Tips for hosting guests with accessibility needs
Guests with accessibility needs want to know how well a place can accommodate them before they book. They can filter Airbnb search results for specific features, like step-free access and a disabled parking spot.
Homes confirmed to be suitable for wheelchair users are also highlighted in the Adapted Category. To qualify, your place must have step-free access to an entrance, at least one bedroom and a bathroom with modifications like grab rails or a shower seat.
It’s essential to provide clear and accurate information about your home. Here are some tips for creating an inviting space that guests with accessibility needs can book with confidence.
Add accessibility features to your listing
Features that can help your place stand out include:
- Disabled parking spot
- Lit path to the guest entrance
- Step-free access to the guest entrance
- Step-free access to rooms
- Entrances wider than 32 inches (81 centimetres)
- Step-free shower
- Toilet and/or shower grab rails
- Shower or bath chair
- Ceiling or mobile hoist
- Swimming pool or hot tub hoist
All accessibility features are reviewed according to Airbnb’s accessibility guidelines before they’re published on your listing. If a feature doesn’t meet the guidelines or isn’t clearly shown in a photo, we may ask you to upload a different photo or remove the feature from your listing.
Sharing multiple photos of each room helps guests determine whether your home meets their needs.
Write a descriptive caption for each image. For instance, the caption for a photo of the bathroom could add details: ‘This is the only bathroom in the house with step-free access. The toilet and shower have fixed grab rails.’
Take pictures from multiple angles. For example, photos of the bathroom might show the location of each grab rail and the wide, flat path across the floor to reach the toilet and shower.
Help guests feel welcome
Engage with guests when they message you about your home's accessibility features. Asking—and answering—just a few questions can make a big difference.
Examples of helpful conversation starters:
- What specific questions do you have about the home?
- What can I do to make your stay more comfortable?
Do your best to accommodate reasonable requests, like making your space easier to navigate. Consider whether small changes could help make guests feel welcome. A few ideas:
- Move furniture to create wider paths through rooms and spaces.
- Put household items like towels and dishes in easier-to-reach locations.
- Remove barriers to powerpoints.
Remember that not all places will work for all guests, whether or not they have accessibility needs. However, you can’t decline a reservation because someone has a disability, as noted in our Anti-Discrimination Policy. You also can’t charge a pet fee for service animals, which aren’t considered pets.
Create an inclusive guidebook
Your guidebook is an opportunity to show off your hospitality and your city by sharing local tips. You can add recommendations for dining, sightseeing and outdoor activities.
When creating your guidebook, consider what travellers with accessibility needs might look for. For example, you could identify restaurants with ramps, walking trails with paved pathways and attractions with accessible seating. You could also share information about public transportation.
Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.