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Vacation Ideas For Easy 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.

Advocates for the disabled lobbying for increased accessibility in travel have paved the way for a new generation of wheelchair travelers. Airplanes, buses, trains and taxis are now better able to accommodate wheelchairs. With more ramps, curb cuts, elevators, wider doorways and automatic door openers in public buildings, disabled people are encountering fewer obstacles.

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.

The accessibility of your destination, particularly if it’s a third world country or remote area, needs to be researched, as does your hotel, airline and accessibility to medication and medical facilities.

It’s a great idea to speak directly to a person at your hotel rather than making your reservation online. They can answer questions about the widths of the hotel room doors and confirm that there are ramps to the front doorways and elevators with sufficient space for a wheelchair. As with anyone who travels, get a confirmation number for your reservation. You may need proof that you did indeed make a reservation at that hotel, especially during the busy season.

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. Ensure that you can access the plane in your own wheelchair, or if not, what type of service do they provide. Will they stow your wheelchair in the luggage compartment and what assurances can they give you that your chair will not be damaged?

Does your airline require a doctor’s note listing the prescription drugs that you’re taking? This would be a smart thing to do regardless of the airline’s policy. This is also important when crossing international borders. If certain medications are found in your possession, especially powerful prescription drugs, having a letter from your doctor may save you from embarrassing interrogation.

Make sure you have proper travel insurance. This can’t be emphasized enough. 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.