As we are coming upon the holiday season, many people are planning holiday travel and a lot of folks will be flying to get to their destination. Traveling by plane can be stressful and for those with special needs it can provide even more challenges.
According to U.S. Census nearly 20% of the population has a disability. More than half of those people have mobility difficulties. Traveling by airplane when you have mobility issues can be difficult and may require special arrangements to accommodate your needs. The challenge for someone with a disability is to foresee all of their special needs in detail and to make sure to thoroughly check to assure those needs can be met.
The 3 steps that will make your travel via airplane easier are:
Step 1:Plan
Step 2:Check
Step 3:Double Check
Before your trip:
–Determine your specific needs and make a list of those needs and what accommodations are necessary.
–Contact TSA Cares Help Line prior to travel at least 72 hours in advance. They can answer questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at security checkpoint. They have dedicated resources for passengers with disabilities. You can also request a passenger support specialist to assist you at the airport. You can contact TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 or via email at TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov. If you failed to contact them in advance, you can ask a checkpoint officer or supervisor for a passenger support specialist at the airport.
–Obtain written certification of your disability from your doctor to present at the airport if necessary. It’s a good idea to have your doctor include: medical history, allergies, current medial information and a medication list along with the doctor’s telephone number should you have a medical emergency. If you are diabetic and insulin-dependent, your doctor should include that information in the certification to validate the need for syringes.
–Secure plenty of medication prior to your trip so you can pack one set in your carry-on and another in your checked suitcase in case there are unexpected delays or medication is lost. If you are insulin dependent, store several unopened vials in different places. If a bottle breaks, you will have extra supply. They can be packed in an insulated lunch bag or bubble wrap to protect them.
-If you use a prosthesis, make sure to: inspect and clean the socket, inspect and repair (if necessary) the suspension or any looseness, pack extra things or tools you may need such as prosthetic socks, extra socket liners, tape, screwdriver, and/or plastic bags if you plan to be near water or sand. You should have a phone number of a certified prosthetic facility in the area you are visiting should you encounter any problems with your prosthetic while on your trip.
-If you use a wheelchair: have a maintenance check done on your wheelchair and take spare parts. If you check your wheelchair as baggage, insure your wheelchair under commercial loss and damage insurance for the chair’s full value. The airline’s liability is usually limited to a very small amount and if your wheelchair is listed as personal property on your homeowners insurance, it’s typically only covered for theft or loss by fire.
When booking flight:
– Tell the reservationist if you need wheelchair assistance and inform them if you will need an airport-provided wheelchair. An employee of the airline is available to push you to and from flight. It is advised to allow them to do this because the attendant knows exactly where you need to be and can push you to the head of the line.
–Ask for bulkhead seating. These seats are at the front of the plan and face a wall instead of the backs of other seats. They offer a lot more space to get in and out of. Most major airlines block these seats for people with special needs. If that is not available ask for an aisle seat. These often have armrests that will swing up and out of the way to make for an easier transfer.
–Plan a flight that allows enough time to make your connecting flight if you use a wheelchair and will have to wait on a wheelchair being brought up from baggage as you will most likely be the last person to exit the plane.
–Check the list of approved carry-on items and prepare accordingly. Airlines allow you to bring one small bag of liquid, aerosols, gels, creams or pastes through the security checkpoint. There is a 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons. These items must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container, must be in 1 quart –sized , clear, plastic, zip-top bag, and you are limited to 1 bag per passenger. Medications are allowed in larger quantities, but you must declare them.
Click here to review the specific information regarding procedures for specific disabilities or medical conditions and to find information on approved carry-on items. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions
After you have planned and checked to make sure you have done all the steps above, you should double check right before your flight and make sure the airline has not changed any policies. Contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) right before travel is always advised since airport guidelines and carry-on restrictions are always being updated. Being aware of the current guidelines will make airline travel much smoother. Making a list and double checking that you have all the things you need in order such as extra medication, medical documentation and assistance if required will help you avoid last minute mishaps.
Phone: 1-866-289-9673
E-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov
Website: www.tsa.gov
When getting to the airport:
–Tell the airline desk agent at check in that you need wheelchair assistance and the flight attendant before arrival at your destination.
–Alert security at checkpoint that you may set off the alarm before passing through the detector if you choose to walk through the metal detector and have your medical documentation if you think you will set off an alarm.
–Ask the flight attendant when you are boarding a plane if someone could be relocated so that you would be able to have the bulkhead seat, if you were not able to book a bulkhead seat when booking your flight.
–Use the airport restroom before boarding your flight and limit liquid intake as it may be difficult to maneuver in the tiny airplane restroom.
On flight:
–Communicate your needs clearly and calmly to flight attendants. Inform your flight attendant that you will need wheelchair assistance upon arrival.
-If you use crutches they must be stored under the seat or in the overhead compartment. If they can’t be stored there, the flight attendants will stow them in another location. You will have to ask for them if you need to use the restroom. It is ideal to use forearm or collapsible crutches that fit under your seat if you are able.
-If you use a wheelchair, you are able to use it down the walkway, but not onboard the plane. An airline representative will need to transfer you to your seat. Your wheelchair will be sent to the baggage compartment and will be waiting for you at door of the plane upon your arrival. Make sure to put your name, address and phone number on the wheelchair that is being stowed. If you are changing planes, make sure that you request for your chair to be brought to you upon departing the plane.
Other things to consider when arriving at your destination:
–Is your hotel accessible? Never assume that a hotel is accessible. Make sure to contact the hotel or whomever you are staying with to express your needs and make sure they are able to accommodate. Think of all the accommodations you may require. Some hotels may be able to furnish shower seats, but not all will be able to provide this accommodation and you may need to bring/purchase a folding seat to take on your trip. It is important to note that small hotels and bed & breakfast hotels (any lodging unit that have less than 10 rooms) are not required to follow ADA standards.
–Do you have accessible transportation? Major auto rental agencies at airports can provide automobiles with hand controls when at least 24 hours notice is given. They also may have vehicles with left-foot accelerator extension. If you rent a car and you are using a wheelchair, you may want to rent a two-door car. They have larger door openings to allow you more space to transfer in and out of the car. If you are traveling to a major city several companies should have rental vans with wheelchair lifts available or have wheelchair accessible taxi service.
Things don’t always go as planned. It is important to know whom to contact and how to assert your rights should something go wrong. The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination in air travel and requires all air carries to accommodate the needs of passenger with disabilities. If you are experience air travel service problems you can contact the Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD) , which can be 24 hours a day at 1-202-366-2220/1-202-366-0511 (TTY)
If you feel there has been any violation of aviation regulation, you may file a complaint here:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Consumer Hotline, AOA-20
800 Independence AVE SW
Washington, DC 20591
866/835-5322
Travel can be very stressful and may present additional stress and challenges to folks with a disability. It is essential to be prepared, communicate your needs and be assertive. It is important to stay calm and make sure you are being assertive and not becoming angry should problems arise. Staying calm while being insistent that your needs are met is far more affective than getting angry. If you become angry and aggressive, you run the risk of alienating the person you are making the complaint to and they may be less helpful in resolving your issue. If you plan, check and double check, air travel should go more smoothly.
Happy holidays and safe travels!
**If all this planning sounds overwhelming there are specialized travel agencies that can help you make transportation and lodging arrangements. Any major travel agency should be able to assist someone with special needs for travel in the United States. If doing foreign travel you should most definitely use a travel agency that specializes in serving people with disabilities.
Here is a list of some of those agencies:
Other helpful resources:
Travel Agency resources:
-mossresourcenet.org/agencies.htm
List of major airline reservation numbers:
http://www.airguideonline.com/airline_telres.htm
Accessible transportation resource:
Easter Seals Project Action
http://www.projectaction.org/ResourcesPublications/FindingAccessibleTransportation.aspx
Accessible Travel Resources :
http://www.disabilitytravel.com/accessible-travel-resources.htm
http://access-able.com/graphical_index.html
http://www.disabledtravelers.com/travel_resources.htm
TSA procedures for people with special needs or medical conditions:
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions
*U.S. Citizens/permanent residents with permanent disabilities can obtain a free “America the Beautiful-National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass-Access Pass” which entitles you to free lifetime entrance pass to all U.S national parks which is good for the pass holder and up to 3 other adult passengers in a private vehicle. The pass also provides 50% discount on some of the facility and service charges such as camping, swimming, parking, tours. For more information: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/general.html