Accessible travel -- travel by people with disabilities -- is an
adventure enjoyed on a global scale. Yet too often this adventure is
sidelined or delayed by inadequate facilities, higher prices and general
hassles other travelers do not face. In spite of this, travelers with
disabilities are boarding cruise ships and planes in record numbers to
explore the four corners of the Earth.
There are as many disabilities as there are disabled people, so each traveler's needs are different. Thankfully, the travel community is generating more and more solutions to these needs, creating a growing network of travel options for disabled people worldwide and broadening the access of accessible travel.
To travel around the world without barriers, check out these tips from the American Society of Travel Agents. Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know travelers with disabilities do not ask for charity or discounts—only an equal opportunity to see the world.
The lesson here is simple—thoroughly study the country you're
traveling to before boarding the plane or ship. World of mouth from
other disabled travelers is a great resource, and the Internet can
provide some details, but no source is more valuable than a travel
agent, especially one who specializes in disabled travel.
Ask a travel agent detailed questions about the customs of the country and the services provided at each destination you plan to visit. Your travel agent should also provide you with information on transfers while advising you of types of terrain you can expect to encounter, for cobblestone streets, while very picturesque, do not mix well with wheelchairs.
Be sure to take enough prescribed medication to last the duration of
the trip, including extra medicine and a copy of your prescription just
in case. Pack
all medication in your carry-on bag, for checked baggage occasionally
travels east while you're heading west. Also, carry your prescriptions
in their labeled containers, for many countries have strict
drug-trafficking laws and might be suspicious of pills in unlabeled
bottles. In fact, it's wise to travel with a signed letter from your
doctor detailing your condition, medications, potential complications
and, if you're diabetic, your requirement to carry needles.
Ask your travel agent if your hotels will allow your service dog
entrance, if there will be an adequate area for the dog to relieve
itself and if the airline you plan to use has any animal restrictions.
Some airlines, such as United and Northwest, impose summer restrictions
when the temperatures soar higher than the planes.
Several cruise ships have designated areas—such as individual boxes filled with wood chips or crumpled newspaper—designed for your dog. Check with your travel agent to ensure your cruise ship supplies these, and if so, practice with your dog in a similar container before you go. And since some ports do not allow dogs to enter without proper quarantine time, be sure to have a back-up plan or a friend handy in order to disembark and enjoy.
Wherever your plan to explore with your guide dog, be sure to research where the closest vet and emergency pet hospitals are located. Hopefully you will not need to use this information, but having it close may be vital.
No matter what type of wheelchair or scooter your ride, have it
serviced before a trip. It may be difficult to find a repair shop while
on safari in Botswana. Be sure to bring spare parts and tools, and you
or someone you're traveling with should know how to dismantle your
scooter or wheelchair just in case something goes wrong.
When a problem arises, especially when you're in another country, a
travel agent is a good thing to have on your side. Before, during and
after your trip, you can ask your travel agent about what special
assistance you can expect from the hotel, tour group or transportation
company; whether your special dietary needs will be met at certain
hotels; or where the nearest accessible hotel is in Amsterdam if your
reservation is accidentally lost. Also, some travel agents specialize in
different types of accessible travel, from hearing-impaired to
wheelchair tour groups. In short, travel agents make the world more
accessible.
There are as many disabilities as there are disabled people, so each traveler's needs are different. Thankfully, the travel community is generating more and more solutions to these needs, creating a growing network of travel options for disabled people worldwide and broadening the access of accessible travel.
To travel around the world without barriers, check out these tips from the American Society of Travel Agents. Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know travelers with disabilities do not ask for charity or discounts—only an equal opportunity to see the world.
Choosing a Destination - Play it Smart Before You Depart
Many countries accommodate disabled citizens and travelers competently,
from creating the proper infrastructure for wheelchair and scooter
access to having a wide selection of hotels and restaurants that allow
service dogs. Unfortunately some countries do not support disabled
travelers to the same extent.
Ask a travel agent detailed questions about the customs of the country and the services provided at each destination you plan to visit. Your travel agent should also provide you with information on transfers while advising you of types of terrain you can expect to encounter, for cobblestone streets, while very picturesque, do not mix well with wheelchairs.
Preparation - Not Laughter - is the Best Medicine
Your health should be the number one priority wherever you travel. Talk
to your physician about the trip you have planned and immunizations
you'll need. Be specific when describing the trip to your doctor,
including all ports your cruise ship will stop in and all means of
transportation you'll encounter. Your doctor can provide tips and
medicines for coping with long flights, along with advice on medical
facilities at your destination and how you can obtain prescription drugs
in case of an emergency.
Puppy Love - Keeping Service Dogs Happy
Some countries have restrictions on service dogs arriving or simply
traveling through their countries, so check with your travel agent
first. If service dogs are permitted, discover if any quarantine or
vaccination requirements will apply. Be sure to have your dog's rabies
shots and other vaccinations up-to-date, and bring all paperwork to
prove it.
Several cruise ships have designated areas—such as individual boxes filled with wood chips or crumpled newspaper—designed for your dog. Check with your travel agent to ensure your cruise ship supplies these, and if so, practice with your dog in a similar container before you go. And since some ports do not allow dogs to enter without proper quarantine time, be sure to have a back-up plan or a friend handy in order to disembark and enjoy.
Wherever your plan to explore with your guide dog, be sure to research where the closest vet and emergency pet hospitals are located. Hopefully you will not need to use this information, but having it close may be vital.
Wheelchairs and Scooters
Some large planes have a space to put a manual wheelchair in the cabin,
though most wheelchairs and scooters are placed in cargo. They are the
last items loaded and the first to come out. Have your travel agent try
to book a non-stop flight if possible to alleviate the hassle of getting
your chair out of cargo. Use gel-cell batteries if traveling in a
power-driven wheelchair, for many airlines refuse to carry wet-cell
batteries for security reasons.
The Art of Travel
With so many factors to organize at once, planning a trip can be
wonderfully chaotic. So all travelers—disabled or otherwise— benefit
from advanced planning, which can save you a lot of time and effort.
It's far easier to make reservations and deal with problems from home
than from a castle in Germany where you may have to deal with language
barriers. Yet no matter how much you plan your next vacation, unexpected
problems still arise.