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Traveling by plane is of course one of the safest (and fastest) methods of getting from point A to point B, but crowded airports, long waits at security checkpoints and baggage restrictions can make flying a nightmare when you have a disability.
With the help of legislation and strong advocacy, airlines and airports are making it more accessible for travelers with disabilities. We’ve created a fully accessible guide to help you navigate the airports, with tips and tricks to make flying with a disability an easier, more enjoyable process.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits “discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation.”
That means that those with disabilities have the right to certain accommodations such as wheelchair assistance, early boarding, interpreters, and/or TTY technology that make it safer to travel. While most airports and U.S. facilities have those accommodations available, you will probably have to ask for them.
Flying outside the United States? People with disabilities are still entitled to certain accommodations, free of charge, under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). It states that all domestic and international flights that have the U.S. as the destination or origination are required to provide those necessary accommodations to people with disabilities to ensure safe travel.
Knowing what you’re entitled to and not being afraid to ask for it will make the entire flight process less stressful.
Probably the most important part of your trip is the planning stage. Taking the time to map out an itinerary and plan ahead will prepare you for some of the expected complications and ensure that the airline you choose has the accommodations you need ready to go for your trip.
Not every airline offers the same accommodations and flight plans. Do your research, contact the airlines you are considering if possible, and make an informed decision on which airline you choose for your flight. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing which airline you use:
Cheapflights.com has a great overview of what accommodations 23 of the major airlines have available for travelers who require extra support.
Before your trip, schedule an appointment to talk to any relevant health care providers. The more specific and detailed you can be about your trip, the better. Your doctor should be able to walk you through possible complications, health concerns, and any vaccinations you may need before traveling.
You should also get a written statement from your doctor on official letterhead that covers your condition, medications, specific accommodations needed and any other pertinent information. It’s always good to have it on hand in case you need official documentation of your medical condition.
Finally, make sure to get a good phone number that you can reach your doctor at, even if it’s after hours. This is especially important if you’re going abroad somewhere that has a very different medical system than the United States.
The best thing you can do to make sure you have the best flying experience possible is communicate with TSA, your airline, and the hotels or resorts you are staying at.
Most airline accommodations need to be planned ahead of time, especially when it comes to needing specialized equipment or a service animal. Contact your airline as soon as you book tickets to explain what accommodations you’ll need. They’ll be able to give you an idea of what they can provide and what you can expect from their boarding process.
Contact them again 48 hours before you are set to take off to check in and make sure everything is in order. This will eliminate surprises and give the airline a reminder to line up any necessary accommodations that require pre-planning.
The U. S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) isn’t necessarily the most beloved aspect of flying, but understanding their procedures and planning accordingly can help you breeze through security with minimal hiccups.
TSA Precheck can help make sure going through security is as easy as possible. Those with TSA Precheck memberships have shorter waiting times and aren’t required to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets as they go through security. You can apply online and schedule an in-person appointment for a background check and fingerprinting.
The TSA also has a help line available for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. You can call TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 for additional assistance during the security screening process. According to the TSA website, you should call 72 before traveling “with questions about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint.”
Finally, the TSA offers passenger support specialists. If you require special accommodations or have any concerns about going through the security screening process, they can provide a passenger support specialist who can provide on-the-spot assistance as needed.
A lot of times, packing gets put on the backburner when it comes to planning out travel, but it’s an important part of making your flight go as smoothly as possible.
Make sure to pack extra medication. Delays and emergencies happen, and you don’t want to be caught away from home (and your doctor) without essential medications. Experts suggest traveling with two complete packages of your medications, with one in your checked bag and one easily accessible in your carry-on.
Pack medical alert information, and keep it on your person and easy to get to. In the case of an emergency, this information can be a literal life-saver.
Most necessary medical equipment such as your wheelchair, CPAP machine, or diabetes monitoring equipment doesn’t count toward your carry-on items. Make sure you clarify whether any equipment you need falls under this category, and you might be able to bring more on the plane with you than you originally thought. This can help eliminate the need for multiple checked bags, which can make the entire air travel process go much more smoothly.
Make sure to keep important things such as your flight plan, doctor’s note, emergency contacts, and any necessary medical information easily accessible in your carry-on.
The more you can plan out your trip in advance, the better off you will be. Whether you use a specialty travel agency or do the planning yourself, creating an itinerary can alleviate a lot of the stress of travel, both during your flight and while you’re at your destination.
While careful planning can reduce stress on the day of your flight, there are still a few things to remember to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Many travel credit cards offer exclusive perks that you can take advantage of to help alleviate some of the stress of flying. Some issuers sponsor special lounges in major airports that provide a more secluded, calm atmosphere. Most reputable travel cards offer some sort of travel insurance or luggage reimbursement in case of incidents, which can be a financial life-saver if you have expensive medical equipment in your luggage.
Other common perks include:
According to the ACAA, airlines are required to allow service animals to fly with their partners in the cabin of the aircraft free of charge. Any equipment required for your service animal is also permitted to be flown in the cargo hold as medical equipment, also free of charge.
If you have a service animal, including emotional support animals, make sure you have the proper documentation from your doctor that qualifies them as such. Also make sure you contact the airline and inform them that you will be traveling with a service animal so they can be prepared on the day of your flight.
Understand the customs of your destination. Depending on where you are going, your reception might be a little different. The U.S. has strict rules and regulations regarding the discrimination of anyone with a disability, but not all countries have those same standards. Planning accordingly can help alleviate some of those issues.
Make sure you have accurate translations of necessary questions, phrases and jargon if you are traveling to a non-English speaking country. Having written translations of your disability or what accommodations you may need abroad could help your destination ensure that you have everything you need for a safe trip.
Know your medical coverage in case of an emergency. This includes understanding physician availability. Locating the nearest hospital to where you’re staying, taking note of local emergency numbers and obtaining any extra insurance you might need while abroad are all easy ways to prepare for the possibility of a medical emergency while you’re away.
If flying is stressful or physically taxing, plan a restful day as the final day of your trip. While it can be tempting to fill your final day with as many fun adventures as possible, it can make the travel back home extremely difficult. Giving yourself a day to relax and rest before you fly home can make a dramatic difference.
If you have a physical disability …
If you have a visual impairment …
If you are deaf or hard of hearing …
If you have a neurological impairment …
If you have a developmental disorder such as autism …
Having a disability shouldn’t limit your travel options to staycations and locations within driving distance. Planning, doing your research, and knowing your rights can help you have the best air travel experience possible.
Our “Fully Accessible Guide to Flying” was written and designed to meet the needs of our readers with disabilities. This content was created for complete interpretation by all readers, including those who utilize voice assist and other assistive technologies.
This guide was published in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, which can be found at https://www.w3.org/TR/2008/REC-WCAG20-20081211/, and meets Level A conformance guidelines.
Original article – By Madison Blancaflor | Published: May 31, 2018
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