Enabling the Disabled

Just a note of appreciation for your column (“5 Years Later, Disabilities Law Gets Mixed Response,” Travel Insider, Aug. 10) illustrating the frustrating lack of Americans With Disabilities Act implementation in the U.S. hotel industry.

Disabled people like myself can never assume a hotel is accessible despite promises made by phone reservation agents. Upon arrival, we often must cope with barely accessible rooms that include tiny bathrooms more suitable for gymnasts or Munchkins.

Our best resources are invariably other disabled travelers who can verify access issues and offer valuable information. Years of frustrating travel experiences motivated me to start a Web page (https://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/) where disabled travelers can share such information.

Eventually more people in the travel industry will get the message that disabled people are a valuable economic group.

MARTI GACIOCH

Cardiff

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Thanks for a well-written article and a wonderful cartoon! I’m a wheelchair user myself and director of a service center to assist those with disabilities to live as independently as possible. I also co-produce a show called “Access Unlimited” on KPFK on Fridays.

MARTHA GRISWOLD

Pasadena