Business & Vacation Travel for People with Disabilities

Whether you are in a wheelchair, hearing or seeing impaired, suffering from Parkinson's, Epilepsy or other disability, planning and enjoying a vacation in the United States or abroad is only a telephone call away! Hotels, motels, travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines, theme parks, tour companies, restaurants, convention centers and chambers of congress across the globe now offer accessibility, accommodations and discounted travel opportunities for senior citizens and disabled people everywhere.

Every since passage of the American With Disabilities Act in 1990, enormous strides have been made in the United States and elsewhere, in providing complete public access for people with disabilities. In fact, any disabled person can routinely travel almost anywhere in the world, and do so in a very cost-effective and restricted-free manner. But before you rush out and grab the next ship or plane, there are a few things you should know and choices you must make when planning your trip.

DECIDING WHEN TO TRAVEL, AND WHERE AND HOW

Consider that "not anytime is the best time" for visiting the great outdoors, steaming up the wild Mississippi, enjoying a lovely Caribbean cruise or flying down to Cancun, Mexico for the weekend. Most vacation spots, including lodging and sight-seeing tours, are seasonal and often require reservations many months in advance of your stay. While Hawaii and the West Indies
may be fun-filled year-round, places like London, England and Nome, Alaska can be harsh in winter and not as tourist-friendly during certain months of the year. Some airlines and hotels only offer discounted fares and lodging - even to the disabled - during fall and winter months. And like them, cruise lines often try to book travelers for middle-of-the-week vacation travel.

Here and abroad, numerous conveyance companies as well as airlines and cruise ships now offer access to people in wheelchairs and with other disabilities. That this is the main factor in choosing where to travel, companies like Global Access (a major online travel resource for disabled people) offer detailed information for disabled individuals who need to bring along a seeing-eye dog, hearing apparatus, oxygen or dialysis equipment, as well as walkers, wheelchairs and other pedestrian aids. Your age, health and unique disability are vital in deciding where to travel and book a room, and when is the best time to take your trip.

If your journey is local or cross country, you should consider traveling by train or bus or even carpooling. A number of companies are listed below to assist you in deciding the best time to travel and even how. They have access to databases world-wide and provide information year-round on travel and lodging, and list other accommodations and facilities available to
people with disabilities. The best time to visit any place is when it is open to visitors, most accessible to the disable, and is most cost-effective to visit. Becoming well-informed and planning well in advance will almost guarantee a successful trip!

DECIDING WHO TO TAKE WITH YOU

When choosing the best time to travel, remember you need to decide who is to accompany you. If it is not a business trip, naturally you should want to bring your spouse along. That is, if you are married! In this case, and if you can afford it, it can be a wonderful experience to also share your long-awaited vacation with the children. Regardless of your unique disability though, it is always advisable not to travel alone.

If you are single, consider having a relative, close friend or attendant accompany you, especially if you are going by ship or plane and traveling out of the country. For no matter how accessible buildings and facilities everywhere become, traveling and getting out-and-about while on vacation can sometimes be a difficult and lonely experience - especially if you are disabled and know the importance of a companion. So take someone with you., who can share the expense, and who will enjoy making great memories with you!

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

Medication, vitamins, bathroom accessories, clothing, reading material, keys, money, credit cards, travel brochures, glasses, binoculars, camera, film, purse or wallet, and a telephone address book are most of the major items you need to take with you, of course. But if traveling abroad, you may need to obtain a passport, and a visa for each country in your itinerary. And depending on where and when you travel, you may need to pack additional clothing for excessively warm or cold weather. As a rule, remember not to overpack, and only bring what you need and know you will use. Lastly, bring what you can only carry, and leave some room in your bags for all the souvenirs you are certain to collect while on vacation!

YOUR RIGHTS AS A DISABLED PERSON

Your rights as a disabled person are guaranteed under the ADA and stipulate you will receive equal access to all forms of transit as well as to sidewalks, ramps, street crossings, public buildings, parking and transit access areas and other facilities throughout the U.S. Also, sites of public involvement activities as well as the information presented must be accessible to persons with disabilities.

Across the globe almost every nation has joined the United States in providing access to people with disabilities; and throughout most townships and cities within their borders inaccessibility to the disabled have become a thing of the past. Before traveling abroad though, you should consider contacting one or more of the resources listed below to plan your trip accordingly. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to get going! Next stop: just about anywhere you wish!