Accessible Travel Tips

Why we’re providing this information:

According to the CDC, 1,055,353 adults in Maryland have a disability. That boils down to 1 in 4 Marylanders with a mobility, sensory, cognitive, hearing, or sight disability. In the U.S., 61 million have a disability that significantly impacts their life. Disabilities are wide-ranging and diverse and aren’t always visible. “Invisible disabilities” are real, and they greatly impact day-to-day functioning for many individuals.

Just so you know... Disability parking etiquette, it’s the law

Let’s start with parking. You might have noticed the blue wheelchair symbol on parking spaces and signs throughout the county. Those spaces are provided as part of the ADA parking accommodation that provides shorter and safer accessible routes to accessible building entrances. Specific state laws and accommodations regarding handicapped parking spaces can be found here, on the MVA website. For example, in Maryland, persons with disabilities are exempt from paying parking meter fees, for up to four hours, in certain locations. Check with the local jurisdiction first, as this accommodation can vary in different locations and nearby Washington, DC.

Handicap Symbol on Pavement in Howard County, Maryland

Stopping or parking in a handicapped space is reserved for those with vehicles displaying handicapped tags or placards. Vehicles not bearing these tags or placards are subject to fines of up to $500 for parking, or stopping, even for a “few minutes,” in these spaces. Please be respectful of our visitors with disabilities and leave the handicapped spaces open for them.

And please, don’t block access to these spaces, or the curb cuts, even if you’re running an errand inside a store, or delivering something, for only a few moments. Curb cuts and ramps are sections of the sidewalk cut out to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility scooter to cross from the parking pavement to the sidewalk. Curb cuts and ramps are vital access points to those who rely on mobility aids.

Take a Hike, for Free!

Having a disability can get expensive. From mounting costs paying for necessities like mobility aids,  and costly medications, people with disabilities are rarely able to enjoy less expensive options for transportation, housing, or assistance in the home. According to studies by the United Way of the National Capital Area, 50 percent of Marylanders with disabilities live below the ALICE threshold. It’s nice to know that there are some options for people with disabilities to save money and get out and explore the great outdoors. The U.S. National Park Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources offer disability access passes granting free lifetime entry to national and state parks. Being outside in nature helps boost anyone’s mood, especially the mood and mental health of someone who struggles daily with disabilities.

For information on how to obtain the America the Beautiful The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass click here. For the Universal Disability Pass for Maryland State Parks click here. Passes are good for a lifetime and do not need to be renewed.

Keep on Rollin'

Guests with disabilities can rent mobility equipment while visiting Howard County. Check out Mobility City or The Scooter Shop, both in Elkridge. Both stores have a wide variety of mobility scooters and wheelchairs for rent. Services also include sales and repairs. Mobility City serves several Maryland counties and provides shop-to-home deliveries. Call ahead for at least a week or two, if possible, to reserve your rental at either place.

Nearby Skiing and Snow Sports

Liberty Mountain Resort
78 Country Club Trail
Carroll Valley, PA 17320

Liberty Mountain has been home to Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports, Inc. (BRASS) www.brasski.org a nonprofit organization and a chapter of Move United https://moveunitedsport.org/ for many years. Offers ski and snowboard instruction for people with disabilities at Liberty Mountain Resort, including visually impaired/CI, stand-up skiing, or sit-down skiing with the use of special equipment. Adaptive snow sports provide the freedom that people with disabilities crave through adaptive outdoor activities and recreation.

BRASS offers adaptive lessons Fridays through Sundays during the season by reservation. For more information and to reserve a lesson, visit https://www.brasski.org/reservations.html.

Come stay a while. In addition to adaptive sports, the Liberty Mountain Resort hotel offers 3 Queen ADA accessible rooms in the Highland (the Highland also provides an elevator); 2 King ADA accessible rooms in the Alpine; and 2 King ADA accessible rooms in the Fairway. The ADA rooms in the Alpine and the Fairway are on the first level. Accessible parking is provided in the paved parking lots (except for the Fairway. Park at the Highland instead and enter through the main lobby). Please note, the indoor pool does not have a chair lift. Visit https://www.libertymountainresort.com/ for more information.

Additional Disability Resources

HOWARD COUNTY DISABILITY SERVICES
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/disability-services

HOWARD COUNTY OFFICE OF ADA COORDINATION
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/ada-coordination

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND – HOWARD COUNTY
https://somdhc.org/

MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
8169 Old Montgomery Road Ellicott City, MD 21043
https://www.msd.edu/
Email: Columbia@msd.edu