Paralyzed Veterans of America Hits the Road with First of Two-Part Hotel Accessibility Guide Series to Help Hospitality Industry Better Serve Guests with Mobility Disabilities

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) today released the first volume of its Best Practices in Hotel Accessibility Guide, a free resource designed to help hotels identify and address common barriers that make travel unsafe, uncomfortable, or even impossible for guests living with mobility disabilities.

Entitled "Welcoming Mobility Device Users," the first installment focuses on the lived experiences of people who use wheelchairs, scooters, canes, and other mobility devices. It offers practical recommendations hotels can implement to create a more accessible, welcoming guest experience. The second installment, "Planning and Hosting Wheelchair-Accessible Events," launches Dec. 4 and covers every stage of event accessibility, including access routes, food and beverage service, wheelchair seating, accessible staging, and hosting guests overnight.

"Finding a hotel that's truly accessible can be more difficult than it should be," said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer at PVA. "Our members have driven hundreds of miles only to find their reserved room had been given away. They've slept in their chairs because the bed was too high and even gone days without bathing because there was no roll-in shower. Sadly, these aren't isolated events. They are common barriers that prevent people with mobility disabilities from traveling with the same confidence, dignity, and independence as their counterparts."

To bring these issues to life, PVA is introducing the guide at hotel and hospitality industry conferences and events to raise awareness of the barriers travelers with mobility disabilities encounter, and to share recommendations to improve accessibility. PVA's first official stop is the TravelAbility Conference in Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 9, where PVA's Senior Advocacy Attorney Danica Gonzalves will lead a presentation entitled "Accessible Hotels, Better Business: Turning Accessibility into Opportunity." The session will share insights on how hotels can go beyond ADA requirements, improve accessibility, and recognize the business opportunities that come with creating more accessible guest experiences.

PVA will make its second stop at the Accessible Events Show in Alexandria, Virginia, on Dec. 4, where it will present two sessions: "Discovering and Remedying Accessibility Issues" and "Is This the Right Place? Conducting Site Visits for Accessible Events." The panels will be led by PVA Director of Architecture Mark Lichter; PVA Director of Meetings Hannah Buchholz; and Danica Gonzalves. Drawing on their expertise in accessible design, event planning, and advocacy, the presenters will demonstrate how to conduct accessible venue site visits and identify potential barriers before selecting an event location.

"Accessibility cannot be evaluated by checking a few boxes or simply meeting minimum building requirements," said Mark Lichter. "A room may technically meet accessibility standards and still be unusable for someone who needs to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed, maneuver a powerchair around furniture, or use a bathroom independently. Understanding how people actually use these spaces is essential to getting accessibility right. That's where firsthand experience, combined with technical expertise, makes a difference. And that's why this guide is so important – it gives hotels a roadmap to really fix these problems once and for all."

Each issue highlighted in the guide is accompanied by practical recommendations informed by PVA's decades of accessibility expertise and firsthand experiences of its members living with spinal cord injuries and diseases. It examines the entire journey: from researching and reserving a room to navigating hotel transportation, bathrooms, meetings spaces, and more. 

"One in four adults in the U.S. has a disability. Making accessibility a priority isn't just the right thing to do; it's also a smart business decision," said Hannah Buchholz. "Travelers with mobility disabilities want the same thing as every other guest: to enjoy their accommodations and fully participate in all the experiences the hotel has to offer. This guide helps hotels and planners understand what's missing and what they can do to better deliver that experience."

Since the 1980s, PVA has worked closely with the hospitality and lodging industries, providing guidance on accessible design, accommodations, and event planning. Its work reflects a longstanding commitment to moving accessibility beyond minimum compliance and creating environments that work for all people with disabilities.

To learn more about PVA's accessibility initiatives and download the first volume of its Best Practices in Hotel Accessibility Guide, visit PVA.org/AccessibleDesign.

About Paralyzed Veterans of America

Paralyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis. As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at PVA.org.

Contact: Signi Hescock
(802) 349-3845 cell
[email protected]

SOURCE Paralyzed Veterans of America