Tips for Accessible Travel for Persons with Disabilities

For persons with disabilities, accessible travel tips are a must. It takes careful planning and before deciding where to go, how to go, and what you will do, the following tips brought to you by Disability Credit Canada, may well prevent difficulties down the road.

  1. Do Your Research - Many places, cruises, adventures, holiday packages and other aspects of travel may very well describe themselves as “barrier free”, “fully accessible”, or use other phrases and terms to entice travellers with disabilities into an inaccessible travel adventure. The first step in any research is to speak with or connect with someone who has a disability similar to your own and ask them as many questions as possible. A place may be accessible for someone who is blind or low vision, but not so much for someone with a different disability. Do not go on a vacation before knowing all the details.
  2. Book Wisely – This applies to every aspect of your vacation, but especially hotels, buses, boats, and any other aspect of your vacation. Do not simply take a brochure’s information at face value. Call them, ask as many questions as possible. What is considered to be accessible in Canada, may not have the same meaning in another country. Standards will vary.
  3. Plan Your Way Around – For example, if you’re planning to travel to London, England, make sure you know which buses, trains, boats and other travel accommodations are going to be accessible for your specific needs. Find out all the details of every destination’s public transportation. Make sure you know how to get from place to place ahead of time so that you don’t get caught without an accessible means of transportation.
  4. Always Purchase Travel Insurance – Far too many travellers believe that travel insurance is a luxury. It isn’t. It is a DEFINITE REQUIREMENT. This cannot be stressed strongly enough. Life happens when we’re making plans and a life emergency can prevent one from being able to travel, having to cut short one’s travel plans, or even the need for emergency care during the trip. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting with your insurance, and tailor it to your needs. Look carefully at policy exemptions for medications, healthcare conditions, etc.
  5. Consider Working with a Specialist Company or Consultant – There are many companies and consultants out there now who specialize in coordinating trips for persons with disabilities. They know where places are accessible and where they aren’t, and they can often eliminate the need for a lot of the work you might otherwise have to do on your own. But, shop around, as they might be pricey as well.
  6. Plan for Possible Emergencies – The fact is emergencies happen. Some of the ways you can plan for these is to bring extra medication, check into physicians or hospitals in the areas you will be travelling in, research other options such as physiotherapists or massage therapists, carry medic alert information on you at all times, and if you feel comfortable to do so, you can inform your hotel of any specific needs you might have.
  7. Avoid Connecting Flights – Travel is definitely easier if you take one long flight, although that too can be a challenge. Prepare well ahead of time for everything you will need on your flight, cruise, train, or however you travel. Make sure you have all of your documents in a pouch that is easily and quickly accessible to you.
  8. Bring Along Spare Parts or Tools – If you use a scooter or wheelchair it is wise to bring along some spare parts or tools as machinery can break down. The same goes for people who use a cane, you might consider bringing along an extra one just to be sure.
  9. For Users of Service Dogs – Just as humans can have their health problems so too can a service dog. Make sure you have everything your dog requires to be well and comfortable on the trip. Research into veterinarians in the places you are travelling just in case.
  10. Be Flexible – The truth about travel is that sometimes things happen and not in the way we expect. Be adaptable and change plans or hotels if necessary. There is nothing wrong with doing things differently as long as you’re safe, well, and having a great time.

At Disability Credit Canada, we take pride in helping disabled Canadians claim disability tax credit. Read our 2017 Disability Tax Credit Guide.