Travelling with a disability A step-by-step Travel Guide 2024
There are many reasons to travel far and wide, from learning about different cultures to stepping out of your comfort zone. As technology makes the world smaller, travel is becoming more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Ease of travel depends on the mental and physical capabilities of you and your companions and can vary greatly from country to country. It is important to know your needs and allow sufficient time to prepare and plan your trip. International travel requirements change frequently, so stay up to date and prepared.
This guide provides general information for travelers with physical, developmental, visual, hearing, or neurological disabilities. Some circumstances may require specifications not covered in this guide. Please see the sections below for the specifics you need to plan and prepare for a successful trip.
- Plan your trip
- How to prepare for a trip
- Traveling
- Upon returning to Japan
- For carers and companions
- Related Documents
Travel planning for people with disabilities
By law, people with disabilities have an equal right to travel freely. However, whether you have a disability or not, unexpected things can happen when traveling, so it’s important to have a backup plan. To ensure a comfortable and accessible trip, consider the following factors when researching your destination:
Know your rights
Be prepared to be patient while making sure your basic rights are met. Disability laws vary from country to country. The goal is to eliminate discrimination and barriers and ensure equal and free travel for people with disabilities. For a complete list of disability laws by country, see the United Nations resource .
It may take longer if the agent or person in charge has no experience of making disability-specific accommodations during the travel or boarding process. If you suspect that your rights have been violated, contact the Complaint Resolution Officer (CRO).
In the United States, the Air Carrier Access Act ( ACAA ) and the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) are two examples that provide equal travel freedom to all travelers with disabilities and their companions.
- Entrances, doors, ramps, and elevators must provide accessible pathways.
- Buildings should include signage and other accessible features, such as restrooms and parking spaces.
- loading zones.
- All public transport must allow sufficient time for boarding.
- Aircraft with more than 60 seats must have accessible toilets and wheelchairs.
Search for a destination
Accessibility varies by location and disability, so make sure you research your route thoroughly. Take into account the terrain you are travelling to – some countries can be difficult to travel in with more than a backpack. Make sure you know whether you can take credit cards, whether your bank card is accepted at local banks, or whether you can exchange cash for the local currency once you arrive.
Local tour operators may offer special services for people with disabilities. If you decide to take one of these tours, read reviews and double-check that the tour is short and smooth.
- Are your tours accessible to people with disabilities?
- Will the tour be exclusive to you, or will other travelers be joining?
- Does your town have slopes, cobblestones or stairs?
- Are your guides licensed professionals?
Find an accessible hotel
Even if a booking site or hotel website lists an accessible room or building, don’t assume that it will have the amenities you’re used to. Call each place you plan to stay directly and ask specific questions.
- Are there steps ? Assess the building’s accessibility both indoors and outdoors.
- Private parking : Check how far the parking space is from the building.
- Signage : Make sure the room and building signs have Braille.
- Bathroom accessibility : Check things like doorway width, grab bars height, toilet height, etc.
- Distance to services : Check how far you are from medical facilities, restaurants and amenities.
- Multilingualism : Find out if staff speak English or have someone who can sign.
When you arrive at your accommodation, double check that the room, hotel, house, etc. is suitable before checking in. If an accessible room has been confirmed but there is no suitable accommodation available upon your arrival, make sure you understand where you will need to spend the night.
Contacting airlines and airports
Be sure to call the airline as well as the airports where you are departing from and arriving at. Find out if they have any equipment you may need, such as on-board wheelchairs or oxygen, and about the size of the plane and aisles.
Before you start the call, don’t forget to verify your rights. Larger planes are mandated to offer more accessibility options throughout the cabin. Call each party and verify again two to five days before departure.
Medical Notice
Ensure that your travel insurance includes coverage for any pre-existing conditions. Not all medications are legal in all countries, so it is your responsibility to check the legality of any medication you bring abroad.
For example, countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Greece, China and Japan have strict laws that mean common Western medicines are considered illegal.
Readmore First Timers when preparing for an overseas trip 2024
Travel preparations for people with disabilities
Once you’ve completed your planning, it’s time to finalize the preparations before you leave. In addition to the standard packing list, you should also consider visas, medical notes, and important phone numbers when preparing to travel.
Consult a doctor
Consult your doctor before traveling long distances. Pack and obtain enough prescription medications for the entire duration of your trip. Enquire about vaccinations required in each country and check the availability of doctors in your destination country. Carry a medical note from your doctor and documentation of your medication for emergencies.
Apply for a visa or travel authorization
Research the visa procedures for each country and submit an application for a visa or travel authorization such as ETIAS . Approval times vary from country to country, so allow an appropriate amount of time between your application and your departure. Be aware of any additional requirements for admission to your destination, such as passport photos or local currency.
Call the TSA Helpline
As a final step in your preparations, submit your TSA Notification Card , which notifies the Transportation Security Administration of any disabilities or medical conditions that may affect your screening. The TSA offers a toll-free helpline, TSA Cares, to answer any additional questions you may have about the screening process.
Reconfirming your reservation
Call the hotel, tour operator, or airline a few days in advance to double-check any special arrangements. Be sure to ask specific questions so they can tailor the trip to suit your condition.
Ask about the accessibility of the route in detail, such as hills, unpaved roads, obstacles on footpaths, and overall distance to key locations on the itinerary. Finally, make sure public transportation is available and accessible. If not, ask about renting a car or arranging for a chauffeured car.
Accessibility while traveling
The hardest part of a vacation is the planning and preparation, but once that’s done, it should be stress-free and free of the usual travel complications. Follow these tips to help you enjoy your vacation.
Manage Expectations
It’s impossible to see everything on one trip, so control your expectations about how much sightseeing you can do in a day. Be mindful of your caregiver’s special restrictions.
If steep terrain requires you to carry your equipment up and down, be prepared to stop frequently and take adequate rest periods. If you are unaccompanied, consider joining a group of other people with disabilities at your destination.
Boarding a plane
Check whether there are wheelchairs on board and double-check with airline staff before boarding to make sure there are accessible seats available.
Pack insurance cards, extra medications, supplies, and other important items in your carry-on bag in case of a delay or emergency. Have your bags tagged at the gate, and adjust your armrests for ease of movement before getting in and out of your seat. If you’re flying long-haul, check about lavatory access and connections.
Manage your time
Allow enough time for check-in, security, and transfers. Have a backup plan in case suitable accommodations are not available at your hotel, tour, or transfer. Accessibility can vary significantly from one country to another, particularly in non-English speaking regions. Be open to new ways to get around, and make sure your schedule allows enough time for it.
Post-travel tips for people with disabilities
According to Forbes magazine, the market for travel for people with disabilities is growing at an average rate of 22% per year. While the market still has a long way to go, this growth is due in part to improved accessibility regulations and training.
Record what went well and what didn’t go well to make future trips more comfortable. Create a reference sheet for future trips to cut down on planning and preparation time.
Creating a travel reference sheet
Create a travel reference sheet as soon as you return home. In your reference sheet, consider including a list of pros and cons to help streamline the process for your next trip. Items that should be included on your travel reference sheet include:
- Packing : Make sure you have enough essentials and that you’re not overpacking.
- Airlines : Quality and friendliness of accommodation, comfort of flight, etc.
- Food : Accessibility of restaurants, food likes and dislikes, etc.
- Attractions : Accessibility and enjoyment of attractions.
- Transportation : How easy or difficult it is to travel between locations.
- Accommodation : Proximity to your destination, level of accessibility, friendliness of staff.
- Companion : Ease and enjoyment of care at destination.
- Budget : Expenses that are higher or lower than planned.
Companions of Travelers with Disabilities
Traveling as a caregiver or companion can be challenging. The success of your trip often depends on you feeling comfortable in a foreign country. Consider your companion’s needs and expectations before traveling and ensure each party is performing to the best of their ability before you depart.
Check your budget and discounts
The success of the trip depends on staying within a pre-planned budget, especially if a paid caregiver is accompanying the traveler. Find out if each party will pay their own expenses or who will manage the general budget. If there is an hourly rate or hire fee, get it in writing before you start the trip.
People with disabilities are often eligible for significant discounts. Bring your valid medical records and check if the following discounts apply in your destination:
- Discounts on recreation and amusement parks.
- Discount train tickets.
- Public transport discounts.
- Free admission to the park.
- Rental car discounts.
- Special accommodation and flight discounts.
- Free admission to the museum.
Agree on accommodation
Ensure that both parties agree on the accommodations. Discuss whether you’ll share a room, be next to each other, or have separate rooms. Because you may need a different level of care while traveling than you would at home, be clear about the level of support you’ll need from your caregiver during morning, midday, and bedtime.
Attractions and Activities
The route at each destination should be planned taking into account the physical and mental limitations of your companion, and you can add activities that the caregiver prefers to the schedule to show your appreciation.
If your companion and main traveller will be staying together for the duration of the trip, communicate this before you depart. If there will be parts of the trip where you will be separate, you should also decide this. Appropriate accommodations should be booked for each party before they separate.
Other Resources for Travelers with Disabilities
As travel by people with disabilities becomes more common, more resources are becoming available. In addition to blogs with specific advice for travelers with disabilities, the following sites can also provide travel tips:
- European Network for Accessible Tourism
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- The Americans With Disabilities Act
- Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality
- Accessible Travel Online
- Lonely Planet’s Accessible Travel Online Resources
No obstacle should stop you from having a memorable life experience. The more you plan your trip, the easier it will be to travel to a new destination. Research your destination, make the right calls, and prepare accordingly.
During the trip, keep records of what went well and what you can improve on for your next trip. Trial and error is key. Make sure you leave enough time for your caregiver to enjoy their vacation too, and be sure to show appreciation when you do. Now, enjoy your trip!
