Posted November 23, 2024

Dreaming of traveling? The thought of embarking on an adventure can create feelings of excitement at the prospect of seeing new sights, trying novel experiences, reconnecting with family and friends, meeting new people, and having a respite from the demands of everyday life. Moving from the appealing idea of travel to actually planning for the journey can be overwhelming for some. For older adults and persons with disabilities, it demands a higher level of preparation that goes beyond typical travel arrangements. It requires that every step of the journey is thought through to align with the accessibility needs and comfort of the individual so that the experience can be meaningful and rewarding.

Each person is unique and has certain preferences. With detailed planning, the trip can be tailored to the specific needs and wants of the traveler ensuring that the trip is safe and comfortable as well as enjoyable and memorable. It is worth the effort to research and inquire each facet of travel to create a personalized itinerary. With this detail-oriented approach, travel anxieties are replaced by excitement, anticipation, and readiness.

Understanding Accessible Travel Needs 

The travel industry continues to evolve to allow for more people to enjoy the benefits of travel. It continues to look for ways to improve the experience for individuals of all ages and needs. Some of these improvements include addressing dietary needs, offering handicap rooms, and providing more tour options for those with physical and sensory limitations, just to name a few. As a result, travel can be feasible for those who didn’t think it was possible.

It is important to look at all segments of a trip to ensure that they are accessible and easy to navigate. Just because something is labeled “accessible”, doesn’t mean it fits the specific needs of every tourist. It is very important to know the details about the places that will be visited. Let’s explore further.

Accommodations: When it comes to lodging, there are lots of options available including hotels, Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs), and house rentals like Airbnb and VRBO. It is important to know in advance what to expect from the accommodation. Hotels have ADA regulations to follow plus they are becoming more cognizant of the special needs that some guests may require resulting in more satisfied customers. It is still a good idea to double check the features of their accessible rooms to make sure that they meet your standards. Asking for measurements such as the width of the doorways or height of the bed can help determine the appropriateness of a room especially for wheelchair users. Pictures of the room, including the bathroom, can also prove to be useful to better visualize the space. For example, would a patron be able to reach the soap dispenser and shower faucet from the shower seat? Or, does the bed have an open frame that would allow the base of a transfer lift to fit under it for those individuals that require one to move in and out of bed? Some aspects of a room might allow for modifications from the hotel staff and it is worth asking about. If the room set-up is not up to par for a safe and comfortable stay, it is better to rule out a place in advance than arrive and be disappointed.

Accessibility is important not only for those with physical limitations but also those with hearing or visual disabilities. It is helpful to learn what measures the hotel has in place to assist with customers who have sensory impairments. Someone with low vision could benefit from large print, high contrast colors and bright lighting. For someone who is blind, tactile maps, braille, and / or audio descriptions will be more useful. To aid guests with hearing loss, the use of captioning, visual cues and signage, and sign language interpreters can improve the trip.

If the hotel has the accessible features needed, call the hotel directly instead of going through a 3rd party vendor to reserve the specific room and ask that it be removed from the reservation system. This will secure the room and prevent it from being given to someone else. Also, book early for the best chance at obtaining an accessible room. This is especially important during busy travel seasons and equally important when reserving an accessible cabin on a cruise because they sell out fast.

Hotels tend to be more dependable in terms of accessibility and safety elements but it doesn’t mean that house rentals or BnB need to be ruled out. When looking at these other means of accommodations, it is important to not only understand the features of the bedroom and bathroom but also how easy it will be to navigate the building. For those using a walking device or a wheelchair, there should be enough space and a clear path to maneuver. Be aware of any steps to enter the building or within the lodging itself. It is also helpful to know about parking and access to the entrance. A gravel parking lot, for example, could pose a safety issue versus one that is paved.

Flights: People often fly to arrive to and from their destination and this is a plausible option for seniors and handicapped individuals. There are disability travel laws in effect but not as many that govern flights abroad compared to the United States. It is important to research what services are available to the elderly or disabled community in various parts of the world. In the U.S., travelers can receive assistance from the curb, through security, to the gate, and even onto the plane. There is some advanced planning that will make the airport experience as smooth as possible. It is important to refer to the airline’s accessibility page to understand their policies and whether any forms are required. Documentation is needed if flying with respiratory equipment or traveling with an electric wheelchair. It is imperative that the medical devices are FAA approved and that the airline knows in advance about it or a passenger may be denied boarding. For instance, oxygen canisters are not allowed on planes, only oxygen concentrators.

Besides reviewing airline policies, it is strongly recommended to contact the airline as far in advance of the flight as possible. They can assist with specific seat assignments that would be most appropriate for someone with special needs and can arrange for wheelchair escorts.

Plan to arrive to the airport early and allow for extra time getting through security. Inform the gate agent if preboarding is needed so seniors and disabled passengers have ample time to safely reach their seat. Early boarding is also available to those needing physical assistance into their seat and the airline can provide an aisle chair that is narrow enough to fit down the passage of the plane.

Mobility equipment like a walker, rollator, or wheelchair can be checked at the ticket counter but it is recommended to check those items at the gate. That allows the passenger to have it in their possession to use until the flight. It might also be less likely to be damaged or lost with gate check. Remove any detachable parts like seat cushions, footrests, and cup holders and plan ahead by having an extra tote or room in the carry-on bag for such items. Label all equipment, protect fragile instruments like a wheelchair joystick, and attach any instructions to the wheelchair so that ground personnel know the best way to handle the chair. Upon reaching your destination, gate-checked items are then left in the jetway for easy retrieval.

In some instances, a disability may not be obvious. Examples of conditions that might not be apparent to others include autism, fibromyalgia, dyslexia, dementia, and lupus, just to name a few. Airports worldwide are adopting a program called The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard that will discreetly alert airport personnel that additional support or assistance might be needed for someone who is wearing the lanyard. Displaying the lanyard is voluntary and does not require the wearer to disclose any medical information. The number of airports that have implemented the program is growing. The lanyards are free and available at participating airports.

Ground Transportation: When the destination is reached, it is necessary to know the best way to get around. Once again, advanced and detailed planning will lead to successful outcomes and smooth transitions resulting in a more memorable trip. Inquire with car rental companies about adaptive driving controls or the availability of a wheelchair accessible van that has either a ramp or a lift. Give as much notice as possible and provide specific details to better ensure the right vehicle is ready for use. Bring your handicap parking placard and disability id card for access to handicap parking.

Advancements are being made with public transit and every major city should offer accessible transportation for people with disabilities. Buses are being equipped with lower floors as well as ramps or lifts to increase the ease of boarding and disembarking. However, it is still crucial to learn which stops and buses are accessible. In addition, information about transportation services such as accessibility, schedules, and fares should be available in a variety of formats including braille, large print and audio.

Ride-hailing is a common way of getting from place to place while traveling. Some taxi vans have been modified to accommodate for wheelchair users allowing for a safe and comfortable means of transportation. Plan ahead by contacting the taxi company to arrange for pick-up in a proper vehicle. Uber and Lyft have become popular forms of ridesharing but be aware that it might not be easy to find wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) with these companies. Both apps allow the user to request a WAV ride but not all areas offer this service.

Attractions: The highlight of traveling is taking part in activities at your destination. This should be the best part of the trip but like all the previous areas of travel discussed, advanced planning is needed to enjoy and safely partake in the fun. There are several factors to consider when planning excursions.

The first consideration is the transportation to and from the special activity or event. Refer to the previous section about ground transportation. Shuttles may be available to tourists so it is important to know if they will accommodate your needs. Besides the actual vehicle, understand the pick-up and drop-off locations.

If joining a tour or partaking in an outdoor adventure, know what to expect from the route. Understand the distance and what type of terrain the participants will have to negotiate and if their current mobility devices will suffice. Renting specialized equipment like scooters or wheelchairs might be necessary. There are specially designed wheelchairs that can navigate across a sandy beach as well as all-terrain wheelchairs that can handle rough trails. Some outfitters have adapted their equipment to accommodate their guests with reduced mobility. By doing some investigating, one can find venturesome activities that are specialized and safe for disabled adventure seekers. Some of these adaptive programs include zipline, rafting, surfing, horseback riding and even scuba diving. Being adventurous isn’t just for the able-bodied. People with physical limitations can enjoy exhilarating wilderness experiences and the beauty of the great outdoors, too.

Perhaps a tourist prefers a more relaxed outing. There are plenty of options for this as well including river cruises, museums, historical buildings and many more. Inquiring in advance about entrances, steps, accessible bathrooms, wheelchair rentals and available visual or audio aids can ensure that the experience will be worthwhile. Besides knowing how well-equipped a tourist attraction is for special guests, it is also helpful to know how experienced and familiar the staff is with assisting these important clients.

Cruising: Taking a cruise is a popular vacation choice for people of all ages. Seniors and people with disabilities are finding cruising to be an affordable option with lots of accessible features and endless activities. Like airlines, the cruise lines will have an accessibility department that will assist with the needs of the traveler including securing an appropriate cabin. Plan to book an accessible room early, 18-24 months in advance if possible, since there are only a limited number of rooms available. Be prepared to provide documentation and complete necessary forms to reserve such a room.

Cruise lines vary in how well they accommodate older adults and persons of disabilities so shop around. Some nice features available on most cruises include designated seating in theaters, stair-free paths, and rental equipment options. Ships will have medical facilities onboard and some even provide specialized care like dialysis for passengers with kidney disease.

There is numerous shore excursions offered to cruise passengers. Be aware that accessible activities off the ship may be limited and could have an expensive price tag. Since the cruise lines don’t often operate the excursions, it is best to speak directly to the tour companies for details. Avoid tender ports especially if traveling with mobility limitations since it may be difficult or even impossible to board the tender boats that will take guests to shore. Keep in mind that if a cruise ship can dock in port, the gangways can be steep also making it difficult for those with physical impairments. Check with the cruise if assistance is available to navigate embarking and disembarking the ship.

The Benefits of Using a Travel Companion Service

Using the right travel companion service can be a blessing to a traveler for so many reasons. They can play an essential role in trip research, preparation and development of a personalized itinerary based on the preferences of the client, not the companion. During the trip, the companion can serve as a reassuring and comforting presence, providing support and circumventing potential issues. They can be an advocate to ensure that the needs of the client are met. A companion should be able to calmly and professionally handle unexpected situations like travel delays and adapt the schedule when needed. Having good communications skills is necessary to provide important information and updates to the person they are serving and to the client’s loved ones back home. A companion is a friend to share the journey with while being caring, compassionate and respectful to the person they serve. As a result, a companion can reduce travel anxieties, provide peace of mind, and enhance the travel experience. This is exactly the type of service you can expect from Beacon Travel Companions.

Travel assistance can bridge the gap between dreaming and reality, turning thoughts into memorable experiences. It can be empowering to seize the opportunity and reap the benefits of travel. It can improve mental health and reduce stress. It can broaden our horizons and teach us about the people, cultures, and the world around us. Travel can also build confidence and wet our appetite for future adventures. These enriching experiences can bring joy and improve quality of life.

At Beacon Travel Companions, I strive to brighten the journey for the clients I serve through detailed planning, compassionate companionship, and helpful assistance. As your travel partner, I will bring my 30+ years of experience in healthcare to provide a safe, comfortable and memorable trip. I am ready to assist you with your plans so contact me by calling 856-716-3425 or send me a message at [email protected].