Being a wheelchair user does not mean you are limited; you can still travel and explore the beauty of the world as much as you want. However, it is imperative to plan your vacation well ahead of time since your condition could come with some obstacles that others might not experience. With proper planning and preparation, you can navigate flawlessly without a fuss. Here are some critical travel tips to make your vacation hassle-free.
1. Make Transport Arrangements Before Your Journey
You can successfully access wheelchair-friendly transport in most cities in the world, but it could be unavailable when you actually need it. As such, it is important to make prior arrangements. Before you even leave home, book a taxi that will ferry you from the airport to your hotel room and, of course, back when you need it. While most hotels can arrange transport from their premises, having your own arrangements is quite convenient. This way, you can even cancel pre-planned transport services if you do not need them.
2. Find Out The Voltage of Your Vacation Destination
The typical voltage used in the US is about 110 volts, but some countries use up to 240 volts. This stresses the importance of finding out the voltage of your destination country. Ideally, inconsistent charger voltage is not healthy for your wheelchair charger. It can actually blow up, limiting your navigation and, of course, reflecting negatively on your vacation. You do not want to be stranded in your hotel room with a malfunctioning charger. To avoid this, some prior research on your destination could come in handy. With proper knowledge, you can rent a charger and avoid having to buy a new one in case of a blowout.
3. Bring Along Your Wheelchair Parts as Carry-On
It is hard to predict the smoothness of your journey hence the need to be prepared in all spheres. You might arrive at your destination only to find some parts of your wheelchair’s parts are damaged beyond use. Consequently, there is a need to bring along an extra bag to hold those delicate parts such as the joystick, headrest, or footrest. Moreover, you can also use your chair’s cushion on the plane. While you might be keeping it safe, it is also much more comfortable than what is in the plane.
4. Avoid Booking Your Vacation Online
There are many online avenues through which you can book your hotel or even transport. However, these might not be reliable. Just because you hit the send button does not mean your request was received on the other end. Ensure you engage a live person even on any avenue, especially when booking your flight or hotel. It might be quite interesting surfing through the web and viewing and reading about what hotels and flights have to offer, but this is not enough. Their idea of wheelchair accessibility might be totally different from what is convenient for you. For your flights, be keen to go for the bulkhead seating at the front row. These offer more room and come with armrests that you can flip.
So, when you choose to go for that vacation in your electric wheelchair, brace yourself accordingly!