Oregon, the first fully accessible U.S. state to travel

15-09-25

Oregon has reached a milestone by becoming the first state in the United States to offer a fully verified accessible travel destination. This means that anyone planning to visit Oregon no longer has to hope that accommodations, restaurants, or attractions will meet special needs: there is now reliable and verified accessibility information for hotels, activities, parks, and restaurants throughout the state. What makes this achievement special is that it is not merely about promises or generic listings; there is a concrete and methodical effort to measure what truly matters to travelers with disabilities and to provide images so that what is described matches what visitors will actually find on site.

This initiative is the result of collaboration between Wheel the World and Travel Oregon. These organizations have surveyed the state, physically measuring specific accessibility features such as entrances, bathrooms, auditory or tactile guides, mobility-related access, and many other details—carrying out dozens of measurements per location, with more than 200 at some hotels alone—to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.

This approach allows Oregon to offer an extraordinary variety of accessible landscapes and experiences: rugged coastline to the west, sand dunes to the east, mountains to the north, forests to the south, waterfalls, lakes, and panoramic views that might be challenging elsewhere but here come with verified accessibility options.

The state has been divided into seven regions, each with its own particular charm, to help travelers plan accessible trips: the Oregon Coast (ideal for a scenic road trip), Central Oregon with adapted outdoor adventures, inclusive Portland as a vibrant city, the wide-open East with vast spaces, the South with its natural beauty and small towns, the Columbia River Gorge, and Oregon’s renowned wine country. Each guide—covering hotels, activities, and restaurants—features verified places, allowing visitors to make safe choices and enjoy their trip with confidence.

The significance of this initiative goes far beyond convenience: it represents a shift in how accessible tourism is understood. It is no longer something marginal, optional, or a matter of luck; instead, the entire experience is thoughtfully designed for different bodies, senses, and ways of traveling. Having verified information, with detailed descriptions and real photos, means that travelers with disabilities can plan in advance what used to remain uncertain.

Oregon not only offers spectacular natural scenery but has also built a transparent system: adapted spaces, reliable data and visuals, multiple regions to choose from, and an inclusive tourism proposal that serves as a model. Now, anyone traveling there can look at the maps, guides, and photos and decide what best suits their needs without guesswork or risk. Oregon thus establishes itself as the premier accessible destination in the United States—a place where exploring, discovering, relaxing, and enjoying is possible for everyone.

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