Thoughts Regarding Readiness For Wheelchair Travel
With more municipal emphasis on accessibility, more people of limited ability are rolling their way around the world enjoying the freedom of wheelchair travel.
New laws are requiring that buildings and sidewalks be more accessible. There are now automatic door openers, ramps into buildings, curb cuts on street corners and doorways are generally wider. Advocates for the disabled lobbying for increased accessibility for travel 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.
If the destination is a remote region or a third world country, proper research must be undertaken. The accessibility of your airline and hotel has to be researched as does access to medical facilities, including pharmacies if you require prescription medication.
Rather than book your hotel through the Internet, 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?
Some airlines ask for a fit-to-travel certificate or a note from your doctor about your health. Your doctor should give you a note just to be on the safe side. It should also include a list of approved medications. This will assist in getting through customs or security with a minimum of disruption if you are found to be carrying prescription drugs.
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!