Thoughts For Simpler Wheelchair Travel
- Image via Wikipedia
Increased emphasis on public accessibility for disabled people has opened up a whole new world for easier wheelchair travel. From walkways to buildings, people in wheelchairs are experiencing more freedom.
New laws are requiring that buildings and sidewalks be more accessible. There are now automatic door openers, ramps into buildings, curb cuts on street corners and doorways are generally wider. Advocates for the disabled lobbying for increased accessibility for travel have paved the way for a new generation of wheelchair travelers.
With the increased public awareness, disabled people are discovering a whole new world beyond the confinement of their wheelchairs. They’re able to do more, go more places without running into obstacles. However, some advance planning still needs to be done when making arrangements to travel long distances despite disabilities.
If the destination is a remote region or a third world country, proper research must be undertaken. The accessibility of your airline and hotel has to be researched as does access to medical facilities, including pharmacies if you require prescription medication.
Rather than book your hotel through the Internet, call your hotel personally to inquire about accessibility and door widths in the room. Ask for a confirmation number or code as proof of your booking. This rarely, happens, but sometimes hotels overbook and can give your room away or deny that you even made a reservation.
Check with your airline to see what type of service for disabled people they provide. Getting on the plane with a wheelchair is not generally a problem, but make sure the space provided for wheelchair passengers is available. Ask about their policy regarding wheelchairs and whether you can board the plane with your own chair or whether you must use one of theirs. If your personal wheelchair is stowed as luggage, what will happen if the luggage crew accidentally damages your chair, or what is the protocol if your chair ends up being lost or accidentally shipped elsewhere?
Does your airline require a doctor’s note listing the prescription drugs that you’re taking? This would be a smart thing to do regardless of the airline’s policy. If you’re crossing a border or even if you’re being screened at security, you can avoid needless scrutiny about any drugs you’re carrying if you have a note from your doctor.
Make sure you have proper travel insurance. This can’t be emphasized enough. People in wheelchairs can often be more vulnerable to viruses or have delicate digestion. Should you have an accident and fall from your chair, what coverage do you have and for how long. A little advance preparation will make all the difference between a nice holiday and a great holiday!
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Tagged with: disability • disabled • handicap • handicapped • holiday • vacation • wheelchair tour • wheelchair travel
Filed under: travel
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I like the part of this post that talks about increased accessibility for disabled people and the availability of easier wheelchair travel. However, as we enter into 2010 it is important to keep in mind the barriers disabled people still face. As mentioned in the blog, traveling could be more accessible for the handicap. While there are some wheelchair accessible cabs available at convenience, that is not always the case. What happens if you are on vacation and can not find a cab that fits a wheelchair? We should focus on fixing this for 2010.