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Traveling With SCI

For More Information contact: OPVA Hospital Liaison

SCI should not keep you from traveling, whether it's a business trip or family vacation. The key is proper planning. It's important to make certain that your needs are met for such things as wheelchair care, medications, ground transportation, accommodations and all the little things that you'll forget until they are needed.

It's a good idea to make a pre-trip checklist to help keep track of your itinerary. Working with a travel agent that specializes in planning trips for the disabled community is a great way to cover your needs. They will be aware of rules, regulations and your rights. They will be able to check bathroom facilities, doorway clearance, elevator use and other common problem areas. They may even assist you in finding rental equipment such as a van or a Hoyer lift at your destination.

The key items to consider when traveling are:

Your Wheelchair -- Where can you get it fixed if it's damaged in transport? Do you use gel batteries? Should you insure your chair?
Your Accommodations -- How is the hotel room, in particular, the bathroom, set up? On what floor is your room (in case of a fire)? How much advance notice is needed for reservations? What phone numbers will you need? Can you get room service?
Your Transportation -- How will you get from the airport to your destination? Are handicapped vans available to rent? Is there an accessible public transportation system?
Your Medication -- What medications should you keep with you, in case of lost luggage? Where can you get refills, if needed? Where is the nearest medical facility? Who can you contact if you have medication problems?
Your Legal Rights -- With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, you have the legal right to accessible public transportation. Cruise ships, airlines, bus lines and railways must all offer ramped entries, lifts and other accessibility features. Check with your travel agent to find out what to anticipate at each point.

Agencies and organizations that can provide further information on traveling with a SCI are the following:

PVA (www.pva.org) provides pamphlets specifically regarding travel. Ask for a copy of The Air Carrier Access Act: Make it Work for You. or Access to the Skies Newsletter. Both contain helpful information on air travel.
US Department of Transportation offers more help with flying the friendly skies. Their pamphlet called "New Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability." It is available at no charge and covers your rights under the current laws. The web address is www.pueblo.gsa.gov or call 1-719-948-4000.
Disability Travel Services has a website that contains links to a wide range of travel agencies that work frequently with disabled clients. Check them out at www.dts.org. There is also a section for travelers to share information about trips that went well and those that didn't.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (www.spinalcord.org) prints Factsheet #15, a list of resources for SCI travelers, a review of laws regarding transportation and accessibility and a collection of travel tips.