For the individual in a wheelchair travel is much more difficult than for the able bodies person. The fear of travel may even prevent some disabled persons from even considering world travel as an option. The opinions of others can be as big an obstacle to the disabled traveler as physical obstacles. With today’s accessibility laws, many people think that the disabled person is able to do everything an able bodied person can do. Some even ignore the person’s need and refuse help when needed. It is very important that a trip is planned ahead of time so both you and the locations you visit will know what you need to make your trip as pleasant as possible.

The handicapped have every right to experience the world in the same way that everyone else does, so there are a few things that need to be done.

If you are confined to a wheelchair and you want to travel, then you need to make sure all of your travel arrangements are in order. It should be just as easy as going to the airport or boarding a cruise ship, but even in this day and age people will have to be reminded that you’re traveling with wheels.

Airline Travel: When you travel by plane, make sure that you stress to them that you’ll be coming on a wheelchair. If you don’t, then there is a chance that they will forget and act a bit angry with you when you show up. Make sure that you check your wheelchair so that you can ride it all the way to the plane, where you will be helped to your seat. If you are using a motorized chair, make sure you do not have wet cell batteries. If you do, then your batteries will have to be placed in a no-leak container, and since planes sometimes lose luggage you would run into issues if you had a motorized chair and no batteries.

Hotels: Just like with airlines, make sure the hotels know you’re coming. Make sure that the hotel is wheelchair accessible, and definitely make sure they’ll help you out if you need it. Once again planing is key to having a trouble free vacation.

Cruise Ships: Cruise ships are much more helpful than airlines when it comes to the handicapped. There are a few ways to disembark from a cruise ship, one of which is by tender. Tender is where a boat is launched from the cruise ship about half a mile from shore and a few passengers can opt to leave. Then there is the gangplank where everyone disembarks normally. Either way, you can either have your chair carried. If you disembark at the gangplank, there is a special device that is capable of lifting your chair and setting you down on the dock. However you have it done is totally up to you.

Finding accessible activities at your destination also requires some advanced planning. Your first stop should be the areas local tourist information booth. Depending on where you are vacationing, they may or may not be able to help you. By researching the activities on the Internet before you leave, you will be able to have an agenda of activities and restaurants to visit before you arrive. This will save much time and allow you to enjoy your vacation more.

Plan your trip in advance, contact each airline, cruise line and hotel before you leave and make sure both you and they understand what is required to assist you. A good travel agent who is familiar with the needs of the disabled will be a huge asset to making your trip the most comfortable and trouble free as possible.