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.
