|
Having a carefully
planned out trip for the disabled is essential
because with so many things to organize at once,
it is always easy to leave out something if no
advanced planning is being carried out. To be
able to plan a trip for the disabled, it is
important to gather as much information as
possible such as to find out when, where and for
how long the individual has traveled on previous
occasions and also to find out the problems
encountered by the individual during his trip.
The first thing to
know is to check whether the traveler is
traveling alone and, if so, whether the traveler
can be totally independent in a different
environment, possibly in an different climate
from the one that the traveler is so used to and
in a place where language could be a problem. Usually help will be
at hand at terminals and also in hotels but this
should not be expected or totally relied upon
unless confirmed in writing beforehand. It is
not impossible to arrange for some help from
the hotel, say, having ramps for steps. However,
if complete independence is impossible, it is
advisable for the disabled person to be accompanied by someone
who can give the extra help. There are also
organizations specializing in holidays for
severely disabled unaccompanied people should
the disabled individual decides to travel alone.
The type of
disability and its effects are very important
information to have. There are many different
kinds of disability which can be either
temporary or permanent. Someone who has a broken
leg has different problems from someone who is
suffering from a heart condition or respiratory
complaint. Information that needs to be known by
the tour operators, carriers and hoteliers
include the types of disability, the limitations
to mobility - the use of a stick or unable to
walk for long distances, whether the need for
wheelchair is permanent, whether transfer from a
wheelchair into a coach, air or train seat is
easy or difficult, whether one or both legs need
to be fully stretched whilst traveling, the
overall dimensions of the wheelchair - is it
collapsible or is it battery operated and other
effects of the disability which can caused
uneasiness for the disabled. Having a wheelchair
access to hotels, buses or planes is important
to ensure a smooth transition.
Other information
that needs to be known are whether the person is
being accompanied by someone who can provide all
the necessary assistance needed or if the
disabled person is traveling alone, then,
whether help will be required with feeding,
washing, bathing, toileting, dressing or pushing
the wheelchair. Also it is important to know
whether any other special requirement is needed
during the journey such as special diet, oxygen
or other aids. In order to ensure the most
comfortable trip possible, providing all the
necessary information to the travel agent is
advisable and finally, if it is a group travel.
it is useful to know the proportion of
able-bodied to disabled people, the nature of
disabilities, the number of wheelchair user and
the age group involved.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|