Tips and Tricks for Slow Walkers and Wheelchair-Users

Travel by its very nature requires a lot of planning and preparation, especially when it includes air travel. Factor a disability into that equation and the complexity increases. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it does take more planning.

With that in mind — whether you just need an airport wheelchair to get to the gate, or you are a fulltime scooter or wheelchair-user —  guest blogger Candy Harrington, the author of several best-selling guide books for disabled travelers, shares her expert tips to help you along in the planning process.

• Educate yourself about the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), the US law that governs access on all flights to and from the US. Click here for the latest revisions of the ACAA.

• Choose US carriers for the best access, as some Asian, African and Caribbean carriers have been known to deny boarding to unaccompanied wheelchair-users. If you travel on a foreign carrier, learn the access laws of that country too.

• If you need a non-ticketed escort to accompany you to the gate, advise the airline of this when making your reservation. Your escort will be asked for photo identification and given a security checkpoint pass.

• Allow plenty of extra time to get through security, especially if you wear a prosthesis or use any type of assistive device. Slow walkers should request a wheelchair at check-in. Even if you can walk, it will cut down on the fatigue and standing time.