Tips for Traveling with a Disability or Illness

If you suffer from a chronic illness or have a disability, you may think that traveling isn’t in your future.

Not true! With a little planning and research, you can enjoy navigating the globe world too.

Make sure you find a travel agent you feel comfortable with and who understands your special conditions and disabilities.

Penny Gellatly asks every traveler if they have any health concerns. “I will suggest things, such as recent back or knee surgery and, once I've opened that door, every single client has come forward with information regarding their health,” said Gellatly with Escape by Travel in Cloquet, Minnesota.

This allows her to make sure that such items as wheelchair access are available at the airport.

“Nobody wants to start a vacation in pain,” she said. “Making life as stress-free as possible for anyone with a disability is huge. It's the small things that matter to most.”

“Research is key in traveling with a disability or illness,” said Dawn Beers O’Brien, Dream Vacations Franchise Owner and Vacation Specialist with Wheelie Fun Cruise and Travel in San Jose, California. “Make sure the destination and resort are going to fit your needs. You may have an accessibility challenge and require specific accessibility features at a resort or perhaps will require that a medical facility is nearby.”

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It might take extra time and effort, but Beers O’Brien said there will be less stress once you are on vacation if you do your homework before you travel:

“Nowadays, there are so many options available to travelers with disabilities and illnesses, there is no reason that someone with special needs and challenges cannot go out and explore the world that is open to them.”

Your travel agent can help with research too.

“Ask them about access to facilities you may need, nearest hospitals to the areas you will be traveling in and qualifications of the on-the-ground team,” said Sunny Fitzgerald, Writer + Travel Consultant with FROLIQ. “Ask about the tour operators’ emergency protocol and bring/wear a medical alert bracelet that clearly states your condition and emergency contact info.”

Fitzgerald also advises travelers to bring all medications they may need: “They may not be available at your destination."

If you are cruising, Helen Prochilo advises travelers to fill out their form for special needs, from notifying them you will be bringing a wheelchair to special dietary requirements.

“If you are cruising, most cruise lines don't have wheelchairs for you to use on the ships if you have mobility issues,” said Prochilo of Promal Vacations in Long Beach, New York. “You can rent wheelchairs and scooters and have them waiting for you on the ship. There are companies such as Special Needs at Sea that can help you.”

Jenifer Breaux said that many families that have children with special needs—such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and other special needs—also feel they cannot travel.

“Caregivers struggle to maintain their children’s schedules while finding tools at resorts and on cruise ships to support their children’s needs,” said Breaux, Dream Vacations Franchise Owner and Vacation Specialist with JB Vacation Pros in Lithia, Florida. “Working with a travel professional will help sort those things out.”

When traveling with children with special needs, Breaux also suggests giving your child a simple word document, including pictures, information about where you are going and a countdown calendar.

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“Depending on your child’s needs, you can create a small grab bag filled with gadgets to smell, bubble wrap to pop, jar or goo to play or smell, calculator to play with the buttons or even a low-tech pocket game that keeps them occupied while standing in line or when you cannot put the tray tables down on an airplane.”

For specialized equipment, Breaux said it helps to register with the airlines, cruise line, and/or resort.

“Your travel professional is a great resource in coordinating all the specialized equipment and can advise you on how to register your children for the various camps if there is one at your final destination,” she said. “With these tips and some preparation, families will be prepared for travel and will have a great time.”

Make sure you sign up for travel insurance too.

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“Having travel insurance is necessary because you never know what may happen,” said Margie Lenau of Wonderland Family Vacations in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “If you are traveling domestically, your health insurance still may not cover your expenses. A phone call to check on your insurance even before you travel will give you options so you can plan to purchase the most effective plan for you and your family if that is necessary.”