June 2, 2025, 8:58 am | Read time: 20 minutes
How Does Traveling With a Disability Work? How Accessible Are Destinations? What Challenges Arise When Traveling With a Wheelchair? These and other questions were posed by TRAVELBOOK writer Anna Wengel (Chiodo) to Shane Hryhorec, the founder of “Wheel Around the World,” during an interview in Melbourne.
Accessibility plays only a marginal role in the travel industry. Much has been done in recent years in many places, but much more needs to change. One person who has dedicated his life to this change is Shane Hryhorec. Below, he shares his experiences of traveling with a Disability.
Who is Shane Hryhorec?
The native Australian has been in a wheelchair since a swimming accident in 2007 caused a spinal cord injury. He doesn’t let that get him down. He travels the world with his wheelchair, documenting both his good and bad experiences. Shane’s YouTube channel “Wheel Around the World” and its connected channels reach millions of viewers. With the initiative “Accessible Beaches,” the son of a Ukrainian father has made (so far) 160 Australian beaches accessible. Recently, he created a barrier-free wellness and health center in Port Adelaide with “Co-able.” Not least, Shane was nominated this year for the Australian of the Year award as a “Local Hero.”
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Shane Hryhorec in an Interview with TRAVELBOOK
I had the opportunity to meet Shane in Melbourne, Australia, for an interview, where he lives about half the time. The other half, he resides in his hometown of Adelaide or travels the world with his wheelchair and camera. If I may add a personal note: I am genuinely impressed and touched by the energy, humor, and ease with which Shane talks about his work and his not always positive experiences of traveling in a wheelchair. Here’s what he told me:
TRAVELBOOK: How much time do you spend traveling?
Shane Hryhorec: I travel abroad at least once a year, every other year, to Europe, and often to Germany. However, I only started “Wheel Around the World” twelve months ago. Before that, I was usually on the road for one to three months. Last year, I traveled five out of the twelve months.
Where do you like to go in Germany?
Every other year, a disability organization I’m part of hosts a large fair in Düsseldorf, which I attend. I usually visit Munich for Oktoberfest, although I stopped drinking alcohol three years ago—I try to work at a high level, running my businesses and charities, and alcohol, especially the hangover, doesn’t fit with that. The only time I’ve had alcohol in the past three years was at Oktoberfest in Munich. And only because I couldn’t find the tent with non-alcoholic beer, so I made an exception. The experience ultimately reinforced my decision to completely ban alcohol from my life as one of the best I’ve made.
What is the best travel decision you’ve made in your life?
The decision to travel and document it. That was in Bali in March last year. It was the first time I took a trip to capture and share my experiences. It was great because I learned a lot about the power of storytelling. I learned that by creating content and sharing my story, I can help many people and improve tourism.
How was the experience in Bali?
Bali is a challenge for people with disabilities. The sidewalks are not very accessible, restaurants are not accessible, tourist attractions are not accessible. I like challenges and also challenging my surroundings, but after a while, it becomes exhausting. After a week in Bali, you’re looking forward to returning to Australia, where things are a bit more accessible.
How is it in Australia for people with disabilities?
Australia is pretty good, but it’s not where it should be. I rate Australia seven out of ten for overall accessibility. Many businesses in Australia are still not accessible, and the same goes for many homes. We still have a long way to go.
How do you rate Germany?
Probably an eight out of ten. Germany is pretty good in terms of accessibility. One of the problems, however, is the houses. There are many older houses, so even many of my friends’ homes are not easily accessible. There are also some other challenges, such as stores that can only be accessed via a step, but in general, I find Germany pretty good. In Berlin, for example, there are many stores that still have a step, which is very common in Europe overall. Going to galleries is usually easy now, as there seems to be uniformity. But especially in rural areas, it becomes more difficult. The larger and more developed the city, the better the accessibility.
You said you travel to Europe every other year—where do you go in the other years?
I’ve been to Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Bali, Thailand, Fiji, New Zealand, and America. I’ve traveled to America three or four times. In Europe and America, I usually go to the same places. In America, I typically fly to Los Angeles and then go to Las Vegas and San Francisco and back to L.A.
Which of the places you’ve visited was particularly good in terms of accessibility?
Grenoble in France. I had just come from an eight-day disaster cruise on my European trip. The accessibility on the MSC ship was a nightmare. When the cruise ended, I thought I needed to get away from the beach and the people, so I got in the car and drove north. I originally planned to stay in Grenoble for just one night. But when I arrived, it was empty; everyone had left Grenoble to go to the beach. And I had left the beach to go to Grenoble—and I loved it.
I stayed for six days. The public transportation, the sidewalks, pretty much everything I did was so easy to reach, and it was just so beautiful. It’s probably one of the most inclusive cities I’ve ever been to in my life. Grenoble was definitely the best of all the places I’ve been to so far. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely the best.
Which places disappointed you the most?
South Korea was one of the biggest challenges for me. When I flew from Japan to South Korea, I had the worst flight experience of my life. At check-in, they had issues with my batteries. I waited three hours and thought I wouldn’t fly at all. I even checked if I could take a ferry. Fifteen minutes before departure, I was finally allowed to go through security. It was so stressful. I filmed it, and the video got a lot of views, but the experience itself was just exhausting for me.
When I arrived in South Korea, I was exhausted—and ended up in a hotel that wasn’t accessible. I wanted to go to the pool, but the ramp was so steep that I needed help to get down and back up. When I finally got to the pool, they told me I couldn’t go in with my wheelchair. I practically begged them, and in the end, they let me in.
It was really nice to swim there. But in some places like Bali, Japan, and South Korea, to name a few, you hardly see people with disabilities. They are essentially hidden by society. Many people with disabilities stay at home, so there are adults in their 20s who have never left the house. People in the community don’t know how to deal with disabilities. People there don’t fight for equality and better quality, so they don’t see improvements.
And then I come along and ask why the hell I can’t go in there and challenge it. And suddenly, I’m in. That’s just one example from South Korea that shows how every interaction changes perception. When I went to the pool the second time, they were much more relaxed. They realized I was okay and everyone was fine; they just had to get over it. And they did; it was a great learning experience for everyone.
Do you remember your first trip with a wheelchair? How was the experience?
Yes, my first trip after the accident was to Cairns in Australia. That was almost 20 years ago. I went there with a good friend from Adelaide, and it was quite a shock. Many things I liked to do, I couldn’t do the same way anymore, like going to a nightclub located on upper floors or in the basement. Also, some people were uncomfortable meeting someone with a disability in a bar. I got to know my disability there, but also how people are affected by a disability. I also learned how to travel with a disability, and it was a pretty good first experience, also because I learned a bit about my limitations.
One of the biggest challenges back then was fatigue. Moving a wheelchair over long distances is very, very tiring and exhausting. Right now, I have one with a motor, but they’ve only been on the market for about 13 years. Before that, you had to push yourself, which was very exhausting. You were also often dependent on the help of others. I think that was the biggest turning point for travel. Now, we have auxiliary motors that help people like me explore much more without using energy. If it’s uphill, I can drive up the hill. That has completely changed the way I travel.
Still, my first trip was a really great experience. It was just different. I also experienced for the first time some of the things that make people feel disabled—and that’s the environment. Hills or tourist activities that are not fully accessible. So many things you can’t do. There are always things you can do, but also a lot you can’t. Many places claim to be accessible, but when you get there, you find out they’re not.
What obstacles do you encounter most often while traveling?
Hotels. The most convenient way is to book through platforms like Booking.com. Hotels label themselves as accessible, you book it—and then you arrive, and often it’s not what was promised. Or the hotel has given its accessible room to a person without a disability. That’s one of the biggest challenges. In half of all my bookings, I get a room that is not accessible. Since I stay in so many places, I don’t have time to always call and ask. So, I go there and resolve issues on-site. By filming and publishing these experiences, I want to show what the reality really is.
When hotels have promised an accessible room but have already given it to someone without a disability, are they usually willing to ask the other person to change rooms?
Usually, they don’t tell you there’s a problem. They mostly try to solve the issues without you knowing what’s going on. They never say, “I’m really sorry we gave the room to people who don’t need it”—but I’m good at getting the reasons out of them. And then I keep asking why. Eventually, they admit that the rooms are occupied by people who don’t need accessible rooms. That’s one of the biggest problems. Someone without a disability can use an accessible room, but someone with a disability who needs an accessible bathroom can’t use a non-accessible room. If more accessible rooms were simply built, the problem would be solved.
How often do you have to change hotels, or do the hotels usually find a solution?
Not very often. When I was recently in Vienna, I had booked a room for four nights. The first night was a disaster, so I stayed only one night and then moved to another hotel. Sometimes, it’s easier to stay there for the moment. If you get a room that is DDA- (Editor’s note: Australian Disability Discrimination Act) or ADA- (Editor’s note: Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, a good experience is almost guaranteed. But sometimes you manage without it. It’s more difficult and not as pleasant, but you just make it work. For example, I love swimming in the morning, so sometimes I stay in a hotel where I don’t even use the bathroom. I wake up early, swim two kilometers, and then shower there.
How do you handle situations where you have to move?
That’s part of traveling. You have to be able to deal with it, or you can’t travel.
Do you sometimes get angry? Or have you gotten used to it?
I definitely get angry, but I just expect it now; I think it’s a matter of attitude. I just go with it and expect something to be problematic every time—and if it’s not, I celebrate it. My perspective has changed, but it also wears you down.
A good example is my experience with a hotel in Nice:
The story actually started earlier: I came from Lake Como to a country house in Italy where I was supposed to stay for three days, but I couldn’t even get in. So I moved on to a hotel I had booked online, which had given its last accessible room to someone without a disability. And then I arrived in Nice, where the last accessible room was also given to someone who didn’t have a disability. It was exhausting. From there, I went on to Marseille, to the aforementioned disaster cruise. Then I came to Grenoble. I plan to go there every August and spend a week when most people are not there and instead at the beach.
What role does planning play for you, and how much spontaneity is possible?
I plan little. I’m a spontaneous traveler, and that’s how I like it. That’s how people without disabilities often travel. Why shouldn’t people with disabilities do the same? I just like to travel wherever I want, whenever I want. I prefer to book my appointments for the outbound and return trips, and the rest falls into place along the way. I usually book a few days in advance. When I was recently in Taiwan, I had just returned from a two-week stay, and I literally booked it a day or two in advance. That’s typically my way of traveling. Because if I like a place, I can stay longer, and if not, I can just leave.
Learn more about Shane’s journey through Taiwan here:
But you always check if a hotel, attractions, cafes, etc., are accessible? Or do you just go spontaneously?
I always research beforehand. I always book hotels that claim to be accessible. For every business I go to, I check beforehand. If you go to a modern gallery or museum, you’re almost sure they’re accessible. But I research every other activity beforehand.
Is the accessibility of stores, restaurants, etc., the second biggest challenge while traveling?
Yes, the accessibility of stores, like cafes and restaurants, but also generally finding accessible places. Recently, Google introduced a blue symbol for businesses, which, in my experience, is about 40 percent accurate. It often happens that you go to a place with a blue symbol—and then there’s a big step you have to overcome. Accurate information is probably the most challenging part. But I think a lot has already been done; now there is corresponding technology. Platforms like Google could make so much possible so easily and quickly. But only if they want to—and they obviously don’t. I’ve already asked Google if they would be interested in adding more categories for accessibility so that businesses can provide more information to the general public. Google then explained that this is not currently a priority.
Are there specific websites or apps you can recommend?
None. Honestly, no app should be necessary. Google could simply provide more information. The reason there are so many apps is that people want to know what is accessible in the community and what is not. If there were a business directory on Google and Google committed to inclusion and added this information, the problem would be solved.
You are committed to accessible travel in your work. What exactly does your commitment look like? What do you do to make the world more accessible?
I tell stories and share my experiences. It’s about awareness. I noticed that the video after my experience in Nice had 15 million views on various platforms. Shortly after, I used Booking.com and found that the search functions had improved. Of course, they don’t call and say, “Hey Shane, we saw the video where you shame us as a company, and that’s why we’ve improved.” They’ll never do that. But it’s interesting because you’re paving the way for change. Telling stories is a tool for change, and it’s great when you see it having an impact.
In another video, I was in Disneyland in Tokyo and couldn’t ride a single ride, not one. That video also went viral, and someone commented, “I wish the Disney executives would see this.” And then someone replied, “I work at Disney, and I guarantee all the major Disney executives have seen it.” The point is that it’s a very powerful tool. After my MSC cruise, I met with the heads of MSC Cruises, and they told me what they had changed. Long story short: The platform for sharing experiences, good, bad, and ugly, challenges organizations and tourism as a whole. And it’s up to them whether they want to continue getting such stories or improve their offerings by making them more accessible.
What needs to change the most in the travel industry?
Accommodation, because if you don’t have accommodation, you can’t travel. There’s so much that needs to change, but first and foremost, more accessible accommodations and more information about accessible accommodations. There are so many activities you can do, but you can’t do them if you don’t have accommodation near the activity.
How is it with transportation like flights, trains, etc.?
Flying with a disability causes many people great concern for various reasons. Will the equipment be damaged? Will there be issues with my batteries? Will they be traumatized by customer service, by people who don’t know how to deal with disabled people? There are many fears that people associate with traveling, and a large part of it is related to training.
There is definitely a lot of room for improvement. For example, I took the train from Vienna to Germany, and it looked like I wouldn’t get a lift to get on the train. At the last minute, someone showed up who solved the problem, and that was good, but there’s always a certain stress factor. A non-disabled person just walks up the stairs. There are many modes of transportation that are accessible, but they are only as accessible as the service that surrounds them. There’s still a lot to be done in terms of processes and attitudes.
By the way, that’s the great thing about transportation in Japan. There, for example, you don’t need much help, while here in Melbourne, you can’t even get on the tram. The steps are so high that others must think we’re in the 1920s. In places like Taiwan or Tokyo, access is just flat. If you’re investing in new public transportation, just make it inclusive.
What do you think you’ve already achieved, for example, through collaboration with providers or political engagement?
I think I’ve had success with Booking.com. By sharing my experiences, it makes these organizations think and ask themselves how they can do better. Organizations are usually not aware of the impact they have on people with disabilities. So it’s about becoming aware of it. And then they can say: Okay, we want to do better—how can we do better? To be honest, my videos are guides on how to solve the problem.
Most of the time, I just talk about the problem, like with the Disney cruise. There was a step to go down, but it didn’t have to be there. I made a video about it that was watched 1 million times. And suddenly, I don’t know, maybe Disney saw it; they just installed a ramp. Most of the time, it costs hardly anything. Large organizations can make small changes that make a big difference.
I saw that through your efforts, 160 beaches in Australia are already accessible—what does an accessible beach look like?
In 2016, I founded a charity called “Accessible Beaches” to make beaches across the country more accessible. There are about 12,000 beaches in Australia, 160 are accessible. To make a beach accessible, you need accessible parking, walkways, beach mats for wheelchairs, shade, and access to the water. These are the main requirements for people with disabilities to visit and enjoy the beach.
What do you think about the nomination for Australian of the Year, and has it changed anything for you or your work?
Not really. I don’t think it has changed much, but it’s hard to say. I was very surprised to be nominated and to make it to the final round. But it was nice because I work a lot and try to make things more accessible and inclusive in Australia and around the world. Being recognized feels good.
What is your next travel destination? And what are you most looking forward to?
We are currently in talks with producers to bring “Wheel Around the World” to television. That’s very exciting. And it looks like the first season will be a trip through Australia, so that will probably be my next big trip, which I find really great. But otherwise, I’ll be taking a little travel break for the time being and waiting to see how the first season goes.
What would you like to tell TRAVELBOOK readers about yourself, your work, accessibility in the travel world, or traveling with a disability in general?
I think it’s good to address how travel content can influence people. A good example is A woman who reached out to me and said, “I live an hour from London, but with my disability, I haven’t gone into London in the last ten years. Your content inspired me to take a trip to London with my kids.”
What I like most about “Wheel Around the World” is how it can inspire people, not just people with disabilities, but people in general, to go on a journey of discovery and give them the confidence to see the world. I’m brutally honest about the travel experience and report everything in its rawest form. People then have an expectation; they know it won’t be perfect, but they think: Okay, I might have the same experiences as Shane, but you know what, he can handle it, I can too.
Another point I want to address is that there is no travel show worldwide that features people with disabilities. That also inspired me to start. No matter which travel series you watch, there is no information about accessibility. And considering that 20 percent of the world’s population is disabled and how many people are affected by it, for example, by a family member’s or friend’s disability, I don’t understand it. If you have a family of five and want to go on vacation with an extended family of 20 people and one person is in a wheelchair, the whole family has to plan their trip around what that one person can and cannot do.
So wouldn’t you think that travel providers would say, “You know what, why don’t we just include some information about accessibility?” That just doesn’t happen, and that’s the real reason why “Wheel Around the World” works: It finally gives people an insight into what it’s like to travel with a disability.
Thank you for this inspiring conversation, Shane.