Making Arrangements: Overview

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It's always a good idea to alert the various airlines, hotels, and hospitals to whatever medical or travel needs you might have. They will sometimes need to make special arrangements in advance.  Give them plenty of time to process paperwork, reserve equipment, or train their staff in order to provide you with the level of service and assistance that you require. 

Many countries in the developed world already have laws to ensure that disabled citizens receive adequate service or enjoy sufficient access.  The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, for example, requires “hotels, motels, and other places of transient lodging, to ensure that everyone regardless of disability has an equal opportunity to enjoy their services and facilities.”  And the US Department of Transportation mandates that American airports may “not refuse transportation to people on the basis of disability.”   

However, you won’t always find comparable levels of mandated protection when you go abroad.  This is not to say that international airports, hotels, and hospitals can’t or won’t provide you with the types of services that you require.  However, extra planning might be required.

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