How Well Does Las Vegas Accommodate Disabled Visitors?

Updated July 25, 2023

 

Las Vegas has been working on its accessibility since day one of the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. 

 

The city has more wheelchair-accessible guestrooms than any other city in the country and all the major and most of the minor hotels have rooms with roll-in or transfer showers and tubs with built-in and/or portable seats.

  

All casinos have wheelchair-accessible slot machines and video poker and most should also be able to accommodate wheelchairs at their table games. Every pit we've approached has confirmed that they're happy to accommodate wheelchairs at their crap tables and place bets for patrons unable to reach, though some sounded happier than others to do so; we got the distinct impression from several that you'd be more welcome on slow shifts than at a full table, where they couldn't guarantee being able to help you. Las Vegas is a seller's market these days, so you'll need to shop around (just call and ask for the shift supervisor) until you find a place that'll treat you right.

 

Wheelchair seating is also available in most lounges and showrooms, although this is not always available as an option if you book online, so you may need to call the box office to arrange special seating requirements.

 

When it comes to pool access, most of the larger hotel pools have lifts to assist you getting in and out and some, like the Rio and Mandalay Bay, have beach access. Again, check when you make your reservation.

 

 

Transportation 

• The Deuce bus (the double decker servicing the Strip and downtown), the Las Vegas Strip Trolley, and the Las Vegas Monorail are all wheelchair-accessible.

• Every cab firm in the city has one or more wheelchair-friendly cars, but you need to call in advance to find out where they are and how long it will take them to get to you (bear in mind that, in our experience, the average wait for a regular cab here is approximately 45 minutes.) The cab companies do not accept reservations.

• Most of the fee-charging airport shuttles are wheelchair-accessible, but some aren't not and some require prior reservation. 

• Scooter Moves offers luxury transportation for those with 3-wheel scooters to and from anywhere in Las Vegas (including gate meets at the airport with scooter and/or oxygen). There's the choice of a Lincoln limousine or Town Car service and all vehicles are equipped with a state-of-the-art lift system, which allows the scooter to be safely and discreetly housed inside the vehicle's trunk. For more information, call 702/248-2631 or 1-800-621-1535.

• Wheelchair Getaways of Nevada provides wheelchair-accessible van rentals for people with disabilities. Prices are $105 for 1-3 days, $100 for 4-7 days, $95 for 8-14 days, and $85 for 15 or more days. Vans can accommodate 2 wheelchair users. The maximum height of the side entrance is 53.5", the ramp width is 29.75", and the door width is 30". Interiors are 57" inside at the center. Requirments: Valid driver's license, minimum driver age of 23, and current automobile insurance.

• Milage fees: 100 FREE miles/day, overage miles $0.35/mile. Pick-up and drop-off fees: $25 fee for pick up at our storage location, located at 989 S. Boulder Hwy. Delivery to the airport is $35 and pick-up at the airport is $35. For further information visit http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com/lasvegas.htm or call 602/494-8257

• Should you need the use of an electric scooter during your stay, you'll find most of the major Strip casinos and many of those downtown, including the Four Queens, Golden Nugget, and Plaza, have scooters available on the premises; others, like the Fremont, will have one specially delivered for you. Either way, they're all actually supplied by outside companies and the rates seem to be the same everywhere. For a one-day only rental, it's $40 and on a sliding scale thereafter, depending on the number of days you wish to rent for: Two days is $70, three is $90, and five to seven days runs $120 or $125.

 

If you know you're going to need a scooter, our advice is to call ahead to the bell desk of the hotel where you're staying and make sure they reserve one for you. If your hotel doesn't offer this service, here are the numbers for some companies around town that supply electric scooters, wheelchairs, and wheelchair accessible vans:

 

• Ability Center, 6001 S. Decatur Blvd., 702/434-3030: This company is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and charges $40/day or $175 for 5-7 days or longer. They need at least one week's notice and don't deliver; you have to collect.

• Active Mobility, 702/736-4399: Prices start at the standard $40/day or $120 for a 5 to 7 day rental, both of which include delivery to your hotel. In general, they like a week's notice, but can usually deliver within an hour if necessary.

• Desert Medical Equipment, 5030 S Decatur Blvd., 702/876-9171: $40/day or $140/week.

• Medical Mobility, 702/233-3770. There's a three-day minimum rental, which is $75 plus a $50 delivery/pick-up fee (waived if you're able to collect and return the scooter yourself). Weekly rental is $120 or $225 per month. Opening hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.