Rental cars

Hello all. Yes I know this is 2 posts in 2 days. I am trying to do a little more to help get information out there to you. This time I wanted to quickly talk about rental cars. Most all major rental car companies (Hertz, Avis, ETC.) have vehicles that are equipped with hand controls and possibly a steering knob. You do have to make arrangements to get one delivered to your rental location aproximately (a minimum of) three days although I would suggest more time just to make sure that things get done correctly. I have rented a Crystler Seabring, A Lebaron, and a Ford Focus and have been told that smaller or larger cars can be outfitted with the modifications with advanced notice. This is great for vacation or when/if you have car troubles. Also it can be nice to drive something different every now and then (I have had nothing but vans until last year when I bought a Honda Element so being in a car was great!!).

Now if you are looking for a vehicle with a wheelchair lift this will require more digging on your or your travel agents part. Those can be available by checking with a dealer that installs hand controls or checking with a medical equipment rental company in your vacationing area. I have personally checked with Absolute Mobility in Washington State and for about $150.00 a day (or they have weekly rates too) you can rent a van equipped with a lift and hand controls or other configurations. You will just have to do a little checking in the area, but if you are motivated enough you will get results.

Just remember this as your best practice when traveling. If you don't ask questions you will never find answers

That's todays tip, more to come.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Travel Agent

So you have seen all of the travel commercials and you believe that you can accessibly travel without an agent. Well you sure can. However you will not just be logging on to the travel sites and punching in your price and viola. You my dear traveler will be calling the 800 number located on the site and talking to their travel experts (just a warning, its not Shatner). Plus you will probably not be saving much if anything. The major problem is that we the disabled are a captive audience. We pay more for LOTS of things, you just have to get that through your head.

That being said, there are deals out there with discount travel agencies. I myself have been a member of AAA for their travel deals (although I hear Costco is good too). I went into my local AAA office and met with 2 very nice and extremely helpful ladies (Mary and Theresa). I explained my limitations, needs, and wants with my various vacations. I have booked Disney packages IE:resort stays and cruises, boutique hotels, and other air+hotel+transportation all while getting the AAA discount AND that doesn't count the many times I have used them for auto stuff. My opinion get a membership, but I have gone on a tangent.

Mary and Theresa have many contacts within the travel world that we (the public) do not have. They also have the luxury of being able to surf websites, talk to booking companies, and have (through their AAA purchasing power) purchased blocks of rooms and tickets that I as one person do not. They also have clients like myself who if questions should arise, they can call. They also travel extensively themselves so they may be more attune accessibility outside the United States.

Sure you CAN book a vacation without an agent. You can also fix your car and plumbing without a mechanic or plumber. Why place yourself in the position of many phone calls and emails with someone who may or may not know exactly what you need when there are trained professionals that can advocate for you so you can enjoy your vacation without being exhausted.

Excuse me. Where is your restroom?

Finding a restroom that is accessible and clean is a difficult thing to do when you are on vacation. At times a good restroom is worth its weight in gold. This isn't just the case for the disabled. I have many friends who will not use a facility that is "dodgy". A great restroom is spacious and clean with all the amenities that should be there. I rarely stop off at a gas station to use the bathroom because most are something right out of a horror movie.

When traveling be mindful of your surroundings. I personally stop at a Barnes & Noble, Borders, or Macys when looking for an impeccably clean restroom. They are almost always light and clean with nice big stalls. My second tier would be a nicer movie theater, or in a pinch a McDonalds (which I used quite a bit on my family road trip to Disneyland).

So how about when you are looking for a hotel/motel room for the night? I would say that most chain hotels will have a disabled access room. These usually provide a shower bench and a larger bathroom. However they do NOT always provide a shower bench which then makes you try some creative alternatives (I personally have used a plastic patio chair). Also don't expect these to be the shower benches that you have at home (I had one that was like a cafeteria lunch tray, and several that had no backs that were about a foot off the floor). You might very well need assistance in and out of the tub (one of my road trip experiences had the accessible room with a bath tub with grab bars but the tub was so deep they were not much help). Be careful and safe when transferring, but you may have to get creative.

In the nicer rooms that I have been in they had great facilities. The toilets were 17 inches or higher off the floor with grab bars everywhere, built in shower benches with hand held showers, even lower soap holders.

The plain fact is you need to ask questions specific to your disability when booking a room. If you need a shower bench to shower -- ask. Need a raised toilet (17" or ADA coded) -- ask if they have one.

Finally, if you are planning a trip across the pond remember to ask if their rooms (specifically the restrooms) are modified. If you ask if they are accessible they may consider a ground floor room to be what you are looking for. If you ask for a modified room, they will know you mean outfitted with the "Goodies". Just remember the person on the other end of the phone line is not a mind reader but really wants to help. So be nice, but don't be afraid to be VERY SPECIFIC about your needs. And don't be surprised if you need to remind staff members about your needs (shower bench, extra pillows, portable fridge) once you arrive.