The availability and opportunity has never been greater for those with mobility devices to travel. Whether by ship, plane, or train all forms of transportation have come a long ways from as recently as five years ago. We are not saying it is all perfect, but it is much better. And it will continue to get better. What we have tried to do in this article is provide you with as much information as possible to make your traveling smoother, easier, less stressful, and more fun! Fun is the magic word here.

Bottom line – you need to prepare. Do not wait until right before you are leaving to check with the airlines, your ground transportation, your hotel, and the venues you plan to visit. This article is not necessarily geared towards the individual that’s already traveling 30,000 miles per year or circling the globe three times. You are probably already familiar with all of this, but you may discover a new trick or garner some added information from this article. This article is more for someone who has recently acquired a mobility device or maybe a long-time user who hasn’t traveled in some time. We want this to be a guide and a resource.

The Basics
You are the expert when it comes to your body, your positioning, and your equipment. Sometimes you are your greatest advocate! Remember, you have every right to travel just as much as anyone else. That is exactly what we want to make clear here. Advocating for yourself often means educating each person you encounter while booking your tickets, checking in, passing through security, waiting at the gate, transferring to the aisle chair, and boarding the plane or train. The U.S. Department of Transportation has guidelines on what assistive devices include, things to know and useful tips. Know where you are going on your journey. What is the terrain like? Are there hills and how steep are they? Is it an arid environment or one that is prone to daily showers? Is your destination a popular tourist location or is it more remote, less traveled. If the former, you should be ok. If it is the latter, you need to do more investigation. Ask questions like are streets, restaurants, areas of interest ADA accessible? Are bathrooms ADA?

We are starting with airlines because this tends to be where there is the most confusion. Mobility scooters and power wheelchairs are crucial for many travelers with disabilities. Airlines have specific guidelines to accommodate these devices, ensuring passengers can travel comfortably and safely. TSA guidelines are very clear for checking in and screening. As we mentioned earlier, do not hesitate to help someone understand your rights if necessary. Airlines should be contacted at least 72 hours in advance of your flight. Be prepared to provide details like device dimensions, weight, and type of battery. Arrive at the airport earlier than you might otherwise, allowing time to check-in. You can check your device in at check-in or you can take it all the way to the plane. Make sure your mobility device is properly tagged with your contact information; permanent tag is best. Ideally, you want a direct flight to your destination. If not and there are going to be layovers, we suggest tagging your chair for the final destination. Clearing through TSA will take longer than it will for other passengers. If you are unable to stand or walk, you will be screened and then patted down. If you are over 75 the TSA officer will just conduct a test of your hands for any trace of explosives. Understand that you will be “first on, last off’ when it comes to boarding and deboarding. Battery powered wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed on the plane. Either can be checked in when you arrive at the airport or taken directly to your flight. You will have to make your intentions clear at check-in. Batteries that are in a battery box (and most are) are fine. This would include dry-cell, gel-cell, or AGM. Lithium-ion can be carried on the plane as long as they do not exceed 300Wh. It is a good idea to have the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with you just in case the airline asks to see it. They have been known to do that.

If you have a folding power chair or scooter it has been our experience that it is better to leave it in its’ standard up position than to fold down. If it is in the up-position agents tend to be more careful in the handling process. Folded down can lend itself to the unit being roughly handled and damaged.

You might want to consider putting a tag at the top of the unit like the one pictured. The majority of damage to power wheelchairs and scooters occurs when they are being loaded/unloaded from the cargo bays beneath the planes. Most modern aircraft used for domestic flights have smaller cargo-door hatches, making it difficult to load a power wheelchair in its standard upright position. This means baggage handlers must tip the device on its side. Anything that you can remove that could be broken during this process would be in your best interest. Items like cup holders, joystick controllers, phone mounts, leg and headrests are all susceptible to damage. The more you can do to prevent that from happening, the more likely your device will emerge unscathed at your destination.

In the case of layovers, as we said we recommend final destination for your device. Make sure the airline knows you will need assistance at all stops. They will happily accommodate. If there are delays in helping you off the plane, know that it is your right to wait until assistance arrives per the Air Carrier Access Act. Bottom line here is the more knowledge you have about your travels and what your rights are the more likely a fun and stress-free flight.

Once again, preparation is the key. When choosing a rail carrier, think about your specific needs. What amenities and services are offered? Are all doorways wide enough to maneuver your power chair or scooter? Do you require an escort? Amtrak is the predominate operator of rail services in the U.S. Assistance can be found at check-in or directly through the Amtrak website. We recommend making reservations in advance to ensure you’re getting a wheelchair seat. This can be done at Amtrak.com where you can also receive a 15% discount on your ticket if requesting a wheelchair seating space. Outside the United States there is no single rail operator. This can make advance arrangements a challenge but almost all carriers are prepared to assist with mobility devices. Those that have traveled Europe have had the best luck going directly to the station two days before your trip to ask questions. Many rail operators provide significant discounts to persons with disabilities, so be sure to ask about that. Early arrival at the station is important, especially in Europe where trains leave on time! Contact the info desk for assistance. They will tell you what to do from there. Train operators have removed seating rows and individual seats to allow wheelchair users to remain in their vehicle for the journey. Amtrak trains in particular are well suited for wheelchair users to sit in the chair or take a seat. Some trains also have power outlets so you can charge your electronics or your power wheelchair. Many trains are going to be equipped with fully accessible lavatories with room for both you and your chair. Subways may require more research than any other mode of transportation. Not all subways are accessible to those in power wheelchairs and scooters. Wherever you plan to go, get a list of all handicap accessible stations. Do they have ramps, elevators, or both? The day before your adventure check to make sure all elevators are in working order where you need to enter, exit, or transfer. If you are traveling alone do not hesitate to ask for help. You can always find someone willing to help no matter where you are. Remember, there is always a gap between the platform and the train. There are not going to be designated wheelchair areas on the subway (at least not in NYC), but you have just as much right to space as anyone else on the subway.

Taxis can be a challenge. Most times “wheelchair-friendly” means a slightly larger vehicle allowing a semi-mobile person to take their manual folding wheelchair in the taxi as luggage. Once again planning is the key component here. Research the local taxi companies where you will be traveling and look for companies that specifically advertise ‘wheelchair-accessible’ taxis. Ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft offer UberWAV and “Access,” respectively, through their apps. Whatever option you choose, you have to book in advance. In some locales local government or the transportation authority will be able to assist. Some cities have private companies that provide transportations services for those with disabilities. Finally, check out websites like ‘Wheelchair Accessible Taxi.’ ‘Wheelchair Travel’ results provided a wide array of articles, blogs, reference, city-specific links, etc.

Cruises can be one of the most fun and relaxing ways to enjoy a vacation or time away. Different sights, various ports, fabulous entertainment, and divine meals all await you. Similar to trains, cruise ships want you to have a 5-star experience. Word of mouth/social media is one of their prime forms of advertising. All cruise lines that have a U.S. port are required to comply with the American with Disabilities Act to offer accessible public spaces and staterooms. We have hundreds of examples of people that have rented powered wheelchairs and scooters from us for cruise ships. We would estimate 98% have enjoyed wonderful trips. Many cruise lines, just like the airlines, require knowing your mobility device dimensions to ensure that you can get it into the staterooms. If you are not completely disabled, a regular cabin will be fine, but you will be required to get your mobility device into your quarters. Newer, bigger ships are much better for accessibility – they tend to be built with accessibility as a primary concern as opposed to older ships which are retrofitted later. One article suggests booking a reservation at least one year in advance to get an accessible stateroom (if that is what you need). There are a limited number of fully accessible staterooms available on each ship if you are completely immobile. As always, do your homework well in advance. We hope this has helped you in thinking thru and planning for your journey. Whether traveling the Swiss Alps or traveling the Southwest U.S. via train, proper planning in advance and being flexible with your plans can make all the difference. Affordable Medical Equipment says, Bon Voyage!