Safety for Disabled Travelers
Every year, millions of disabled people travel across the world by plane, train, recreational vehicles or cruise ships. You might consider this arduous, but with good planning and attitude, disabled people can enjoy their holidays.
While planning a trip for a disabled person, it is important to recognize that each one has special needs. While some countries have their own standards of accessibility while certain others have non-discrimination laws in the interests of disabled travelers. Therefore, a trip for disabled people needs to be planned very minutely so that it is safe, enjoyable and accessible for them. If you are disabled, here’s how you should plan your trip:
Choose your holiday destination: You need special care, considering your disability, so choose to visit only those countries that have special services for you. If you take a beak on your way, find out if the stops have such services for you. Also, don’t be hurt by some cultures not being very welcoming to the disabled.
If you’ve decided your destination, now consider what local transport can take you fro the airport to the hotel and what help you can get with luggage assistance and when you leave the airport terminal. You could make these enquiries with the airport management office, your travel agent or the internet.
Health care: Before leaving, speak to your doctor about the activities you have planned on your holiday and if any immunizations are in order. Also, speak to him about any medications and over-the-counter drugs you should take along. Take your medicines in your carry-on bag in their labeled containers in case it is inspected. Take along health insurance-you can get it from your travel agent.
Personal equipment: Have maintenance checks done on your wheelchair, scooter or any other equipment that you need, before you leave. If you have a manual wheelchair, it will be put in the cargo of the plane. Usually, they load this last and bring it out first. So, to avoid any inconvenience to you, book yourself on non-stop flight.
At the airport: Ask for a private screening.
Hotel and airline arrangements: When making travel arrangements, ask about convenient seating, attendant facilities, medical certificates and transport,storage and liability of your wheelchair, crutches or scooter while you are in the country and when you leave.
Make sure that the hotel you check in to is adapted to accommodate you and your special needs. Make sure the hotel knows you are disabled at the time of booking. When arriving at the airport, give yourself plenty of time for last-minute glitches.
On arrival: Have your written itinerary and directions of where you wish to go on your person so that you can show it to personnel who can be of help to you. You can also ask co-passengers for a little help with this on hand. Also carry a guide book.
If you’re in a foreign country on holiday, be in constant touch with your agent for help on special assistance at the hotel, tour group or food in restaurants. Some travel agents also specialize in different kinds of accessible travel, so your agent is really your passport to a happy holiday.