Many families have a disabled relative, whether it is a child or parent. Caring for a disabled person can be overwhelming, but you must be brave. Once in a while, it is good to offer yourself and your loved ones a nice vacation. Traveling can make you happy and forget about your daily challenges.
Nowadays, being disabled doesn’t mean being confined to your local area. Thanks to advanced technology, disabled people can travel within their own country and even internationally. Although it requires more planning than usual, everything is doable. Here are four tips for traveling with a disabled relative.
Prepare
Traveling always requires preparation, whether planning your route, looking to book hotels, or things to explore at your destination. Traveling with a disabled relative is almost the same, but it requires a more thorough preparation as transport and accommodation need to be suitable.
Before leaving, always take extra medication with you just in case bags get lost or stolen. You should also carry proof that you are allowed to have such medicines. You can ask your loved one’s doctor to provide documentation detailing their condition.
If you are traveling abroad, always get travel insurance for both of you. Then, your disabled relative will always have access to proper care if anything happens. It’s always good to be prepared rather than scramble to find appropriate doctors if something happens.
If your relative is in a wheelchair, you should always check if there are any repair services at your destination in case it breaks. Or, for example, they cannot travel with their wheelchair if there are any local facilities where you can rent one.
Accommodations
Renting proper accommodations is essential. Depending on your relative disability, you need to get a suitable room. Whether you use a booking agency or check online, it’s always best to call the accommodations and ask critical questions.
For example, if your relative has problems with mobility, you should check out access and facilities within the room. Don’t be afraid to ask about anything relevant for your relative’s comfort.
Transport
If you travel by plane, you should get a TSA notification card for your disabled relative. With this card, disabled people can inform airport personnel of their medical condition or disability. This way, the screening process can go smoothly without questioning or putting your relative in a compromising position. If you are unsure how to obtain this, you can check here on how to get a tsa disability notification card.
Excursions
If you plan to visit museums or other attractions, you can always check how they accommodate disabled people in advance. For example, most attractions provide ramps for people in wheelchairs or VIP memberships, like skipping the line. If you choose a guided tour, ensure they are aware of your loved one’s disability so they can move at their pace.
Traveling with a disabled relative shouldn’t be a dreadful experience. After you’ve prepared for the practical part of traveling, don’t forget to have fun. Don’t expect everything to go perfectly; every trip is an opportunity to learn.
