Learn how to help people with disabilities


14 Ways to Make Traveling with a Disability Easier

If you travel with a disability,This is important if you haven't used
handicap, physical limitation, mobilitythe agent before.
limitation, or developmental disability,7. If you need oxygen or any other
have special needs, or use an electricspecial medical equipment, call airlines
wheelchair or handicap scooter, it's aand suppliers well in advance of your
good idea to learn as much as you can totrip. Don't wait until the last minute.
make disabled travel easier.Start calling them as soon as you know
Or if you're a mature traveler or senioryou're going to be traveling or taking a
who is a slow walker or just wants atrip.
slower pace, becoming more informedThen double-check with your travel agent
about disabled travel services andand the airline at least three to four
disability travel resources, will lessendays before your flight.
the anxiety that often accompanies8. Arrive early at the airport. It's
disabled travelers.better to wait around there than miss
The following travel tips, resources andyour plane. This will eliminate some of
information for the disabled will helpthe pre-trip anxiety you might feel and
make trips, tours, holidays andmake for more leisurely travel. This
vacations a lot easier for you, or for aseems like common knowledge but many
child with a disability, whetherpeople still arrive at the gate just in
short-term or long-term.the nick of time.
1. Plan your trip well in advance! DoWith all that's going on in the world
you need to order extra supplements,today there are many reasons why you
medications or renew prescriptions, fixwant to allow for more time at the
eyeglasses or change prescriptions, getairport.
a physical, have dental work done, have9. In your airplane carry-on bag keep
your wheelchair fixed or tuned up, etc.?copies of the prescriptions for your
2. If possible, always book your travelmedications and eyeglasses, extra
through an agency that specializes ineyeglasses, sunglasses, all your
helping people with disabilities. Thismedications and supplements, and a list
is important because specialized travelof your doctor, dentist and other health
agents and tour operators for theprofessionals with their addresses, and
disabled are experienced and can savephone numbers.
you some awful headaches.Include your doctor's fax number for
They offer a lot of good tips and a wideprescriptions in case you lose your
range of services for the handicappedmedications. Keep duplicate copies of
traveler. Among other things, they canthese in your luggage and at home by the
arrange for a: wheelchair at thetelephone. Know where your medical
airport, wheelchair accessible hotelrecords are kept.
room, wheelchair rental, lift-equipped10. When you travel, and for any other
accessible van, full van, minivan, RV,time too, if you take medications, learn
handicap scooter, or any other handicaptheir names and exactly what they're for
vehicle.if you don't know. People come into the
Travel agents for the disabled can helpemergency room all the time and don't
arrange accessible transportation, helpknow what medications they're taking.
plan the best accessible cruise, giveYou might be surprised to find out that
cruise line and cruising tips, arrangemost people say 'a little yellow pill'
travel insurance and take care ofor 'a white capsule', etc.
special needs.Emergency workers need to know what
Agents can check with hotels for: inneryou're taking so they don't give you
and outer door widths to accommodatemedication that would interact adversely
your wheelchair, ADA-approved handicapwith it, overdose you or somehow
bath tubs, grab bars, or for roll-ininterfere with their treatment and your
showers. Just tell them your needs.recovery.
Travel agents can help you find cheap11. If you're traveling by air, tell the
airfare, cheap tickets, cheap flights,flight attendants when you board, of any
cheap travel auto insurance, cheapmedical problem you might encounter on
hotels, cheap car rentals, cheapyour flight. Note the location of the
cruises, cheap vacations and cheapclosest restroom before getting seated.
travel of all kinds.Tell the flight attendant if you think
3. Besides taking along your travelyou'll need assistance getting to it
agent's phone number, you'll also wantduring the flight.
to take with you the phone numbers forYou may need or want an aisle seat for
the travel agencies that specialize ineasy access to the restrooms. Discuss
disabled travel at your destination, inseating with your travel agent.
the event you can't reach your own12. If you need someone to travel with
agent.you, ask your travel agent for ideas or
These travel agents may know how tosuggestions. Call the local chapters of
solve problems that come up regardingmedical associations and ask if they can
your hotel, car or van rentals, etc.,recommend a travel assistant or travel
even if you didn't order your ticketscompanion to help or accompany you.
through them.There are national companies who offer
4. When traveling to another city, checktraveling nurses, traveling companions
out the local health and medicalor travel assistants to accompany
associations before you go. For example,disabled travelers or people with
get the phone numbers for the local MSserious medical issues.
chapter if you have MS. These13. Make sure to take with you: any
organizations can be great resources.medical cards, Medicare cards, discount
They usually know what museums,cards, car or auto rental discount
restaurants, theaters & other localcards, auto insurance policy numbers and
facilities are wheelchair accessible andagent's phone number, passport, airline
where you can get oxygen, emergencytickets, etickets, American Express
supplies or medical assistance. They mayTravelers Cheques, debit cards, credit
be able to help you with any problemscards, and drivers license. Photocopy
that arise.everything.
5. If you plan to rent a handicapKeep photocopies in your luggage and at
scooter, wheelchair, electrichome by the telephone or someplace where
wheelchair, handicap van, full van,someone has access to it in case you
mini-van, RV or other vehicle in anotherneed it.
city, don't wait until you get there.14. Read everything you can about
Make all the arrangements before youtraveling with a disability. Read
leave on your trip.disabled travel books, access guides,
Make sure you ask any specifics like,accessible guidebooks, disability travel
are there tie-downs, ramps, or hoists,articles and travel publications for the
etc. Check on what van, RV, car or autodisabled traveler. Read the personal
insurance you'll need before you go.travel experiences of wheelchair users
6. Don't leave anything to chance. Ifand others who have traveled with
you can, double-check all thedisabilities. Be informed.
arrangements your travel agent makes.These travel tips, information,
Call the airlines, hotels, scooter,resources, and services for the disabled
wheelchair, car, RV or van rentalshould help you, or anyone with a
companies, medical equipment rentaldisability, handicap, physical
companies, etc., and verify thelimitation, or who uses a wheelchair,
specifics, especially if you'rehave an easier, more pleasant,
traveling in a wheelchair or have anyanxiety-free, trouble-free trip, tour,
other special needs like oxygen.holiday or vacation.



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