| Travel by air for people with health issues, handicaps, | | | | or already have like canes and crutches. Do you need |
| disabilities or special needs, can be challenging. The | | | | a slow pace or are you a slow walker? |
| following air travel tips will help make your flight and | | | | If you will be traveling through different time zones, |
| trip, whether domestic or international, easier, | | | | how will jet lag affect your situation? |
| cheaper and safer. | | | | Consider how the following will be of concern during |
| When making your travel reservations, request any | | | | your trip and discuss with your travel agent: upper |
| carts, wheelchair services or any other transportation | | | | body strength, communication ability, speech issues, |
| you'll need. Fully describe your limitations and needs. | | | | voice issues, vision problems, hearing problems, heat |
| Get your airline ticket and boarding pass well ahead | | | | issues, medication needs, oxygen requirements, and |
| of time so you don't have to wait in any lines. You'll | | | | dietary requirements such as gluten-free meals. |
| be able to arrange travel at a discount, get better | | | | Try to arrange or book your air travel through |
| travel deals, and avoid last minute travel headaches. | | | | experienced travel agencies or tour operators that |
| Talk with your airline representative or travel agent | | | | specialize in disabled travel. There are a large number |
| regarding the type of restrooms that are on the | | | | of agencies throughout the U. S., Canada, Europe, |
| airplane. Call your airport and find out as much | | | | Australia and many other countries. |
| information as possible about the restrooms and | | | | Just in case you need them, it's also good to know if |
| handicapped parking at the airport. | | | | there are any travel agencies that specialize in |
| You'll need to find out how you'll be boarding the | | | | disabled travel at your destination, for return travel, |
| airplane at each of the airports involved in your trip. | | | | local resources or travel services. |
| You may need another type of airplane or alternative | | | | At the airport let airline boarding personnel know that |
| route so you'll have Jetways, or jet bridges, into the | | | | you may need extra time to board the plane. Sit |
| plane from the airport and not have to worry about | | | | close to the door at the gate so you're called first |
| stairs. | | | | and then board at a comfortable pace. |
| One year my mother and I were going to fly out of | | | | After the plane has landed, never get off the plane |
| the San Jose, California airport and discovered after | | | | until you see or have your assisting device, |
| we arrived that we had to go outside on the ground | | | | wheelchair, travel wheelchair, etc. Flight attendants |
| level with the wheelchair to the tarmac. Four airline | | | | have to stay on the airplane until the last passenger |
| employees had to carry my mother in the wheelchair | | | | leaves. They will help you while you're on the plane |
| up the steep steps to board the plane. This might be | | | | but once you're off the plane they won't be able to |
| impossible if there are weight issues. | | | | help you. |
| Think about what seat arrangement will work best | | | | Make sure you carry your medications and back-up |
| for you needs. Would an aisle seat make it more | | | | prescriptions with you onto the plane, along with |
| convenient to get to the restroom? You'll want to | | | | doctors' names, addresses, fax numbers for faxing |
| avoid sitting in the emergency exit row. The | | | | prescriptions, phone numbers, medical diagnosis, |
| passengers in this row may be asked to help others | | | | names and dosages of medications you're taking and |
| in an emergency situation. | | | | any allergies you have. |
| Let the airlines and flight attendants know if you | | | | Photocopy passports, airline tickets, American |
| have any assisting devices. Find out the best way to | | | | Express Travelers Cheques, credit cards, any |
| store them so they arrive without damage. | | | | important papers. |
| Always keep in mind what you can do easily and | | | | Carry your health insurance information with you on |
| without assistance, as well as situations that would | | | | the plane. Know what you'll do if you encounter a |
| require help. | | | | health problem or medical emergency on your trip. |
| Can you transfer to seats by yourself? Will you need | | | | Get travel insurance to ensure less costly medical |
| a transfer board or assistance from airline staff? | | | | assistance. These emergency bills may not be |
| Consider hiring a travel nurse if you have serious | | | | covered under your health insurance policy. It'll ease |
| health or medical issues. There are traveling nurses | | | | your mind to have this back-up travel insurance and |
| networks. | | | | prevent costly emergency medical charges on your |
| Can you describe your wheelchair, scooter or walker, | | | | trip. Emergency medical costs can run considerably |
| dimensions, weight, type of tires, type of batteries, | | | | higher than standard medical fees. |
| etc.? You may need to take along spare batteries. | | | | These air travel tips should provide good insurance |
| You also may need to rent or buy a travel | | | | and help make your airplane travel, with health issues, |
| wheelchair. | | | | handicaps, disabilities or special needs, easier, safer |
| Make sure to mention to your travel agent or airline | | | | and cheaper. |
| representative any assisting devices you may need | | | | |