Jacksonville, Florida, USA

JACKSONVILLE : Overview

OVERVIEW

Located in Northeastern Florida, Jacksonville is the largest city in land area, in the United States. It offers, visitors with a disability a chance to experience a variety of outdoor activities, and the downtown area itself has a beautiful skyline that shouldn’t be missed.  An accessible vacation in Jacksonville gives you an opportunity to explore the area easily. The highlight of the Jacksonville area is the outdoor activities – everything from swamp tours, to accessible deep sea fishing, to a day at an accessible beach. Accessibility in Jacksonville is very good.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the US dollar.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

JACKSONVILLE : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Jacksonville International Airport:  The Jacksonville International Airport is equipped to handle passengers with disabilities. Contact your airline ahead of time to coordinate assistance upon arrival. The airport has jet bridges for easy access, however there are a lot of smaller planes that fly into Jacksonville that won’t utilize a jet bridge. Be sure to check with your airline to verify your wheelchair will store easily in the belly of the plane. Companion/Family bathrooms are located throughout the airport. If you’re not able to locate a Companion/Family restroom, some restrooms have private wheelchair accessible rooms located inside the bathroom.

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FERRY

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

Gator Taxi: Gator Taxi offers wheelchair accessible taxi service, which should be reserved ahead of time or at the airport. The Gator Taxi serves local areas such as downtown Jacksonville, Arlington, St. Augustine, and the surrounding beach areas.

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SHUTTLE

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RENTAL CAR

Accessible Rental Vans of America: Accessible Rental Vans of America was previously Rainbow Wheels. ARVA was very easy to work with and dependable. Our driver dropped off the van at the Jacksonville International Airport, and met us at the luggage claim. He was on time and very courteous. Accessible Rental Van’s representative showed us how to use the tie downs, GPS, etc. The van was very reliable and clean. When we were ready to drop off the van, the rental van representative met us at a local Starbucks to drive over with us to the airport so that we wouldn’t have to worry about finding him at the airport.

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BUS

Jacksonville Transportation Authority: All buses are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with ramps or lifts for easy boarding access. Please visit the JTA website for details on current routes and schedules.

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TRAM

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TRAIN

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JACKSONVILLE : Accommodations

HOTELS

Aloft Hotel (W hotel):  The Aloft Hotel is a W hotel. The hotel was very quiet and is modern. Aloft is located across the street from a variety of fast food restaurants, a strip mall, and a drive through Starbucks. Accessibility at the Aloft was very good. The bed was at the correct height for transfer out of a wheelchair, and the desk was a good height to work at. The bathroom was also very accessible and roomy. It was equipped with a roll in shower, grab bars, removable shower nozzle, and a sink which was a good height for wheelchairs to roll underneath. Even though the room was accessible, note that all rooms at the W Hotels are typically smaller hotel rooms.

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LUXURY RESORTS

One Ocean Resort and Spa: The One Ocean Resort and Spa is located on the beach, in Atlantic Beach, about a 30 minute drive from Jacksonville Airport. The hotel is an upscale resort and has an elevator located near the grand staircase. The room was wheelchair accessible and had the international symbol for disability located outside the door above the room number. The bathroom was very spacious equipped with grab bars and a roll under sink. Note that there are a variety of accessible rooms at this hotel, however if you require a roll in shower, you must request it. The only challenge was that the bed was quite high for transferring out of a wheelchair into bed.

This resort is conveniently located in a touristy area near a plaza which gives you a variety of options of restaurants and bars to choose from, including a cigar bar. Small shops are also sprinkled between some of the restaurants and bars.

Since One Ocean Resort and Spa is located on the beach, there is beach access for people who utilize a wheelchair or mobility device. There is a long wooden ramp to get you to the beach which ends on a wooden platform. The platform doesn’t go along the beach, just to the beach front. It’s a great viewing point to relax by the ocean or soak up some Florida rays.

Guests at the One Ocean Resort and Spa have access to a nearby golf course, called Queen’s Harbor Yacht and Country Club, which is only open to members, and guests of the resort.

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JACKSONVILLE : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

Anchors Aweigh Charters: Anchors Aweigh Charters is a wheelchair Accessible fishing boat that has been modified with a variety of accessible features to accommodate people with disabilities. The boat is located on Amelia Island, and is free to those who have a physical or developmental disability. There is an application process for people with disabilities to qualify. Please visit the Anchors Aweigh website for further details.

Beaches: The Jacksonville Beach coast is lined with fabulous beaches, and there are three areas which provide wheelchair accessible access.

-          5th Avenue North (has accessible restroom)

-           Beach Blvd. and 1st Street– Access from boardwalk

-          6th Avenue South (has accessible restroom)

The Lifeguard Station has beach wheelchairs for use upon request. Please contact them at (904) 249-9141 for further information or to reserve a beach wheelchair.

Golf: Jacksonville offers golf in a variety of locations throughout the city. If you’re a guest at the One Ocean Resort and Spa, you can enjoy the privilege of playing 18 holes at the Queen’s Harbor Yacht and Country Club, which is a semi-privately owned club.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is wheelchair accessible. The park offers wheelchair, both motorized and manual wheelchairs, which can be rented for the day. The wheelchairs for rent are located across from the train near the gate.

Museum of Science and Industry: The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is located about 20 miles away from the airport. It’s a place for the whole family to enjoy, especially the kids. There are many interactive exhibits throughout the museum and many other things to enjoy, including an Imax theater. The MOSI is wheelchair accessible.

Okefenokee Adventures: Okefenokee Adventures is located at a National Wildlife Refuge in a wetland ecosystem. Here you can explore and learn about a variety of creatures that live in the swamp ecosystem. The park is actually located in Folkston, Georgia, about an hour 1/2 drive from the Jacksonville International Airport. The park is fully wheelchair accessible, and wheelchair accessible guided boat tours are offered.  To book a wheelchair accessible tour, it’s advised to contact the park at least a day in advance so they can coordinate the accessible boat and captain.

“Our boat tour was wheelchair accessible! To board the boat the facility has an accessible wood ramp and dock. The boat was actually a pontoon boat that we boarded via aluminum ramp. On the tour, we saw several large alligators, heron, a red belly turtle and a variety of other living creatures in the swamp. Our Captain was very knowledgeable about the ecosystem and history in the surrounding area. The park also provides wheelchair accessible restrooms and there is an accessible gift shop and restaurant located on the property. After the park visit, we ate at a local BBQ place in town, called Jalen’s, which was wheelchair accessible.” Darren, 3/8/2010

Sailability: Sailability offers opportunities for people with disabilities to learn how to sail. The boats are equipped to accommodate people with a disability. To learn more, please visit the Sailability website.

Veterans Memorial Wall: The Veterans Memorial is an outdoor memorial to pay commemoration to the veterans from all branches of service.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Clarks Fish Camp: Clark’s Fish Camp is one of Jacksonville’s most talked about restaurants. This rustic restaurant offers a variety of traditional and non-traditional types of cuisine, including a wide variety of seafood to choose from. The entire family will have a great time, just as long as, “y’all aren’t opposed to taxidermy.”

Jacksonville Millhouse: The Jacksonville Millhouse is more than just a steakhouse and seems to have one of the largest menus around. Accessibility at the Millhouse was very good.

Sticky Fingers: Sticky Fingers is known for the Memphis style ribs and pulled pork, whcih can be paired with a variety of their own special sauces. It’s a fun place for the whole family to enjoy and is wheelchair friendly.

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JACKSONVILLE : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Memorial Hospital

St. Lukes Hospital

Wolfson Children’s Hospital

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EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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JACKSONVILLE : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Jacksonville is full of swamps and waterways. During the summer months, precautions should be taken when enjoying the outdoors by wearing protective clothing or using a repellent to avoid getting bit by mosquitoes.

Jacksonville is the largest city in the United States and has a lot of sprawl. Visitors should map out their trip ahead of time, and a GPS system is highly recommended.

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