Many booking platforms like Airbnb and VRBO allow guests to search by accessibility features like “Guest entrance wider than 32 inches”, “step-free entrances,” “toilet grab bar,” etc. When your listing has these features, it will rank higher in a guest’s search. 

Secondly, making your rental property wheelchair accessible is simply the right thing to do. Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy their vacation, and no one should have to miss out because of a lack of accessibility. By making your property accessible, you are helping to create a more inclusive world where everyone can enjoy their vacations.

10 Ideas for Making Your Rental Wheelchair Accessible

If you’re looking for ideas on how to make your rental home more wheelchair accessible, here are a few suggestions:

1. Make sure that the home entrance is easily accessible for someone in a wheelchair. 

This could include having a ramp leading up to the front door or ensuring there is enough space inside the front door for a wheelchair to maneuver. 

2. It is vital that parking is easily accessible and not far away from the guest entrance. 

Do all that you can to ensure parking is on-premises. If that is not possible, be sure to include detailed instructions for parking options in your check-in messages.

3. Pay attention to doorways and hallways. 

Please make sure they are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and that there are no obstacles in the way that could make it difficult or impossible for someone in a wheelchair to get around.

4. Add grab bars

Consider adding grab bars in the bathroom and other places where someone in a wheelchair might need extra support.

5. Consider alternatives for stairs

If your rental home has stairs, make sure there is an alternative way for someone in a wheelchair to get to the different levels of the home. This could include having a ramp or an elevator.

6. Make sure your rental is spotless and uncluttered. 

If you have a guest arriving with accessibility difficulties, let your cleaning crew know so they can pay extra attention when organizing the rental.

7. Pay special attention to the kitchen. 

Make sure that someone in a wheelchair can easily reach all of the appliances and countertops. Consider adding adjustable shelves and lower countertops to make it easier for someone in a wheelchair to prepare meals.

8. Think about the outdoor areas of your rental home.

Is there a wheelchair-accessible path to the front door? Is there a ramp or elevator that would allow someone in a wheelchair to access the backyard or patio? Are there any obstacles in the way that could make it difficult for someone in a wheelchair to move around?

9. Place your furniture well

Make sure all of the furniture in your rental home is placed to make it easy for someone in a wheelchair to move around. This could include moving chairs and couches away from walls and making sure there is enough space for a wheelchair to maneuver.

10. Secure carpets

If you have any rugs or carpets in your rental home, make sure they are securely fastened to the floor so that they don’t pose a tripping hazard or trip up a wheel.

How to Let Guests Know You Have a Wheelchair Accessible Rental

Once you’ve made these adjustments to your home, be sure to update them to your listing! Whether you’re using Airbnb, VRBO, or a direct booking site, it is essential to clearly include accessibility in your listing. This will get the right eyes on your property faster!

Secondly, if you have a Facebook or Instagram account for your listing (which you should!), be sure to share photos that show off your home’s accessibility features. You can even use relevant hashtags, like #wheelchairaccessible or #accessibletravel, to reach a wider audience.

Thirdly, it is always helpful to partner with local organizations that focus on accessible travel. You can promote your listing on their website or social media channels, and they may even be able to help with the marketing materials you provide to guests.

Finally, remember that word-of-mouth is always one of the best forms of marketing. If you have had great experiences with guests who have used your rental’s accessibility features, ask them for a review or testimonial that you can share with potential guests.

Final Thoughts

Making your vacation rental accessible is a great way to show all travelers that you care about their experience, regardless of ability. By following the tips above, you can make sure your rental home is wheelchair accessible and ready for guests. With a little bit of effort, you can make your vacation rental stand out from the competition and provide an exceptional experience for all guests.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!