| TRAVEL
By Andrea Jehn Kennedy
Traveling with a wheelchair always requires diligent preparation. But if you want to challenge yourself with a destination that is not only outside the US but off the map for accessibility (i.e., not Europe or the UK), you’re going to have to expect some barriers, embrace your limitations, use what resources already exist, take a lot of notes, and place a lot of calls and e-mails. But wherever you’ve got a calling to go, by all means go!
So you want to go to Istanbul, Turkey (for the sake of example; the steps apply no matter what destination you choose)? First, decide which time of year you want to go and how long you want to stay.
Next, book your flight early—and be thorough in your research. Many foreign air carriers not only do not adhere to US disability laws, they have their own strict rules on traveling with a disability. Some require 48 hours notice from passengers with a wheelchair, some even require a doctor’s note verifying that you can travel alone. Some have rules against power wheelchairs, and none allow service dogs in the cabin. This even goes for foreign carriers who “code-share” with US carriers. (You may buy your ticket through United, for example, but once you’re out of US airspace, your flights may be operated by Lufthansa.)
Most airlines have a US customer service number to call. Get on the horn with them immediately to make sure all your ducks are in a row. Make sure you ask all the questions you need to ask. Can you use your own wheelchair between connections? Can you get your wheelchair at the door of the plane on arrival? How much advance notice do they require for your return flight? Will you be able to use an on-board wheelchair—and will flight attendants help you—if you have to use the restroom?
With your flight thoroughly researched and out of the way, you’re free to concentrate on the rest of your itinerary. You’ve heard the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque are the sights to see in Istanbul. Now how do you find out if they are even remotely accessible?
Start with companies that specialize in disability travel information. Use their expertise to save yourself valuable research time. The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH, www.sath.org), has been specializing in traveling with a disability since the mid 1970s. They have a vast network of members throughout the globe who can point you in the right direction.
In addition to SATH there are dozens of other places to find the experts. United Spinal’s own ABLE to Travel (www.abletotravel.org, 888-211-3635) has information and deals on many locations abroad. And remember: If you use Able to Travel to book a flight or room, you won’t pay extra, but United Spinal will receive a commission from the airline or hotel.
Rick Steves, renowned guidebook author and adventurer, recently published Easy Access Europe with the help of wheelchair-user Susan Sygall, director of Mobility International USA. If Europe is your destination, this guide is a good start. But what about a place like Istanbul that has no accessibility guidebook?
Go to the nearest computer and plug “Accessibility tours Turkey” into a search engine. When I did this on Yahoo, I got MemphisTours. com. Although they specialize in wheelchair tours within Egypt, they have a combination tour that includes Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and Greece. So even if you aren’t going to use them to book this combo tour, they will no doubt be helpful in suggestions for Turkey.
I say “no doubt,” because one thing that we’ve found within the disability travel network is cooperation. Every agency, operator, writer, and advocate for disability travel wants the same thing: to grow, expand, and improve the accessibility of travel in general. This is a very important point to make to those who want to do your own research: Trust that you won’t be denied information from one of your peers. Ask politely, and you will likely receive.
But what if the destination you choose doesn’t have anyone knowledgeable in access for the area? With the wealth of information that’s growing now, the chance of that is slim (yet it exists). Most tourism areas are starting to welcome travelers with disabilities. The Parthenon, the Pyramids, and the Great Wall of China are all accessible in some way. But if you come to a roadblock in information, find an agency nearby and see if they can help. Also check in with the local tourism consulate and have someone on-site help you track down the answers to your questions.
Last, no matter how much research you do, you’ll still face obstacles along the way while traveling. Perhaps you were told a tour boat is accessible, but upon arrival you’re told that your chair will be strapped down for safety. Ask the captain to angle the boat to face the landmark (glacier, bridge, etc.) if possible, or loan you a deckhand to point out sights on your side. Perhaps the bathroom at the hotel is narrower than they’d measured for you. Ask them to take the door off the hinges for you to get in. There is always a solution to any travel problem. Bring your flexibility and your thinking cap, and be open to adaptations while traveling to get the most of your trip no matter where you are. The most important aspect of your adventure is to have fun!
Andrea and her husband Craig are co-owners of Access Anything, travel consultants and writers specializing in marketing and education for all aspects of disability travel including recreation, adventure, eco travel, ADA rights and interpretation. Access Anything’s guidebook series, travel products, published articles and more can be found at www.accessanything.net.
