Guide Nancy: Not every wheeler or slow walker can afford a top-end cruise or tour. Are there budget options available, particularly for overseas travel? Could someone find a reasonably-priced accessible tour to someplace like Egypt or China?
Candy Harrington: It is possible to travel to those places and book package tours, although I wouldn't exactly call them "budget" options. A few companies act as agents in the US and will arrange package or group tours to those places, but they are a pretty expensive option. If you want to save some money, it's best to arrange your own air travel and then just book directly with the same tour operators that the travel agents use. In Egypt there is a company called Egypt for All that provides accessible tours; and in China, China Accessible Travel can accommodate disabled travelers. Both companies can provide accessible hotels, and transportation in ramped or lift-equipped vans. In most cases these tours are slightly pricier than the standard tours other companies offer, but they also provide more services, and have more employees on hand.
Access has really improved in China since the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and in Egypt there is even a Red Sea Resort that has a disabled diving program. So sure, it's certainly possible for wheelers and slow walkers to enjoy those countries.
Guide Nancy: When booking an accessible trip, what kinds of specific questions should travelers ask? Will tour operators, cruise lines and hotels be familiar with accessibility issues? What should travelers do if this is not the case?
Candy Harrington: Accessibility awareness is higher today than it was 10 years ago, but certainly not all suppliers are familiar with access issues. In fact, some folks think that all wheelchair-users can get up and walk a bit, and they don't realize that access obstacles like curbs or steps are really a problem. So the first thing I stress to readers is never just ask for an "accessible" or worse yet an "ADA compliant" anything. You need to describe the accessible features you need.
For example, if you need a room with a roll-in shower, ask for that specifically, because not all accessible rooms have roll-in showers. If you need grab bars on a specific side of a toilet, specify that too when making your reservation. If you need wheelchair-accessible transportation, make sure the provider knows that you can't walk and that you'll need a ramped or lift-equipped vehicle. And with the current trend in higher beds, it's also a good idea to inquire about bed height before you book a room at a hotel.
Additionally I always advise people to trust their instincts. If you have the feeling that the person you are talking to really isn't "getting it", then chances are he or she isn't. I say if one provider won't or can't meet your needs, or has a bad attitude, then just take your business elsewhere. There are plenty of people out there that want your travel dollars, so I say, give the business to them.
Guide Nancy: What issues should travelers expect to face when booking overseas trips that they might not have to deal with on a domestic vacation?
Candy Harrington: Well, terminology can be a bit tricky. For example if you need a room with an accessible bathroom in Europe, you need to ask for an "adapted" room. An "accessible" room only features a barrier-free path of travel; however an adapted room also contains an adapted shower and toilet.
And then there's the local attitude. For example, many third world countries don't exactly have the most stellar accessible facilities, but they make up for that by providing personal assistance. So when a local says that some attraction is accessible, he may actually mean that they are going to carry you and your wheelchair up those 12 steps at the entrance. Generally speaking, I think if you plan to travel to third world countries, you have to be willing to accept some personal assistance. People will gladly offer it, and in many cases it will be the only way you will be able to access certain things. If you are a person who doesn't like to be lifted or touched, then you might want to choose another destination.
Additionally, many domestic air carriers in Asia, Australia and Africa have been known to deny boarding to wheelchair-users, even those traveling with a companion. There's nothing that can really be done about it, but it pays to be aware of the problem and try to avoid those carriers if possible.
Of course with overseas travel you also have to think about the longer flights, the possibility of equipment damage (and what you would do to get it repaired), how the local diet may affect you, and fatigue. My advice is to go with a attitude that you may run into problems, and you will just have to sort them out along the way.
Travel isn't perfect, and to be honest there will be hiccups along the way. But that's part of the adventure of it all -- if we wanted the same old thing, we'd just stay home!
