Guide to Flying with a Wheelchair

Life can be pretty hard for someone with disabilities if they don’t have the correct assistive technology. All Care Warehouse is a registered NDIS provider that deals in providing the best-in-class mobility aids and accessories, including wheelchairs and walking aids to its customers. The thing about mobility issues is that they can be a hindrance in carrying out some of the activities in our day-to-day life. Out of all those activities, let us tick travelling off the list. 

Air travel for disabled passengers can be categorically daunting but by carefully planning and chalking out the details of your itinerary, the uncertainties can be curtailed. It is imperative on the part of the airline to provide special attention and accessibility to ensure safe and comfortable travel for any passenger with cognitive or mobility disabilities. 

Having said that, there is a preparation manual that disabled passengers can follow to make their travel experience rich and seamless. 

Do Your Due Diligence Before Travelling

Before you embark upon any national or international journey make sure that you are privy to all the accessibility standards of the destination that you wish to travel to. You can plan by checking in with your travel agent and understanding the rules and regulations about the same.

Try to Book Comfortable Seats

You can choose aisle seats with comfortable legroom and book them well in advance. This will improve your flying experience, enable you to access the restroom easily and give you more legroom. 

Intimate Your Airline About Your Requirements 

While booking your ticket, make sure that you inform your airline about the nature of your disability and the kind of assistance you will be needing for a comfortable journey. Informing well in advance will allow the airline to make necessary arrangements for you. Oftentimes, an attendant from the airline shall assist you in ensuring a smooth boarding process. This service is usually free of cost but you need to check with your respective airline about the same. 

If you are someone who uses a wheelchair, then, even after doing your due diligence, there are mostly two parameters that might be troublesome for you. One being ease of access and the other being probable damage to your wheelchair. We are here to tell you how to protect your wheelchair in an airline. 

Store Wheelchair Accessories in a Carry-On Bag 

Once you are about to board, you are going to be separated from your wheelchair and put onto a different wheelchair before being transferred to your aisle chair. Plan by packing the armrest, headrest, or joystick in a separate bag and taking it with you as a carry bag. This will lessen the chances of damage to your wheelchair. 

Carry Extra Medication 

It is important that you equip yourself with all the medication that you might need on your trip. Make sure to pack extra in case there are some unforeseen changes in your itinerary. Medical aid in a foreign country can be costly, hence, it is advisable to have your prescription and medicines handy.

Explicitly Write And Put The Guidelines on your Wheelchair 

Once your wheelchair is checked in, its well-being shall rest in the hands of the airline employees. Make sure that you elucidate the guidelines to handle your wheelchair in case someone might need to do it. Allwecare enables its customers to schedule a. appointment with a technician to enable them to prepare their wheelchair for effective travel.

Always Have an Emergency Repair Kit

Despite the airline’s efforts, there is still a slight probability that your wheelchair might get damaged in the cargo space. In case such an emergency arises, it is helpful if you have a repair kit that will enable you to use your wheelchair temporarily. 

Although it is the airline’s responsibility to access and handle the situation effectively in case your wheelchair is severely damaged, a repair kit can make up for slight marks, loose screws, or dents. Make sure to pack extra duct tape, screws, and manuals in your repair kit. 

Travelling for someone with disabilities might seem like a tall order but precise preparation and exact information can make the entire experience a lot easier. Travelling is one of the most enriching experiences that one can indulge in and that sense of enrichment should be your drive to overcome every insecurity. All Care Warehouse specialises in providing top-quality assistive care and mobility aid to people with disabilities and enables them to enjoy some of the most beautiful things in life, like travelling.