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Related Resources The following resources include information on travel opportunities for people with disabilities, their rights, helpful tips, contact information for travel agents, and searchable databases of accessible destinations. Access-Able Travel Source American Automobile Association Americans with Disabilities Act Aviation Consumer Protection Gimp on the Go National Organization on Disability Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality Transportation Security Administration U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
Planning a trip? Accessible transportation is important to the independence of people with impaired mobility. It affects our daily activities, employment, recreation and relationships. Whether it's by plane, train or automobile, for business or pleasure, you can go almost anywhere and do almost anything. It just takes a little planning ahead.
Travel, by its very nature, is unpredictable (that's part of the fun), but there are some things you can do to help control the negative aspects of the unknown and make your trip more manageable and enjoyable.
Know Before You Go
For people using mobility devices (such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches), accessibility to where they want to go is a primary concern. Elements that affect accessibility include parking, passageways to and within the facility, exits and entrances, seating and bathrooms. Many large cities can provide accessibility information for a number of their public venues such as museums, theaters, shops and restaurants. The local chamber of commerce can provide an excellent starting point for information, either online or by telephone. Here are a few general questions or issues to have in mind when you call.
- Is there a reservation system or is it available on a first-come, first-serve basis?
- How much accessible parking is available?
- Is the facility entrance accessible? What surface material is used for the passageways?
- Are personal assistants also required to pay ticket/admission charges? If so, is there a discount?
- Are there accessible bathrooms, drinking fountains, and concessions?
- Are maps or brochures available to indicate accessible features of the facility or program?
- What is the policy toward service animals?
“Get Ready, Get Set, Get Packing”
How you prepare for your trip can depend on where you're going and for how long. Two weeks at Aunt Edna's takes different planning than a week at Disney World. Will you be crossing time zones? What kind of food will you eat, and when? Will you be more active than usual?
If you have diabetes, have a medical exam to make sure your diabetes is in good control. Schedule the exam early enough to give yourself time to work on your control before you leave. If you need immunization shots, get them at least one month before you leave. If the shots make you sick, you'll have time to recover before your trip. For the same reason, it's a good idea to see your prosthetist early enough before you leave to troubleshoot any potential problems and allow time for you to adjust to any repair or modifications.
When you have your medical exam, ask your doctor for a letter that explains what you need to do for your diabetes, such as take diabetes pills or insulin shots. It should list insulin, syringes, and any other medications or devices you use. The letter should also list any foods or drugs that you are allergic to. Make a copy for someone else traveling with you.
If you don't already wear a medical ID bracelet that shows you have diabetes, now's the time to get one. If you're leaving the country, it's also a good idea to learn how to say a few simple phrases such as “I have diabetes” and “Sugar or orange juice, please” in the language of the country you're visiting.
A good rule of thumb for people with diabetes (or those who take medications for other reasons) is to pack twice as much medication and blood-testing supplies as you think you need. Put half of the medication in your luggage and the other half in your carry-on bag. This way, no matter what happens, your medication will always be with you. Pack your carry-on bag with:
- All oral medications, insulin and syringes you will need
- Blood- and urine-testing supplies (include extra batteries for your glucose meter)
- ID and diabetes identity card
- Pack of crackers, cheese, peanut butter, fruit, a juice box, and some form of candy or glucose tablets for treating low blood sugar.
Amputees traveling without some type of survival kit take the same risk as driving a car without a spare tire. Residual limbs change under pressure, over time, and especially under increased activity. Prosthetic parts can give out under extra wear and tear. What may be a minor inconvenience at home can be disastrous on the road. Depending on whether you're an upper- or lower-extremity amputee, it's up to you to pick a combination of the following items that works best for you. It can be as basic or elaborate as you want it to be, but try to get the items you need in the smallest sizes available.
- Small pair of scissors for cutting holes in socks
- Adhesive membrane dressings for abrasions or blisters
- Hydrocortisone for itching and lubrication
- Antibiotic cream for minor sores and to protect against abrasion
- Wipes or antibacterial soap to keep your residual limb clean
- A small towel to dry your residual limb
- Extra socks and liners
- A stocking net and valve tool
- A foot bolt and other Allen wrenches
- Duct tape for temporary repairs
- Thin cell foam to ease pressure on weight-bearing areas
- Stump shrinker
- Small bottle of baby oil
The Screening Process
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has developed screening guidelines for passengers traveling by air, land or sea with input from various disability-related organizations, including the Amputee Coalition of America and the American Diabetes Association, to ensure the safe, efficient, and dignified treatment of passengers with disabilities at security checkpoints. TSA has worked hard to ensure that security screeners are trained in the appearance, function and importance of prosthetic and orthotic devices, diabetes equipment, medication and supplies. Most, if not all, of the supplies recommended for your survival kits will be allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened. However, the list of allowable items is sometimes subject to change, so it's a good idea to call ahead or check online to avoid last-minute surprises.
Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices. Screeners will need to see and touch your prosthetic device, cast or support brace as part of the screening process, but they will not ask you to remove it. If your clothing will need to be lifted to do this, you can request a private screening. A friend or family member may accompany and assist you, and TSA will make every effort to have two screeners of the same gender as you. Let the screener know if you need help standing. If you are too unstable on your feet to stand for a hand-held scan, you can ask to sit down after you pass through the metal detector. You can also ask the screener for help in removing your shoes and putting them back on your feet when additional screening is necessary. Let the screener know if your shoes can't be removed so that alternative security procedures can be used.
Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Crutches and Canes. Tell the screener if your device requires special handling. The screener will visually and physically inspect your wheelchair or scooter and swab the cushion for explosive trace detection. You may remain in your wheelchair or scooter if you advise the screener that you can't get up. You should not be required to be lifted out of your chair or to transfer from your wheelchair to another chair during the inspection. Walkers will be visually inspected and any attachments will be physically inspected. Walkers, crutches, canes and other devices that can fit through the X-ray machine must undergo X-ray screening. The screener will perform a hand-held inspection if your equipment can't fit through the X-ray machine. Once the process is completed, the screener will hand back your device in such a way to help you proceed without difficulty.
Service Animals. Inform the screener that the animal accompanying you is a service animal and not a pet. This should enable you to move to the front of the line since the screener may need to spend more time with you. At no time during the screening process will you be required to be separated from your service animal. You must help during the inspection process by controlling the service animal. The screener should ask permission before touching your service animal or its belongings. Screeners are trained to avoid distracting or interacting with service animals.
Special Equipment or Devices. Inform the screener about any special equipment or device you are using and where it is located on/in your body. This will help the screener be careful during a physical search if one is needed. Examples include:
- Insulin pump and supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter and needle). Advise the screener that the insulin pump cannot be removed because it is connected to a catheter inserted under your skin.
- Pacemaker or other medical implants
- Feeding tube
- Ostomy or urine bag (You will not be required to expose these devices for inspection.)
Diabetic Supplies. Tell the screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. You can request a visual inspection of your supplies, but you need to do so before the screening process begins; otherwise, your medications and supplies will undergo X-ray inspection. It will speed things up if you keep your medication and supplies in a separate pouch or bag from the rest of the contents of your carry-on bag. Medications should be labeled so that they are easily identifiable. If you have an immediate need while being screened, you can ask for a screener supervisor. You may also call the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 866/289-9673 for additional information or to report unfair treatment. TSA provides a comprehensive list of guidelines for travelers, titled “Screening Tips for Persons With Disabilities,” available on request in a pocket-size, accordion-fold (Z-card) format.
Specific Travel Tips
Planes. If you're flying with a motorized wheelchair, bring documentation about the type of battery it uses. Tape easy-to-read instructions about how to handle your wheelchair in a very visible place on your wheelchair; never rely on verbal instructions. Remove or secure any loose or moveable wheelchair parts. Pack a wheelchair repair kit. For security reasons, it's best to stow this kit in your checked luggage. Airport security personnel will confiscate anything in your carry-on luggage that looks like it could be used as a weapon.
Getting through screening is only half the battle for wheelchair users. Getting on the plane is the other. Most plane aisles aren't wide enough for a traditional wheelchair to navigate. As a result, a wheelchair user must be transferred from their chair to a more narrow “aisle chair” and then into the plane seat. This can be difficult, both for the traveler and the airline employees who are assisting. Fortunately, at least one airline has incorporated the design for a hydraulic aisle chair. This enables the aisle chair to be raised or lowered to the height of the wheelchair or plane seat, allowing a traveler to slide from seat to seat rather than being lifted.
Trains. Some lines offer a rail fare discount to passengers with disabilities, but you must provide written documentation of disability at the ticket counter and when boarding the train. Acceptable documentation includes a transit system ID card, a membership card from a disabilities organization, or a letter from a physician.
To ensure that you get the space and accommodations you need, you must make a reservation for wheelchair space, transfer seats, and accessible sleeper accommodations. If you use a common wheelchair, including a battery-operated chair, you may remain in your wheelchair en route. When wheelchair lockdowns are not available, you will be requested to apply your wheelchair brakes. If you choose to transfer to an accessible seat, you may stow your wheelchair nearby. Most lines will provide boarding/departure assistance to people in wheelchairs in certain situations, if needed, with the use of ramps or lifts.
Buses. You should be able to expect assistance with boarding and departing, luggage, transfers, and storage and retrieval of mobility devices. However, you need to call at least 48 hours before departure with information about your needs and schedule. You will also need to provide the information to employees during the trip. Personal care assistants may receive a fare discount.
Boats. Although most cruise lines are now building bigger, more accessible ships, the very size of these ships causes shore excursions to be inaccessible because they can't enter the shallow waters surrounding the docks. Instead, they anchor farther out and use smaller boats, known as “tenders,” to bring passengers ashore. Tenders are usually boarded via a flight of gangway stairs, and these boats offer no accessibility features. A new system addresses this problem by using a wheelchair lift to traverse the gangway. A ramp on the adapted tender allows the chair direct entry, where it is then locked down to another lift that rises to give the passenger a view through the tender's windows.
