Destination Planning – Assuring Accessibility
Strategic destination planning is key to an enjoyable and smooth-running travel experience when starting a new journey with a mobility scooter. Planning your journey will involve thorough research about destinations that prioritise individuals using mobility scooters.
Researching Accessible Locations
Discovering travel destinations renowned for their determination to accessibility ensures that mobility scooters can find their way easily, enabling individuals to fully enjoy their trip. Cities and attractions with inclusive infrastructure, featuring ramps, facilities and pathways are important.
Exploring Transportation Options
Researching transportation options is vital for mobility scooter users. This includes a visual tour of public transportation services to ensure that they are equipped with the required features. Moreover, selecting accommodation with mobility scooter-friendly features such as accessible bathrooms, wider corridors etc. is crucial for a comfortable stay. Choosing attractions and accommodations that provide all of the essential facilities rules out the planning stage, helping to find your chosen destination with no accessibility restrictions.
Preparing Your Mobility Scooter For Travel
Before setting off to the airport, planning ahead is important to ensure your mobility scooter is fit for travel. This includes reviewing and complying with airline policies, managing the mobility scooter batteries, and guaranteeing compliance with travel regulations.
Researching Airline Policies
Before travelling, educate yourself on the specific policies and guidelines of the airline you will be travelling with. Different airlines typically have different regulations in place for travelling with mobility scooters, and being well-informed will help you navigate check-in and boarding procedures effectively. This means gaining an understanding of size, weight restrictions, documents, and battery-related requirements in order to bring your scooter on board.
Battery Management
Ensure that your scooter’s batteries are fully charged before departing. Most airlines will ask for scooters to be transported with disconnected batteries, so making sure the scooter is fully charged is important for longevity throughout your journey.
Navigating Airports & Cruise Terminals
We understand how busy and chaotic the airport can be, and this is why it requires both careful and cautious planning of accessible services. To ensure a smooth experience, here are some tips to follow:
Pre-Communication
Contact your airline/cruise in advance to make them aware of your mobility scooter and request assistance. This will allow the airport staff to make any necessary arrangements and alterations, such as installing ramps or assigning staff to help you.
Arrive Early
It is important to arrive at the airport/terminal well in advance to allow sufficient time for checking in, security checks and boarding. This will significantly reduce stress, gaining the assistance you need without rushing.
Awareness of Assistance Points
You should familiarise yourself with all assistance points within the airport/cruise. They usually have designated areas where individuals with mobility challenges can gain assistance, additional support and request help.
Discovering Attractions & Activities
Exploring attractions and activities with a mobility scooter will require careful planning to ensure accessibility and enjoyment. Here are some great tips to help when exploring the best attractions and activities:
Research Mobile Friendly Tours
Online, search for guided tours that are specifically designed to tailor to mobility scooter users. These tours often use accessible routes and transportation, providing an inclusive and enjoyable experience.
Prioritise Accessible Sites
When researching, identify the most cultural sites and historical landmarks that prioritise accessibility and are well known for inclusivity. Many popular tourist attractions provide ramps, lifts, and other features to cater to everybody’s needs.
Utilise Online Reviews
Look at online platforms to read reviews from other individuals who experience the same mobility challenges. This will give you a good understanding of how the destination provides accessibility to mobility scooter users.