When you have limited mobility, a lot of things people take for granted can seem tough to do. And while this is true, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t overcome and take care of any problems that come your way to have the time of your life! In this second story in our summer travel series, we offer tips and tricks for travelling happily with limited mobility.

Plan, plan, plan

Planning is everything. While there’s a lot to be said for whimsical journeys, if you want to make the most of your time and money, planning is key. Start way in advance and research your destination extensively to figure out all the details. For example, what part of the city or town would you like to live in? Are accommodations in the area wheelchair friendly? How far would you be located from public transportation access points, hospitals, grocery stores and eateries? Are public walkways wheelchair conducive? The more you know and the better planned you are, the more successful and enjoyable your trip will be.

Replicate your home schedule

Discipline is important to ensure that you remain healthy and capable of moving around with ease at your destination. One of the ways to do this is to replicate your schedule at home. From maintaining sleep and food timings and types, to sticking to your exercise and medicine schedule and fitting in naps and resting hours, make sure to not tire yourself out and losing your stamina because you want to take everything in.

Insure yourself

In this day and age, it is imperative to get health and travel insurance wherever you travel whether domestically or internationally. Make sure to check the healthcare providers partnered with your insurance company, the extent of coverage and any hidden terms and conditions that might be problematic. Paying a slightly higher premium for more coverage and inclusions is always a safe bet.

Get the right company

If you’re travelling with friends or family, you haven’t got much to worry about but if you’d like to head out with a travel agency, make sure you choose carefully. It’s always advisable to travel with specialised tours and agents so that the basic needs of any disabled person are automatically met. You can book yourself a trip with a travel company that caters to the disabled (read more about accessible Indian travel companies on our blog) in India, or if you’re confident about journeying by yourself, you can book a company at your destination to take care of all your needs.

Make arrangements in advance

Whether it’s at the airport, in-flight or train, or at your destination accommodations, inform all concerned parties about your disability and the help you need to travel smoothly. A lot of times people expect help in the form of valets or wheelchairs at airports without booking in advance and end up waiting for hours because everyone is too busy. The same goes for airport transfers and letting accommodation managers know when you’ll be arriving and departing and what exactly your needs are so people are at hand to help you.