Travelling With A Disability

I know when I have been travelling with a disability, I have found some things incredibly hard as I attempt to go somewhere and need to make sure there are adequate things available to assist me just in case.

If you have a disability and you are keen to make sure that you explore the world as much as possible, there is plenty that you can do. While it is common for people to assume that those with disabilities can’t travel, or can’t travel very much, actually that’s not really the case. While there will be challenges posed by the disability, that doesn’t mean that a disabled person can’t explore the planet. Travelling With A Disability can be hard.

Naturally, the kind of disability that an individual has is going to make a huge difference to what they can and can’t do. But in this article, we are going to take a look at a wide range of ideas of how to travel with a disability, how to make it easier and simpler, and what might be involved in making that happen. Whether you have a disability, or you are trying to plan a holiday for a loved one who has, the following should be of some help. Life as a spoonie isn’t easy. It’s always wise to think about the individual disability policies with anything you do, purchase or go to as they generally have policies you need to be aware of. It’s always a good idea to be mindful when you have a disability.

Seek Out Accessibility Before You Travel

Probably one of the most important things you should do is to make sure that all the places you want to go, and the activities you want to get involved in, are providing the kind of accessibility you need. Given that there is still quite a way to go here in the west when it comes to accessibility, it is hardly surprising that other parts of the world are also not always offering the kind of accessibility that everyone needs. It is therefore important to check all this before booking anything, just to avoid any unnecessary cancellations or change of plans.

When it comes to planning your trip, this applies to the lodging where you’ll be staying, the transportation required to reach your destination, and the range of excursions and activities for adults with disabilities, that you may want to explore or take part in. However, it’s important to be aware that the necessary accessibility information may not always be readily accessible online. In such cases, reaching out by phone might be necessary to obtain precise details about accessibility.

Either way, it is much better to check beforehand than have to deal with the stress of it at the moment. One way to ensure that your holiday is going to be disability-friendly, is to check a site like Flying Wheels Travel.

Find An Experienced Travel Agent

If you are booking through a travel agent, you will want to try and find one who is actually going to be able to help you get the trip you are looking for. Above all else, that usually means that you need to get hold of an experienced travel agent who has a lot of experience with disabilities and with providing holidays for those who are disabled. Working with the right travel agent can work wonders in taking the strain and stress away, and tends to make everything a lot smoother indeed. It also means you are more likely to find a solution to your specific travel desires, something which is always going to be necessary if you want to have a great time when travelling with a disability.

Research, Research, Research

It really can’t be overstated just how important it is to do your research. You need to thoroughly research your hotel, the places you are planning to go, how you are getting there and so on, to ensure that it is all going to be possible and that you are going to have the best time you can. If you don’t do your research, you might end up having to cancel one or more elements of the trip, and before you know it that could cause some real problems, so it’s something that you are going to want to be careful about. There are many places that offer support and guidance, check out this free NDIS registration guide which helps you find the right support you need.

In particular, you should spend some time researching the destination to see how easy a place it is going to be depending on your specific disability and what you are hoping to do while you are there. As we have said above, sometimes it is necessary to call places as the information on websites is not always sufficient – and sometimes is completely lacking. Looking for a motorized wheelchair is very important when you are travelling with a disability.

Find The Right Luggage

For many disabled travellers, luggage can prove to be an issue. You need to try and find luggage that is going to be easy for you to handle, at every stage of the travelling journey. At the same time, you will want to try to find luggage that is going to be properly protected when being handled by the baggage handlers, as if there is any damage to it, it might prevent you from being able to carry it on afterwards.

Choosing the right type of luggage can be challenging. Generally, you will want to find something that is lightweight and easy to hold, and avoid slippery outside materials as these can make it difficult to stack the items. Remember that placement is everything, and that you need to try and maximize your space as well as you can, which is going to vary from person to person in terms of how to do this. And it’s always worth practising how you will lift your stuff at various stages of the journey. Ultimately, having the right luggage will ensure that the whole travelling experience is much less stressful and a whole lot more enjoyable.

Consider Various Kinds Of Transportation

A lot of what you need to consider when you are travelling is what you generally have to consider in daily life, so much of it won’t come as any surprise and you will know what you are doing. However, add to that the fact that you have to check all this stuff in advance, and you can see why it is so important to look into it as early as possible and as fully as you can too.

One part that you will need to consider carefully is the question of how you will get around. As ever, this is going to depend on the nature of your disability. For those who are able to drive, hiring a Jaguar XF could be a fun and easy way to explore a local area. If you are not able to drive, but you still want to explore the same places that you could while driving, you merely need to look out for a driver service, or simply get taxis from place to place. That can get pricey, but a lot of places (and some hotels) will offer good rates to disabled passengers if you are to be using the service a lot.

Of course, inner-city public transportation and the like can often be problematic, and you will need to check whether you are going to be able to use it beforehand to avoid any problems, or getting stuck anywhere when you are travelling with a disability.

Pack Your Medical Information

It is always important to make sure that you pack your medical information, so that anyone who might need to look after you can know exactly what they need to know. That will include any medical cards or wristbands you might have, as well as any other information that someone might need to know. It’s best to keep this stuff with your debit cards and discount cards and so on, just to make sure that you don’t lose them and that they are easily findable if necessary when travelling with a disability.

Make Arrangements With The Airline

It is always a good idea to make arrangements with the airline before you travel. Generally, you will need to do this before the day of travel itself to ensure that they are actually able to assist you in the way you need assisting. Some kinds of accommodation, such as bringing wheelchairs onto a plane, often have to be booked in early to ensure that it is going to happen. By making those arrangements, you are ensuring that people are going to be able to assist you as necessary. By law, your airline must carry your wheelchair and any other equipment that is necessary for you free of charge. Make sure that this is adhered to, and don’t be afraid to complain if it is not.

Seek The World

Finally, remember the words of Jay Abdullahi: “Don’t dwell on what you can’t do”. No matter what your disability is and how it hinders you in life, there are plenty of ways that you can go out and see the world. Try to focus on those ways in particular, and try not to get bogged down with thoughts about what you are missing out on. If you can do that, and you are keen to see as much of the world as possible, there is no reason why you won’t be able to do that.

Bear these in mind and you should be able to travel as freely as possible within the remit of your disability. Whether you are travelling alone or with a loved one, or if you are planning a trip for a disabled person in your life, taking these tips on board is going to help you do it much more successfully and easily, so make sure that you do just that. Travelling With A Disability is not the end of the world for you.

*This is a collaboration post

Travelling With A Disability