Travelling is one of the best things you can do to explore the world and gain new experiences. However, for the people with disability, (especially a physical one) travelling can be a daunting job, with so many extra challenges to face and overcome. To ease these challenges, here OSAN Ability Assist, one of the leading NDIS service providers in Melbourne, has come up with some important travel safety guidance that will hopefully make your travelling a little less stressful.
Plan in Advance
No one wants to be in that uncomfortable situation when you have to do everything in a rush. Plan each and everything well in advance so that afterwards it doesn’t make you rush for something.
Do Your Homework
If you are travelling to a new place as a tourist, find out every detail of the place and its surroundings (especially where you are about to stay) well in advance. Look for nearest medical facilities, medical stores and all the other essential commodity supply stores nearby. The best way is to use Google Map for the purpose.
Speak out Your Requirements
As a person with a disability, when it comes to travelling (especially air-travelling) let everyone know your condition and special requirements beforehand. Be sure to inform this to concern authorities including:
- The agent (while booking tickets)
- The airline company (in advance of your flight)
- The special assistance desk before AND after security at the airport
- The ground staff at the airport
- The cabin crews
All this will make them prepare their best to give you support.
Do Keep Extra Time in Hand
If you are travelling with a wheelchair, airport security will swab both the wheelchair and the person sitting in it. The swabs are then tested through a scanner before you are allowed to continue into the airport lounge. All these procedures can be quite a time consuming and can lead you to miss your flight. So, always keep an ample amount of time in hand for all these processes. This will certainly reduce the risk of you missing the flight.
Do A Medical Check-up Beforehand
If you are about to travel for a while, it is always recommended that you do a medical assessment by a physician earlier. Share your travel plan including the tenure of the journey and he/she will provide you with all the health care guidance. You should abide by all the instructions while travelling. However, in case your physician prohibits you from travelling (after you examining your health condition), you must pay heed to it.
Always Carry Extra Medications
Always keep essential medicines in ample amount while you are travelling (especially, if you are travelling abroad). You never know whether you will find your recommended medicines in abroad or not. Therefore, its better you carry a good amount of it with you.
Be Prepared for A Medical Emergency
Information is the key to care. Keep your travel companion/carer updated with the information of your disability, medication, personal safety and any other important details. You may want to state the following:
- Your disability
- A list of your medication (including dosage)
- Next of kin contact details
- Your personal doctor’s contact details
- Possible triggers of your condition
- Symptoms of a decline in your health
- Your insurance details
This way if anything unwanted should happen to you, the people around you can treat you correctly.
For any disability-related help, call our NDIS service providers at 1300 799 941
