5 Things You Can Do To Make Life Easier Travelling With a Disabled Loved One

The world of travel can be a challenging place for disabled travelers.

There are few things in life as daunting and challenging as having to travel with someone who can’t walk, or if you need to carry special equipment like Oxygen tanks with you.

If you’ve got an elderly relative who struggles with mobility, or a child with a disability, travelling with them can be challenging.

But if you know what you’re doing, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that their travel experience is a good one.

Whether you travel regularly or occasionally with a disabled loved one, you will need to be prepared. 

But, as most carers will tell you, there are some ways to make travel with a disabled loved one easier.

If you’re travelling with a disabled loved one, here are 5 simple things that will make your trip easier.

Airport Arrangements

Having a mum that needs assistance to walk, finding out that airports offer a range of options to facilitate people with disability was a game changer.

Airports ground staff and airlines work together to guarantee that your loved one will be well looked after from the moment they check in to when they reach their destination.

As far as we are aware these services are totally free and I personally have used it and have no complaints so far with my experiences.

Check Accessibility Beforehand 

Always check with the airports, airlines and hotels about their accessibility beforehand.

Most places are well equiped to best assist disabled people but for your own peace of mind double check because some services need to be booked in advance.

Make Arrangements for Your Special Equipment

If you are travelling with your own special equipment is worth it making arrangements in advance.

You may need a designated area to set it all up or space to store. With Airlines for example, if you are travelling with an wheelchair they will make sure to store it in a way that it will be kept safely and ready to be collected the moment you land.

Let Your Loved One Know What To Expect

Travelling can be a very stressful experience for all of us. It is important to prepare your loved one about what they should expect throughout the journey and what arrangements have been made.

If you are travelling with a child with autism, you can use social stories to help them prepare and know what to expect. Also, you may want to bring some noise cancelling headphones if your child will get over stimulated by the busy environment of the airport.

If they would also like their comfort toys don’t forget to bring it.

This can minimise their nervouseness and help making their experience more enjoyable and calm.

Check Your Travel Insurance

This is an absolute must have in any circumstance. Travelling is exciting and fun but we must be prepared for any kind of eventuality along the way.

Travel insurances can be costly but having one can be the difference between being safe than sorry.

Some countries will charge enourmous amounts of money for minimum healthcare.

Research well and invest in a good travel insurance to avoid costly surprises during your trip.

Make sure your travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions and complications related to the disability.

In conclusion, we love to travel and explore new places. We want to get out and see the world. We want to meet new people and experience new cultures. But traveling can be hard for our loved ones with disabilities, as it is for many others.

Whether our family members are affected by a chronic illness or an invisible disability, traveling with our loved ones can be challenging.

From the simple challenges of mobility, to the more difficult challenges of navigating public transportation and shopping, being a travel companion for someone with a disability can feel overwhelming.

So, when you’re planning a trip, don’t forget that there are some things that you can do to make it easier on yourself and your loved one. We hope you found these tips helpful!