Category Wheelchair Travel

Things can change in the blink of an eye. Wheelchairs should be viewed as a means of allowing someone who’s unable to walk to live a life of normalcy and mobility. There may come a time when we find ourselves or our family members will be need to use a wheelchair. Whether this is a temporary adjustment or a permanent life change, inevitably there will need to be some changes made to accommodate.

These changes should start in the home. If you’re unsure about how to begin, here are 5 major ways to make your home wheelchair accessible.

• Entryways: Start with entryways and primary access points of the home. Do you have batches of 2-3 steps to get in the front door, back door, or the garage entry? If so, convert these into gradual ramps...

If you’re bound to a wheelchair, you may feel discouraged when it comes to making summer travel plans. However, you can certainly expect to have a fun-filled vacation if you simply do your research ahead of time. Here are the top tips for traveling with your wheelchair.

Source: iStock.com/AndreyPopov

Call Ahead

• Look into wheelchair accessibility: Wherever you travel, you need to choose an airline, hotel and transportation services that accommodate guests in wheelchairs. This means calling up each location you plan to use during your travels – including airports, hotels, shuttle services, cruise lines and ferries – and inquiring about elevators, ramps and airlift assistance.
• Ask about medical equipment restrictions: This applies particularly to airlines, which may have restrictions r...

If you need a wheelchair to get around, you may be afraid to travel away from home. Fortunately, with a little planning and research ahead of time, your trip can be fun and rewarding. Use these travel tips for wheelchair users to help you avoid handicap restrictions on your next vacation:

Source: iStock.com/Minerva Studio

• Inquire about hotel wheelchair accessibility: Not every hotel has ramps and elevators to assist people in wheelchairs. This is especially prohibitive if you’re traveling alone. When making travel arrangements, ask about wheelchair accessibility to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
• Look into cruise ship protocol: If you’re taking a cruise, you should understand that most operations involve riding a ferry to a ship anchored off shore...

Wheelchair users can face special challenges when they’re planning air travel. One of the most anxiety-inviting experiences is going through a security checkpoint at the airport. If you use a wheelchair — especially if you’ve never gone through screening before — you probably wonder what to expect. 

Even experienced wheelchair users can face additional challenges while traveling, particularly when airplanes are involved.