Traveling with a Disability or Chronic Illness

Traveling has so many benefits, from visiting beautiful and interesting places to learning about different cultures and trying exciting new activities for the first time. It’s also a great way to learn more about the world. Undoubtedly, it can do wonders for our mental wellbeing. Although traveling should be accessible to everyone – that is unfortunately not always the case. Certainly, if you or a loved one live with a disability or chronic illness, traveling can seem impossible. However, with the right preparation, it can be a rewarding way to escape the stressors of daily life. The tips in this article will help you enjoy a seamless getaway when traveling with a disability or chronic illness.

Although the world is becoming increasingly accessible, not all destinations have the same level of awareness when it comes to people with disabilities and/or special needs. Researching your options will make it easier to enjoy a new location without the stress of trying to figure things out on the fly.

Research accessibility early in the planning process. 

Traveling with a disability or chronic illness: Consider your medical needs.

Before you spend too much time researching options for your trip, have a conversation with your doctor (or your loved one’s doctor). Ask about any possible concerns or restrictions regarding travel. Here are some questions to ask:

• Is there any reason to avoid the proposed trip?
• Do you need to worry about access to hospitals who can handle your specific medical needs? If so, does your doctor have names of doctors or hospitals in your planned destination(s) with experience in your condition?
• What symptoms would require a trip home for medical care?
• Do you need to worry about the quality of the water, or other regional concerns?
• Should you avoid extended airplane rides? Should you (or your loved one) wear compression socks while flying?
• Are there recommended immunizations for foreign travel?

Once you have your doctor’s input, you can start booking your trip!

Review your health insurance policy. 

Ask your health insurer what coverage you will have if you need a doctor or hospital while away. Some large insurers have national provider networks, and many have a smartphone app to find in-network health care providers while you are away.

Importantly, if you are traveling internationally, ask about coverage. If your insurance will not cover medical care in your destination(s), consider buying medical travel insurance.

Research evacuation insurance.

For peace of mind, it’s a good idea to think about how you would get home in case of a medical emergency. Look into coverage for medical evacuation from your credit card company, trip insurance companies, and even through your employer.

Additionally, you may want to consider membership plans such as those available at www.MedjetAssist.com which provides medical evacuation from anywhere in the world to the hospital of your choice.

When evaluating plans, read the plan’s policy before making a purchase to ensure you choose a plan that will allow for medical evacuation from the locations you plan to visit.

Traveling with a disability or chronic illness: Airline considerations.

Flying can feel overwhelming when you are traveling with a disability or chronic illness. However, airlines are legally required to support all passengers, including those with reduced mobility and medical needs. The key to peace of mind is communication and clarity ahead of time, so everyone knows what to expect.

Contact the airline early in the process.

Importantly, before you pay for your tickets, reach out to the airline’s special assistance team to explain your requirements. Ask for email confirmation so you have a written record of what is said and agreed upon. If an airline cannot accommodate your needs, try another airline.

Flying with medical equipment and devices. 

When speaking with an airline, clearly state what kinds of medical equipment and devices you will fly with. Be prepared to tell the airline the dimensions and weight of wheelchairs and other equipment. Importantly, some items, like portable oxygen concentrators, may need a doctor’s note for airline clearance.

Generally, airlines do not charge for mobility aids (e.g. wheelchairs and scooters) and essential medical equipment, although advanced notice is required.

Getting airport assistance.

Importantly, US airlines are required to promptly provide requested assistance, which includes helping blind and disabled passengers.  Although you can ask for help upon arriving at the airport, we suggest you arrange for help before your departure.

Assistance throughout the airport.

According to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) airlines must help you get from:

• The terminal entrance (or vehicle drop-off point) to your gate location, including the security checkpoint, and onto the aircraft to your seat.
• Your aircraft seat on an arriving flight through the airport to the gate location of your connecting flight (if you have a connection).
• The gate location of your connecting flight to your seat on the aircraft.
• Your aircraft seat from your arriving flight, through the airport to the baggage claim area, terminal entrance, or vehicle pick-up location.

While helping passenger navigate throughout the airport, airlines must also provide assistance to other key areas of the airport, including ticket counters and baggage claim.

Baggage help for travelers with disabilities.

Airlines must also help disabled passengers carry their gate-checked or carry-on luggage, as needed.

Leaving a passenger with a disability unattended.

When providing assistance to a passenger who is not independently mobile due to a disability, the airline must not leave the passenger unattended for more than 30 minutes. Importantly, this requirement applies even if another person is accompanying the passenger. The only exception to this regulation is when a passenger explicitly states that it is okay for the airline to leave them unattended for more than 30 minutes.

Tipping is appreciated.

Airport wheelchair agents work hard for low pay. It’s nice to express your appreciation with a small tip!

Traveling with your own wheelchair?

Importantly, some airports require you to check your wheelchair, forcing you to use an airport wheelchair. Additionally, some airports will not allow a caretaker or family member to push you in your own wheelchair, requiring you to use a wheelchair agent or assistant.

Preparing for airplane travel.

Let’s face it, traveling is a hassle. But if you are traveling with a disability or chronic illness, it’s can be particularly stressful. Consider these suggestions from the US DOT to make your trip go as smoothly as possible:

Before your trip:

• Make reservations as early as possible and advise the airline what type of assistance you will need.
• Request an airport wheelchair when you make your reservation if you cannot walk long distances.
• If you travel with a battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport 1 hour prior to the normal check-in time.
• Confirm your accessibility needs with all airlines involved in your journey.

At the airport:

• Arrive at the airport as early as possible.
• Importantly, when you arrive at the airport, self-identify as a passenger with a disability needing assistance.
• Stay on top of gate and flight time changes. If needed, notify airline personnel of your need to move to a different gate.
• Advise airline personnel at the boarding gate regarding any assistance you may need.
• At US airports, you can stay in your own wheelchair until you get to the gate. At the gate, they may push you down the jetway in your own wheelchair or ask you to move to an airport wheelchair. If you cannot walk onto the plane, staff will use an aisle chair to get you to your aircraft seat in an aisle chair. Generally, you can pick up your wheelchair at your destination gate. However, when traveling internationally, you may have to retrieve your wheelchair at baggage claim. In this case, you can request assistance to get to baggage claim.

On the aircraft.

• Tell the flight attendants if you need assistance stowing/retrieving your carry-on luggage or any other assistance during the flight.
• If you need wheelchair assistance to deplane, you will likely have to wait until all other passengers deplane.

Know the rules.

Each airline publishes its accessibility policy online, but it’s also worth checking regulations like the U.S. Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), the UK Civil Aviation Authority, or the European Union’s website for a clear outline of your rights.

How to cope with wheelchair-related incidents.

If your wheelchair or equipment is damaged or lost, you are not alone. Shockingly, according to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), roughly 29 wheelchairs and scooters were either damaged or lost every day in 2019. And those numbers climbed at the beginning of 2020 (then COVID hit and travel was drastically reduced).

Importantly, report your loss or damage before leaving the airport. The airline is responsible for either repairing or replacing your wheelchair and should provide a temporary loaner chair in the meantime. However, although US airlines are obligated by federal law to repair or replace damaged wheelchairs, it can take weeks or even months for the repair to occur.

Reduce the risk of damage.

Here are a few tips for traveling by plane with a wheelchair:

• Whenever possible, ask the crew to stow your manual wheelchair in aircraft cabins.
• If you must stow your wheelchair in the cargo hold, remove loose objects and attachments (e.g., cushions, cupholders, footrests) and carry them onto the plane to be stored in an overhead bin.
• For a powered wheelchair, securely attach laminated instructions on proper handling and operation. Particularly importantly, note how to:
  • Turn the motor on and off.
  • Set it to “free-wheel mode,” which allows a chair to be manually pushed.
  • Safely lift the chair.
• Bring tools needed to disassemble the wheelchair, which can help it fit upright into the cargo hold, reducing the risk of damage.

For more detailed tips on traveling by air with a wheelchair, visit WheelchairTravel.org.

What to do if damage occurs.

1. Know your rights. Airlines are legally responsible for fixing or replacing damaged or lost mobility devices on flights within the US or originating or ending in the US. If you have problems, call the DOT’s Disability Hotline at 800-778-4838.
2. Don’t panic! Be firm, but calm and collected.
3. Document damage. Take pictures and/or videos demonstrating unseen mechanical damage as soon as possible, appended with date and time stamps.
4. Ask for the airline’s complaints resolution officer (CRO). If the airline offers a remedy that is inadequate, or doesn’t compensate you adequately, ask to speak with the airline’s CRO to file an official complaint. Important, CROs are legally required to be on duty during airport operating hours – either in person or by phone.
5. File a report with the airline immediately, if possible. Note that airlines have different reporting deadlines, so look up the requirements for your airline. If you need help filing a report, ask the airline’s CRO who is supposed to assist travelers in filing a complaint.
6. File a formal complaint with the DOT. If you feel an airline has violated your rights, file a complaint through the DOT’s Air Travel Complaint/Comment Form. This formal complaint will help the government pressure airlines to comply with the law, including with substantial fines.

What to do if the airline denies boarding.

If you’re denied boarding despite prior arrangements, document everything and file a complaint with the relevant regulator – you may be entitled to compensation.

Traveling with a disability or chronic illness: Choosing a hotel.

Your hotel is your base, so having the right accessibility features here is non-negotiable. Don’t rely solely on booking sites, always call the hotel directly and ask detailed questions to ensure the hotel can accommodate your needs. Are the doorways wide enough? Is there a walk-in shower? Is the elevator large enough for your wheelchair?

If you’re unsure, to avoid unpleasant surprises, ask for photos of the accessible room and bathroom so you have proof of what you’ve booked. You can get helpful tips by reading reviews and blogs by other travelers with disabilities when choosing a hotel. Additionally, TripAdvisor’s accessibility filter can find spots not featured on major booking sites.

Don’t forget to also consider the surrounding area, as even the best accessible room won’t help if the hotel itself is located on a steep hill, in a cobblestone old town, or is on a street without curb cutouts.

Traveling with a disability or chronic illness: Specialized travel agencies to the rescue.

If worrying about accessibility in hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and transportation, fear not, you can still enjoy traveling! Many accessible travel providers and agencies offer complete, inclusive travel packages including tailored transport, accommodation, sightseeing tours and activities, so all you need to do is turn up on time. Generally, you can book private travel or join a group.

Although we are NOT endorsing any travel companies (do your due diligence!), here are some agencies that can arrange accessible trips:

• • Wheel the World
  • Wheelchair Escapes
  • Wheelchair Travel
  • Sage Travelling
  • Travel for All
  • No Limits Tour
  • Easy Access Travel
  • Planet Abled
  • Club Mates Travel
  • Disabled Accessible Travel
  • Accessible Italian Holiday (for travel in Italy and other European countries)
  • Accessible Tours India
  • RollingSA (accessible African travel)

Traveling with a disability or chronic illness: What to bring.

Everyone has a list of essentials they simply cannot live without, whether it’s a favorite teddy for a child or your go-to face cream as an adult. Your list of must-haves is likely a little longer when traveling with a disability or chronic illness. Therefore, it’s important to plan ahead and pack with plenty of time to spare so you don’t panic at the last minute.

Below are some key items to consider while preparing for your trip.

Documents.

Importantly, if you have a chronic condition, health complications, or disability, you should always carry some form of medical identification to help others identify how to help you in case of an emergency. You can use your smartphone or wear a bracelet or necklace.

Medications.

One of the most important tips for traveling with a disability or chronic illness is to bring all needed medications in your carry-on bags. Never check your medication!

And bring plenty of extra medication in case your trip is extended due to health reasons, weather, or airline cancellations. Notably, it can be almost impossible to get certain prescription medications overseas.

Most airlines place restrictions on flying with liquids over 100ml, (3.4 ounces) although they have exceptions for medications. Look online or call your airline to make sure you know – and follow – the correct procedures for bringing liquid medications on a flight.

To make it easier, keep your medications in the original packaging, with pharmacy name-labels, with the patient information leaflet in the box.

Additionally, if you take controlled substances to a foreign country, such as narcotic pain relievers, check with the US Embassy in the country you will be visiting to see if there are restrictions. You can find a list of Embassies at www.usembassy.gov.

Flying with needles and “sharps”.

According to the TSA, you can bring unused syringes when accompanied by injectable medication. However, you must declare these items to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. Importantly, TSA recommends, but does not require, that medications be labeled to facilitate the security process. Additionally, carrying a doctor’s note or your prescription can further facilitate the security process. 

Of course, properly dispose of used syringes throughout your trip. To make life easier, bring a rigid disposal container on your trip. If you cannot find a location to drop off your used syringes, you can pack them in a rigid disposal container in your checked or carry-on luggage.

Personal necessities.

Unless you’re traveling to a very remote location, it’s easy to find some variation of the basic necessities in stores worldwide. But if you require specific types or brands bring supplies, bring them along, including:

• Medical needs: From bandages to blood pressure monitors and thermometers, bring any essential healthcare items you could need. And put them in your hand luggage!
• Food: If you or your loved one have specific dietary needs, pack plenty of food for the airplane and for your time on the trip.

Traveling with a disability or chronic illness: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

No matter where you travel, advocate for your rights and ask for help as needed. Whether that’s getting on or off public transport, or needing a room on the ground floor, it’s okay to speak up for yourself and express your needs.

Standing up for your rights helps to continue the growth of inclusive travel, while ensuring you receive the help you are entitled to. If you are unhappy with the service you receive during your vacation, you can ask to speak to a manager or report the company to the relevant governing body or organization.

I wrote this article in collaboration with William Reisfeld. William has lived most of his life in the UK with a disability, but he doesn’t let that stop him from exploring all of the places on his bucket list. He enjoys sharing his tips, lessons learned, and stories from his adventures with others to help empower and inspire them to live their lives to the fullest, no matter their condition. You can learn more about the rights of disabled travelers in the UK here.