As the leading non-emergency medical transportation team in south Florida we’ve got traveling with wheelchairs down! Aside from us, you are your biggest advocate, which is why it’s so important to plan every aspect of your trip ahead of time to ensure the smoothest journey possible.
Here Are Tips For Traveling With Your Wheelchair
Travel With Someone
It’s always easier to travel with someone that can help you board planes, open doors or do anything else that may be difficult for you to accomplish with your chair. Traveling with someone reduces a lot of stress and makes the trip easier.
Label Your Chair
Attach a visible card with your name, phone number and return address on your wheelchair. This way if your chair becomes lost in transit it will find its way back to you.
Be Prepared For Repairs
Prior to departing your wheelchair should be in top-notch working condition. Take your chair in for a quick look over and any repairs about a week before you are scheduled to leave. Just because all seems right when you leave doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong. Make sure to bring along the necessary repair tools in case something does go wrong with your chair. For instance, if your wheelchair relies on pneumatic tires you’ll want to have a small repair kit that can be used to change out a flat if needed.
Plan Ahead To Identify Any Potential Obstacles
Know what you’re up against before you ever arrive by taking the time to plan ahead. Call hotels and other accommodations to ensure they are wheelchair friendly and accessible. Call ahead to any other attractions on your to-do list to make sure you won’t run into any problems there as well.
This is especially important when traveling out of the country to places that are not as wheelchair friendly as the US. For instance, Paris is known as one of the least accessible destinations for wheelchairs, so plan accordingly. The further ahead that you research taxis and other forms of transportation in the city the less likely you are to end up spending a fortune.
25-year-old Cory Lee, the blogger behind Curb Free With Cory Lee, doesn’t let spinal muscular atrophy slow him down. He travels the world in a wheelchair and shares his experiences on his blog. Even though he’s found ways to travel pretty much anywhere, he explains there are some countries that are pretty much impossible to travel to in a wheelchair including North Korea, Jordan and Iran.
Special Considerations For Cruises
Traveling onboard a cruise ship is a great experience with or without a wheelchair. Certain cruise lines are far better equipped to manage passengers in wheelchairs than others, such as Royal Caribbean and Holland America.
When ships dock at port, passengers are put on small boats known as tenders that’ll take you directly to shore. It’s important to ask ahead to ensure the tenders used by a particular ship are made to transport electric wheelchair and regular wheelchair users. Otherwise, passengers may be stuck staying on the ship all day.
Special Considerations For Airplane Travel
US Air Carriers are not covered under the ADA. Instead, they are covered under the Air Carriers Access Act, which outlines unique rights you may want to brush up on. If you experience any damages or injuries ask to be directed to the Complaint Resolution Officer (CRO). Every air carrier has a CRO available in person or by phone at all times that specializes in issues related to passengers with disabilities.
Book Your Flight Way In Advance
Make sure to book travel way in advance so that you are able to reserve an aisle seat and any other special accommodations. If you have to change flights, request that your chair is returned to you when you switch flights. Prior to landing, make sure to remind a flight attendant that you will need your chair so that they can radio the appropriate personnel.
Request An Aisle Seat
The aisle seat is a narrow chair on wheels meant to transport passengers down the aisle if they are unable to walk.
Label Chair & Keep Equipment Stored Under The Plane
Your chair will be stored in the belly of the plane, so make sure that you label it with your name, number and return address just in case it becomes lost in transit or mixed up with another passenger’s. Also, you should remove any cushions or other accessories that could easily become unattached and lost from your chair. Keep these smaller accessories with you on the plane.
The Stellar Way To Travel Anywhere In The US
Need a lift to the airport, across town or clear across the United States? Stellar Transportation has you covered with the safest, most comfortable and cost effective non-emergency medical transportation. We specialize in wheelchair patients of all ages, mobility and health. Contact us today for a free quote!