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Spinal Cord Injury
Association
______________________________
of Illinois
TRAVEL AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY
Arranging travel is a fairly straight-forward process for non-disabled individuals. Most people contact a travel agency, choose a destination and hope that their baggage and the sun follow them. For the traveler with a spinal cord injury (SCI), or other disability, there is much more to consider when planning a trip. Anxiety about air-travel, the accessibility of accommodations and transportation and attitudinal barriers can be extra "baggage" for the novice traveler with SCI. With proper planning, these issues can be minimized, and often avoided.
What to Look for in a Travel Agency
If the agency does not have experience coordinating travel for persons with SCI or other disabilities, ask if they would be willing to do the necessary research to successfully plan the trip. If so, how would they go about determining accessibility of the destination and any in-between ground transportation? Do they know airline procedure for requesting passenger assistance or proper storage of a power wheelchair?
An inexperienced agency may deliver acceptable results, but it takes much more time and effort on the traveler's part. She/he must be well versed in his/her personal requirements and able to articulate these needs. Of course, the travel agency must be capable of understanding these needs and following through with accessibility confirmation.
Applicable Laws and Rights Serving Americans with Disabilities
The ADA, passed in 1990, gave civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity in employment, transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, and state and local government. For travelers with SCI, this means travel related services, such as lodging, dining, entertainment venues, bus and rail stations, cruise ship terminals, and airports are impacted and should be more accessible as the industry comes into compliance.
The ACAA, passed in 1986, guarantees that people with disabilities receive consistent and non-discriminatory treatment when traveling by air. An experienced travel agency will provide SCI travelers with a copy of the ACAA. It is recommended that travelers with SCI bring a copy of the ACAA whenever flying. Having a copy on hand can help both the passenger with a SCI and airline personnel clarify any misunderstanding about what is covered.
These laws have dramatically improved how individuals with SCI travel. However, travel industry suppliers need to be constantly educated about their obligation under these laws.
Be Prepared and Get Organized Before You Go
- Make a list of "must bring" items, such as medications, medical supplies, and patch kits, etc. Keep these items in a carry-on bag to make certain they arrive with you. When packing, keep medication in its original container. This avoids questions at Customs about the nature of the drugs the traveler is carrying.
- Write down important telephone numbers and store them in a carryon bag.
- Power wheelchair users should consider using gel cell batteries whenever possible to avoid battery separation as may be required under DOT rules.
- Locate a medical supply or wheelchair repair company in close proximity to the destination. Airlines have limited financial responsibility for wheelchair damages, however they may not know where or how to locate a repair company in a timely manner.
- Adaptive equipment, such as shower or commode chairs and Hoyer lifts can be rented at many destinations.
- When making airline reservations, consider booking a non-stop or direct (one stop without getting off the aircraft) flight, although a connecting flight may be preferred to allow the passenger with SCI the opportunity to exit the aircraft.
- Travelers with SCI should be mindful of fluid intake prior to flying (wheelchair accessible aircraft lavatories are rare see ACAA) but common sense should be exercised with regard to dehydration.
- Gate-check your wheelchair to allow usage up until boarding the aircraft.
Fortunately, the passage of laws such as the ADA and ACAA have dramatically improved travel options. Additionally, the travel industry is slowly recognizing that the disability community is a formidable market, with billions of dollars in expendable income. These factors mean that individuals with SCI and other disabilities can travel with confidence.
Some Specifics
Bus: Greyhound and Peerless bus lines are accessible to wheelchair travelers. Reservations need to be made 48 hours in advance, but four to seven days is preferred. Once reservations are made, the disabled services department needs to be informed of your intent to travel. Companions or attendants often travel free of charge.
Trains: Each train is mandated to have at least four available accessible compartments. The rooms are bigger and have larger bathrooms. Accessible compartments sleep two. If the dining car is on the second deck, order service to the room.
Cruises: Cabins are larger and all decks are wheelchair friendly. Check with individual cruise lines.
Resources
| Many resources are
available in local communities; check your telephone directories,
ask friends for resources, and ask at Support Group meetings for
good experiences with various travel agencies. Today, the Internet
provides a burgeoning number of resources. A couple of general
addresses for more information over the Web are http://www.icdri.org/ or http://www.beyond-ability.com/. |
CLICK ON HIGHLIGHTED TEXT BELOW FOR WEBSITE INFORMATION
AAA Motor Club - Chicago - Ask for "Travel Healthy, Travel Happy" brochure. If cruising, ask your travel agent to obtain a copy of the cruise line's information sheet regarding traveling with disabilities.
Access-Able Travel Source - offers a free newsletter and a collection of resources and travel tips.
Access America, atlas and guide to national parks, Northern Cartographic Mapping and Publishing, Dept. AA, P.O. Box 133, Burlington, VT 05402.
Access to the Skies Newsletter, published quarterly by the Paralyzed Veterans of America for the Paralysis Society of America. Contact Access to the Skies, 801 Eighteenth Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202) 872-1300.
Access to Travel Magazine, PO Box 352, New Baltimore, NY 12124.
The Air Carrier Access Act: Make It Work For You brochure, published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202) 872-1300.
The Americans with Disabilities Act: Your Personal Guide to the Law brochure, published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202) 872-1300.
The Directory
of Travel Agencies for the Disabled, Disability Bookshop, PO Box
129, Vancouver, WA 98666-0129 (800) 637-2256,
(206) 694-2462 (also available on cassette).
Exceptional
Vacations L.L.C., 3711 NW 4th Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33064
954-781-0990 - 954-781-4157 Fax
Email: info@exceptional-vacations.com
Foundation for Accessibility by the Disabled, Box 356, Malyerne, NY 11565 (516) 887-5798.
Handicapped in Walt Disney World: A Guide for Everyone, by Peter Smith (Southpark, $10.95)
Handicapped Travel Newsletter, published six times a year, $10.00 per year; contact Dr. Michael Quigley, PO Box Drawer 29, Athens, TX 75751.
Hawaii - Commission on Persons with Disabilities, 915 Ala Moana Blvd. (ground floor), Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, (808) 548-7606 (Voice/TDD)
Medical
Travel Inc,. The Disability Travel Experts,
16555 White Orchid Lane * Delray Beach, Florida 33446
Telephone: (800) 778-7953 * Office: (561) 921-0496 * Fax: (561) 921-0009
Email: info@medicaltravel.org
Mobility International, Box 3551, Eugene Ore, OR 97403, (503) 343-1284.
Mobility International Educational Exchange and Travel, $20.00 per year; contact Suzanne Shelley, MIUSA, PO Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440.
National Directory, facilities for disabled in many cities, (800) 365-1220.
National Park Service Office on Accessibility, Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013 (202) 343-3674.
New Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability brochure, Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division C-75, P-10, Room 9222, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-2220, (202) 755-7687 (TT).
Planet Mobility , (866) Go-LIFTS, (866) 465-4387, Office: (586) 677-6363, Fax: (586) 677-6379
RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) 25 Mortimer Street, London W1N 8ABS England.
SATH (Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped) 347 5th Avenue, Suite 610, New York, NY 10016.
Society for Accessible Travel & Hopitality - (800) 513-1126 - This website gives dozens of contract for all types of situations and limitations. 347 Fifth Avenue, Suite 610, New York, NY 10016 (212) 447-7284.
Travel Industry and Disabled Exchange, 5435 Donna Avenue, Tarzana, CA 91356.
Travel Information Service, Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, 12th Street & Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141 (215) 329-5715.
Travel Traders Unlimited, Contact Barbara McDermott at traveltraders@aol.com for literature and information for those traveling with special needs. Home: 414-258-0926; Office: 262-238-8800; Toll Free: 1-800-747-1708; Fax: 262-238-8801.
Travelinâ Talk Newsletter, Network and Directory, contact Rick Crowder, PO Box 3534, Clarksville, TN 37043.
The United States The Department of Transportation, Office of Regulatory Affairs, P-10, Room 9222, 400 7th St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, (800) 778-4838 (6a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time) - Provides one of the most important sources for anyone flying with a disability "New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler With a Disability. ALSO, the DOT has created a new Aviation Disability Hotline that collects complaint information 24/7 and is staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Eastern time). (866) 266-1368 (voice) and (866) 754-4368 (TTY). FLY Rights is anothe publication the US DOT offers for Airline Access information. (202) 366-2220
Wheels & Waves, published by Wheels Aweigh Publishing Co., 17105 San Carlos Boulevard, Suite #1-6107, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, (800) 637-2256 or (800) 247-6553.
Van Rentals
(See also Transportation)
Wheelers Nationwide Wheelchair Accessible Van Rentals (800) 456-1371
Planet Mobility , (866) Go-LIFTS, (866) 465-4387, Office: (586) 677-6363, Fax: (586) 677-6379
Agencies
(click on blue highlighted text
for website information)
| Able
to Travel, a Division of Partnership
Travel, Inc. 247 N. Main Street, Suite 308 Randolph, MA 02368 (800) 968-0053 Access
Ability Travel Access
Aloha Travel Access First
Access
Tours Accessible
Journeys Alaska
Welcomes You Arizona
Raft Adventures Challenge
Alaska Club Access
Courier Travel
|
Cruise
Planners 70 Garland Road Nottinghan, NH 03290 (603) 942-7191 (800) 801-9002 [toll free] Sales@Love2cruise.com Directions Unlimited
Discovery Hills
Travel Easy Access
Travel The Enabled
Traveler Flying
Wheels Travel Free Again Tours
Freedom's Wings
International International
Cruise Concepts Medical Travel Inc. Mobility
International USA National
Ability Center Nautilus
Cruises & Tours |
NeverLand
Adventures Outta Sight
Travel Over
the Rainbow Disabled Travel
Services Partnership
Travel, Inc. SE
Unlimited Sunset Travel
Travel Traders
Unlimited Turtle Tours Wheeling
Around the Algarve Wilderness
Inquiry Worlds of Travel
Worldwide
Cruises, Inc. |
Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois is a member of Community Health Charities of Illinois. For "Equal-opportunity-choices" in your payroll deduction program contact Mercedes Rauen, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois, 708-352-6223.