Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on May 9

Many of us long for the opportunity to travel. We crave the thrill of going to new places and seeing new things. Thanks to modern technology, travel is faster and easier than it ever was in the past. Choose how you want to travel, buy a ticket and just head out. For those will disabilities, though, accessible travel to New York has, sometimes, been a problem.

Disabled persons must put a lot more thought into their travel plans. Those who require special accommodations have to choose carefully. They do not want to end up going somewhere and finding out they cannot enjoy their destination. Some have been so disappointed that they have given up travel, altogether.

Transportation and accessibility issues can take all the fun out of a vacation. Attractions have to be able to accommodate those in need. Some buildings that are under legal exemptions are just not enjoyable.

While some companies, such as those that run airlines, have become helpful, some still are not. Your airline can provide a wheelchair and other assistance to help you. Some modes of transportation, such as trains and buses can be more problematic. The small cramped aisles are very hard to negotiate in wheelchairs or using walkers.

Thankfully, there are some organizations that have made it their sole purpose to help. There are many great resources available to help you with the information you need. All you need is an internet connection or someone that can help you, and you can easily find many. Most of them also put a lot of time in to helping making people aware that disabled travelers need assistance.

Disabled Travelers, Accessible Journeys, SATH and Emerging Horizons are all great resources. They keep up to date databases of information for all types of disabled voyagers. You can find out the best places to stay in New York that are easy for you to access. They can let you know what attractions are the best suited if you are in a wheel chair or need to use a cane.

Letting some places know of your needs, ahead of time, can be a real boon. You airline will have a gate agent and wheelchair waiting if you need it. There is no need to sit home any longer and not enjoy yourself. Accessible travel to New York is no longer just a dream.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Apr 22

Accessible wheelchair travel is becoming a lot less complicated nowadays as the majority of sectors are now fully geared to disabled or mobile impaired people. The use of travel wheelchairs is much greater as there are fewer obstacles put in the way of the disabled traveler.

There are almost as many different types of wheelchair as there are different types of  disability. Today many disabled people want their independence. Many disabled people will  have limited mobility or will want to travel unaccompanied and for these people a light  wheelchair is a must. Walking long corridors such as from airport check in desks to airplane  departure gates can become a massive problem for those unable to walk huge distances, but  with the purchase of a wheelchair this problem is easily overcome, and the wheelchair is  easily stored on arrival.

A typical lightweight travel wheelchair weighs no more than 10kgs and is a great way of traveling because they can be stored in extremely small spaces, such as the boots of even small cars. They can be reassembled very quickly and safely by almost anyone.

Something that is even more amazing is that these lightweight wheelchairs can hold the same weight as a conventional wheelchair. For those that do have partial mobility they will often keep a lightweight wheelchair in the boots of their cars just in case they decide they will be unable to manage a trip that they may have planned.

Most forms of transport are now available to disabled travelers. This is due to two facts.  Most forms of public transport have specially adapted seats near entrance and exit doors  reserved for the disable and elderly and accessible storage for wheelchairs. The wheelchairs  are so light that they may easily be stored. Easy access to public transport means that the  chair user is much more able to travel to different places without fear of being stranded.

Technological advances have seen the most important part of lightweight wheelchairs, the weight, be reduced in recent years. One of the lightest wheelchairs on the market today weighs in at around 6kgs! This is because the framework of the chair is an aluminium alloy. The wheelchair is so sturdy that it can take the weight of someone weighing 90kgs. It is also extremely portable and has all the extras that you would expect of a more standard model (such as breaks and foot rests).

All over the world cities, towns, hotels and tourist attractions are assisting wheelchair bound or mobility impaired people. Disabled people are no longer locked into their own homes because they do not have the equipment to travel freely. Lightweight travel wheelchairs have changed so much in recent years that they are now cheaper and much more affordable. Ten years ago no one would ever have dreamed that a wheelchair would weigh only 10kgs.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 14

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.

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.

With the increased public awareness, disabled people are discovering a whole new world beyond the confinement of their wheelchairs. They’re able to do more, go more places without running into obstacles. However, some advance planning still needs to be done when making arrangements to travel long distances despite disabilities.

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.

It’s a great idea to speak directly to a person at your hotel rather than making your reservation online. Inquire about accessibility and door widths in the room. As with anyone who travels, get a confirmation number for your reservation.

When booking your airline, not all offer the same time of service. Accessibility is generally not an issue but make sure that wheelchair space hasn’t been given to another traveler. Check with the airline about their damage policy in regards to your wheelchair. Depending on your reasons for requiring a wheelchair, some airlines may request that you use one of their chairs and will offer to stow your chair under the plane with the luggage. If this is the case, what happens if your chair becomes lost, sent on the wrong plane to a wrong destination? What is their policy if your chair is damaged by a careless luggage attendant?

Some airlines may ask for a “fit to travel” certificate from your doctor, in which they must list the medications you’re taking, if any. This is also important when crossing international borders. This will assist in getting through customs or security with a minimum of disruption if you are found to be carrying prescription drugs.

Travel insurance is another area of concern for wheelchair travelers. This is key because often those bound to a wheelchair may have compromised immune systems making them vulnerable to all manner of viruses. There is also the possibility that a fall from the wheelchair could occur. Travel insurance should be extensive. With a bit of planning, traveling the world from the comfort of your wheelchair should be a very satisfying experience.