Spring break is a time of year most people look forward to. Children and young adults get a week off of school, and many families choose to to spend quality time together, whether it be at home, around the house, or on a family vacation.
Traveling can be a complicated process, if you or someone in your family is living with a disability, but that doesn’t mean any of you should be prevented from doing what you want to do. You just may need to do it differently.
Traveling with a disability takes a lot of planning. It is important to know your limitations, what modifications you do or don’t need. Research the accessibility of the hotel, and don’t be afraid to call and ask specific questions about your needs. (Examples of questions you may want to ask include: What is the width of the doors? Does the room have a roll-in shower? Is there an elevator, and/or are there steps? How high is the bed off if the ground?)
If you are flying to detestation, become familiar with the air carrier class act, which explains your rights as a customer with a disability. Also, even though there may be an aisle chair on board the plane that can take you to the bathroom while you are in the air, it is much easier to go in the airport prior to boarding. Monitor your liquids until you reach your layover or final destination.
If you are planning to leave the US and head abroad, keep in mind that the ADA laws only apply in the US. Each country has its own laws regarding accessibility, and they differ greatly from country to country.
Accessible Journeys is a site that will help you plan your group or individual accessible vacation. They are also a great resourse for travel tips as you plan your journey.
If you are looking for a vacation rental instead of a hotel, you can find some in the New Mobility magazine. They list vacation rentals owned by people with disabilities in each issue under their classified section. Also, you can find some on the internet here.
Finally, remember what is accessible for someone else may not be accessible for you, so be thorough in your research and planning.
