Roll Around The World – Vacation Recommendations For Simple Wheelchair Travel
Increased emphasis on public accessibility for disabled people has opened up a whole new world for wheelchair travel. Local governments are implementing new laws regarding accessibility of walkways and buildings for the disabled, making the world at large more accessible for the disabled.
People with limited mobility are finding that elevated ramps, curb cuts, automatic door openers and wider doorways are now the norm. With few obstacles in their way and public transportation now offering features for handicapped riders, a wheelchair is not the impediment it once was. Advocates for the disabled lobbying for increased accessibility have paved the way for a new generation of wheelchair travelers.
Thanks to them, traveling people in wheelchairs are able to live their lives to the fullest and see the wonderful world that’s waiting for them. Having said that, people of limited mobility still have to plan their holidays more carefully than others. Despite these societal advances, people who must travel in their wheelchairs still need to do some advance planning to ensure their comfort and safety, especially when planning vacations in foreign countries.
The accessibility of your destination, particularly if it’s a third world country or remote area, needs to be researched, as does your hotel, airline and accessibility to medication and medical facilities. The accessibility of your airline and hotel has to be researched as does access to medical facilities, including pharmacies if you require prescription medication
Booking your vacation online is convenient but there are questions specific to your needs that you won’t find answers to on a website. 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!
