Think back for a moment, remembering when you and your family would be filled with excitement and anticipation as vacations drew near. I remember going to school and literally counting the seconds until that bell rang and I could race home to get packed and we could leave for our adventure.
How many of you have been through this scenario only to be devastated on vacation by the endless string of misinformation that was given? Not to mention the obstacles you will encounter traveling as a family with children with disabilities? What is it really like trying to put a happy smile on your face as your children and family struggle to overcome the numerous inaccessible features of this world? There’s actually help in the form of accurate information. I’m here to paddle you through some of the disheartening squalls along the way, in order to help make your family vacation what it’s supposed to be: a wonderful experience that eventually will be etched into beautiful memories.
This column will be here to help plan and prepare for fantastic vacations across the U.S. and abroad. There will be research, information, and resources giving you tools to plan a great vacation with as few mishaps as possible. I’ll introduce you to sources such as Fodor’s guides for vacations with children to quality destinations in wonderful locales.
Certain things need to be well thought out to ensure that a child with a disability has the opportunity to be included in all vacation activities; I’ll give you tips on how to succeed in doing this. Thinking ahead and asking important questions such as, “What happens if the shower is not really accessible to us?” or “Do you provide sign language interpreters for the kids’ program at your resort?” or “Who do we ask for help when using the pool lift aboard your ship?”
Whether you’re looking to cruise, fly, drive, stay at a hotel, a resort destination, a national park, or an amusement park, you’ll find information that provides ideas or just gives you a boost in the right direction. The goal here is to help you see through murky water and get the information you need to take care of your family. To watch your children excel, grow, and shine while on vacation, we’ll focus on what you can do and find places that want your family and your business. My first piece of advice is to use the Internet and never fully rely on what company personnel may tell you. The web is full of information, giving you a leg-up before you ever make the first call. So welcome to Disaboom, your source for just about anything—and happy motoring.
February 8, 2008 nahover said:
I just wanted to make a comment regarding this article on traveling with a disabled family member. We went to Disney World in 2004 and they were EXCELLENT! I, myself, the mom, was the one with the disability, I have partial parallysis in both legs and walk with the aide of AFO's. I had rented an electric scooter outside of the parks (my only complaint was that if you rented them inside the parks you ran a risk of not getting one, they are rented on a first come, first serve basis)and was concerned about getting it back and forth from the parks to the resort. However, the buses that pick you up are equipped with lifts for wheelchairs and scooters. You are the first ones on and off the buses, along with your party. You can get a pass at any of the guest services offices that will allow you to enter at the exit for most rides and shows so as to be seated right away. This pass is good for the entire length of your stay for everyone in your party. I have to say, we did not ecounter any areas that were not accessible. They also have Handicap accessible rooms at all of their resorts! Even special diet requests are a fairly easy accomodation for them to make, as I am also a Celiac (wheat/gluten intolerant), this was great! Everyone was more than happy to accommodate our every need. An excellent and relaxing vacation for all of us, since we did not have to worry about accessibility!
February 11, 2008 ODO said:
YES Disney does a wonderful job in dignified manners. I recommend that people visit Disney their experience alone, in dealing with all types of disablities, makes them somewhat stand out.
February 25, 2008 ccbz said:
I ran a hotel in Belize with one accessible room, (which is one more than nearly every hotel in the country) and recently moved back to the states. It took a while to find the guts to travel, and now that I'm doing it, I'm finding most people are great! I had a really (really) bad experience with an "accessible" chain hotel room where I got stuck on a too-low toilet...the only rail was across the room by the bathtub! (From that I learned to always bring my seat lift!) I found reserving rooms on line leaves a lot to chance, especially at the smaller locations, and I do better to talk with a live person AT that facility. Be friendly, ask specific questions. And learn as you go.....
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