Disability is something many Americans cope with. However, having a disability doesn’t mean that a person’s lifestyle should suffer. Disabled individuals can still enjoy plenty of enriching activities, including traveling. Traveling with family is important to many folks, with 31% of people saying that family time is their main goal for travel. For those who have a family member with a disability, you have to make some lifestyle changes to support and accommodate them on your trip. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Traveling With a Visually Impaired Family Member
Vision disability is said to be one of the top 10 disabilities among adults aged 18 and older. It is also one of the most predominant disabling conditions among children. Learning to adapt to a lifestyle with visual disabilities can be challenging, especially for people who were born with full vision.
Traveling with a seeing person can help people who are visually impaired navigate places without using a cane or a guide dog. You can also do the following while traveling with the visually impaired:
- Ask for help when traveling and let the person assisting know that a person is blind or visually impaired. The TSA (Transport Security Administration) can help people get through lines and check-in processes with better ease than they would without their help.
- Get a different suitcase or features that distinguish it from others. This should help some. Low-vision persons can use unique apps like ‘Be My Eyes’ to help view signs and other posters using their camera and the app.
- Travel with a spare cane if you lose one or if it breaks.
- If you don’t have a visually able family member, travel with a group instead of alone.
Traveling With a Family Member With Mobility Issues
5.5 million Americans use a wheelchair, which is about 2.3% of the population. People who use wheelchairs to help their mobility needs require ramps to enter buildings and motor vehicles. Some people in wheelchairs modify their cars to be able to drive even when they’re not using their legs.
Having a mobility difficulty can make traveling a challenge, but there are many ways to navigate traveling, even when a person can’t walk well or at all. Here are some tips to consider when you travel with a person with mobility needs:
- Ensure that you have extra waste facilities like a bed pan, urinal, or another form of waste ‘catch and disposal’ medium.
- Keep TSA’s contact and emergency on hand while traveling because they can help you and your loved one navigate some travel challenges.
- Make sure that the place you’re going to and the means of transportation are wheelchair friendly to accommodate your loved one’s mobility needs.
Traveling With a Family Member With a Mental Disability
When traveling with a mentally disabled child or adult, it’s important to ensure that your loved one has a pleasant time. Mental disabilities can often make new environments overwhelming, making travel a potentially scary experience. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Register with the TSA and choose travel agencies that cater to special needs persons.
- Plan your trip and ensure you have everything you need to ensure your loved one is comfortable.
- Have more adults with you to help look after your special-needs child while on the trip. You can take turns and help each other.
- Bring along gadgets and toys that are stimulating and soothing.
- Rearrange the furnishings in your accommodation suite to fit your family member’s needs.
Traveling With a Hearing Impaired or Deaf Family Member
Being hard of hearing or having some other form of hearing impairment requires a lifestyle of sign language in a world where most people talk out loud. This can make traveling difficult. Try these few pointers if you are traveling with a deaf or hard-of-hearing family member.
- Make sure at least one or two persons can speak sign language and communicate and interpret for the deaf.
- Make sure that hearing devices like hearing aids are charged and that spare batteries are available on the trip.
- Be mindful of the possible effects of airport equipment and hearing devices.
Families living with disabled loved ones need to make changes to adapt to their needs. It’s natural to be afraid that people may not understand the situation you and your family live in each day. Still, many people and companies are more than willing to help people with special needs and won’t negatively judge. Don’t hesitate to go out there and make memories with your dear loved ones.
Elor McDori
