NOTE: This was a question with a very particular requirement, but the information in the answer can be helpful to anyone visiting Los Angeles or Anaheim!
Q: Best places to stay for Star Wars 2015 Anaheim Convention Centre?
Q: Looking for suggestions of places to stay in L.A., preferably with a pool?
“My son is travelling to California (from Jersey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom) in April 2015 to attend the Star Wars Convention. He and his friends are arriving into LAX around 4 April and leaving the day after the convention on 20 April – the convention runs from 16-19 April….Rather than being stuck out at the convention centre, however, it seems that it takes 2 hours and many changes on public transport to get to convention centre area from Long Beach which is too long. Due to ages of travellers (16-22) hiring a car is probably going to be a no no! Could maybe consider staying in LA for the first part and moving to a hotel near the convention centre for the 2nd part. I’m sure a trip to Disneyland will be on the cards too. My son is blind and has some mobility issues so its useful to bear that in mind. Any info on places/areas to stay and getting around would be very appreciated. Thanks, Emma” ~ Emma T., Jersey, United Kingdom
LAX – Theme Building (copyright 2014 JoshWillTravel)
A: Special Needs Travelers shouldn’t worry about visiting Los Angeles or Anaheim. It just takes proper planning and a good companion. Your son’s blindness and mobility issues shouldn’t prevent him from having a great time in California.
Pico Medical Supply – 6035 W Pico Blvd, L.A., CA 90035 (323) 936-4104 http://www.picomedical.com If you need a wheelchair (electric or standard), they have the best rental rates. They can also supply other mobility and special needs equipment.
Braille Institute Of America is a good resource if you need information about Los Angeles for the blind. (it’s FREE!) 741 N Vermont Ave, L.A., CA 90029 (323) 663-1111 email: la@brailleinstitute.org http://www.brailleinstitute.org/los-angeles-home-page.html
Los Angeles Visitor Info: http://www.discoverlosangeles.com
City of Los Angeles Dept on Disability: http://disability.lacity.org
LAX has a Guide for Individuals with Disabilities and provides transportation from gate to curb for Special Needs Travelers 310-337-5005 http://www.lawa.aero
4 April – Arrive LAX Los Angeles International
Free Shuttle to Custom Hotel from LAX, they have accessible rooms if required, and there are places to eat and shop within one block of the hotel. Custom Hotel: 8639 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 jdvhotels.com (310) 645-0400
Custom Hotel (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Taxi or use Lyft or Uber car service. The Bus Stop is one block away. Journey up Lincoln Blvd to Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach and Santa Monica. (see my other answers for things to do) Culver City has lots of restaurants and things to do as well.
Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority (“the Metro”): Metro Bus & Rail http://www.metro.net – http://www.metro.net/riding/riders-disabilities
Metro strives to ensure that its services (over 200 bus & rail routes) are fully accessible to those with disabilities. To assist those with visual impairments, Metro provides Braille-encoded and large type “Metro Flash Cards” for signaling the correct bus. For information please call 213.922.7023.
Metro is also the primary funding source for Access Services Incorporated, the federally-required ADA paratransit service. This service is offered to individuals whose disabilities prevent them from independently using regular bus or rail service. It’s comparable to fixed-route service and offers 24-hours curb-to-curb service. For information, call Access Services Incorporated at 1.800.827.0829
8 April – 14 April: 6 more days to relocate to another hotel and explore other areas of the city (Hollywood or Downtown L.A. are two good options for destinations, see previous Blogs for details and answers)
Transportation from Los Angeles to Anaheim: Greyhound goes from Union Station via Downtown L.A. to Anaheim for under $20.
Greyhound Bus Lines 1716 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 (213) 629-8401 http://www.greyhound.com
14 April – 15 April Disneyland & California Adventure
16 April – 19 April Anaheim Convention Center
Hilton Anaheim, Anaheim Marriott and the Disneyland Hotel are good choices and close to the Convention Center and Disneyland
Disneyland Guest Services: 714-781-4565 https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/ Visit the website for “Guests with Disability” info and downloadable guides to the park and services.
Disneyland Fireworks!
Transportation from Anaheim to LAX: return to Union Station via Greyhound and then take the Metro train direct to LAX.
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ADA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008
An Act To restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/ada.cfm http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/adaaa.cfm
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall issue minimum guidelines that shall supplement the existing Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design….supplemental guidelines issued under subsection (a) of this section shall establish additional requirements, consistent with this chapter, to ensure that buildings, facilities, rail passenger cars, and vehicles are accessible, in terms of architecture and design, transportation, and communication, to individuals with disabilities.
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SNG CERTIFIED ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL ADVOCATE
