Disabled Holiday To New York: Getting There Is No Longer Half The Battle
Many of us long for the opportunity to travel. We crave the thrill of going to new places and seeing new things. Thanks to modern technology, travel is faster and easier than it ever was in the past. Choose how you want to travel, buy a ticket and just head out. For those will disabilities, though, accessible travel to New York has, sometimes, been a problem.
For people who suffer mobility issues, a lot more preparation must go into their travel. Careful thought has to be put into the plans. They have to make sure their needs are met, regardless of where they go. A destination that cannot accommodate them creates many hassles. There are some who have just given up trying.
Transportation and accessibility issues can take all the fun out of a vacation. Attractions have to be able to accommodate those in need. Some buildings that are under legal exemptions are just not enjoyable.
While some companies, such as those that run airlines, have become helpful, some still are not. Your airline can provide a wheelchair and other assistance to help you. Some modes of transportation, such as trains and buses can be more problematic. The small cramped aisles are very hard to negotiate in wheelchairs or using walkers.
Due to the prominence of this issue, some people have made it their mission to help. You can find many websites online that can help you find the information you need for almost any destination. They keep information on the most accessible places to visit. Most also specialize in advocacy, to make more aware that disabled travelers exist.
Emerging Horizons, Accessible Journeys, Disabled Travelers and SATH can all be great sites to use. They keep their information as current as possible. They can easily help you find the most accessible places in New York or anywhere else. Whether you have to move slowly or use a wheelchair, they know the best places for you.
Another thing you will want to do is to make sure and let the need for some services be known ahead of time. If you inform your airline, they can have a wheelchair ready to help you, if you need it. This can really speed up the process and save you a lot of time. There is no need to sit home any longer and not enjoy yourself. Accessible travel to New York is no longer just a dream!
Avoiding Prospective Disability Travel Disasters
Avoiding the many potential disability travel disasters requires a little forethought and planning that you might not expect. There are several resources out there that are dedicated to disability travel planning and accommodations. Anyone that has a disability or that is planning to travel with someone that has a disability must make their arrangements with a little more care than other travelers.
Almost every travel destination in the United States and many other countries are required to have specific accommodations for the disabled. However you will have to make sure that those accommodations are available at the time that you are planning to travel on vacation. You will not have the same needs as another disabled person, so it will always be better to talk to an actual person about your specific needs.
Starting with the airport, make sure you understand their rules and regulations regarding special needs individuals. Some airlines will have you check your wheelchair and then offer you one that belongs to the airport.
Of course, this can significantly shorten the time you have to get from one terminal to the next in the event of a connecting flight. Scheduling three hours or more between connecting flights can help make up for the slow airline response to wheelchair needs.
Most of the time you will simply have to go through the individual scan. Airport security personnel are required to ask you if there are areas of your body that are painful or sensitive to touch. Be sure to let them know if you are feeling violated in any way.
There are many aspects of traveling that airports, train stations, cab companies, and hotels tend to overlook because they are not familiar with all of the needs of their guests and customers. Able bodied individuals often run into snags, which means anyone with a disability might expect to run into a few snags as well. Planning for additional time is essential to a successful trip.
Hotels can be difficult when it comes to their set up. Disability travel issues often center just as much around the hotel as any other travel issue. Carpeting can make wheeling around difficult while the doorways are often only wide enough to allow the wheelchair through but are often not wide enough to account for hands that are propelling the chair forward via the wheels. Talk to the hotel in advance and be sure to leave them accurate and directive feedback about their disabled accommodations before you leave.