Travel After Spinal Cord Injury

Arranging travel is a fairly straight-forward process for non-disabled individuals. Most people contact a travel agency, choose a destination and hope that their baggage and the sun follow them. For the traveler with a spinal cord injury (SCI), or other disability, there is much more to consider when planning a trip. Anxiety about air-travel, the accessibility of accommodations and transportation and attitudinal barriers can be extra "baggage" for the novice traveler with SCI. With proper planning, these issues can be minimized, and often avoided.

What to Look for in a Travel Agency

Call or visit a few travel agencies. Ask if they have actual experience coordinating travel for persons with SCI or other disabilities. An experienced agency will have readily available, fully researched sources on accessible accommodations. On-site visits of travel destinations should be conducted by either agency personnel or reliable area contacts to provide accurate accessibility information. Determining accessibility by telephone is risky unless performed by an individual who specializes in "on-site" evaluations. A reputable agency will ask about such specifics as door width, bathroom design, ramping, etc.

If the agency does not have experience coordinating travel for persons with SCI or other disabilities, ask if they would be willing to do the necessary research to successfully plan the trip. If so, how would they go about determining accessibility of the destination and any in-between ground transportation? Do they know airline procedure for requesting passenger assistance or proper storage of a power wheelchair?

An inexperienced agency may deliver acceptable results, but it takes much more time and effort on the traveler's part. She/he must be well versed in his/her personal requirements and able to articulate these needs. Of course, the travel agency must be capable of understanding these needs and following through with accessibility confirmation.

Applicable Laws and Rights Serving Americans with Disabilities 

It is useful to spend some time becoming educated about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA) affect the traveler with SCI.

The ADA, passed in 1990, gave civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity in employment, transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, and state and local government. For travelers with SCI, this means travel related services, such as lodging, dining, entertainment venues, bus and rail stations, cruise ship terminals, and airports are impacted and should be more accessible as the industry comes into compliance.

The ACAA, passed in 1986, guarantees that people with disabilities receive consistent and non-discriminatory treatment when traveling by air. An experienced travel agency will provide SCI travelers with a copy of the ACAA. It is recommended that travelers with SCI bring a copy of the ACAA whenever flying. Having a copy on hand can help both the passenger with a SCI and airline personnel clarify any misunderstanding about what is covered.

These laws have dramatically improved how individuals with SCI travel. However, travel industry suppliers need to be constantly educated about their obligation under these laws.

Be Prepared and Get Organized Before You Go

Seasoned travelers have organization down to a science, but most people need assistance in this area. Taking time to get organized before departure is time well spent. For example:

• Make a list of "must bring" items, such as medications, medical supplies, and patch kits, etc. Keep these items in a carry-on bag to make certain they arrive with you. When packing, keep medication in its original container. This avoids questions at Customs about the nature of the drugs the traveler is carrying.
• Write down important telephone numbers and store them in a carry on bag.
• Power wheelchair users should consider using gel cell batteries whenever possible to avoid battery separation as may be required under DOT rules.
• Locate a medical supply or wheelchair repair company in close proximity to the destination. Airlines have limited financial responsibility for wheelchair damages, however they may not know where or how to locate a repair company in a timely manner.
• Adaptive equipment, such as shower or commode chairs and Hoyer lifts can be rented at many destinations.
• When making airline reservations, consider booking a non-stop or direct (one stop without getting off the aircraft) flight, although a connecting flight may be preferred to allow the passenger with SCI the opportunity to exit the aircraft.
• Travelers with SCI should be mindful of fluid intake prior to flying (wheelchair accessible aircraft lavatories are rare ¬ see ACAA) but common sense should be exercised with regard to dehydration.
• Gate-check your wheelchair to allow usage up until boarding the aircraft.

In the recent past, travelers with SCI faced many obstacles. Architectural barriers and unenlightened attitudes prevented many people with disabilities from traveling with ease. The desire to travel was still alive, yet the potential for negative experiences made staying close to home the safest option.

Fortunately, the passage of laws such as the ADA and ACAA have dramatically improved travel options. Additionally, the travel industry is slowly recognizing that the disability community is a formidable market, with billions of dollars in expendable income. These factors mean that individuals with SCI and other disabilities can travel with confidence.

Some Specifics

Air: All airlines are mandated by law to be wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair travelers are entitled to all the comforts and accommodations of non-wheelchair travelers. Assistance boarding and exiting the plane, as well as proper storage of your wheelchair, should be arranged prior to departure. Each airline may have slightly different procedures, so be sure to call ahead.

Bus: Greyhound and Peerless bus lines are accessible to wheelchair travelers. Reservations need to be made 48 hours in advance, but four to seven days is preferred. Once reservations are made, the disabled services department needs to be informed of your intent to travel. Companions or attendants often travel free of charge.

Trains: Each train is mandated to have at least four available accessible compartments. The rooms are bigger and have larger bathrooms. Accessible compartments sleep two. If the dining car is on the second deck, order service to the room.

Cruises: Cabins are larger and all decks are wheelchair friendly. Check with individual cruise lines.
Resources

Many resources are available in local communities; check your telephone directories, ask friends for resources, and ask at Support Group meetings for good experiences with various travel agencies. Today, the Internet provides a burgeoning number of resources. A couple of general addresses for more information over the Web are: www.info@beyond-ability.com.

Reference: http://www.sci-illinois.org/travel