The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has made traveling easier for the 40 million Americans with a permanent or temporary disability. All hotels, modes of transportation, and cruise ships in American waters are required to be in compliance with the ADA and provide appropriate accommodations for disabled travelers. Nevertheless, traveling with a disability can pose challenges. Here are tips to keep in mind when you plan a trip.
Travel Anxiety
Many people suffer from some form of travel anxiety. For a disabled individual, it can be especially concerning if there are any uncertainties about travel timetables and accommodations. A lot of anxiety can be alleviated simply by gathering information and knowing what to expect. If you are nervous about flying or have other anxiety issues, you should consult with your doctor to see if there is a temporary solution for you.
Travel Agents
Today, there are more travel agencies than ever that specialize in travel arrangements for individuals and groups with disabilities. An experienced travel agent can make special arrangements, such as having grab rails installed in hotel showers or finding disabled-accessible transportation. Knowledgeable agents can also identify sightseeing destinations that are disabled-accessible. It’s also helpful to know what foreign cities are the most disabled-accessible (for example, all cabs are accessible in London). So, do your homework before purchasing those airline tickets.
Call Ahead
Be aware that “disabled-accessible” labels may have different meanings in different countries. For example, “accessible” in one hotel may be totally inadequate for a disabled person who’s wheelchair-bound. And just because a wheelchair can fit through the door of a hotel room doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to maneuver adequately once you’re in the room, so make sure you call ahead for room dimensions and special bathroom arrangements, such as a roll-in shower.
Airline Travel
Airline security precautions can make the check-in process especially slow, so allow at least three hours if you’re traveling internationally. Take full advantage of the airlines’ special assistance for passengers in wheelchairs or those who have other mobility restrictions. Make sure the airline’s check-in personnel know that you require wheelchair assistance, as they can assist with luggage, help everyone in your travel party get through security faster, and help everyone pre-board. Ask for an aisle seat near the bathroom and be aware that passengers in wheelchairs are the last to de-plane.
Discounts
Take advantage of any discounts made available for travel, accommodations or sightseeing. If you’re traveling in North America, Amtrak offers discounts of up to 50 percent for passengers in wheelchairs and one other traveler, though it’ll be necessary to show proof of your disability (an identification card or a doctor’s note is generally sufficient). The Greyhound bus line also makes discounts available for disabled passengers. If you’re going abroad, the train systems in cities such as London, Singapore, and throughout Japan offer reduced fares for those in wheelchairs.
Travel Insurance
As part of your pre-travel research, find out the extent of travel coverage available in your destination country. The US State Department offers a list of options, so review it carefully because some plans don’t cover medical needs.
Be very thorough in your travel research — ask for the same accommodations you would expect at home and keep looking until you find them. Anything less would be a disservice to you and will detract from what should be a pleasant experience.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types around the world. We offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance.
Our company mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products which offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
**This is a guest article provided by Ed Carter with Able Futures**
By
Ed Carter at 27 Nov 2018
AAA is expecting more than 54 million Americans to travel away from home over this Thanksgiving holiday, which is a solid 4.8% increase over the last year and also the HIGHEST Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005. It is also noted that traffic not only inside the airport, but also in the skies will break previous records as well. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you survive the 2018 holiday travel season.
>> Leave Early <<
There’s nothing like that feeling of sheer panic when you reach the TSA lines in the airport and you have 20 minutes to make it to your gate. There will be an increased influx of people in the airport, so getting there at LEAST 2 hours ahead should give you time to make it through the check in process and get you to your gate without stressing. And hey, if you get to your gate early, grab a mimosa or 2 and enjoy your free time.
>> Fly Nonstop <<
We know, flying with connecting flights is cheaper, but with the holiday influx of travelers, it might be best to try and get a nonstop flight if possible. Not only will this save you from running through airports trying to catch your connection, but it also decreases the odds that something happens to your luggage!
>> TSA <<
Apply for the TSA PreCheck program so you can skip the lines and get to your flights faster. Also, make sure your liquids are the right amount so that you don’t make yourself any later, and also so you don’t hold up other travelers behind you. It is a good idea to wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, and go ahead and put your personal belongs in your carry-on before going through the scanners.
>> Charge Up <<
Another good tip to keep in mind while traveling during the holidays is to make sure your devices are charge before you leave the house! The airports will have many more people than usual, and chances are the outlets will all be taken. You can also invest in a portable charger for when you do need to charge up on the go!
>> Traveling with Food <<
Did you know that you can travel with your Thanksgiving turkey? TSA allows turkeys, turkey sandwiches, pies, cakes and other bakes goods through the checkpoints as long as they are food substances and not liquids. So this means grab the turkey and stuffing but leave the cranberry sauce and gravy at home! (or just pack them in a checked bag)
We hope these travel tips help during your holiday travels, and we wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving from Trawick International!
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types around the world. We offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance.
Our company mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products which offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 20 Nov 2018
This summer managed to break several records on the heat index, which only reinforces the need to take into account the environment around you while you’re traveling. After all, tourism accounts for about five percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions per the UN’s World Tourism Organization. On top of that, the number of travelers continues to grow each year. In just the first four months of the year, nearly 350 million people took an international trip, an increase of more than five percent compared to 2017.
Traveling “greener” doesn’t necessarily mean staying at an eco-lodge or visiting a rainforest, it’s more about taking into account where you’re off to and why. You can begin by choosing to rent an electric vehicle during your next trip or staying at a hotel that’s LEED-certified, which means it’s designed for optimal sustainability.
The bulk of the travel and tourism industry's carbon footprint is made up of transportation. Choosing the most environmentally friendly method of getting around will depend on where you’re going, but you can take the time to evaluate your options. Would you be willing to take a train instead of a plane? Why not consider using public transportation to get to the airport?
There are simple things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re okay with it, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door a day or two so that the staff doesn’t clean your room every single day, using up excessive energy. Simple steps like turning off the lights or the television when you leave the hotel room may seem small, but they play a huge role in becoming more environmentally conscious the next time you travel.
If you have any more tips on staying “green” while traveling, let us know in the comments! We would love to hear from you.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types around the world. We offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance.
Our company mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Emily Glen at 13 Nov 2018
In today’s climate, it’s not unheard of for the government to issue travel warnings and travel alerts. Depending on where you’re traveling to and what you’ll be doing while you’re there, it’s important to understand how these two differ as they could potentially affect your trip.
A travel alert is also known as a travel public announcement and is typically short in nature. These alerts are issued due to factors like events that are related to terrorism, an anniversary of a specific terrorist event, and political unrest. These alerts are usually accompanied by information regarding potential threats and short-term conditions that the government believes may affect American travelers and pose significant risks to their security. Travel alerts were recently issued due to the hurricane and typhoon seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico.
A travel warning is considered more severe than a travel alert and means that the State Department is suggesting Americans entirely avoid traveling to a particular country because of instability, or when a U.S. embassy or consulate is closed, therefore reducing the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens. The U.S. Department of State issued travel warnings back in April urging citizens to avoid travel to several states in Mexico due to increased crime threats and violent homicides. It’s important to note that warnings do not mean you cannot travel to the country in question, they are simply meant as safety or precautionary measures.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types around the world. We offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance.
Our company mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 6 Nov 2018
