Holiday Travel – Accessibility Concerns
The holidays are a great time to travel. Very seldom during the year do we have the chance to get together with loved ones and escape the Canadian winters.
Unfortunately, for those with a disability or injury, travelling might become difficult because of accessibility concerns. Consider the following tips when booking a vacation for someone with accessibility or mobility concerns.
Flight/Airport
Before booking your flight, call the airline to confirm the type of airplane that you will be on and the method of boarding. While larger airliners typically can pull up to the jet way, some smaller planes require boarding directly from the tarmac using stairs.
With respect to the airport itself, it might be useful to either print or save to your mobile device a map of the terminal. Knowing where key locations are, including the help desk, elevators, and washrooms can relieve a lot of stress while travelling.
Transportation
An important consideration when travelling is how one will get from the airport to your hotel or resort. Researching taxi services or shuttles is recommended.
Hotels
Before booking a hotel, call the hotel to determine if it is the right fit for you or your family member. Find out about elevators and ramps. Also, be prepared to make inquiries about the width of doors to ensure that your mobility device can be accommodated.
Attractions
When considering an excursion, consider the accessibility concerns. Do your research to ensure that there is an accessible washroom available and that the attraction is actually accessible. For example, an area with cobblestones might not be accessible for someone in a wheelchair.
Other Tips
When considering booking a trip, consider booking with a tour group that specializes or understands disabilities. They can often connect you with service providers that have accessible facilities.
Consider a cruise. Most cruise ships are modern and depart from modern ports with elevators, ramps and other accessible facilities. They are a great way to enjoy multiple destinations without the inconvenience of checking in to multiple hotels.
While planning a trip for someone with mobility or accessibility concerns can be difficult, with some forethought and research, everyone can have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.
About the Authors
The son of a grocery store clerk, Kevin grew up outside of Perth, Ontario. He credits his humble beginnings with the development of his underdog mentality, an approach he has carried into his legal career.
He attended McMaster University for two years before being granted early admission to Osgoode Hall Law School. After being called to the bar in 2008, Kevin began practising law in Hamilton before joining a leading Toronto litigation firm, representing Canada’s largest insurance companies on personal injury actions. “I didn’t find it fulfilling,” Kevin recalls. “I was helping companies save money, when what I wanted to do was help the people going up against these major corporations.” Since joining Oatley Vigmond, Kevin has used his insurance-industry experience to protect his clients and recover the compensation they deserved. He’d been at Oatley Vigmond for two months when he settled a matter for a client at a mediation. “You felt the burden of the litigation, and her injuries, lifting off her. I wanted to help even more people experience the relief of having their uncertainty lifted.’”