[NFB-DB] Flying/Traveling with Low Vision and Mild Hearing Loss

[Rod and Ele Macdonald]

Misty,

I am sorry to say I have been unable to find the book(s) I mentioned. I know they exist because I read the blurbs aboutr them.

Below are two articles from the Internet that give some good advice.

If I were going to travel to another country, the first thing I would do would be to read a standard travel guide for the place I intended to visit. If you are on Bookshare you could almost certainly find a Fodor  Travel Guide for your destination in a variewty of formats. Just search for "Fodor travel guide" aand you'll get a big list to choose from. Of course, if you have enough sight to read print you can get the "real thing" in any bookstore. These books have a LOT of useful information. Be sure to check out visas, vaccinations, Covid, masks, food, accessibility in the country you visit... lotta work to do, but it will be worth it.

And don't forget to check for contacts with blind groups in your destination country - even DB groups. There are some pretty active DB groups in Europe, Australia and New Zealand that I have visited, albiet a long time ago.

Please see below

Rod
----------
https://www.wsblind.org/blog/2020/1/13/travel-tips

Travel Tips for the Blind and Visually Impaired

sunset with text "Travel tips for the blind and visually impaired"

Traveling can be overwhelming to anyone but it can be especially overwhelming and stressful if you are blind or visually impaired. In this blog post, we wanted to share some of the best travel tips we have learned over the years specifically for the blind and visually impaired community. 

Put tile on your luggage   
Checking your luggage can be stressful when it comes to finding it at the other end. One way to find your luggage independently is by adding Tiles on your luggage. Tiles attach to your luggage and then you use an app on your phone, when triggered, creates a beeping sound on your bag. Using Tiles also ensures you have picked up the correct bag. 

Use a distinguishable suitcase   
If someone is helping you at the airport it can help for your bag to be very distinguishable for someone (or yourself) to identify. Everyone has a black suitcase so why not get one that is colorful and fun? It is much easier to spot a pink suitcase than it is a black suitcase that everyone else may have. 

For the guide dog users, separate your dog food. 

Separating your dog food will keep it fresh longer and will be easier when going through TSA at the airport. Another tip is to put your dog food in poop bags. That way, you can use the bags when you get done with the food. 

Travel with a spare battery/charger
A common theme of traveling (especially when you’re visually impaired/blind) is that you never know what will happen. Having your own spare battery for your phone can be a lifesaver especially if you are dependent on ride share services like Uber! Anker makes some great chargers (they can be pricey but are worth it and have a year-long warranty!). Having your own battery can also be helpful so you don’t have to find a charger to plug in your phone or tablet. 

Play the blind card and don’t be afraid to ask for help 
TSA Pre-check is great if you travel a lot because you don’t have to worry about the security lines or taking your shoes off. But if you don’t want to pay extra (85$ for 5 years of TSA pre-check) ask for help when you check in. At most major airports there are separate security lines for those with disabilities, which can make getting through security a breeze! 

Asking for help at airports is never a bad idea because airport staff can help you find your gate, your luggage, and where the Uber pick up points are. Oftentimes Uber pick up points are in difficult to find locations but don’t be afraid to ask airport staff to help you locate them. 

For low vision users, use your camera to your advantage 
If you are out of the country, you may not always have access to Wifi and data. If you depend on apps like Be My Eyes and AIRA but have some vision, you might want to use your camera on your phone to zoom in on street signs or train signs. This can be a cumbersome process but it’s effective if you’re in a bind (and are able to zoom in enough!).  

Have a backup plan 
This comes back to the theme of you never know what will happen you’re traveling. If you’re traveling with a dog, they might get sick. Your cane might break (or you might lose it in an Uber…) so always pack a spare cane! There are telescopic canes that are extremely portable and can help when you need it most. 

Utilize navigation Apps 
We talked a lot about great apps for the visually impaired and blind in our first post but they are also great for travel! Google maps allows you to download the map of the city you’re going to so you can use it even if you don’t have data or wifi! Other great apps mentioned in our post can help with finding grassy spots or pet relief areas for your guide dogs or restaurants near you. 

February 13, 2020 Lee Rogers Comment 

ahttps://www.wsblind.org/blog/2020/1/13/travel-tips

Travel Tips for the Blind and Visually Impaired

sunset with text "Travel tips for the blind and visually impaired"

Traveling can be overwhelming to anyone but it can be especially overwhelming and stressful if you are blind or visually impaired. In this blog post, we wanted to share some of the best travel tips we have learned over the years specifically for the blind and visually impaired community. 

Put tile on your luggage   
Checking your luggage can be stressful when it comes to finding it at the other end. One way to find your luggage independently is by adding Tiles on your luggage. Tiles attach to your luggage and then you use an app on your phone, when triggered, creates a beeping sound on your bag. Using Tiles also ensures you have picked up the correct bag. 

Use a distinguishable suitcase   
If someone is helping you at the airport it can help for your bag to be very distinguishable for someone (or yourself) to identify. Everyone has a black suitcase so why not get one that is colorful and fun? It is much easier to spot a pink suitcase than it is a black suitcase that everyone else may have. 

For the guide dog users, separate your dog food. 

Separating your dog food will keep it fresh longer and will be easier when going through TSA at the airport. Another tip is to put your dog food in poop bags. That way, you can use the bags when you get done with the food. 

Travel with a spare battery/charger
A common theme of traveling (especially when you’re visually impaired/blind) is that you never know what will happen. Having your own spare battery for your phone can be a lifesaver especially if you are dependent on ride share services like Uber! Anker makes some great chargers (they can be pricey but are worth it and have a year-long warranty!). Having your own battery can also be helpful so you don’t have to find a charger to plug in your phone or tablet. 

Play the blind card and don’t be afraid to ask for help 
TSA Pre-check is great if you travel a lot because you don’t have to worry about the security lines or taking your shoes off. But if you don’t want to pay extra (85$ for 5 years of TSA pre-check) ask for help when you check in. At most major airports there are separate security lines for those with disabilities, which can make getting through security a breeze! 

Asking for help at airports is never a bad idea because airport staff can help you find your gate, your luggage, and where the Uber pick up points are. Oftentimes Uber pick up points are in difficult to find locations but don’t be afraid to ask airport staff to help you locate them. 

For low vision users, use your camera to your advantage 
If you are out of the country, you may not always have access to Wifi and data. If you depend on apps like Be My Eyes and AIRA but have some vision, you might want to use your camera on your phone to zoom in on street signs or train signs. This can be a cumbersome process but it’s effective if you’re in a bind (and are able to zoom in enough!).  

Have a backup plan 
This comes back to the theme of you never know what will happen you’re traveling. If you’re traveling with a dog, they might get sick. Your cane might break (or you might lose it in an Uber…) so always pack a spare cane! There are telescopic canes that are extremely portable and can help when you need it most. 

Utilize navigation Apps 
We talked a lot about great apps for the visually impaired and blind in our first post but they are also great for travel! Google maps allows you to download the map of the city you’re going to so you can use it even if you don’t have data or wifi! Other great apps mentioned in our post can help with finding grassy spots or pet relief areas for your guide dogs or restaurants near you. 

February 13, 2020 Lee Rogers Comment 





----------
https://ibvi.org/blog/useful-travel-tips-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/


Useful Travel Tips for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Air travel can be stressful for just about anyone â€" particularly first-time fliers. While traveling with a disability does present additional challenges,

that doesn't stop many blind and visually impaired people from pursuing their dreams of traveling the world for pleasure or business.

Like anything else in life, air travel gets easier the more often you do it. With that in mind, we asked several avid travelers â€" all of whom are blind or visually impaired â€" to let us in on their personal travel hacks. Use a few of these expert travel tips for the blind on your next trip to help guarantee a smoother, less stressful journey!

A black and white photo of a man with a guide dog walking in an airport.


Before You Go Contact the airline

A little advanced preparation can save you a lot of travel headaches and delays. While airport personnel should always accommodate requests for assistance at the airport itself, making arrangements in advance can help save time.

Before traveling, Marcia Wick, member of Guide Dogs for the Blind Paws Around the World (GDB PAW), advises contacting the airlines disability support desk.

"They usually have a dedicated phone number if you need to request an escort to the gate,” she explains. She also recommends ensuring that any friend or family member traveling with you have the same type of gate pass as you. “If your boarding pass allows you to go through the fast track line, your escort’s gate pass must allow the same or you will get separated" she advises.

Get acquainted with airports
Many blind and visually impaired travelers  say they take advantage of sites like Wikipedia and Yelp in order to learn about the airports they’ll be visiting. Knowing details like the number of gates and the location of your preferred restaurants or kiosks can help make navigating the airport easier, particularly if you wish to navigate the  irport independently.

Plan ahead for your pup
As you’re likely aware,  traveling with a guide dog  requires a bit of additional preparation. In order to avoid any potential hiccups, you may want to contact your airline in advance to notify them that you’ll be traveling with a service dog. If this is your first time flying with your pup, then it’s a good idea to visit the TSA’s official website to learn what to expect from the airport security screening process. Anything Pawsable has also has wonderful, in-depth guide to service dog travel that details every step of the process, from planning to boarding the plane and beyond.

If you're traveling outside of the Continental United States with a service animal, you'll need to do a bit of extra planning in advance. Rules regarding animals vary by country, and some countries do require all incoming animals to be quarantined for a period of time. Both the U.S. Department of State  and  Assistance Dogs International can help you learn more about the laws in your destination country and plan ahead.

Packing For Your Trip
Get organized
Mary Kozy, member of GDB PAW, suggests using a backpack instead of a carry-on suitcase, explaining, “It is easier to have hands free when traveling with a guide dog.”
Another tip? Have important items like your ticket and passport within reach. “I always wear slacks with pockets so I can keep the important paperwork handy,” explains Mary. She also advises having a list of important phone numbers handy in Braille or audio format.

A man with a guide dog walking through automatic doors.

Plan for emergencies
While losing your luggage is stressful enough as is, it can be particularly disastrous when your suitcase contains your dog’s food. Penny Zibula of 
Six Legs Will Travel always plans ahead for such emergencies.

"In my backpack, I always have a few Ziploc bags with a portion of food, a few treats, a collapsable bowl, and a roll of extra busy bags. That way, if
the airline loses my checked luggage, [my service dog] Otto will be okay" she says.

To make your entire journey easier from start to finish, Mary suggests bringing the following items:

list of 3 items
• Small Bills: Mary suggests putting a handful of small bills in your pocket so you can easily tip those that assist you. 

• Snacks:  “You never know where you will end up or how long it will take, so bring along trail mix, nuts, pretzels, etc.” 

• Ice Chips:  This is a much easier way to keep your dog hydrated. “Ice chips are an easy substitute for water,” she explains, adding, “they limit your

dog's water intake so your dog can go longer without relieving. 

Make your luggage easy to identify
Finding and retrieving checked bags can be a hassle for anyone â€" even moreso for travelers who are blind or visually impaired. Since so many suitcases look alike, it’s a good idea to tie a colorful ribbon to your suitcase in order to make yours easily identifiable to anyone who may be assisting you. In addition, the 

AFB suggests 
 using an audible locator to make the process of identifying your luggage even easier. Others 

have suggested
 using tracking devices on important items like your passport or wallet while traveling.

Read More...


----- Original Message -----
From: Misty Kienzynski via NFB-DB  <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
To:  nfb-db at nfbnet.org
CC: mkienzyn at alumni.iu.edu
Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 9:22 am
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] Flying/Traveling with Low Vision and Mild Hearing Loss

>
>
> Thanks for the advice. The books you mentioned: Do you have any particular titles I can check out? I don't know if I've ever seen any of these before.
> 
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> Ms. Misty D. Kienzynski
> Treasurer 
> Membership Chair
> Historian
> National Federation of the BlindIndiana Affiliate
> Phone: 812-381-0073
> E-mail: mkienzyn at alumni.iu.edu
> Twitter: @AuroraNebulosa
> 
> 
> Bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem.  L. Annaeus Seneca
> 
> 
> On Jul 11, 2023, at 3:01 PM, Rod and Ele Macdonald via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> ?Hello Misty,
> 
> This is from a consumer, non-professional, and it is my opinion only but based on long experience:
> 
> 1. Air pressure issues: Consult your doctor. Only your doctor can advise knowing your personal situation AND your medical situation.
> 
> 2. Find out the electricity system used in the country or countries you will visit, and make sure you have a charger for all electrical devices you will bring. You will need a different plug in different countries.  Modern devices usually can be used     places, but will still need a new adapter/plug. Check out for ALL of your gadgets- advice from someone who didn't multiple times.
> 
> 3. Watch out for pickpockets. Consider using a fanny pack or other wearable that can't be snatched. My wife put her purse on the floor by her chair in a restaurant; the waiter managed to kick it to the side and then into a closet.
> 
> 4. Use GPS if you can; study maps of the areas you will be in; ask the concierge/help desk at hotels for advice and directions. 
> 
> 5. Be especially careful crossing streets. In the UK and some other places they drive the "other way" - on the left-hand side of the street. Accelerating around corners is common. In some places (Italy, for one) there are a lot of very loud motorcycles in use.
> 
> 6. Be prepared for encounters with people who do NOT speak English.
> 
> 7. Prepare for use of currency with bills of different sizes, and know how to convert the currency into dollars. 
> 
> 8. There are several excellent books available with lots of tips for blind and low-vision travelers. I'd suggest reading at least one.
> 
> This is meant as a start
 and maybe you know this and more already. Good luck.
> 
> Rod
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Misty Kienzynski via NFB-DB  <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> To:  nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> CC: mkienzyn at alumni.iu.edu
> Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:16 am
> Subject: [NFB-DB] Flying/Traveling with Low Vision and Mild Hearing Loss
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ?Greetings.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I am a medium-low partial with mild hearing loss who is soon looking to travel solo abroad.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From what I can tell, I am currently not at a stage to need hearing aids, though I do struggle a bit in louder environments.  I also have pre-existing ear pressure issues and I am worried about how flying will affect my ability to hear due to differences in cabin pressure while ascending/flying/landing.   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> First, these ear pressure issues: Understanding that you guys are not doctors, how do you think flying could affect me?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secondly, I am planning to take a cheaper Braille display should I need it to communicate.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Third, I am looking for, I think you call it, a personal sound amplifier that I can take with me on my trip, specifically for speech comprehension.  I am looking for an accessible and cheap one.  Do any of you have any recommendations? If so, could yu please provide direct links to them?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Finally, do you guys have any other recommendations for me, given my situation on  this trip?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Ms. Misty D. Kienzynski
> 
> Treasurer 
> 
> Membership Chair
> 
> Historian
> 
> National Federation of the BlindIndiana Affiliate
> 
> Phone: 812-381-0073
> 
> E-mail: mkienzyn at alumni.iu.edu
> 
> Twitter: @AuroraNebulosa
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem.  L. Annaeus Seneca
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NFB-DB mailing list
> NFB-DB at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/mkienzyn%40alumni.iu.edu
> 
>