Top Tips. Taking your wheelchair abroad: preparation. Trailblazers

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1 Trailblazers Taking your wheelchair abroad: preparation Planning a holiday can be hectic at the best of times. Deciding what clothes to pack can prove difficult enough without the added worry of travelling by your powered wheelchair or mobility scooter. Of course it s impossible to foresee everything that could go wrong when flying with your wheelchair, but thinking of what could go wrong and finding a solution in advance can help prepare you for a smooth journey. We hope this factsheet might ease the planning and travel worries and give you an idea of what needs to be done in order to get to and from your chosen holiday destination. Preparation Preparation time is the key when travelling abroad with your wheelchair. When researching your holiday destination and tourism attractions, there are a number of things to think about first. How will you be travelling? Not just to or from your holiday destination but also throughout your trip? Will you need to rent a car or an adapted van, or book an accessible coach, cruise or plane seat? How are you getting to and from the airport? Is your accommodation suitable to your needs, and does it have toilets suitable for disabled travellers? What terrain might you have to manage in your wheelchair? If you are able to, would it be easier for you to travel in a manual wheelchair? Would you be happy to be pushed in your manual wheelchair for the duration of the holiday? You might want to consider taking a manual wheelchair with you as a backup plan to your powered wheelchair. Is it possible to travel by a manual wheelchair and rent a powered wheelchair in your chosen country? If you are travelling in your own car or renting a hire car, you will need to carry your Blue Badge indicating that you are a disabled traveller. Before you leave, the hire company, travel agency or Motability (if you are a Motability recipient) should be able to give you information on how to get a temporary Blue Badge or relevant disabled badge for the country you will be visiting. The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries; it allows you to make use of the same parking concessions as the country s own citizens with disability. The parking concessions for holders of a Blue Badge differ from country to country. Make sure you check out the local rules at: 1 of 5 Registered Charity No and Scottish Registered Charity No. SC039445

2 Being prepared in advance can save you a lot of time and stress in the long run. Being able to deal with problems from home is far easier than in a foreign country where language may be a barrier. Without wanting to be too negative, it can be really helpful to think of what could go wrong on your holiday and think of solutions or contingency plans you could put in place in case these problems do arise. So, think about what you would do if your wheelchair were to break down or have a technical fault; is there somewhere near your holiday accommodation where you could rent a manual wheelchair at the last minute, or would you be able to travel with a few handy tools so that you can possibly fix the problem yourself? You will need to notify your airline carrier, when booking your plane tickets, that you will be taking your wheelchair abroad. There are a number of things to think about when booking and travelling with an airline. Check what kind of limitations you might find with the airline s aircraft; is it suitable to your needs? Can you book specific seats, such as the front row of a section where there is more leg room? How accessible are their toilets? Find out what the airline s protocol is when boarding with a manual or powered wheelchair or mobility scooter. Will you be able to stay in your wheelchair right up to the moment you board the plane? All airlines have a dedicated section on their website for the special assistance they provide for disabled passengers travelling with them, with or without a wheelchair. Make sure you read carefully through what support they provide, and consider whether or not this suits you and what information you will need to provide. If you have a neuromuscular condition and are booking a flight, you will need to check whether or not you are fit to fly. Each airline has different requirements and various forms that have to be filled before flying. We have provided links to a number of airlines (see p3 onwards), which will take you directly to their websites where you can download these forms. If you need to travel with a ventilator or oxygen, your respiratory consultant will need to clear you and provide a letter stating you are fit to fly but will need to take a ventilator on board the flight. Look in Other related links at the end of this document to read our Commercial Air Travel handbook for more advice on flying with your ventilator or needing oxygen on-board a flight. All of these steps take time, so not only should you allow enough time between booking your flight and travelling, but also before you book your flight, as you ll need 2 of 5

3 to allow time for your doctor or consultant to clear you for flying. It can take time to gather the relevant medical information, such as letters from doctors, or if your consultants require an appointment for a physical examination to clear you for travel. If you are travelling with a ventilator take a letter from your GP or Neuromuscular consultant stating you need your medical equipment. Whether booking your flight yourself or through an agency, check if you have to make a connecting flight to reach your holiday destination. Allow yourself at least two hours to make the journey from the plane to a connecting flight as you are likely to be the last to disembark the plane and it will take some time for your wheelchair to be transferred to the other aircraft. Contact your airline to find out what the protocol is for disabled passengers in transit. This will give you an idea of how long it might take to transfer. If you are taking a connecting flight, notify the flight attendants on your initial flight and ask them if they re able to radio ahead for staff to be ready in time with your wheelchair or an airline wheelchair, if relevant. Other related publications and links This factsheet is designed to be used to be alongside the following helpful links and publications: Air Canada Customers with special needs Air China Passengers needing assistance Air France Reduced mobility and other disabilities airfrance.htm American Airlines Special assistance Blue Badge rules in Europe British Airways Special assistance Bmi regional Special travel needs/wheelchair users persons-of-reduced-mobility-and-electric-mobility-aids Civil Aviation Authority Passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Is the UK s aviation regulator. Follow the link below for information for passengers, your rights as a passenger with a disability, and how you can make a complaint should you encounter problems. 3 of 5

4 China Airlines Delta Air Lines Travellers with disabilities disabilities.html easyjet Information for disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility support.easyjet.com/case-5759#powered_wheelchairs Emirates Special needs Flybe Passenger assistance Gulf Air Lufthansa Travellers with special needs Mobility Equipment Hire Direct Provides quotes and sources mobility equipment for hire to be delivered to your holiday destination. Muscular Dystrophy UK holiday information Our factsheet also contains a list of insurance companies. ww.musculardystrophyuk.org/app/uploads/2015/02/holidays.pdf Muscular Dystrophy UK, Commercial Air Travel: A handbook for people with neuromuscular weakness At the back of this handbook, you ll find a list of travel insurance companies that will insure people with existing health conditions. Qantas Specific needs Ryanair Special assistance/request Singapore Airlines Special assistance Southwest Airlines Customers with disabilities 4 of 5

5 Thai Airways Special request/assistance Assistance.page United Airlines Special travel needs Virgin Atlantic Special assistance Here for you The friendly staff in the care and support team at Muscular Dystrophy UK s London office are available on or info@musculardystrophyuk.org from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday to offer free information and emotional support. If they can t help you, they are more than happy to signpost you to specialist services close to you, or to other people who can help. 5 of 5