Although sports for athletes with physical impairments has existed in several forms over the past century, the first Paralympic Games took place in Rome, Italy, in 1960 featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. Since the Summer Games of Seoul, Korea, in 1988 and the Winter Games in Albertville, France, in 1992, the Games have also taken part in the same cities and venues as the Olympics.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which will take place between 28 August and 8 September, will bring together as many as 4,400 athletes from around the world. The athletes will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports.
Below we have collected stories about and memoirs from famous Paralympians for both adult and youth readers.
Adventure is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program. This week we’re featuring books in our collection about travel. But we don’t want you just to read about adventure. Consequently, we’ve included links to resources with accessibility information for disabled travelers. We want everyone to be able to travel as easily and comfortably as possible. So, if you’ve been putting off that bucket list trip due to the travails of traveling with a disability, put it off no longer. And for those who prefer to experience travel through a good book, we have an armchair traveler section at the end.
The Right to Receive Information About Services and Aircraft Capabilities and Limitations.
he Right to Receive Information in an Accessible Format.
The Right to Accessible Airport Facilities.
The Right to Assistance at Airports.
The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.
The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal.
The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations.
The Right to Accessible Aircraft Features.
The Right to Resolution of a Disability-Related Issue.
Know your Resources
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality: is a non-profit organization that advocates and creates resources and opportunities for disabled travelers. Among their resources includes tips for travelers of all disabilities, a compilation of rights that disabled travelers should know, and lists of accessible activities in many cities. Some of their most valuable articles include:
How to travel with a speech impairment
How to travel with a sight impairment or blindness
How to travel with a hearing impairment or deafness
Autism and airport travel safety tips
How to travel with an older adult
Avis Rent A Car Launches “Avis Access” for Travelers with Disabilities
Toll-Free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities
U. S. Airport Sensory Rooms:Sensory rooms enhance the airport experience for travelers with autism and special needs by providing soft lighting and other features to reduce anxiety before a flight.
Travel How to Books
ACCESS ANYTHING: I CAN DO THAT! ADVENTURING WITH DISABILITIES by Andrea Jehn Kennedy (DB 69444)
AIR TRAVEL FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS by Cory Lee (DB 115733)
TWENTY-TWO ACCESSIBLE ROAD TRIPS: DRIVING VACATIONS FOR WHEELERS AND SLOW WALKERS by Candy Harrington (DB 75991)
Armchair Travel Books
I DIDN’T HEAR THE DRAGON ROAR by Frances M. Parsons (DB 28448, BR 07658)
I’LL PUSH YOU: A JOURNEY OF 500 MILES, TWO BEST FRIENDS, AND ONE WHEELCHAIR by Patrick Gray (DB 89784)
MILO’S EYES: HOW A BLIND EQUESTRIAN AND HER “SEEING EYE HORSE” RESCUED EACH OTHER by Lissa Bachner (DB 110604, BR 24622)
SENSE OF THE WORLD: HOW A BLIND MAN BECAME HISTORY’S GREATEST TRAVELER by Jason Roberts (DB 62703, BR 16660)
SEVEN-TENTHS: LOVE, PIRACY, AND SCIENCE AT SEA by David Fisichella (DB 71749, BR 19090)
SITES UNSEEN: TRAVELING THE WORLD WITHOUT SIGHT by Wendy S. David (DB 73854)
TRAVELS IN A BLUE CHAIR: ALASKA TO ZAMBIA, USHUAIA TO ULURU; A SERIES OF SHORT STORIES by Walt Balenovich (DB 67926)
UNHEARD: A MEMOIR OF DEAFNESS AND AFRICA by Josh Swiller (DB 67060)
UNSEEN TRAIL: THE STORY OF A BLIND HIKER’S JOURNEY ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL by Michael O. Hanson (DBC 02612)
YEAR OF SUNDAYS: TAKING THE PLUNGE (AND OUR CAT) TO EXPLORE EUROPE by Edward D. Webster (DB 64156, BR 15594)
