Volume 17, No. 2, Spring/Summer 2009	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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International Travel via Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Wheelchairs

Bill Young, Travel Agent
Debra Young, MEd., OTR/L, ATP, Occupational Therapist

Traveling for people who use a mobility device—specifically a wheelchair or scooter—takes planning, coordination, patience, and flexibility. But, we are here to tell you that it can be done and enjoyed immensely! Our dream to travel came true because we had the knowledge of how to navigate various systems and physical challenges, at least in part, due to our professional backgrounds—travel agent and occupational therapist. Our combined work totals nearly 25 years. Bill has been a travel agent for over 10 years in the leisure and corporate travel industry. He has sold the world but currently specializes in travel to the Caribbean and Mexico. Debra is a self-employed Occupational Therapist with over 14 years experience, currently providing contractual Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology services to Delaware schools and community programs. She is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional and specializes in Assistive Technology and Home Modifications/Accessibility consulting. Readers may contact her by e-mail at dyot@comcast.net. Our shared goal in this article is to reveal the ways we made travel a reality for ourselves and others. We hope you find the following information helpful!

Air travel

Purchasing your airline ticket is the time to try to secure bulkhead seating, which is typically reserved for elderly and/or disabled passengers for ease of boarding and exiting the plane. This is the first row of seats, just behind first class, and has increased leg room for ease of transfers. Bulkhead seating will not be available to persons with disabilities if it is an emergency exit row because persons seated in the emergency exit row must be able to assist other passengers in case of an emergency.

There are various considerations when planning a flight for a passenger who uses a wheelchair–such passengers are typically required to board the plane first and exit last. In order to accomplish this, an aisle chair–a chair that is slim enough to fit down the aisle of an airplane to transport disabled passengers to their seats–is needed. Discuss the need for boarding assistance with the ticketing agent upon your arrival at the airport. The ticketing agent is responsible for having an aisle chair at your designated departure gate. Not surprisingly, it is a good idea to arrive at your gate well in advance of your scheduled departure time in order to confirm arrangements–the status of the aisle chair, checking your personal wheelchair, and arranging for assistance to board the plane. Arriving at the gate late and/or the absence of the aisle chair can result in having to board the plane last, which is a difficult task once everyone else is seated. It is also important to consider arrangements for connecting flights. Ask the gate agent to call ahead to the next airport to make sure that an aisle chair will be ready and waiting for your use. It is not uncommon for the passenger with a disability to have an aisle seat. This seems counterintuitive, as passengers with disabilities board first, which requires other passengers sharing the row to step over the passenger to access the inner seats. Consider asking for a window seat. Some airlines have an on-board aisle chair available for a passenger with a disability to gain access to the restroom. (This is not consistent across airlines.) Using the aisle chair in flight can be a challenging and voyeuristic experience. As we all know, the size of an airplane bathroom, combined with the looming curiosity of surrounding passengers, can make for a spectacle.

The type of aircraft and the size of the airport will determine how a passenger using a wheelchair will exit the plane. Once the other passengers have deplaned, the flight attendant will bring the aisle chair to assist with the exit. The plane may be exited down the gateway, which is the preferred and easiest way, or the person may be carried down a flight of steps in the aisle chair by a few strong men. Once off the plane and back into a wheelchair, it is customary for the airline to escort the passenger with a disability through security and customs. The escort will navigate airport shortcuts, then it's time to find your luggage. On our trip through the South Pacific, we were made aware of a helpful tip–always ask for a priority luggage tag for each piece of checked luggage. This alerts the luggage handlers to put your luggage on the conveyor belt first, which helps your airport escort to locate your luggage with little delay and decreases the chance of lost luggage.

Train, ferries, and gondolas, oh my!

Trains and ferries have been some of the most accessible forms of “public” transportation we have experienced in our travels. You may not have access to all areas of the train or ferry, including the bathroom, but you will be able to board. A ferry challenge we encountered was tidal in nature, which significantly changed the accessibility of the boat. As a result, entering and exiting the ferry can became an adventure. One “perk” we found in our travels is that fares have been discounted for passengers with disabilities and their companions.

How does a traveler using a wheelchair get to the top of a mountain? By gondola, of course. A gondola can be challenging due to the size of the cars and, especially, because the cars never stop. However, the systems may have different speeds. A person using a mobility device needs to be able to transfer quickly to make this a realistic adventure. Quite an experience, but well worth the views!

Then, of course, there are cars and buses. If you want to come and go at your own pace, look into renting a modified vehicle. This requires some research and planning. Make sure you ask the company exactly what they offer by way of adapted vehicles and what paperwork is necessary for rental, and don’t be surprised if the adaptive driving equipment isn’t set up in the way you are accustomed.

Taking a public bus is another great option. It is more cost effective than car rental but requires more planning. Not all buses are accessible, which may mean that you will have to wait for an accessible bus—a bus with a ramp and space to fit a wheelchair as well as seating for the elderly/disabled. Depending on where you get on or off the bus will determine the incline of the ramp, which changes the true accessibility to enter and exit the bus independently. Furthermore, rides can be fast and bumpy. Be prepared! Wheelchair brakes may not be enough to keep a wheelchair from sliding around. A common thread during our international travel was that tie-downs were often nonexistent in public transportation. Make sure you have something or someone to hold onto, if needed.

The bottom line

When traveling with a disability, you need to do some extra planning and research to make sure your trip has the accommodations you need for a happy and safe journey. Ask questions to truly get an idea of what “accessible” means, as this can vary immensely. Putting extra time into the planning process will help to ensure that your transportation needs will not negatively impact your activities. Most of all, before you decide you can’t travel due to your disability, look into it. The possibilities might surprise you!

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