Travel Accessibility and Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Written by Bonnie Gringer

Disabled travelers may need special services and accommodations to travel safely and successfully, and they have a right to these services by law. Depending on the destination, accessibility may be a challenge, especially when traveling internationally. Because everyone has unique needs, providing accessibility will require different things from person to person. However, with advance planning, it’s often possible to travel where you want to go with a disability.

Travel Tips

Plan in Advance: Research your destination so you know what accommodations are available for you. Book hotels in advance, and plan travel routes carefully. Service providers in the tourist industry must provide accommodations for disabled travelers, but this might take time in some cases. Always call a provider at least 24 hours prior to your arrival to ensure that the destination is ready for you.
Create a Backup Plan: Even after careful planning, issues can arise. Create backup options in case plans fall through. If the weather interferes with your schedule, your wheelchair breaks, or your flight is delayed, you’ll have a “plan B.”
Communicate Clearly: Describe your limitations and completely and explain exactly what you can and cannot do to ensure you get the assistance you need.
Get Physician Recommendations: Get your doctor’s input as you plan travel. Your physician may be able to provide suggestions for flying or for traveling by car. Request a statement from your doctor that outlines your condition, medications, possible complications, and other special needs. Include the physician’s phone number in the statement.
Travel with Extra Medication: Bring an extra set of your medications with you in case of emergency. Travel with all of your medication in a carry-on bag.
Explore Physician Availability: Check out doctors at your destination prior to traveling.
Bring Medical Alert Information: Travel with a necklace, bracelet, or wallet card to identify your medical issues.
Use a Special Travel Agent: Find a travel agent who specializes in assisting travelers with additional needs.
Special Tours: Consider a special tour guide to help you manage your vacation. Make sure your tour guide is experienced, and research what to expect on the tour.
Travel Direct: Whenever possible, avoid flights with connections. Flying direct is usually less complicated.
Check in Early: Always arrive at the airport early enough to get through security and find your gate.
Know Your Rights: Travelers with disabilities may have specific rights regarding airport security.
Communicate with Flight Attendants: Make a plan for disembarking with the flight attendants before you land.
Arrange Transportation: The transportation you arrange to and from the airport needs to have the necessary accessibility options.

Be Flexible

Barriers can be frustrating, but a can-do attitude does wonders for handling challenges. While being flexible is important, expect and demand equal access during your travel, but have a positive attitude about it.

Devise methods for the greatest independence so you can manage things yourself. For example, using a lightweight wheelchair when traveling may help you manage without having assistance.
Be prepared to handle needing to use the bathroom when the bathrooms aren’t accessible.
Learn a few key phrases in the local language if you’re traveling internationally.

Resources

Disabled Travel: Tips and Advice for Travelers with Disabilities: Disabled or accessible travel is becoming more prevalent, and the travel industry is working to serve the special needs of some travelers.
Disabled World Travel: Accessible Disability Travel Information: Accessible tourism ensures that all travelers have the services and products they need as they travel.
What Is Accessible Travel?: About 15 percent of the total population have some sort of disability, so accessible travel ensures that these people have the services and accessibility they need.
Travelers with Disabilities: Proper preparation is key, but with it, travelers with disabilities can travel internationally.
Disabled Travel: 19 Tips and Advice for Disabled Travelers: Prior to traveling, a disabled traveler needs to consider their goals, needs, and how to get the most out of a trip.
This Is What It’s Like to Travel with a Disability in the United States: Accessibility for disabled travelers is improving thanks to legislation that mandates improved access on airlines and in public spaces.
Ten Tips for Traveling with Physical Disabilities: Planning in advance is crucial for accessible travel to find ADA-compliant services and transportation.
Three People Share Their Top Tips for Traveling with a Disability: Know what services and accessibility you need, ask for what you need, and don’t compromise when you know you have the right to these accommodations.
Traveling with a Disability: Airlines cannot discriminate against passengers because of a disability, according to the law.
Top Accessible Travel Tips from Eight Disability Travel Bloggers: Know your equal access rights before you travel so you can insist on receiving them.
Tips for Travelers with Disabilities by Rick Steves: Booking hotels and flights far in advance is helpful when planning accessible travel, as is planning out your travel routes before you go.
Top Tips for Wheelchair-Accessible Travel: Accessible rooms in hotels often book fast, so book in advance to make sure you get the accommodations you need.
Travel Tips for Wheelchair Users: Realize that the term “wheelchair accessible” doesn’t always mean the same thing, and ask for specifics before you book.
Disability and Travel: Top Ten Tips for Accessible Travel: Make a list of the accommodations you need, research to find the services that will provide them, and book early.
Accessible Travel Tips from Frequent Travelers: Traveling with insulin involves managing the medication to keep it cool and having a way to transfer prescriptions to pharmacies along the way.
Checklist for Disabled and Less-Mobile Passengers: Use this checklist to communicate your needs with an airline or cruise line prior to traveling.
25 Things That Can Go Wrong Traveling with a Disability: Traveling through Europe with a disability can be challenging, but with preparation and expertise, it’s possible to venture out successfully.
Travel as a Woman with Disabilities: A woman with disabilities may have special challenges, but it is possible to travel independently and safely with careful preparation.
The Ultimate Guide to Air Travel with a Disability: The Air Carrier Access Act ensures that people with disabilities can receive the accommodations they need to travel safely.
Tips for Traveling with Disabilities: Airlines strive to ensure that all passengers are comfortable and safe, including those with disabilities.
Title Loans: If you experience a costly medical emergency, we can help.