Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Whether you are traveling to another state or headed for another country, making the trip with a wheelchair or scooter can complicate things. Disabled travel can be made much easier with careful planning. Check out these tips far ahead of your departure date to help ensure the smoothest trip possible:

• When you work with a travel agent, customer service, airline representative, or anyone else who will help facilitate your travel, make certain they know you are in a wheelchair. Mention it in every conversation you have with them, so there is no doubt of your unique needs.
• What kind of handicapped access will be available at your destination? Though most resorts and hotels in the United States will have accommodations for those in wheelchairs, other countries might not. If they do, they might not be of the same standard you have come to expect in your home country. Before you set your heart on venturing to that rain forest hideaway, make certain disabled travel is not only welcomed, but encouraged.
• If it is possible to take a smaller wheelchair or scooter with you when you travel, do it. You might find that smaller mobility equipment is not only lighter and easier to carry, but can be a great help when faced with accessible areas that are not the same as what you are accustomed to using. For instance, many travelers have found that scooters sold in Asian countries are typically smaller, and therefore, the handicap accessible areas are more difficult for those with larger scooters.
• Plan for extra travel time. As any traveler will tell you, simply carrying a small bit of luggage can slow you down. When you travel with a wheelchair, assume certain parts of your trip will take more time than expected. For instance, when you gate-check a wheelchair at the airport, you have to wait at your destination to have it returned to you. That can take several minutes at best. Expect delays and plan accordingly.
• Have your wheelchair or scooter serviced before you head out of town. You should have the equipment serviced on a regular basis anyway, so make a point of doing it before you leave. This can help you avoid surprise problems when you are in unfamiliar territory.
• If there is something on your wheelchair that you can fix on your own if necessary, such as pneumatic tires that might need a quick repair, invest in a small repair kit to take with you.
• Pay close attention to the rules and regulations of the transportation you will use to get from one place to another. Each airline has set procedures for handling mobility equipment. Cruise ships have rules for boarding passengers in wheelchairs. Research what will be expected of you by looking the information up online or calling the customer service line of the airline, cruise ship, train station, and the like.
• When traveling with an electric wheelchair or scooter, always opt for sealed batteries or gel cell batteries. Not only are these types more airline friendly, they make disabled travel easier for everyone, including you.
• Charge your batteries before you leave, and make sure your charger is compatible with the electrical service in the country you will be visiting. For instance, the electricity provided through a basic wall outlet in the United States is very different than the electricity flowing through a wall outlet in a European country. Be prepared with the proper adapter to ensure you will always be able to charge the batteries, no matter where you are.
• Keep in mind that when you are in the air, your wheelchair will likely be stored in the belly of the plane. To avoid lost parts, label each piece of your wheelchair with your name and address. Secure all components to the chair with heavy-duty tape, rope, cord and the like. If your electric wheelchair or scooter has a key start, attach the key with very strong fishing line to avoid losing that very important element. Keep an extra key with you, just in case.
• If you are concerned about traveling with your expensive mobility equipment, consider renting a wheelchair or scooter at your destination. A rental means you don’t have to worry about repairs, loss, maintenance or other issues. However, keep in mind that if you require a customized wheelchair, renting might not be a good option.

Above all, stay flexible when it comes to your travel plans. Anyone who travels often will tell you to be prepared, no matter what. Things outside of your control, such as late plane schedules, weather snafus and lost luggage can make even the best-laid plans go awry. Traveling with mobility equipment means even more things can go wrong. That’s why preparation long before the trip is so important. With careful planning, disabled travel can be a very enjoyable experience.