How to Travel with a Disability

A few years ago I was asked to be one of the speakers at a state writer's group at their fall conference. I knew little about the writer's group, but the fall conference was an easy drive from home and at an Express motel built along the interstate. I didn't even think about calling ahead to ask about accessibility. It was a fairly new facility. Of course, there will be handicap accessibility. No problem.

Two days before the conference the main speaker had a heart attack and I was asked if I could take his speaking slots as well as my own. I agreed. In fact, I was looking forward to the opportunity to share with other authors.

A friend signed up for the conference and drove me, since I don't drive, to the location. Carrying our purses and all my books and supplies for the conference, we approached the front counter. I smiled at the receptionist and asked, "Where is the writer's conference."

She pointed behind me. Turning I looked up a flight of stairs. Ok. That didn't look too handicap accessible. Turning back, I smiled, confident the place was accessible. "Please direct us to the elevator."

She paused. "There isn't any."

I glanced at the stairs, at my friend and back at the stairs. This was a problem. I assumed that being a fairly new facility, there would be handicap accessibility. Most of the rooms, I later found out, were handicap accessible-meaning they were on ground level. But there were these set of rooms that were up those flight of stairs that were not in any way handicap accessible. That is where the conference was being held. I didn't see I had much choice. I couldn't back out. I had become the main speaker. One way or another, handicap accessibility aside, I was going up those stairs.

Stairs are not very handicap accessible. Stairs are a problem for me. Though I do not use a wheelchair (except after some surgeries for awhile), I still have considerable limitations. Stairs are not my friend.

My limitations stem from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis I contracted at 13 that put me into a wheelchair for ten years until joint replacements and a whole lot of reconstructive surgery got me back on my feet. In fact, my kids grew up knowing mom might be laid up for one surgery-usually another replacement as I wore out joints---or another during any given year. I had gotten used to checking things out for handicap accessibility since I do travel to conferences, etc. for my writing/speaking. This time, I'd blown it. The conference location was anything but handicap accessible.

Life presents challenges and this was just one more challenge. Leaning against the rail on one side, and with my friend on the other, I slowly made my way up those stairs, one step at a time. Winded, but exhilarated, I stepped into the hallway. "I made it!"

My friend brought up all our "stuff" and we presented ourselves to the conference staff. They greeted me, stuck a tag on my jacket and showed me where I could lay out my books. After I got as prepared as possible, my friend and I decided our next step was to use the facilities before the conference began.

"Oh," we were told, "there isn't a restroom on this floor." And I'd thought the conference location was less than accessible before.

My thought was, who in the world booked these rooms! Next I groaned as I thought about going down-and up those stairs again. The thought was exhausting.

Thankfully the president of the group overheard the conversation and gave us permission to use the bathroom in the room he'd booked for himself. Thankfully, though not created as a handicap accessible bathroom, I was able to use the facilities. It was all good-until lunch. Guess where lunch was being prepared? That's right. Down stairs. And yes, I did go down and up those stairs. I heard others with limitations laboring and muttering about the location and lack of thought for handicap accessibility.

Of course at the end of the very successful day, I had to descend those stairs again. It was a hard, exhausting lesson. Even in today's environment where handicap accessibility is mandated, not everything is handicap accessible. Not everything needs to be, but some things certainly need to be taken into consideration if you or someone you are with have accessibility issues.

I've been in a handicap bathroom that I was unable to use. I've been in motel that claimed accessibility but just a step or two kept it from being truly so. We've booked rooms touted as handicap accessible only to discover the bed was too low and a new policy mandated only two were allowed in the handicap accessible suite. The problem was we had two teenage girls with us. That wasn't the last time that happened in booking handicap accessible rooms, and I couldn't help but wonder if those who create these rooms believe those with disabilities don't have families.

What I have learned from my adventures is not to assume. If you or someone you're with has handicap accessible issues, be sure to always check out a facility before arrival. As I contacted the hotel later where the conference had been held, I discovered the organizers of the conference were told that those rooms were not handicap accessible. What happened was not the fault of the motel, but lack of sensitivity on the part of the organizers with regard not to me, who they didn't really know, but to many within their membership who were older.

I've learned other lessons as well.

If you use special equipment at home, do not leave home without it. At home I use I toilet riser. There are times I've left it behind thinking I'd be in a handicap accessible situation only to discover having the riser along would have improved the situation considerably.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If the front desk doesn't know, ask the manager. Want particulars? Ask for the cleaning staff; often they know more than anyone else how a room is set up.

While I didn't have the option of moving the conference, had it been a situation where I'd booked a room only to find it didn't suit, I would have explained my situation and asked for other accommodations. At one family reunion, the handicap accessible suite turned out to be anything but handicap accessible. We explained the situation, got our money refunded and found accommodations at another motel.

Don't assume a restaurant, motel or any other place is handicap accessible in the way that best fits your particular needs. Always, always ask before arriving.

If you are concerned about handicap accessibility, take a companion with you. In my case, since I don't really drive, that is a given.

I find a positive attitude makes a lot of difference in how I am perceived and how much help I receive with accessibility and with what manner. If I am polite, but firm, most of those I deal with go out of their way to assist me.

Life is a challenge. If we see it as an adventure, even unexpected stairs can provide fodder for a good story and a good lesson in accessibility. Don't assume handicap accessibility. Check things out.

You can make a trip more pleasant and much more handicap accessible with just a little foresight and a good attitude.