How to Travel Safely with a Disability in the US
Obtaining Disability Accommodations When Vacationing
Nov 28, 2008
Lots of people like to travel, especially around the holidays. Every day, many people with disabilities travel safely. Different countries, and even different destinations within those countries, have varying degrees of accessibility to people with disabilities.
Before planning a vacation or getaway, people with disabilities should consider the following:
Hotels
Many hotels have handicapped-accessible rooms. These rooms may have different names and different accessible features available in each hotel. If any particular features are required, such as a roll-in shower or lower-level light switches, people with disabilities should always call the hotel in advance. When making hotel room reservations with a third party service like hotels.com or Expedia, people needing accommodations should always call the hotel, as well as the third party service, and ask the representative to explain the available features. The person making the reservation must describe the needed features clearly to the representative, being sure to remember that many representatives may be ignorant about disability accommodations.
Airports
If a person with a disability needs assistance at the airport, or if they need to store a wheelchair on the airplane, they need to tell the airport personnel, as well as the flight attendants. Passengers should call the airport in advance, being sure to mention if they will need the same assistance at their destination as well. In the United States, airport personnel will direct passengers, push wheelchairs, and even guide those who are blind or visually impaired.
Interstate Buses and Trains
Personnel on services such as Amtrak or Greyhound will also assist passengers with disabilities upon request, similar to the assistance provided at airports. When making reservations, the caller needs to specify the needed assistance.
Transportation at the Destination
Travelers should find out about transportation options at their destinations before they go. The local bus company or railway system will be able to tell callers if wheelchair lifts or ramps are available.
Para-Transit Services
In the United States, wherever there is fixed-route bus service, there should be para-transit service. Fixed-route bus companies provide additional transportation, or para-transit service, to people with disabilities who either cannot use the bus without assistance, cannot utilize an inaccessible public bus route, and/or cannot use the public bus due to difficulties with the environment or circumstances (such as snowy roadways causing problems with a wheelchair). Para-transit users make reservations in advance, and are able to travel to specific destinations of their own choosing, in addition to the usual fixed bus stops.
Travelers currently registered with a para-transit service near their home may apply to be visiting para-transit riders at their destination by calling their local para-transit office, and/or by contacting the para-transit office at their destination. To find a local Para-transit office, people may call the local bus company, or the local office of disabled or handicapped services in the city or town where they wish to travel, and ask about para-transit or ADA service for people with disabilities.
Medications
All medications must be in their original bottles with a doctor’s prescription, so that there is no legal question. Medications should remain on one’s person at all times, in the event that other luggage gets misplaced in transit.
Advocacy
People with disabilities should always stand up for themselves, stating clearly what they need. They should also have a backup plan, in case the attendants or personnel mess up a request for accommodation. To find out more about their rights and responsibilities, people with all types of disabilities can contact their local centers for independent living.
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