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Travelling can be scary for anyone. You are in unfamiliar, unpredictable environment; all the while, dealing with new customs and cultures. One of the biggest fears to overcome when travelling is the fear of the unknown. Unfortunately when a wheelchair or other mobility aid is added into the mix, these concerns can multiply ten-fold.
However, the greatest rewards are on the other side of fear.
You can never know what lies in store 100% and sometimes, as Murphy’s Law, if it can go wrong it will go wrong. With this in mind, although you cannot anticipate or plan for every catastrophe, it can help to formulate some contingency plans to keep up your sleeve just in case. This can help reduce some anxiety and allow you to enjoy your trip knowing you have plans in place. Planning is the essence of wheelchair life, so it can be scary trying to make plans for a place you are not familiar. This can case doubts and negative thoughts to swirl up:
What if something goes wrong?
What if it isn’t safe?
What if my wheelchair is damaged?
What if i get sick?
What if luggage or medical supplies get lost?
What if the room is not accessible?
What if the destination or activities are not accessible?
Focus on the things you can control.
Plan. Have a plan. Have a back-up plan. and even a back-up back-up plan.
Don’t waste energy and stress over things you can’t control. Have a contingency plan to relieve the “what if” stress, then don’t worry over it until you need to, or the time comes to implement your back up plan.
Use a tracking device on your wheelchair such as a tile tracker or apple air tag to give peace of mind knowing exactly where your wheelchair is if lost during air transit.
Be confident, assertive, and know your rights. Print off a summary of your rights and know how to proceed if your mobility device is lost or damaged. Depending on your travel destination there is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) for any flights to or from the United States based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements. Within Canada your rights are covered by the Canadian Transportation Act. In Australia there is the Disability Discrimination Act. In Britain there is the Disability Discrimination Act. In the EU there is the Equality Act of 2010. For information pertaining to general disability rights for other international destinations, many countries are signatories of the UN backed CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).
Remember it is within your legal rights not to exit the plane until your wheelchair is ready and waiting for you at the gate. It may take time for it to be retrieved from the cargo hold, but there is no reason for you to be forced to use an ill-fitting airport wheelchair that could cause injury or strain while waiting for your chair.
Take any removable parts off of your wheelchair and take them with you on the plane (seat cushion, backrest, cup holder, or any other accessories). It can also be good practice to wrap the frame with some bubble wrap and print out a sign with instructions for handling (such as re-iterating to ground crew that the frame does not fold, and the wheels do not come off even if they do.. this lessens the chance of damage- it is a small white lie for the safety of your chair and your comfort ). It can also be good practice to remind anyone handling your chair that these are your “legs” and needs to be treated carefully and not just tossed around or wedged in where other luggage could fall on it and be damaged.
Packing necessary equipment/accessories to make your life easier. Accessibility standards are not the same everywhere, packing a few extra pieces of equipment can go a long way in making your life easier and your trip smoother. These include transfer boards, suction cup grab bars, portable ramps, pool float belts, inflatable pool loungers, or anything else needed to make your life easier.
Know which accessibility requirements are essential to you and what you can work around.
Message attractions directly to inquire about accessibility standards and facilities (entrances/bathrooms/ramps/full access). If the attraction is not fully accessible it never hurts to ask for a discounted admission price.
Taking trips close to home to begin with to gain confidence. Air travel can be daunting as a wheelchair user. Road-trips can help gain comfort travelling. Start with day trips or weekend trips, after you feel confident and comfortable the sky is the limit.
Travel with a crew so you have people to rely on if something does go wrong. Especially when navigating inaccessible areas, or having help getting up or down stairs.
Make bookings through the phone directly with locations rather than relying on third-party apps if possible.
Pack medical essentials with you in your carry on, and always pack extra (its better to have you much than too few).
If you are susceptible to UTI’s it may be helpful to get a prescription filled for antibiotics so you can have them available if needed, rather than going through the stress of trying to obtain them on location. It also allows you to treat the infection sooner before it becomes more serious.
Get travel insurance. This covers any damage, delays, theft or medical coverage (assuming your condition is table and you have been cleared to travel by your physician).
Always travel with a wheelchair repair kit (tire pump with pressure gauge, tire pry bars, patches, allan wrench, spare inner tubes, bearing oil, and some spare nuts and bolts )… and make sure you know how to use it, if the situation arrives. Or at least research nearby bike shops or wheelchair repair companies to call in case of an emergency. It is always best to keep everything tuned up, especially before a trip. A broken wheelchair = broken legs. And you don’t want to waste time in a repair shop (or worse the hospital) when you could be out exploring.
Practice your wheelchair skills and gain confidence in different transfers. This will give you peace of mind that you are able to maneuver questionable terrain and be able to get back up if you tip back or fall out of your chair.
Use common sense and keep wheelchair safety tips in mind. Always be mindful of your surroundings and terrain. If out and about at night be sure to be seen by having reflectors on your chair or by wearing reflective clothing.
If you have an allergy or dietary consideration, make up printed/laminated cards that have this translated into the local language.
Check out online reviews on tripadvisor. This is often the best resource for accurate and up-to-date accessibility information.
Have emergency medical information saved on your phone or kept as a print out on your person in case of emergency.
Back up all important documents so they can be accessed from your phone offline as well as by email/drop box/google docs if your phone is lost.
Can you rent or order needed equipment to your accommodation prior to arrival rather than travelling with it? This saves the hassle of travelling with bulky equipment, and lessens the chance of damage occurring during travel.
Use google earth street view to check out the state of the pavement/curb cuts/ramp situations.
Download useful wheelchair travel apps on your phone to help with navigation and planning.
Hiring a local guide to help with your wheelchair and to navigate accessibility hurdles, especially if you do not speak the local language.
Hiring care aids if need be. This will give you peace of mind to be able to enjoy your travels worry free.
Know the location of the nearest medical center or hospital in case of emergency.
Remember to pack your placard for reduced rates and good parking spots.
It can be extra daunting planning a trip as a wheelchair user. There are so many extra things to consider and accessibility standards abroad may not be the same as you are used to at home. Despite these extra bumps in the road, the rewards of travel: seeing new things, experiencing new cultures and tasting new food, will make it all worth it in the end.
Happy Travels!
