8 Great Travel Hacks From People with Disabilities
If you love the prospect of a getaway, but hate the idea of running into problems, why not consider these tips from seasoned travellers with disabilities? These eight great travel hacks may help you minimize disaster – while maximizing your dream vacation.
1. Do research ahead of time. You’re already aware, of course, that travelling successfully with a disability means doing homework beforehand. But there’s more to it than looking into destinations, accommodations and transportation options. Experienced travellers recommend a couple of additional assignments: First, reach out to disability organizations in the city you’ll be visiting. Someone there might be able to point you towards hotels and attractions that wouldn’t otherwise show up on your radar. There are also searchable databases online, such as AccessNow and AccessAble, that provide detailed accessibility information about specific venues
2. Talk to the hotel. Sure, you’ve been on the hotel’s website, and you’ve established that accessible rooms are available for the asking. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that what you see is what you’ll get. Before booking, call the front desk and ask specific questions about the available rooms: Is there sufficient knee space under the sink? Exactly how much transfer space is there beside the bed, and on which side? When I travelled with my husband, we often found that the staff person taking reservations wasn’t at all familiar with the features of the accessible room; they’d need to talk to housekeeping or look at the room themselves, and call us back. You can also ask them to take photos for you. It’s better to invest the extra time, ask questions, and know with certainty that a room will meet your individual needs… before you arrive.
3. Indulge in a non-stop trip. The fewer plane or train changes you need to make while heading to your destination, the lower the odds that your equipment gets lost or broken, or that you get injured making a transfer. Your overall trip will be shorter, too, draining less of your precious time and energy.
4. Pack a power bar. It doesn’t take much room in your luggage, and it means you’ll have extra outlets available at your destination for charging your chair or devices. If you choose a power bar that has an extension cord, that extra length may mean the difference between your being able to plug things in yourself – and being unable to reach any wall outlets at all.
5. Consider borrowing the equipment you need, instead of toting it. If you only need a wheelchair or scooter part-time, and you’re going to be on a cruise ship, staying at a resort or visiting museums and galleries, there might be mobility devices available for guests, saving you from having to bring your own. When my family stayed at an Ontario resort, we were able to rent a portable Hoyer lift from a local company, instead of trying to fit ours into our van alongside our suitcases.
6. Plan for peeing on the plane. Tiny, awkward airplane washrooms aren’t exactly welcoming. Many travellers with disabilities avoid the issue altogether by restricting fluids before and while flying. But air travel is dehydrating, which can make you feel unwell and exhausted. (Find out more: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dehydration-exhaustion-and-gas-what-flying-on-an-airplane-does-to-your-body) It may be better to drink the extra water you need, and find an alternate way to pee. If you wear a leg bag, perhaps your companion can cover your lap with a blanket, then stealthily empty the leg bag into a toilet, or connect it to an overnight bag. The traveller in this video has mastered the art of self-catheterizing from any chair, including an airplane seat, with an all-in-one catheter and bag kit she packs in her carry-on.
7. Prepare for wheelchair damage. If you’re ready to handle repairs, you’ll be less undone by them. Before your trip, make note of wheelchair repair services in the city where you’ll be staying, especially those that offer house calls. Pack items in your baggage or carry-on – duct tape, small tools, zip ties – that could fix a small problem in a pinch. (Make sure you’re legally permitted to bring these items aboard! https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/what-can-bring)
8. Do, however, minimize the odds of breakage. While boarding, before you let your wheelchair out of your sight, disassemble what you can. Remove the footrests, headrest, joystick, and other parts, and pack them in a bag that comes with you on the plane. You can even sit on your own cushion for the duration of the plane ride – you might find you’re a lot more comfortable (and your skin is safer) in a custom seat.
One last tip: When you travel, expect to be the expert. You know your needs better than anyone else, so be ready to provide step-by-step instructions for assisting you or for dismantling your equipment. If the adjustable showerhead in your hotel room doesn’t work, or there’s no maneuverability around the bed, it’s up to you to explain the problem and suggest a solution. Remember, this stuff is in your wheelhouse – no pun intended!
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2. https://www.accessable.co.uk/
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyfD2W17Bws
6. https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/what-can-bring