Great question! I’m not an expert in this area, so I reached out to travel agent, Erin Marr, from www.tudalutravel.com for some guidance. Erin said that if you are traveling and need accommodations, it is important to plan in advance as there are usually only a few rooms that are accessible, know what you need and ask questions.
Depending on what you need, you will have different questions to ask. For example, if you use or need a walker, scooter or wheelchair, you will want to ask about stairs and ease of walking in the area that you are traveling to. Many towns, especially in Europe have cobblestone roads or lots of stairs, which can make using a wheelchair or scooter more difficult.
Here are just a few other questions that you might want to think about. Keep in mind that not all countries have accessibility guidelines like we have in the U.S.
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- Are there additional fees required for the accommodations?
- If you need transfers, can they accommodate any equipment that you have?
- Do you need a refrigerator to hold your medication?
- If you use a machine for something, do you need an extension cord with an electrical adapter?
- If you are planning on taking a cruise, make sure that the cruise line can accommodate you before you book your travel
Also, check to see if the hotel you are staying at has an ADA office or ADA trained staff member. They may be able to provide additional assistance for what you need.
You can also call a travel agent to help with your trip. They may be able to provide additional guidance to make your trip special and meet all your dreams.
