Accessible Travel: Travel Therapy
Those with chronic conditions and limited mobility have more options than ever before for accessible travel. Eva Leonard talks to travelers with special needs and accessible travel experts about important considerations when planning a trip.
“Part of my job is to make vacation travel possible,” says Royal Caribbean International Manager, Access Compliance, Ron Pettit. “Many people with disabilities don’t think about traveling or taking a vacation as an option.
“They have challenges in everyday life; getting out of bed, getting out of the house, going to school, to work, going shopping, and going to the doctor. So sometimes, when they think of all their daily challenges, they think, ‘Oh my goodness—I don’t think I could go on a cruise.’
“Some folks are born with a disability, so they’ve learned how to adapt all along. But a lot of people have acquired a disability with age, or a medical issue, so they have to rethink and learn things all over again.”
Fear of the unknown can be a factor in deterring those with chronic illness from traveling, says Pettit, who has worked for the past 25 years to improve travel for the disabled, first for 17 years at Northwest Airlines, where he served as program manager for customers with disabilities, then joining Royal Caribbean in 2006.
“It’s those personal issues. ‘How do I go to the bathroom? How do I know about oxygen? How do I do these things?’ Because, while they have learned to adapt at home, or maybe when going out a little bit, the thought of going onto an airplane, or going onto a ship seems a little daunting. They ask, ‘How would I ever do this with my new limitations?’”
But many with disabilities are traveling. The U.S. Census reports that more than 38 million Americans live with disabilities, and, according to a 2005 study by the Open Doors Organization and the Travel Industry Association of America, U.S. adults with disabilities or reduced mobility spend around $13.6 billion on travel every year.
With the world’s population now at 7 billion, about ten percent require barrier-free and easily accessible facilities. “Global estimates [of people with disabilities] range from 600 million to 900 million,” says Lilian Muller, President of the European Network for Accessible Tourism.
To meet rising demand, accessible and barrier-free travel options have grown dramatically over the last two decades. Whether you opt for a leisurely Caribbean cruise, a scenic train ride through the Canadian Rockies, or something more distant and action-packed, careful research, planning and preparation can help you decide which getaway is best for you and allow you to fully enjoy the mood-boosting, stress-reducing rewards of travel.
BEFORE YOU GO
Before you start planning your trip, check with your doctor to assess what you can do, and, depending on the type of trip you plan to take, consider working with a travel agent who understands your needs. Says Pettit, “The more information you can share about your ability and needs, the better.”
Make arrangements well in advance for wheelchair, scooter, and medical device and supply accessibility and rental. Says traveler Tracy Schutt, “Since being on oxygen 24/7, traveling has become challenging, but not impossible. Making trips to Jacksonville, Florida, to visit family requires preplanning with my home care company to have oxygen supplies waiting when I get there.”
Another traveler with pulmonary hypertension suggests sending IV medication and supplies ahead by overnight service and arranging for an oxygen concentrator, so that all are in place on arrival.
Traveler Milli Washock advises, “Have a sheet handy with all pertinent medical information, medication, supplies and emergency contacts. Being on [intravenous infusion] therapy and oxygen, I have written on top [in big, bold letters], ‘Do Not Stop Pump.’ And, she adds, for devices that must be charged or plugged in, “When traveling to a foreign country, be sure to have the proper electrical adapters.”
It’s also important to get as much information as possible in advance about the availability of services you might need en route and at your destination. For example, find out what airline, hotel, rail, or cruise staff can assist you with when traveling, and if there is a medical facility specializing in your condition at your destination. If you’re planning a cruise, ask what types of onboard medical services are available, and if there is a fee.
HOTELS, RESORTS, AND THEME PARKS
Travel writer Candy Harrington has been covering accessible travel for the past 16 years and has authored books on the topic, including, Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She also writes the barrier-free travel blog www.BarrierFreeTravels.com.
Harrington advises travelers with special needs to be very specific about their needs and ask detailed questions when booking a hotel room.
“First and foremost,” she emphasizes, “you have to understand that there are many types of accessible rooms, so you have to ask for an accessible room with the features you need. Don’t just ask for an accessible or an ‘ADA-compliant’ room.
“If you need a roll-in shower, specify that, because all accessible rooms do not have roll-in showers—some have tub/shower combinations. If you need the toilet grab bars on a specific side, you need to specify that too.
“And if bed height is an issue for you, inquire about that also. Bed height is not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and you could very well end up with a 32-inch-high bed, which would make transfers very challenging.
“Don’t assume that the accessible hotel room is going to have the exact same features that your own home has, because in most cases, it won’t. Ask a lot of questions to make sure you get the access features you need.”
Some hotels are more accessible than others, and good indicators of their commitment can often be found online. Benchmark Resorts & Hotels comprises 13 properties across the United States, and the company’s website promotes Benchmark’s commitment to ADA compliance, with detailed accessibility information for each property.
Benchmark’s Turtle Bay resort on Oahu’s North Shore features 15 ADA-compliant guest rooms and one ADA-compliant cottage. Other accessible features include the resort’s swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness center, spa, restaurants, lounges, and a wide-open door-less gateway entrance.
Stockholm-based Scandic Hotels, with nearly 230 properties throughout Northern Europe, has won awards for its hotels’ accessible features, such as a minimum of two cane holders attached to the front desk, carpet-free meeting rooms and height-adjustable beds. In consultation with disability organizations, hotel guests, and team members, Scandic Hotels drew up an accessibility standard in 2003 that works as a checklist and template for the hotels. The standard has grown over the years, and today it contains 110 checkpoints to follow. Eighty-one of these points are mandatory for all hotels, and for new hotels, all points must be considered.
Community spoke with Magnus Berglund, Scandic’s accessibility director, about his work with Scandic and how his service dog, Dixi, helps him throughout the day.
How did you first become involved with Scandic Hotels?
It started about ten years ago, when I was a cook at Scandic Hotels. Due to a muscle disease, I was on sick leave for five years. When I was able to start work again, I contacted my former employer, with my ideas on how the hotel chain could increase accessibility and use accessibility to gain competitive advantage. In 2003, I was appointed disability ambassador for Scandic Hotels.
What is a typical day like for you as Scandic’s director of accessibility?
I work with all departments at head office, on everything from new hotels to renovations. I consult with Scandic’s hotel designers on accessibility, and I’m also involved with employee education within Scandic. I travel a lot, often several times a week, when I visit any of our hotels or when I’m invited as a speaker around the world.
Dixi is a service dog that helps me with everything from getting my clothes to the bed in the morning to picking up things that I drop. She also carries my computer bag when I’m flying, and she follows me on all my trips. Basically, she follows me everywhere I go in my daily work, at the office, at conferences, when I’m invited as a speaker, and so on.
What are some of Scandic Hotels’ smart design features?
A really smart design feature is our cane holder at the reception desk. We also have our vibrating alarm clock that the guest puts under the pillow, so if you’re hearing-impaired, the clock will wake you up so you “hear” the fire alarm. We also have special bread for breakfast for guests who have gluten or lactose intolerance.
What are some of the barriers that travelers with disabilities encounter most often when they travel?
I think it’s extremely different [depending on] what kinds of special needs people have. The big challenge is to get the right information.
For more information on Scandic Hotels, go to www.scandichotels.com/Always-at-Scandic/Special-needs
A video on Turtle Bay’s website features paraplegic surfer Jess Billauer, founder of the Life Rolls on Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury, as he easily wheels through the resort, surfs with an adaptive electric surfboard and describes the independence that accessibility brings.
“We do everything possible to make sure everything is accessible,” says Gary Harnist, vice president of construction and design for Benchmark. “ADA guest rooms at Turtle Bay have automatic doors. The peepholes are lower. Bathrooms have roll-in showers, and shower, temperature and lighting controls are at a reachable height. We want to make sure the balconies are accessible, so we have sliding glass doors and ramps.”
Harnist advises, “Ask questions before you arrive. Let us know what your needs are. Many times we’ve sent staff members to the store to buy a lower shower seat, or called a rental company to get the kind of wheelchair a guest needs to insure that their stay is perfect.” For more information about Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, go to www.benchmarkresortsandhotels.com/about/social_responsibility/ada_accessibility_compliance
As with hotels and resorts, when planning a trip to a theme park, checking in advance for clarity on accessibility and disability policies can be a good idea. Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts made headlines in October when it replaced its Guest Assistance Card (GAS) program with a Disability Access Service Card (DAS).
A Disney Parks blog post by Thomas Smith, social media director, Disney Parks, explains that guests with disabilities can now “request a DAS at Guest Relations and receive a return time for attractions based on the current wait time.” Prior to the change, which Smith said was prompted by abuse of the program, guests with disabilities had been able to go directly to the front of the lines for Disney attractions.
For more information on Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, go to http://disneyparks.disney.go.com
CRUISES
A recent study by the Open Doors Organization and the U.S. Travel Association found that 12 percent of Americans with disabilities have taken a cruise in the last five years.
“Cruises are great for people who need to move slowly and take their time. You can be as active as you want and do everything, or you can do as little as you want, have a nice spot in the lounge and watch the sea,” says Royal Caribbean’s Pettit. “We’ve designed our cruise ships to be very accessible, so there are elevators, ramps, and platform lifts. We have options all over the ship for guests with limited mobility.”
Travel agents can be helpful in sorting out accessible cruise options. Says Pettit, “If you’ve never cruised before, you don’t know the questions to ask, and that’s why we recommend using a travel agent.
“There are travel agents who specialize in accessible cruises and in specific conditions. Some specialize in dialysis cruises, autism cruises, deaf cruises, blind cruises, and disability in general, and not just group cruises. They deal with individuals or families. They specialize, may have the disability themselves, and know the questions to ask. They can help walk you through making an informed decision about the right cruise line and cruise for you.”
Says traveler Milli Washock, “A few years ago, I went on a weekend cruise, with a wheelchair, room air concentrator, oxygen tanks, a portable concentrator and a BIPAP, and did quite well. The cruise line, Carnival, went out of their way to bring me [my oxygen] tanks wherever I was and made sure everything was taken care of in the cabin and with shows and dining. They even had distilled bottled water. We had a great time.”
For those cruising for the first time, Washock suggests, “Book a room with open air, a window and/or a balcony, and liberally use hand sanitizer everywhere.”
Says Pettit, “Oxygen has changed over the years. What works well for a lot of people now is the new portable oxygen concentrator, what I call’ the magic box.’ It takes ambient air and turns it into breathable oxygen on demand.
“This works well for many people who require oxygen therapy. It may not work for everyone. Some people need continuous air flow. They may need a flow rate that’s higher than what the portable concentrators can give. But for many, many people, portable oxygen concentrators have been revolutionary.
“Portable oxygen concentrators allow passengers to use the same equipment in the plane, on the ground, and on the cruise ships. We have power outlets in our staterooms, so passengers can charge overnight, and they can bring extra batteries as well.
“Technology and the ability of our staff to assist our guests go a long way to help [those with special needs] think about cruising as a possibility. We provide our staff with sensitivity training and technical training, primarily for wheelchair assistance and assisting guests on and off the ship. That’s the number one request that we get.
“We provide training about different types of disabilities and how to communicate with different types of guests. We focus primarily on people with mobility, hearing, and visual disabilities, but we do talk about guests with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
“From an identification perspective, there’s always the question of dignity in providing too much information. The more information we have, the more we can assist you. If we don’t understand your condition, we may provide inappropriate support. If we know ahead of time, it makes things easier.”
In February, Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to be named as autism-friendly by Autism on the Seas, a agency that develops cruise vacation services for those with children with special needs.
Says Pettit, “Our products and services are accessible for guests with autism and other developmental disabilities. We have priority check in, boarding, departure, and special dietary offerings like gluten-free items. We offer modifications to our youth program onboard, like dropping down an age group if the child would be more comfortable, based on ability.
“We offer autism-friendly movies: The sound is not so loud, the lighting is a little bit lighter, and the kids are encouraged to get up and walk around during the movies. We added a social story to help families dealing with autism prepare for their cruise. Often children with autism need a little structure and preparation, [so we let them know that] when you get to the ship, this is what you’re going to see and this is what you’re going to do, so they can prepare. And really, it’s about the entire family and not just children. Many of our features are used by teens and adults with autism.
“Everybody is different. Their needs are going to be different. We can work with our guests and our travel agents to see if we can help accommodate that need. A lot of our business continues to be booked through travel agents. For many people, it’s their first time, or they may have special needs. You may need a little additional help from an expert. It makes for a much better cruise experience.”
Royal Caribbean’s Access Department is a resource center for guests and travel agents. Staff can answer questions about accommodations for guests with disabilities and can be reached at 866-592-7225 (phone); 954-628-9708 (local); 954-628-9622 (fax) or email [email protected]. Or for more information, go to www.RoyalCaribbean.com/AccessibleSeas
WHERE TO CRUISE
Pettit says that cruises that involve the United States are often preferable for those in wheelchairs or those who need to move slowly. “Alaska, Hawaii, New England, and Western Pacific coastal cruises are all great options, simply because they involve U.S. ports of call, and, generally, when you’re within the U.S., you have a much better sense of accessibility.
“There are curb cuts. There are accessible restrooms and facilities. Whenever you get outside of the U.S., while there are accessibility regulations in place, they may not always meet the same level as in the U.S.”
“The Caribbean has mixed levels of accessibility. We’ve seen progress over the years in many of our ports of call. People tend to gravitate to the Eastern Caribbean itineraries more because more of the ports of call are docked—that means you can roll on and roll off the ship with ease. When you get to the Western Caribbean, you have more ports that are tender,” says Pettit.
“We sail to more than 300 ports of call around the world, and about one third of those ports are tender. What that means is that our ships cannot dock at a pier. They have to anchor in the harbor, and so we transfer guests onto a smaller vessel, usually called a tender. They take that tender to the port and get off there. That process may pose some challenges for guests in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty walking.
“Our larger ships, like Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, are great ships for guests in wheelchairs and those with difficulty walking, because they never have to tender. They always dock.”
Bob Curley, Caribbean travel expert for About.com, notes that the U.S. Virgin Islands must comply with the ADA and that “Barbados has also made a pretty concerted effort to be compliant, as have Aruba and St. Maarten. Every cruise port in Jamaica is a non-tender port, and St. Thomas also has a dock.”
Says Pettit, “Europe is becoming increasingly accessible, although it’s mixed. A lot of our ships sail there in the summer. There are cobblestone streets, and there may not always be curb cuts. The buildings are older, so they might not always have the wider doors and accessible restrooms. It does require that our guests and our travel agents research the different ports of call to see which ones are more suited than others.
“The Mediterranean is increasingly becoming more accessible, and the more northern and the western you go, it gets more accessible. When you look at bigger ports, especially those that have hosted the Olympics, because they hold the Paralympics, they have increased accessibility over the years.
“Athens and Barcelona are recent examples, so they may have more accessible taxis and motor coaches and overall facilities for people in wheelchairs. You go to some of the smaller ports, like Santorini, and the island ports, and there are mixed levels of accessibility.
“The challenge we get with different ports of call is usually with accessible vehicles; if a guest has some ability, or a caregiver who can assist them into a regular taxi, or they can go up a few steps into the motor coach, more options become available.”
To improve accessibility for guests with more limited mobility, Pettit says that, in Europe, Royal Caribbean has created Easy Tours—a modified version of the cruise line’s panoramic city tours.
“It’s a narrated ride throughout the city on a bus, with a couple of opportunities to get off to look around. These have a motor coach with a lift, or, more often in Europe, a van with a ramp in the back. These are in about 80 ports and are a great option for guests in wheelchairs or scooters, who have limited capability.”
RAIL TRAVEL
Rail travel has its advantages for those with chronic conditions and medical devices, and train trips throughout the U.S. and Canada can be a good place to start.
Says traveler Milli Washock, “I always used to find a plug at the gate [at the airport] for last-minute charging, but I don’t fly anymore. Traveling [domestically] by train is easier in that there is a plug by every seat. It takes longer, but you have a bigger selection on dining and with movies if you plug in your laptop or device.”
With input from disability advocacy organizations, over the past five years, Amtrak has made accessibility improvements at more than 200 stations. All Amtrak trains have accessible seating and restrooms, and all long-distance trains have accessible bedrooms. Amtrak also offers a discount to passengers with disabilities and their companions.
For more information, go to www.amtrak.com/accessible-travel-services.
Other countries have also made recent improvements in rail travel accessibility. Australia, for example, offers a host of services and special deals to meet the needs of travelers with disabilities, including accessible services in most of its trains. For more information, go to www.australiaforall.com
But accessible international rail travel might be even closer than you think. “We are more accessible than flying or taking the bus,” says Jacques Gagnon, senior manager, media and community relations for Via Rail Canada, Canada’s national passenger rail service.
“When you take Via Rail, you can enjoy traveling while looking out the window and seeing scenic portraits of cities, prairies, and the Rockies, while being comforted by having a quiet time.
“It’s spacious. We have invested in making cars accessible, roomy, and user-friendly for people with limited mobility and special conditions. We also cater to gluten-free and other special dietary needs, with advance notice.
“Canadian laws and regulations provide ample services for people with limited mobility. It’s part of the fabric of Canada to provide accessibility to its citizens and to travelers.
“At various stations we have lifts to allow people with wheelchairs to board the train. We have a dedicated area where the person will anchor his or her wheelchair safely.
“We also allow someone, or a service animal, to accompany that person and ride at no additional cost. We ask to receive 24-hour, or ideally, 48-hour advance notice that someone with a specific condition will be boarding the train so the attendants can recognize and attend to their needs.”
For those interested in viewing gorgeous vistas while riding the rails, Gagnon says, “There are two long-haul routes—one is The Ocean—a 22-hour journey from Montreal to Halifax. The train travels along shorelines of the Atlantic Ocean and has a panoramic car.
“The other one is The Canadian, between Toronto and Vancouver, through the Canadian Rockies and the prairies. It‘s a very scenic three-and-a-half-day journey. The track goes across terrain where there are no highways and roads. It’s very unique—even in the summer time, the Rockies are covered with snow. It’s a very elevated, beautiful terrain, with views of the Pacific Ocean.” For more information on Via Rail, go to https://www.viarail.ca/en/travel-info/special-needs/accessibility
AIR TRAVEL
Getting as much information as possible and alerting the airline to your needs in advance, as well as allowing time for delays, are critical when traveling by air. Be sure to factor in potential traffic issues, lengthy distances between gates, crowds, long lines and flight delays when connecting. And don’t be hesitant to ask for assistance, such as wheelchairs or electric carts, experienced travelers advise.
One flyer says, “My husband has Huntington’s disease, and for him, we found going on the plane with assistance has given him more time to get to his seat without people pushing and being impatient. Also, we request wheelchair assistance at all airports.
“If you’ve ever been to Jamaica, Miami, or Atlanta airports, then you know it’s like walking a mile from one point to another. Imagine if you only have half an hour to get from one gate to the other. Always ask for assistance when needed. Most of the people who work at airports are only to happy to help.”
Traveler Keti Galanos says, “Panic attacks are commonplace for those of us afflicted. I am at the near norm readings for PAH, yet will take medication for the next year. I request a wheelchair, as I cannot run between gates in the airport, and I always panic and am out of breath.”
Traveler Cheryl Kneal recalls, “I traveled to Chicago from Orlando over Christmas. I had my portable oxygen concentrator and had the airline take me to the gate for departure, and then, when we arrived, to where I was picked up, to conserve energy.”
Kneal adds that, to deal with stress and panic attacks about running out of oxygen, she meditated frequently during the two-hour flight.
For those with limited mobility, addressing needs step-by-step ahead of time is key to alleviating stress and making travel as hassle-free as possible. When making your airline reservation, let the agent know if you’ll be traveling with a wheelchair or scooter, if you’ll need one at the airport, and if you’ll need to transfer to one of the airline’s aisle wheelchairs (a narrow wheelchair designed to fit aircraft aisles) to help you board or deplane. Also ask if you can use the aisle wheelchair during the flight to get to the bathroom.
Ask to keep your wheelchair until you get to the gate, check it there, and have it returned to you at the gate on arrival. (Depending on the type of wheelchair you have and space available, it will either be stored in the cabin or in the baggage hold during the flight.)
Flight attendants can help passengers use the aisle wheelchair to get to the restroom, but not in the restroom, and many onboard restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Flight attendants are also not required to lift or carry passengers. Some fliers with limited mobility limit fluid intake before and during a flight to prevent the need to use the restroom, however doing so can present the risk of dehydration and other medical problems.
Flying can also be unpredictable. Air traffic and weather delays can mean the plane is stuck on the runway before takeoff or circling for an extra hour before landing. If you have limited mobility, it might be advisable to consider flying with someone who can help you in the restroom, or catheterization, rather than limiting fluids.
AIRPORT SECURITY
Candy Harrington advises those who have concerns about navigating airport security in wheelchairs and with medication and medical devices to check the TSA guidelines beforehand.
“Although the TSA is exempt from the ADA and the ACAA, they have developed specific guidelines for dealing with disabled passengers. They list these guidelines on their website, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with them, so you will know what to expect.”
Traveler Ruth Cozad says that she was pleasantly surprised with her TSA experience. “We went to Hawaii with both oxygen and CPAP machines and had an amazing trip. Going through security was my big worry, and it went so smoothly.” For more information on TSA guidelines, go to www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions or call the TSA Cares hotline at 855-787-2227 with any access-related questions prior to travel.
DRIVING
For some travelers with chronic conditions, especially those traveling with oxygen, driving can provide the most stress-free journey, and help them slowly ease into travel. Taking short trips from one central location can also help to conserve energy and get the most out of a trip.
Cozad suggests, “My advice would be to stay in one location and take day trips, instead of moving each day. We often take driving trips that last several weeks, and those are easy enough, with my husband unloading and reloading oxygen and CPAP equipment, plus our luggage.”
Milli Washock says, “A lot of people are using the Inogen One portable oxygen device, and it’s nice to go on a plane or a ship. I find it great for long-distance auto travel.”
A potential problem, though, says Washock, is that the device does not have a HEPA filter. She recalls that once, while she was dining out, “a man was smoking a cigar in the nearby bar, and suddenly I was ‘smoking a cigar’ and could not breathe.”
In this case, Washock found that traveling by car had benefits. “Thankfully, I had an oxygen E tank in the car and did not have to permanently abandon my dinner, but it gave me something to think about.”
Despite such challenges, Washock says, “It is good to travel if you can. Just because our bodies do not cooperate the way we want does not mean our brains and lives have to shut down. And, she notes, travel, no matter the distance, can be enhanced by state of mind. “Take it slowly, and enjoy the world around you, whether traveling to your porch or across the world. Each day is a new day.”
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