[NAGDU] NY Times - Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Thu Apr 5 14:11:40 UTC 2018

That travel agent would probably have home health care come to your room to
make sure you were doing all right.
Cindy Lou Ray

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From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 9:09 AM
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Subject: Re: [NAGDU] NY Times - Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

I'd be happy to use a travel agent, but not one as ignorant as this one
appears to be.
Tracy

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From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via
NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 9:40 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] NY Times - Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Here is another error: " Also, many carriers allow guide dogs on board free
of charge for passengers who are visually-impaired ..." First off, it is
law; second, the airlines allow service animals, though in some cases the 48
hour thing would be accurate. Where did this agent get all of this wisdom?
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch via NAGDU
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Cc: Ginger Kutsch <Ginger at ky2d.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] NY Times - Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Sorry New York Times, you may be a reputable source but the information you
provided to passengers who fly with guide dogs is wrong. No advance notice
is required when flying with a guide dog within the United States (unless
you're going to Hawaii). And yes, I may be blind but I don't need to demand
that hotel staff bring food to my room. I'm perfectly capable of going to
the hotel dining area, requesting assistance with food selections, and
sitting down to dine with the other hotel guests. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/travel/disability-travel-tips.html 

Six Simple Tips for Smooth Travel with a Disability

Traveling with a visible or invisible disability doesn't have to be
difficult. A few simple tips can go a long way.

ByShivani Vora

April 5, 2018

New York Times

Times have changed for travelers who use wheelchairs, are visually or
hearing-impaired or have another disability, says Jayne Bliss, a travel
adviser with Tzell, who has more than 30 years of experience in planning
trips for those with special needs.   

"No place is off limits, and hotels, museums and cultural institutions offer
more accessibility than ever before," Ms. Bliss said. Here are some of her
tips to travel smoothly with a disability:

Ask Your Airline for Help 

Asking your airline for assistance, either at the time of booking or a few
days before your trip, will make your time at the airport much easier. Many
airlines will designate an employee to meet you  curbside when you arrive or
at check-in with a wheelchair (if you need one) and guide you through
security. You can also request assistance when you land at your destination.

There is usually no charge for this service, but policies vary by airline
and may depend on available staff and your disability, so be sure to clarify
with your carrier before you fly. Also, many carriers allow guide dogs on
board free of charge for passengers who are visually-impaired (as long as
you make a reservation for your guide dog at least 48 hours in advance of
your flight).

Plan With Your Hotel in Advance  

Most hotels in all price ranges welcome travelers with disabilities,
according to Ms. Bliss. However, it's key to give them a heads up about what
your needs are if there's anything specific. If you're in a wheelchair, for
example, get measurements for the front, guest and bathroom doors in advance
of your stay. Most hotel concierges will be happy to provide you this
information, any many list it online. Ms. Bliss said that some her clients'
wheelchairs are too large for many properties, even if they claim to have
accessible rooms and facilities. Also, if you're visually impaired and find
buffet breakfasts or continental breakfast bars challenging, ask your
hotel's concierge to fill your in-room fridge with breakfast items, or
deliver them to your room instead.

Work with a Travel Agent 

An agent who specializes in working with disabled travelers can arrange
every aspect of your trip including booking your airline tickets, tours and
restaurants. They can make sure to get the measurements you need, verify the
hotels, resorts, or restaurants you're interested in are accessible, and
provide other services to make sure you have a smooth trip and a comfortable
stay.

Some of these agents, including Ms. Bliss, don't charge trip planning fees,
and instead make money by booking you with hotels and resorts that are
hungry for your business (and ideally, accessible). To find other
specialists, consider agencies that have experts on-staff that specialize in
accessible travel, like the ones at Travel Leaders, New Directions Travelor
Disabled Travelers, among others.

Book the Right Guides 

Ms. Bliss said that there are guides all over the world who have experience
in working with travelers with disabilities. "These guides can make your
time in the destination hassle-free because they know the sights you can and
can't access, the restaurants where you'll have an enjoyable experience and
more," she said. 

Some guides can even arrange for wheelchairs, scooters and canes or know
sign language to communicate with those are hearing-impaired. Others simply
remember to take visible and invisible disabilities into account when
planning activities or organizing groups, so you're not stuck joining a tour
group where you can't participate in half of the activities. You can find
guides through some of the previously mentioned agencies, a web search, your
travel agent, your hotel's concierge or on TripAdvisor. 

Consider a Tour 

Several travel operators offer both private and group trips for those with
disabilities. "These preset itineraries take into account exactly what your
needs are so you don't have to arrange anything yourself," Ms. Bliss said. 

One example is Flying Wheels Travel, which has several itineraries a year to
destinations such as Peru, Japan and Portugal. The company also sells
cruises. Other options include Search Beyond Adventuresand Easy Access
Travel. Also, several companies can arrange African wildlife excursions for
travelers with disabilities, including Extraordinary Journeys, Endeavour
Safarisand AccesstoAfrica Safaris. 

Visit Accommodating Museums 

Many museums around the globe take care to accommodate visitors with
disabilities in a number of different ways. The Guggenheim, in New York, for
example, has monthly tours for the visually impaired. These tours are free,
but must be reserved in advance. Find out what services a museum offers by
calling its visitor information line, or visiting its website before you
plan your visit. 

A version of this article appears in print on April 8, 2018, on Page TR2of
the New York editionwith the headline: A Plan for Accommodating Special
Needs.

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