What to Do if Your Hotel Refuses to Store Your Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair Before You Arrive

Traveling with mobility equipment often requires advance planning, including arranging for your scooter, wheelchair, or other device to be delivered before you arrive. Sometimes hotels may hesitate or refuse to accept or store this equipment early. Here’s what you should know, including your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how you can advocate for reasonable accommodations.

Understanding Your Rights Under the ADA

The ADA requires hotels and other public accommodations to provide reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to ensure equal access for guests with disabilities. This is outlined in:

• 28 CFR § 36.302(c)(1) — Public accommodations must make reasonable modifications when necessary to avoid discrimination.

• 28 CFR § 36.401 — Hotels must remove barriers and provide accessible services.
  

While the ADA does not explicitly require early storage of mobility devices, refusing to accept or store equipment in a way that creates a barrier to your access could be considered discrimination if no reasonable alternative is provided.

Steps You Can Take

1. Ask to Speak with a Manager
Sometimes front desk staff may not fully understand the hotel’s obligations under the ADA.

2. Explain Your Need Clearly
Explain that your mobility device is essential and will be delivered by a professional rental company. You need reasonable accommodation so the equipment is ready when you arrive.

3. Reference the ADA
You can say:

“According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, under 28 CFR § 36.302(c)(1), hotels must make reasonable modifications to their policies to accommodate guests with disabilities. Accepting my mobility device early is a reasonable accommodation that enables me to use it upon arrival.”

4. Suggest Practical Solutions
Offer alternatives such as storing the equipment in the luggage room or another secure area until check-in.

5. Contact Your Rental Provider
If the hotel still refuses, your rental company (like KC Mobility Scooter Rentals) can coordinate delivery timing or meet you at check-in.

Final Thoughts

Most hotels want to provide good service and will cooperate once informed about their legal obligations and the importance of your equipment. Being informed, polite, and prepared with ADA references will help you advocate effectively.