We’ve soon a lot of improvement in the last couple of decades when it comes to adapting tourist attractions and destinations for people with disabilities.
Of course, it’s hard for anyone to adapt to remote locations which are naturally hardly accessible for all of us. Reaching remote locations like Machu Picchu is a hard pill to swallow even for those who are able to walk freely. But, there is an emerging trend with organizing disability-friendly tours.
Nowadays, you can see more and more people in wheelchairs wherever you go. Being unable to walk distances is a constraining factor for sure, but it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker if someone wants to travel the world and experience new cultures.
You Need to Plan Ahead For Your Trip
It’s true, you’ll have to carefully plan your trip way up ahead. You will need to search for the best possible deals for hotels and accommodations that are very accessible and located near the city center. You need to book your stay as close as you can to the places you’d like to visit with the facilities you might need located nearby.
Companies like booknowmed can be pretty helpful when it comes to getting familiar with the availability of hospitals and other medical institutions in different areas of the world.
Furthermore, you want to inform your chosen airline company and check with them if it would be possible for someone to assist you when boarding the plane and checking in.
Airlines will hopefully designate an employee to meet you curbside and lend a helping hand with escorting you both on and off the plane.
Pack Everything You Need
Above all, you need to be prepared for all the unforeseen circumstances. Being tied to a chair or visually impaired you need to be able to prepare for all the things that can go wrong during your trip.
Maybe we’re being a little bit extreme here, but what if the train tickets you bought online can do you no good since there was a strike emerged and all the train routes are blocked.
You will also need to carry all spare items for your wheelchair if it malfunctions and needs to be repaired promptly. You know the drill, and you definitely can predict what can possibly go wrong with it.
One thing worth mentioning at this point is that you can just as well decide to borrow/rent a wheelchair if you feel like it’s a heavy burden for you to travel using yours. If you arranged for someone that will help you with everything while you’re on your flight, then you’ll be good to rent a chair just as well.
Little More To It
Getting a travel insurance might also be a good idea. It’s always recommended sorting everything out prior to the actual journey, just in case you need any medical help during the travel.
If you’re from the US, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) that will help you connect with the nearest US embassy in no time. It’s a free service and it can really come in handy if you get stuck with the paperwork or bureaucracy somewhere along the way.
About the author
Stephanie is the founder of MilitaryTravelMama.com; she is the wife of a military professional and mother to two children. Follow her blog for more about military life, military discounts, family trips, healthy eating, and parenthood.