Exploring new destinations and immersing oneself in different cultures can enrich the soul. After several years of travel restrictions and challenges, many people are travelling with a renewed desire for meaningful experiences. For individuals with a disability, travel can bring unique challenges that require careful planning and preparation.
While travelling with a disability can feel daunting, there are many strategies and supports available to help in your travel. In this article, we give tips to help you plan and navigate your trip so you can relax and enjoy creating memories that defy limitations. We also provide a list of travel companies that specialize in customizing vacations globally for travelers with various forms of disability.
Table of Contents:
Keys to Planning Your Trip
Planning ahead plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. Most travel comes with a certain level of anxiety and stress, but with proper preparation, they can be minimized.
Here are some points to consider before you go:
- Visit your doctor – Getting a check up on your medical status a month before your holidays is a good idea to make sure travelling is safe. Update and refill any prescriptions and get a note describing your medical condition and needs.
- Call ahead – Speak with the airlines, tours and hotels about your accommodation needs and what services they offer to assist you.
- Have a companion – Travelling with a companion can significantly ease the challenges you face by providing emotional and physical support, assisting with accessibility, problem solving and advocacy, and for companionship and enjoyment.
- Hotel – When making hotel reservations, request a room on the ground floor or near an elevator. Ask if they have rooms that are accessible. These usually include grab bars in the shower and bathroom and have wider spaces between furniture for wheelchair access.
Tips for Travelling with a Disability
Busy terminals, long lines, overcrowding and delayed departures can be stressful for any traveller. Forpeople with a disability, these common issues can be much more than a huge inconvenience. Here are some tips to help deal with these potential challenges when travelling with a disability:
- Medical History
- Have a piece of identification with your medical history in your wallet.
- Also, keep a list with an emergency contact person that is not travelling with you, as well as names of your doctor, insurance company.
- Lastly, keep a list of all of your medications and dosages.
- Medication
- If possible, carry your medication on the carry-on bag in case the luggage gets misplaced.
- If not, always have at least few days of the dosage of medication in your purse.
- Pack the medication necessary for all the days of your trip and few extras in case you lose some.
- Follow your doctor recommendation if you need to use any other medication.
- Consider the time change when you travel and make sure you are maintaining the same schedule taking the medication.
- Pack snacks and carry a water bottle to take medications.
- Clothing
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and good walking shoes.
- Hands free: use a “fanny” pack, cross body bag or backpack so that you have both hands free to balance as you walk, especially if walking any distance.
- Flights
- If possible, choose a direct flight.
- Book an aisle seat.
- Pack light so you have less baggage to carry.
- Use airport shuttles or ask for a wheelchair to conserve your energy.
- Ask for early seating for a few extra minutes to board and get comfortable.
- Use the bathroom before you get on the plane.
- If you are on a restricted diet, request a special meal in advance.
Accessible Travel Agents
There are also specialized travel agents, websites and blogs catered to persons with a disability. Working with an accessible travel agent can provide you with specialized knowledge, personalized assistance, and peace of mind when planning and embarking on your journey. Check out some of these:
Conclusion
Travelling with a disability requires extra time to plan and research key factors such as medications, insurance coverage, and understanding the intricacies of different modes of transportation and accessibility.
While more accommodations and accessible services are available to travellers than ever, it is still important to do your research and plan ahead to avoid any unexpected bumps in your trip. With the right planning and preparation any vacation should be fun and enjoyable.
Your occupational therapist or physiotherapist can provide other tips and recommendations that can benefit you based on your specific needs and condition. They may suggest positions to avoid, seated stretching exercises to prevent stiffness and pain and improve circulation on flights.
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