Travel Tips for the Disabled

Disabled people face many difficulties especially when it comes to travelling. One example may be access to the facilities or upper/lower floor areas of a building whether it is in the airport, underground station, hotel or restaurant. Many places offer platform lifts, ramps, handles and hand rails positioned at the level reachable by a wheelchair user and other special facilities, while others fail to accommodate a disabled visitor.

Here are a few tips to make your trip as smooth and worry free as possible.

Tip 1: Before leaving your home spend some time researching and planning your trip carefully. Although the UK regulations suggest that public access buildings should be accessible to physically impaired people, in reality it is not always true. Search the Internet and look for the places that say “disabled access” or “barrier free” and mark them down on your map.

Tip 2: Only 30% of London Tube stations are accessible. When you arrive in London ask a member of the underground staff for the Step-Free Tube guide or Avoiding Stairs Tube guide. These are also available for download from the Transport for London website and allow to plan your trip in advance.

Tip 3:  Check whether there are health and social services, disabled associations or assistance services that can help you in case of a force majeure. Do your homework before leaving, it is better to be prepared rather than find yourself in a difficult or hopeless situation.

Tip 4: If you are staying in a hotel check if it is disabled visitors “friendly”. If you intend to rent a flat or a house check that it is either on a ground floor or has a lift suitable for a wheelchair. It is also important to know whether the lift is serviced regularly.

Tip 5: If you take any special medication make sure to consult your doctor and make any arrangements for the prescription as the health system differs from country to country and you might not be able to find the same medication in the UK or it might not be available without a prescription from a local GP.

Tip 6: Last but not least, after you travel to London and gain a hands-on experience, don’t forget to write about it and share it on the Internet. This will help to build a good information base for disabled travelers worldwide.