Persons with Disability: Travel Tips

Do you know persons with disability or do you have a disability yourself? Don’t let your disability stop you from discovering the world.

There’s no reason for a friend or a family member with a permanent or temporary physical disability to stay home during a trip. With today’s technology and society being more friendly to persons with disability, travel is accessible. Accessible travel is more popular than ever. Additionally, if you include proper planning for your trip, you’ll be able to travel well and comfortably with your disabled friend or family.

Traveling with Persons with Disability: An Overview

One of the most important things you can do when traveling with a person with a disability or if you yourself is to plan ahead. This will help avoid injuries, damaged wheelchairs and other common problems when traveling with persons with disability.

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Tips for Traveling with Persons with Disability

We’ve listed a few important tips to take note of when traveling with a person with a disability. This will make your travel plans smoother and more enjoyable.

Travel Tip 1 for Persons with Disability: Plan in Advance

It doesn’t matter what kind of physical disability you or your family member may have. Planning in advance is key to making your travel experience smooth and more enjoyable.

Here are important items and factors to plan out before traveling:

Firstly, you’ll want to seek approval from your doctor if it is okay to travel (for persons with a disability).
Make sure to pack all important medicines and medical equipment needed.
Pack additional medicines and extra medical equipment for safekeeping.
Make reservations in advance. This goes for accommodations, flights, and places you’ll be visiting.

A great resource to check out is the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) shares what accommodations should be made when traveling with persons with a disability.

Travel Tip 2 for Persons with Disability: Air Travel

When flying with persons with a disability, it’s important to take note of these reminders.

Make airline reservations as early as possible.
Inform the airline about your specific needs and assistance needed.
Request for a seat with lift-up arms for those with wheelchairs. This is for easier transfer from the aisle to your seat.

Travel Tip 3: Dealing with Security

Airports have a lot of strict procedures when it comes to safety and security. This is why it’s important to plan ahead and inform the airport regarding your special needs to avoid the hassle.

Here are some tips to consider when dealing with airport security.

Arrive at the airport two to three hours ahead of your flight. You may need extra time to register and board the plane do to more procedures as a person with a disability.
When checking in, make sure you request pre-boarding paperwork.
Attach your gate check tags to your wheelchair. This ensures that your wheelchair is immediately returned to you when leaving the plane.
At check in, request a seat as close to the door. Most airports have seats in the front row for persons with disabilities.
You may also want to request plane side check of larger medical equipment. This will lessen the chances of your medical equipment being lost or damaged.
Tell the security beforehand if you have any sensitive areas in your body to avoid it being touched during the pat down of security.

Travel Tip 4 for Persons with Disability: Things to Do Before Boarding the Plane

Here are some items to consider before boarding the plane.

If possible, try to request storage of your chair in the on-board wheelchair closet to avoid damage.
Take advantage of pre-boarding and get to the airport ahead of time to give yourself plenty of time to get into your seat safely on the airplane.

Travel Tip 5: After Exiting the Plane

After the flight, remember these tips:

When your equipment or chair is returned to you, inspect it thoroughly prior to leaving the airport.
If any damage is present on your medical equipment or qheelchair, report it immediately to the airlines.
Make sure to check all your belongings before leaving the plane and airport.

Travel Tip 6 for Persons with Disability: Hotels and Accommodation

Now that the traveling part has been dealt with, it’s time for checking in to your accommodation. Here are a few key items to consider.

Assuming that you booked your hotel earlier, make sure you are guaranteed an accessible room; don’t just make a request.
Reiterate to the hotel management of your special needs.
Make sure to have all your medical equipment checked by the hotel in order to avoid any surprises.
Checkout these helpful resources: Accessible Lodging ADA Standards / Tripadvisor Accessibility Checklist for Hotel Accommodation

Travel Tip 7 for Persons with Disability: Traveling with Oxygen

Traveling with an oxygen tank may be a bit more stressful. This is why it takes a lot more preparation in order to have a smooth travel experience.

Here are some tips to consider.

Make arrangements in advance with the airport and accommodation.
Obtain a doctor’s statement of needs. Show this to security and admin to avoid any delays in checking in.
Inform the airport that you’ll be bringing an oxygen tank or mask.
Remember that airlines don’t provide oxygen for use in their terminals or on the airplane.
Fill your portable tank before leaving for the airport.
Use a cart or holster to carry portable oxygen cylinders.
Make sure to bring extra batteries to power your concentrator.

Travel Tip 8: Metal Implants and Internal Medical Devices

It may seem daunting to enter an airport when you have metal implants. It’s understandable that you may be concerned with security and being stopped due to your metal implants.

But don’t let this stop you from traveling and exploring. Here are a few tips you may want to consider.

Always bring a doctor’s approval of travel to show security.
Bring all the necessary documents to prove your metal implant or internal medical device.
Inform TSA screeners and the aiport that you have a metal implant beforehand.

In Conclusion

Don’t let your disability hinder you from traveling and exploring the world. When you plan ahead and take these extra steps before, during, and after your travels, you’ll be able to enjoy a hassle-free and memorable travel experience.