Disabled travellers need to work as hard - if not harder - than their able-bodied compatriots when it comes to planning travel. Following the three Ps (Plan, Pack and Proceed) is even more important, but there is a fourth “P”: be proactive. Disabled travellers need to be articulate and voice their needs at every stage of the process. Find out what you need and ask for it. Plan ahead, get everything in writing and keep documents and medication within easy reach.
Before You Go
Plan as far ahead as you possibly can. Take out private health insurance with comprehensive cover. Many airlines will only allow one wheelchair per plane; many hotels have only a limited number of accessible rooms and wherever you are going, you need to let people know if you require special assistance when you arrive. Get in touch with the airline as soon as you can before flying. Make sure they can provide transport to get around the airport, if you need it, as well as help to get on and off the plane. Call hotels to request wheelchair ramps and find out about 24-hour room service - just in case you need it.
Research your destination. Accessibility can be very limited in some areas. Check with Web sites and guidebooks for details on accessibility for most cities. Cobbled streets, lots of old, tall buildings without elevators, or hilly towns can make travel difficult if you are in a wheelchair. Check on the transportation options available as well especially if travelling on a budget. Are the trains, subways, or boats easy to get into? Will they transport wheelchairs? Taxis are a failsafe method of getting around in most places, but can be expensive.
Research your hotel. The excellent access-able.com has a searchable worldwide list of cities that will suggest accessible hotels or hostels in most cities.
The Government of Canada website, Access to Travel, provides information on accessible transportation and travel across Canada.
Ask others who have done it. Forums, Thorn Tree for example, can be a great way of finding information that isn't available anywhere else.
Pack carefully. Make sure any medication that you will need is in your carry-on luggage, just in case your checked bags are lost. Some medication needs to be kept below certain temperatures so if you're travelling somewhere hot take a cooler bag with you and make sure that the hotel you're staying in has a mini-fridge in the room. Carry spare prescriptions if possible, just in case you lose anything, and ask the doctor for the generic medicine name rather than a brand name in case this differs in your destination.
In the Air
Confirm with the airline 48 hours before you travel that they have details of any special requests that you've made. Check-in as early as you can if you need help with boarding.
Request that your wheelchair is stored on board, rather than put in the hold. Planes will usually only allow one wheelchair per flight, so an early check-in can help ensure that this is yours.
Label your wheelchair or scooter clearly, with the gate you're departing from, where you're going, where you're staying and a home address.
Ask if there is an aisle seat available so you can get to the toilet more easily during the flight. Also, ask if there is a particular attendant who can help you.
On your Trip
Be prepared to explain to people exactly how they can help you if you need assistance. Most people are willing to help carry or push a wheelchair, but are often too shy to offer.
If anything is not what you've been promised, the only thing to do is complain. Refunds can be hard to obtain once you have returned home. Demand a new room if you need to, or even a new hotel.
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated March 2009
