Millions of travelers have disabilities or mobility limitations. Their families and friends travel with them. Yet genuinely accessible vacation rentals remain scarce, creating both a market opportunity and a chance to serve an underserved community.
This guide covers how to evaluate your property’s accessibility and make meaningful improvements.
The Accessibility Opportunity
The Market Size
Statistics:
- 61 million Americans live with disabilities
- 1 in 4 adults has some type of disability
- Travelers with disabilities spend $17+ billion annually on travel
- Many travel with companions (multiplying economic impact)
The Gap
Despite demand, accessible vacation rentals are rare:
- Most listings don’t address accessibility
- “Accessible” often means minimal accommodations
- Detailed accessibility information is lacking
- Truly accessible properties are booked quickly
Beyond Compliance
Accessibility isn’t just about legal requirements (which may not apply to your rental). It’s about:
- Serving guests who need accommodations
- Reaching an underserved market
- Future-proofing your property
- Being a thoughtful host
Understanding Accessibility Needs
Types of Accessibility Considerations
Mobility:
- Wheelchair users
- Walker or cane users
- Limited stairs ability
- Balance issues
- Temporary mobility impairment (injury, surgery)
Visual:
- Blindness
- Low vision
- Light sensitivity
- Need for high contrast
Hearing:
- Deafness
- Hard of hearing
- Need for visual alerts
Cognitive:
- Memory issues
- Learning differences
- Need for clear, simple information
The Spectrum of Need
Accessibility isn’t binary. Guests have varying needs:
- Full wheelchair accessibility: Requires comprehensive accommodations
- Limited mobility: May need few stairs, grab bars, walk-in shower
- Occasional difficulty: Benefits from thoughtful features
- Traveling with mobility equipment: Needs space and charging
Understanding this spectrum helps you accurately describe what you offer.
Evaluating Your Property
Access to Property
Questions to assess:
- Is there step-free entry to the building?
- How wide is the entrance door?
- Is the path from parking/street accessible?
- Is there accessible parking nearby?
- Are there stairs to enter?
- Is there a ramp or can one be added?
Interior Navigation
Questions to assess:
- How wide are doorways? (32”+ needed for wheelchairs)
- How wide are hallways?
- Are there interior stairs?
- Can a wheelchair maneuver between rooms?
- Are floor surfaces smooth (vs. thick carpet)?
- Are there threshold bumps between rooms?
Bathroom Accessibility
The most critical area. Assess:
- Doorway width
- Space to maneuver
- Toilet height and clearance
- Grab bars (or walls that could support them)
- Shower type (step-in, walk-in, roll-in, tub)
- Shower seat availability
- Handheld showerhead
- Floor surface (non-slip)
Bedroom Accessibility
Assess:
- Can a wheelchair reach the bed?
- Is there space beside the bed?
- Bed height (too high or too low?)
- Accessibility to closet and storage
- Lighting controls reachable from bed
Kitchen Accessibility
Assess:
- Counter heights
- Reachable appliances and controls
- Under-counter clearance for wheelchair
- Cabinet and refrigerator accessibility
- Floor space for maneuvering
Accessibility Improvements
Low-Cost Improvements
Easy wins:
| Improvement | Cost | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Grab bars in bathroom | $30-$100 | High |
| Handheld showerhead | $20-$50 | Medium |
| Shower bench | $30-$100 | High |
| Raised toilet seat | $30-$60 | Medium |
| Non-slip bath mats | $15-$30 | Medium |
| Lever door handles | $15-$40 each | Medium |
| Better lighting | Varies | Medium |
| Remove throw rugs | Free | Low-Medium |
Medium-Cost Improvements
Meaningful upgrades:
| Improvement | Cost | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Wider doorways | $500-$1,500 each | High |
| Walk-in shower conversion | $2,000-$5,000 | High |
| Portable ramp | $200-$800 | High |
| Adjustable bed | $500-$2,000 | Medium |
| Smart home controls | $200-$500 | Medium |
Major Improvements
Significant investments:
| Improvement | Cost | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent ramp | $1,000-$8,000 | High |
| Bathroom renovation | $5,000-$15,000 | High |
| Elevator or lift | $15,000-$50,000 | High |
| Ground floor addition | $50,000+ | High |
Consider: Major improvements may increase property value and expand your market significantly.
Describing Accessibility Accurately
Be Specific
Vague accessibility claims frustrate guests. Be specific:
Instead of: “Accessible” Say: “Step-free entry, 32-inch doorways throughout, roll-in shower with bench”
Instead of: “Wheelchair friendly” Say: “Wheelchair can access main floor including bedroom and bathroom. Second floor not accessible.”
Key Information to Include
Entry:
- Number of steps (if any)
- Ramp availability and slope
- Door width
- Path surface
Interior:
- Floor plan accessibility
- Doorway widths
- Stairs required for which areas
- Flooring type
Bathroom:
- Shower/tub type
- Grab bars present
- Toilet height
- Door width
- Maneuvering space
Bedroom:
- Bed height
- Space around bed
- Which bedroom(s) accessible
Other:
- Parking accessibility
- Elevator or lift
- Common area accessibility
Photos That Help
Include photos of:
- Entry and any steps/ramp
- Doorways with context for width
- Bathroom layout
- Shower/tub accessibility features
- Bed and surrounding space
- Any accessibility equipment
Platform Accessibility Features
Airbnb accessibility filters:
- Step-free guest entrance
- Step-free path to entrance
- Wide entrance
- Step-free bedroom access
- Wide bedroom doorway
- Step-free bathroom access
- Wide bathroom doorway
- Shower chair
- Grab bars
- Handheld showerhead
- Roll-in shower
- Accessible toilet
- Ceiling hoist
Select only what you truly have. Inaccurate claims create terrible experiences.
Hosting Guests with Disabilities
Communication
Before booking:
- Respond to accessibility questions thoroughly
- Offer to provide additional photos
- Be honest about limitations
- Ask what specific needs they have
Before arrival:
- Confirm accessibility arrangements
- Offer to address specific needs
- Provide detailed access instructions
- Note any temporary obstacles
During the Stay
Be helpful without being intrusive:
- Available for questions
- Responsive to issues
- Don’t make assumptions
- Treat them as you would any guest
Gathering Feedback
After the stay:
- Ask for feedback on accessibility
- Learn what worked and what didn’t
- Improve based on real experiences
- Update listing if needed
Equipment and Amenities
Equipment to Consider
Potentially valuable:
- Shower chair or transfer bench
- Raised toilet seat
- Bedside commode
- Portable ramp
- Reacher/grabber tools
- Wheelchair (if space for storage)
Note: Some guests bring their own equipment. Ask what they need.
Information Guests May Need
Helpful to provide:
- Local medical equipment rental
- Accessible transportation options
- Accessible restaurants and attractions
- Nearest hospital
- Wheelchair repair services
Legal Considerations
What’s Required
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act):
- Generally applies to places of public accommodation
- Vacation rentals in gray area
- Properties with 5+ units or shared spaces more likely covered
- Individual homes less clearly covered
Fair Housing Act:
- Prohibits discrimination based on disability
- Applies to most rental housing
- Requires reasonable accommodations
State and local laws:
- May have additional requirements
- Some mandate specific disclosures
- Research your jurisdiction
Best Practice
Regardless of legal requirements:
- Don’t discriminate against guests with disabilities
- Provide accurate accessibility information
- Make reasonable accommodations when possible
- Be honest about limitations
The Business Case
Revenue Potential
Accessible properties can:
- Command premium rates (supply is limited)
- Achieve higher occupancy (underserved market)
- Attract longer stays (guests find accessible properties hard to find)
- Generate loyalty (guests return to properties that work)
Marketing Advantage
Standing out:
- Accessible properties are rare
- Detailed accessibility info is rarer
- Genuinely welcoming hosts rarer still
- Reviews mention positive experiences
Investment Analysis
When considering improvements:
Calculate:
- Cost of improvement
- Potential rate increase
- New bookings attracted
- Extended stays from accessibility seekers
- Property value increase
Many improvements pay for themselves and increase property value.
Creating a welcoming, accessible property benefits guests and your business. Learn how our management approach helps properties serve all guests effectively.
