Travelling with a disability

Preparing your trip

Are you fit to travel?

A physical disability certainly does not prevent travelling, but it does make travelling more complicated, as certain parts of the world might not be appropriately equipped to meet your needs. Although a lot of progress has been made to help disabled travellers to travel independently, there are still many situations which may cause difficulties. For example, you may have to inform transport operators beforehand that you will need assistance. It is therefore very important to plan even short journeys carefully in advance. Depending on your condition, it may be best to travel with a companion. If you want to travel alone, be sure that you can manage on your own.

Choosing your destination

In the last couple of years, more and more travel service providers throughout the world have modified their offers to improve travelling conditions for people with disabilities. It is best to choose a destination which provides services adapted to your needs to be sure to have an enjoyable trip. Ask about local infrastructure and services when making reservations and choose the offer that seems best suited to your needs.

Medical preparations

See your physician

Though most of the time you will not be asked by airlines to obtain medical clearance, it is a good idea to see a physician before departure, so that he can assess your physical condition and decide if you need immunizations. Explain what you have planned and which activities you are going to do. Ask about medical equipment that should be taken along on your journey.

Medication

If you use prescribed medication, it is best to take with you twice the amount that would be sufficient for the duration of your journey. Keep it in its original packaging to avoid problems with customs and aid doctors in case of an emergency. If possible, store your medication in two separate bags, but keep in mind that one of them should always be close at hand (e.g. in carry-on luggage) so that you can easily access your medication if necessary.

What to take with you

For safety reasons, it is a good idea to write down your doctor's name and contact details so that he can be contacted in case of an emergency. Should you require the use of medical equipment, have it checked before departure and remember to take some basic tools and extra parts in case you need to repair it. Likewise, if you usually do not use a wheelchair, but have trouble walking, consider taking one along as travelling can tire you more than you might expect.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance before leaving, as you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition. Medical bills can be very expensive abroad, and if any health problem related to your disability should arise, insurance will be a must.

Transportation

By plane

Once you have decided whether to travel by plane or not, you will need to think about any possible requirements you might have and inform your airline, if necessary. Find out what assistance (i.e. when boarding and exiting) is available at your airport and what your airline operator's policy is regarding any equipment you may need. Crutches, canes and braces can be viewed as hand luggage but will not be included in your weight allowance. On the day of your departure, try to check in early and tell the cabin crew about any potential problems or concerns you may have. If you use a wheelchair, airport personnel will ask you to transfer to another chair, so that your wheelchair can be loaded onto the plane.

By car

If you plan on renting a car at your destination, find out how to get a temporary sign that indicates that you are disabled in the country of your destination before you leave.