Just in time for your summer journeys, we present hacks from our dream team of wheelchair-accessible travel pros: Sylvia Longmire, Martin Heng, Ashley Lyn Olson, Cory Lee and Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad.
Spin the Globe with Sylvia Longmire
Sylvia, a service-disabled veteran Air Force officer, lives with multiple sclerosis and travels by custom power wheelchair. She’s a mom, author, former Ms. Wheelchair USA and once worked as a special agent with drug cartel expertise. To our knowledge, she’s the only wheelchair user who is a national security expert and a travel writer.
@spintheglobe Too bad you can’t be here. ##fyp##cruise##tortola##wheelchairlife##disabled##accessibletravel@@whill_us ♬ original sound – Sylvia Longmire
Here are Sylvia’s top five accessible travel hacks:
Hack 1: An extension cord, duct tape and zip ties.
“I always travel with an extension cord, duct tape and zip ties,” says Sylvia. No, not because she’s a secret agent (that we know of). This is a completely practical kit for any world traveler.
Zip-ties attach belongings to nightstands and keep them within reach. An extension cord can charge wheelchair batteries but is also useful in older hotels with few outlets in hard-to-reach spots.
And duct tape is just great.
“I’ve used duct tape to protect part of my wheelchair in flight,” says Sylvia. “In Toronto, I was promised an accessible room, but the toilet was low to the ground. I rolled up a towel, bound it with duct tape and had an instant toilet riser.”
Hack 2: thick front tires
Sylvia’s visited 57 countries so far, 48 as a wheelchair user and 34 by herself. Because Europe and other places have bumpy sidewalks and streets, she’s kitted her power wheelchair with thick front tires.
“Many power chairs have small front wheels that get stuck or bump you to death. The front wheels are big on mine,” she said. “Plus, my chair easily comes apart in three sections so that it can be stored in the trunk of a taxi. Some places have great accessible public transit, but others do not, and you need to take a standard cab.”
Hack 3: portable ramp
Sylvia also travels with a portable extension ramp but cautioned that it is not for everyone because it weighs 8 pounds, costs a lot and is not covered by insurance.
Hack 4: a cool head
Being polite but firm when pressing a hotel manager to make up for promised access that isn’t there on arrival can win the day.
“I know what my options are. I know how far I can press a hotel to try to help compensate me, and I’m not afraid to ask for compensation,” says Sylvia. Once, a hotel in Boston dropped the ball on an accessible room, and she negotiated for a pricier, more accessible room at another property across the street at their expense.
Hack 5: a great sense of humor
“Be flexible,” says Sylvia. “No matter how well you plan, an elevator will be broken. If it can go wrong, it will go wrong.” She’s never let any negative experience diminish her love of travel. “Go with an `I can accomplish this’ attitude and a very good sense of humor.
Criss-Cross Continents with Martin Heng
Martin Heng’s impressive travel resume includes being senior editor for Lonely Planet for over 20 years. He authored a best practices guide sponsored by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Aid, and works with European Network for Accessible Tourism.
Here are three wheelchair accessible travel hacks refined by Martin:
Hack 1: Stealth cathing
Inaccessible airplane bathrooms are such an issue for many wheelchair users that passengers often restrict their food or drinks before flying. “I think that’s a mistake, says Martin, a quadriplegia since 2010. “The best hack I have for long-haul flights is to take a 2-liter overnight bag and a rubberized connector to connect to a leg bag. You or your companion can empty it discreetly into the overnight bag while sitting in your seat. Not even the person sitting next to you will be aware of what’s going on! The overnight bag can then be taken to the bathroom to be emptied.”
Hack 2: Suss out ground transit ahead of time.
Martin urges fellow wheelchair users to research accessible public transportation and wheelchair-accessible taxis at their destinations. “You don’t go somewhere just to stay in a hotel,” he says.
Hack 3: Trust yourself
“If something goes wrong, like a broken lift or another barrier to access, you know the best course of action to remedy the situation according to your abilities. It’s up to you to explain what that is and how people can help you to best effect,” he said. “As people with disabilities, we are very good at troubleshooting and finding solutions to problems, particularly access issues. It’s almost like a superpower and shouldn’t be underestimated!”
Wheelchair Traveling with Ashley Lyn Olson
Ashley Lyn Olson crafted www.wheelchairtraveling.com in 2006 to share her love of traveling. She shares info on destinations, products and tips from herself and other wheelchair users. Ashley, a paraplegic since age 14, is also behind the Access 2 Parks Project, which seeks to increase accessibility to outdoor recreation at national, state and local parks.
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Ashley offers you five hacks and some wisdom:
Hack 1: Embrace the Vibe
“Traveling in a wheelchair can be magical because you don’t know what to expect,” says Ashley. She embraces flexibility and a love of the unexpected. “The main route is blocked, so you take a different route and stumble on things.”
She recounts a trip to Berlin with a friend. “Not every train station was accessible, so we stopped a mile away from our destination and made our way back. We stumbled on this festival with music playing, a beer garden and art – all with this amazing vibe.”
Hack 2: Consider a folding manual:
A lot of manual wheelchairs fold in half. Once the leg rests are removed, the chair will fit in an airline jet’s closet. “Airlines are legally required to store the chair on board if it fits in the closet. Some crews are reluctant, but it’s the law,” says Ashley.
Hack 3: Educate, educate, educate
“Quickly, firmly and politely educate the person taking your wheelchair from the gate downstairs to store in the plane’s cargo hold that it is a costly piece of equipment and that it is your legs,” says Ashley. They must understand what your wheelchair means to you.
Hack 4: Protect your chair
“Be prepared, fold down, wrap in foam and secure anything that can be broken – especially the joystick that controls a power chair,” she says.
Hack 5: Communicate directly with your hotel
Ashley says to beware of chain hotel websites and their pictures of accessible rooms.
“They use generic pictures, so what you see may not be your room,” she says. “Call ahead and make sure the room has a roll-in shower if that’s what you need. Have them send cell phone pictures to prove there is a level entrance to the property or the space you require in your room. Call direct to tell them you need the accessible room, so they don’t give it away if your flight is delayed and you arrive late at night.”
Curb Free with Cory Lee
Cory Lee is one of the few, if not the only, wheelchair users who can say he has visited all seven continents, including Antarctica. He is a life-long powerchair user with spinal muscular atrophy who’s visited over 45 countries and publishes his travel stories on his two-time Lowell Thomas Award-winning blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee.
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Cory’s five hacks for awesome travels:
Hack 1: Buy a 220-volt charger
If you don’t want your wheelchair battery to blow up, like Cory’s did in Europe, consider purchasing a 220-volt portable charger. This way, you don’t have to worry about a converter failing and frying your 100-volt U.S.-style charger.
Hack 2: Splurge on non-stops
“I book nonstops,” says Cory, whose home base Hartsfield Airport is one of the world’s largest and has hundreds of connections. “It’s a little more expensive but worth it. Fewer flights mean less worrying about your wheelchair getting stuck below or broken.”
Hack 3: Plan ahead
“I call and ask a million questions about the attractions, the transport and especially the hotel,” he says. “Think about the accessibility you need in your own house and duplicate it as much as possible. Ask specific questions and request photos and videos of accessible features. With smartphones and connectivity, it is easy and inexpensive for properties to do this for you.”
Hack 4: Make it a beach day
Cory says beach access is improving, with many coastal cities placing mats across the sand for wheelchair access. Lifeguard stations often have beach wheelchairs for free use, and some of them can go in the water.
Hack 5: Ask the locals
“I also suggest that people reach out to local disability advocacy organizations. They will know what unique things are available in their community,” he says. “This has led me to adaptive rock climbing in Wisconsin, adaptive water skiing in Tennessee and learning that an old-world European city is very inclusive. Helsinki, Finland, has smooth sidewalks and curb cuts, accessibility on all public buses and 300 wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad is All About the Big Apple
Lakshmee serves on an accessibility committee for the Metropolitan Transit Authority and was honored by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for her work.
But unlike the other hackers in this post, she is not a wheelchair user. Her blog focuses on the adventures she and her sister, Annie, a manual wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, enjoy together in New York City.
Lakshmee offers these two hacks:
Hack 1: Sign up for paratransit.
Because barely 25 percent of New York City train stations are wheelchair accessible, Lakshmee and Annie travel by bus and paratransit. She notes that most transit agencies have reciprocity, meaning if you qualify for paratransit in your hometown and make advance arrangements, you may be able to avoid the high cost of accessible taxis and shuttles by using paratransit on the road.
Hack 2: Locate local hotels and chain restaurants.
Though they prefer unique mom-and-pop restaurants, Lakshmee said chain restaurants are likelier to have wheelchair-accessible restrooms – especially facilities large enough for both a wheelchair user and their caregiver. She said hotels are another good bet for finding accessible restrooms while traveling since accessible public toilets are few and far between.
“We never just go to a show and wander around for a meal – we always plan ahead to ensure there is access to dining and a restroom,” she said. “I narrow down the search by user-sourced Google and Instagram images, then call directly to confirm.”
The first image is courtesy of Curb Free with Cory Lee. Please contact our Community Support team for more information about United Spinal’s chapters and programs. Join us by signing up for a free membership. To support our mission, donate here.
