Resources for Disabled Travelers
By Susan Sygall and staff of Mobility International USA
More and more people with disabilities are heading to Europe, and more of us are looking for the Back Door routes. We, like so many of our non-disabled peers, want to get off the tourist track and experience the real France, Italy, or Portugal. Yes, that includes those of us who use wheelchairs. I've been traveling the "Rick Steves way" since about 1973 — and here are some of my best tips.
I use a lightweight manual wheelchair with pop-off tires. I take a backpack that fits on the back of my chair and store my daypack underneath my chair in a net bag. Since I usually travel alone, if I can't carry it myself, I don't take it. I keep a bungee cord with me for the times I can't get my chair into a car and need to strap it in the trunk or when I need to secure it on a train. I always insist on keeping my own wheelchair up to the airline gate, where I then check it at the gate. When I have a connecting flight, I again insist that I use my own chair.
Bathrooms are often a hassle, so I have learned to use creative ways to transfer into narrow spaces. To be blatantly honest, when there are no accessible bathrooms in sight, I have found ways to pee discreetly just about anywhere (outside the Eiffel Tower or on a glacier in a national park). You gotta do what you gotta do, and hopefully one day the access will improve, but in the meantime there is a world out there to be discovered. Bring along an extra pair of pants and a great sense of humor.
I always try to learn some of the language of the country I'm in, because it cuts through the barriers when people stare at you (and they will) and also comes in handy when you need assistance in going up a curb or a flight of steps. Don't accept other people's notions of what is possible — I have climbed Masada in Israel and made it to the top of the Acropolis in Greece.
If a museum lacks elevators for visitors, be sure to ask about freight elevators. Almost all have them somewhere, and that can be your ticket to seeing a world-class treasure.
I always get information about disability groups where I am going. See the resources listed at the end of this article for a number of organizations to try. They will have the best access information, and many times they will become your new traveling partners and friends. They can show you the best spots. Remember that you are part of a global family of people with disabilities.
It can be helpful to contact tourism offices and local transit providers before you travel. Some even include information about accessibility for people with disabilities on their websites.
Each person with a disability has unique needs and interests. Many of my friends use power wheelchairs, are blind or deaf, or have other disabilities — they all have their own travel tips. People who have difficulty walking long distances might want to think of taking a lightweight wheelchair or borrowing one when needed — many places in Europe have mobility scooter rentals, and bike shops are excellent for tire repairs if you get a flat. Whether you travel alone, with friends, or with an assistant, you're in for a great adventure.
Don't confuse being flexible and having a positive attitude with settling for less than your rights. I expect equal access and constantly let people know about the possibility of providing access through ramps or other modifications. When I believe my rights have been violated, I do whatever is necessary to remedy the situation so that the next traveler, or disabled people in that country, won't have the same frustrations.
Know your rights as a traveler with a disability. If, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you feel you have been discriminated against (such as not being allowed on a US tour company's tour of Europe), call the US Department of Justice ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-541-0383 TTY. The US Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD) handles complaints regarding the Air Carrier Access Act, and has a toll-free Disability Hotline (tel. 800-778-4838 or 800-455-9880 TTY). Many countries have disability rights laws and/or have passed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and should be aware of any legal obligations. Do your part to explain why you think accessibility is a human right.
Keep in mind that accessibility can mean different things in different countries. In some countries, people rely more on human-support systems than on physical or technological solutions. People may tell you their building is accessible because they're willing to lift you and your wheelchair over the steps at the entryway. Be open to trying new ways of doing things, but also ask questions to make sure you are comfortable with the access provided.
If you are interested in studying, teaching, or volunteering abroad, contact the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) at Mobility International USA for free information and referrals (see listing below). Whether you're considering traveling abroad to learn a new language, or looking for a way to make your experience more meaningful by volunteering, the NCDE has resources to answer many of your questions. You can also get online and do your own investigating. Search for "travel" and "disability."
Hopefully more books will include accessibility information — which will allow everyone to see Europe "through the Back Door." Let's work toward making that door accessible so we can all be there together.
Additional Resources
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people with disabilities around the world to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development. MIUSA periodically sponsors international exchange programs for people with disabilities. They also sell useful resources, such as the book Survival Strategies for Going Abroad: A Guide for People with Disabilities, in which more than 20 experienced travelers with disabilities share stories, tips, and resources related to participating in international programs. This easy-to-use guide addresses the disability-related aspects of participating in international exchange programs, including choosing a program, applying, preparing to travel, adjusting to life in a new country, and returning home (tel. 541/343-1284, info@miusa.org).
The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) provides free information about work, study, teaching, volunteer, and research opportunities abroad for people with disabilities. The NDCE offers many resources, including an online database with information about exchanges and disability organizations worldwide; the free publication Preparing for an International Career: Pathways for People with Disabilities; online resources addressing many travel issues faced by people with disabilities; and the free online journal A World Awaits You, with tips and stories about a wide range of exchange opportunities. NCDE is a project sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US State Department and administered by MIUSA.
Access-Able Travel Source sponsors a useful website that has access information and resources for travelers with disabilities, and offers a free email newsletter. They have information about guidebooks, accessible transportation, wheelchair travel, scooter rental, disabled-travel forums, accessible transportation, and more (tel. 303/232-2979, fax 303/239-8486, information@access-able.com, Bill Randall).
The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH), an educational nonprofit membership organization, publishes a travel magazine (Open World) and offers travel advice ($49 membership, $29 for students and seniors, tel. 212/447-7284, fax 212/447-1928, sathtravel@aol.com).
Several organizations specialize in health issues: The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) provides a directory of English-speaking doctors around the world (tel. 519/836-0102, info@iamat.org). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintain health-related information online, including travel preparation and health tips for travel worldwide. Shoreland's Travel Health Online offers health advice, a planning guide, and country information.
Traveling with a service animal adds another layer of planning to you trip. Allow plenty of time to obtain the necessary documents — guide dogs must meet health standards to avoid quarantines. The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange offers a helpful tip sheet, Frequently Asked Questions about Traveling with Guide Dogs, and Other Types of Service Animals. Assistance Dogs Europe and the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners can provide overseas contacts.
Even more websites: In addition to the organizations listed above, you can find helpful resources and links on the websites for Emerging Horizons, Flying with Disability, Gimp on the Go, Rolling Rains Report, Disabled Peoples' International, and MossRehab ResourceNet. AARP's website features articles written for seniors and slow walkers. Deaf individuals in need of American Sign Language interpreting may find options at Overseas Interpreting Company. Deaf individuals in need of American Sign Language interpreting may find options at Overseas Interpreting Company. Access Abroad is a good resource for students with disabilities planning to study abroad. Wheelchair Accessible Europe lists hotels throughout Europe offering accessible rooms. The International Transport Forum provides a country-by-country guide for using your US-issued disabled parking placard in Europe. For travel tips and inspirational feedback from my readers, check out the Accessible Europe topic on the Rick Steves Graffiti Wall message board.
Tours: If you'd rather not go it alone, you'll find a selection of groups that run accessible tours to Europe, including Accessible Journeys (wheelchair trips to Britain, France, and Holland, tel. 800-846-4537), Flying Wheels Travel (escorted tours to Great Britain and France, plus custom itineraries, tel. 507/451-5005), and Nautilus Tours and Cruises (tours to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, plus cruises to other destinations, tel. outside California 800-797-6004, tel. in California 818/591-3159). Accessible Europe is a collection of European travel agents and tour operators who specialize in disabled travel.
Updated for 2009. For lots more tips, check out our best-selling Europe Through the Back Door travel skills guidebook.