Everyday Expat

There is no doubt that the able bodied world has made disability travel much more difficult than it needs to be. Whether you have been disabled all of your life or if you are experiencing a long term injury or recovery period, traveling through the able bodied world can be quite infuriating if you let it.

Before you book your trip, make sure you ask some pertinent questions regarding all of the travel arrangements. If you can book through an agent that has experience in helping the disabled make the most out of their vacations or business trips, you have a serious leg up on your trip.

Starting with the airport, make sure you understand their rules and regulations regarding special needs individuals. If you will end up being mobile in an inside establishment, like a hotel or casino, and do not have an electronic scooter you may find that they have a majority of carpeted areas that an older wheelchair will have a harder time navigating.

Of course, this can significantly shorten the time you have to get from one terminal to the next in the event of a connecting flight. Scheduling three hours or more between connecting flights can help make up for the slow airline response to wheelchair needs.

You will also find it helpful to know how far your room is from other destinations that may be on the same grounds, like restaurants, casinos, or pools. If you have to take an excessively long path to get from one area to another you should request a different room with easier and faster access to all the routes and amenities before you arrive.

There are many aspects of traveling that airports, train stations, cab companies, and hotels tend to overlook because they are not familiar with all of the needs of their guests and customers. Able bodied individuals often run into snags, which means anyone with a disability might expect to run into a few snags as well. Planning for additional time is essential to a successful trip.

Hotels can be difficult when it comes to their set up. Disability travel issues often center just as much around the hotel as any other travel issue. Disability travel should not mean extra complications, and planning in advance can help prevent such complications.

There is no doubt that the able bodied world has made disability travel much more difficult than it needs to be. Simply put, the more information you have about certain procedures and the locations of special access the less you are going to experience hang ups and delays. Avoiding the many potential disability travel disasters requires a little forethought and planning that you might not expect.

Before you book your trip, make sure you ask some pertinent questions regarding all of the travel arrangements. If you can book through an agent that has experience in helping the disabled make the most out of their vacations or business trips, you have a serious leg up on your trip.

Otherwise you are going to need to get on the phone and ask some questions well before your departure, and most definitely before you actually book the trip. Airports and hotel are particularly poorly set up to deal with the needs of the disabled. Airport security has increased the difficulties that many people face when traveling. For instance, it is now standard practice for most airlines that you borrow their wheelchairs while yours goes into the checked baggage area.

Removing your shoes and doing other security related tasks can be extremely difficult. Let the security people know that you have difficulties performing certain tasks and ask before you go what their standard procedures are for those who can not complete security checks. Of course, this can significantly shorten the time you have to get from one terminal to the next in the event of a connecting flight. Scheduling three hours or more between connecting flights can help make up for the slow airline response to wheelchair needs.

Most of the time you will simply have to go through the individual scan. Airport security personnel are required to ask you if there are areas of your body that are painful or sensitive to touch. Be sure to let them know if you are feeling violated in any way.

There are many aspects of traveling that airports, train stations, cab companies, and hotels tend to overlook because they are not familiar with all of the needs of their guests and customers. Able bodied individuals often run into snags, which means anyone with a disability might expect to run into a few snags as well. Planning for additional time is essential to a successful trip.

Hotels can be difficult when it comes to their set up. Disability travel issues often center just as much around the hotel as any other travel issue. Disability travel should not mean extra complications, and planning in advance can help prevent such complications.