Traveling with the Disabled

Although this blog is generally aimed at issues facing the aging and their families, this is one area that applies without regard to the age of the persons involved. When we have a family member who has difficulty walking or needs a wheelchair, travel becomes more of a challenge and there are destinations that need more planning than others

The key to traveling with someone with mobility issues is planning. Here in the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has made it easier for people to have access to hotel rooms, restaurants and resort destinations. Museums, amusement parks and historical sites are also at least mostly accessible. If you plan to travel to Canada, there will be some mobility issues in the older sections of the cities; there is reasonable accessibility in most places. There is a law in the UK similar to the ADA which improves mobility but it is essentially impossible to retro fit as castle. Plan your itinerary around what you can do and what obstacles may exist in your destination.

One thing to keep in mind when planning a trip include is to not over schedule your days. It will take at least an extra half hour for every hour others might spend at a site or event. Remember that handicapped persons will tire more easily than those without mobility issues, schedule rest periods. You and your traveling companions will not cover quite so much territory but you will find that you will enjoy what you do see much more.

Be sure that you ask for a handicapped accessible room when you make your reservations. Include specifics concerning what accommodations you need; grab bars, a walk in shower, a larger room, rooms on the first floor, etc. Hotels in the US will have this type of room available but they will not be in every room so book early.

If you need to travel with a great deal of equipment, it may be reasonable to include extra people to help wrangle the baggage. There are sky caps and porters available most places if you are only two traveling together.

One last suggestion; cruise ships are well equipped to assist those travelers with mobility issues and will know which of the shore excursions are equipped to accommodate travelers with mobility challenges.