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Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative

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Vol. 8, No. 3 Summer 2000

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Planes, Trains, & Automobiles:
Tips for Accessible Travel

by Amy Bowles, AT Specialist

When you hear the words "community access," a lot of things come to mind. You may think about restaurants, schools, businesses, and stores. Community access doesn't necessarily have to be within a building. It could also include travel. A typical travel itinerary may take for granted the ability to walk down the street, climb steps to a bus, or negotiate travel on a plane.

Airplanes

Several airlines offer accessibility, including Air Canada, American, America West, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, TWA, United, and US Air. For example, American Airlines offers a special boarding chair for people who are unable to ambulate to their seats. Collapsible wheelchairs can be stored in overhead compartments, and service dogs are permitted to remain at your feet during the flight. The airlines encourage you to call ahead to make arrangements so that your trip will go more smoothly. US Air is likewise committed to assisting customers with special needs. They will help with boarding and deplaning, accommodate special seating, and accommodate passengers with service animals.

Trains and Buses

If you would prefer to travel by train, Amtrak offers a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare to persons with physical or mental disabilities. In order to receive the discount, you have to provide documentation. You have to make an early reservation to get an accessible bedroom, transfer seat, or wheelchair space. While they are working to ensure that all of their stations comply with ADA, they have courtesy wheelchairs and wheelchair lifts at most of their stations. Amtrak also has at least one coach car with accessible seating and an accessible restroom. Greyhound Bus Lines also provides accessible travel. Priority seating is available for people with disabilities, and service dogs may accompany passengers. The staff is willing to help with bus entry and exit, and they are committed to handling assistive devices with care.

Cars and Vans

drawing (cartoon) of man in wheelchair going up ramp into car The ability to access a vehicle can make unlimited freedom of travel possible since the availability of accessible public transportation varies greatly from state to state. Most car rental agencies can provide you a fully equipped automobile within 72 hours or less, but they recommend at least one week's notice. Some agencies provide curbside service and/or wheelchair accessible van transportation to your rental car. Some of the automobile rental agencies that provide accessible automobiles are: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Priceless, Rent-a-Wreck, and Thrifty.

If you would prefer a van rental, try Wheelchair Getaways, Inc., Wheelchair Van Rental, L.L.C., Wheelers Accessible Vans, Accessible Vans of America, Wheelabout Van Rentals Ltd., or Absolute Comfort Wheelchair Van Rentals.

Hotels

Once you arrive at your destination, you'll need a place to stay. Many hotels and motels offer accessibility, but there isn't a standard of accessibility that all hotels provide. Check with the hotel to see if the accessibility features offered will meet your needs.

Summer is peak vacation time, so plan your travel as far in advance as you can. This article does not include all agencies and companies that provide accessibility services. This is a list compiled based on research on the Internet. DATI is providing these resources for informational purposes only and the provision of this list does not constitute the endorsement of any personal qualifications or services. Please contact me or your local Assistive Technology Resource Center for phone numbers, websites, e-mails, and addresses for the companies and agencies provided above. Or, for travel resources on the web, start with these sites: www.gimponthego.com, www.access-able.com, or www.emerginghorizons.com.

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