Image Description: A photo of a subway train, and blurry subjects moving towards and from the subway.

So I’m off to America for three weeks – starting in New York, then working my way down to New Orleans via Washington, Memphis, and Jackson.  I’ll be honest with you, I’m a real food lover and impulse-booked this trip back in January after watching the Jon Favreau film, Chef, one too many times. I’m basically going to America for a Cuban sandwich. Let’s hope it’s worth it.

I’m also a wheelchair user. While the world is getting more accessible all the time, it can still be a challenge getting where you want to go with any kind of disability. Waiting for the first leg of my journey to begin at Heathrow airport, I thought I’d have a think about my travel tips for going travelling with a disability.

1. Location matters. We all have our dream holiday, but with a disability some thought does need to go into if it would actually be achievable. I love the freedom of travelling by myself which often restricts me to first world countries where I know accommodation and transport will be – or at least is supposed to be – accessible enough for me to manage on my own. Don’t rule out traditionally inaccessible places entirely though; my wheelchair and I have been to tiny Caribbean and South Pacific islands! But, to visit these places you might need to take friends or family along for the ride. A team willing to lift you into the next bar is a must. Also bear in mind that accessible accommodation in those places might be more expensive; very few third-world country hostels are gonna have an accessible bathroom. So, if you have a tight budget, perhaps stay in countries with laws regarding accessibility so that you have a shot that even the cheapest places have access. Berlin, for example has a bunch of great accessible hostels. Most importantly though, try not to turn up to anywhere late in the evening when there’s no chance of fixing things if transport or accommodation is inaccessible. I try not to pitch up anywhere later than five in the afternoon — the less accessible the place the earlier I arrive.

   

2. You will need a bigger budget than an able bodied person. Even if there is cheap accommodation where you want to go, accessible bathrooms etc often rules out the very cheapest. This trip, for example, I’ve had to get an Airbnb in New York because none of the hostels are wheelchair friendly. Even then, a budget which can include the occasional emergency taxi when you get stuck at the bottom of a massive unexpected hill, or more expensive dinner when that street-food joint you read about is up a flight of steps, is a must.
3. Pack Smart. Unless you are travelling with someone else all the time ,it is a great idea not to pack more than you can carry. Even if someone is meeting you when you arrive, it’s awful to get stuck and be reliant on strangers. This means packing smart. I have one bag which, even when full, I can still lift. This comes on every trip with me from weekends in Europe, to three months sailing the Atlantic. I can’t get far with it, but I’ll never be stranded. A small sized bag has it’s restrictions though and so I pack practical. As a wheelchair user dark colours are a must when exploring cities; light jeans will need washing every day, black jeans will do the whole trip (just don’t tell anyone). Take a few staple tops you love (don’t waste space on something you won’t wear), maybe three pairs of jeans, and a jumper or two (again, dark). Remember, almost anywhere you stay will have a washing machine, so even on long trips I only take stuff to last a week or so. I also take cycling gloves and plasters for blistered fingers as I always push more in new places than I do at home.

   

4. Equipment. Almost all disabilities come with equipment. A few weeks before you go, have a think about what you will need and make sure it’s in good working order. If it’s powered, check you have all the right chargers and spare batteries. Meds as well; make sure you have enough for the time you are away and then split them between hand and hold luggage just in case the latter goes missing for a few days. I travel with my manual RGK wheelchair and freewheel attachment so need all the tools to fix them on the road if need be; my toolkit is the first thing in my bag (remember this often needs to go in the hold during flights).  Talk to airlines about what you are taking with you (with most airlines this can now be done online), so you have the highest chance of getting it back again when you land. Also tell them what help you will need on the plane, from assistance boarding, to the aisle wheelchair. Most planes still don’t have accessible bathrooms so do consider this before booking a trip. But be firm with them; if they can bring a baby buggy to the aircraft door they can bloody well bring your wheelchair. Train travel can be a lot less nerve wracking if you have a lot of equipment as none of it needs to go in the hold; I’ve had some amazing trips around Europe without once having to wave goodbye to my wheelchair as uncaring airport handling staff chuck it in the aeroplane.
5. Be resilient. As at home, resilience and adaptability are key when travelling with a disability. You will get left on planes for 45 minutes while they try and find your chair. Places will say they are accessible and then not be. That bar you wheeled across a city to get to will have steps. You’ll have to go ‘round the back through the staff entrance’ and sell your first born child to get into a restaurant. Train ramps won’t turn up. If your nervous about this, stay in more accessible places likely to have a fully accessible chain hotel round the corner for when your Airbnb turns out to be on the 5th floor with a broken lift. Arrive everywhere early and be determined, you are just as entitled to travel as anyone else. And maybe go adventuring with a friend as anything is more bearable with two.

   

6. Do it. The world is big and amazing and no disability should stop you experiencing it. Travel has to suit you and your needs (we can’t all go paragliding in Bali), but if it’s a weekend away in the next town, or a month in the States, it’s 100% worth it. And I’ve found, for the most part, that people are amazing and helpful and accommodating. One woman I’m renting an Airbnb from this time walked her local area to check out if there were drop kerbs for me (I didn’t even ask her to do this!). And, take my word for it, anywhere I have been in the world, if I sit at the bottom of some steps with a bar at the top someone has always come to give me a hand in! Travelling with a disability can be hard, frustrating and exhausting, but the sense of achievement is beyond brilliant.

Well, it’s nearly time for me to check in for my flight, so should sign off for now. But I’m hoping to write more about my travels over the course of the next few weeks. More tips and advice, but also just a bit about the places I visit (with an eye to access of course), and – obviously – the all important sandwich.