Flying Anywhere Soon? Do You Have Your Notification Card?

Traveling for anyone is somewhat of a hassle, but for those with disabilities, it can be a nightmare sometimes. Airport security screenings can be especially tough. However, approximately a third of people with disabilities fly at least once every two years, so the drawbacks don’t stop everyone. Now the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has made it a tad bit easier.

TSA has created notification cards that travelers may use to inform Transportation Security Officers (TSO) about any disability, medical condition or medical device that could affect security screening. Although these cards do not exempt them from security screening, their use may improve communication and help travelers discreetly notify TSOs of their conditions.

TSA has distributed the cards directly to various disability groups. They are available for download at disability-related Web sites such as www.disability.gov by entering “Notification Cards” in the site’s search field.

Other tips to lower the stress level when traveling

• It is especially difficult for seniors and those with disabilities when airlines bump passengers. Get your seat assignment as early as possible, as they bump those with unassigned seats first.
• Remind the screener about your physical limitations and any internal or external medical implants before a pat-down procedure. Ask them to change their gloves to avoid germs.
• If you’re taking gifts, don’t go to the trouble of wrapping them. TSOs may unwrap them for security reasons.
• Your notification card, medications, money and tickets should be in a carry-on, not in luggage that has been checked.
• If you need a lot of personal care, travel with someone who is familiar with your needs.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert

Overseas Travel Tips for People with Disabilities

Traveling overseas can be exciting and sometimes a bit daunting for any traveler with currency exchanges, time changes and getting used to the “newness” of foreign places. But if you are a person with disabilities or traveling with someone who needs special accommodations, you can make your overseas trip a lot easier and safer by following these basic State Department travel tips:

• Register with the State Dept.: Register your travel plans through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help contact you during a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. (Information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.)
• Passport and emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
• Leave copies: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
• Overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
• Local conditions and laws: You are subject to the laws of any foreign country you visit. Visit The State Department web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html for useful safety tips and useful information about the laws and customs of the countries you will visit.
• Crime: Do not wear eye-catching clothing or flashy jewelry while on your trip. Do not carry excessive amounts of money. Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
• Emergencies: Personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Find contact information at the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. In an emergency, call 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas.
• Plan: If you require special equipment that you must take with you on your trip, be sure it is in good working order before you leave.
• Travel Smart: Be sure to allow enough time for your body to adjust to the additional physical activity and changes in diet and climate during your trip. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you are well-rested.
• Accommodations and Access: Learn about planned stops and ask questions about accessibility and available assistance at the airport, your hotel, on public transportation and at all travel destinations prior to departing for your trip. Re-confirm your needs shortly before leaving to be sure that your needs are clearly understood by those who will assist you.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

When is a Good Time to Rent a Wheelchair Accessible Van?

Three times are ideal to rent a wheelchair accessible van.

If you’re a first-time purchaser of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, you may want to rent one first to see what it’s like, if it’s for you, and if you feel comfortable driving it.

If your present vehicle is in the repair shop, you’ll need to rent a replacement.

Perhaps you’re going on a vacation or long trip. Your present accessible vehicle may not be as comfortable as you’d like for a lengthy journey or you have a minivan and need a larger van for your vacation. (An accessible minivan accommodates 4 passengers plus 1 wheelchair or 2 passengers plus 2 wheelchairs, depending on the size of the wheelchairs.)

Actually, anytime is ideal to rent a wheelchair van sporting more luxurious or newer features. Pamper yourself!

Whatever your needs, from automatic ramps and lifts, luxury interiors, and the latest wheelchair securement systems, now is the time to try out an accessible van – rent it!

Whether you rent new or used, a quality company maintains its vehicles in optimum condition, plus you can decide on side or rear ramp access, lift options, remote features, swivel or turning seat, and all the other gadgets and necessities you’ve been dreaming of.

Delivery and pick-up are normally available on rentals that last for a week or longer. Delivery includes at your home, work, the airport, etc. (You may have to pick-up and return a daily rental.)

First things first: Which van?

Mileage. Ask about the gas mileage of different models. Better mileage will save you a bundle over the span of a long trip. Renting a new van over a used one may be the smarter move if the gas mileage is considerably better.

Help! Ask the company if it has a 24-hour hotline,  emergency towing or other service.

Make a reservation. When you find a van rental company that has the bells and whistles you want, make a reservation to ensure it’s available when you’re ready to go.

What you’ll need:

• You must be 25 and have a valid drivers license.
• Call your insurance company. You’ll need proof of full coverage insurance to cover a rental vehicle (comprehensive, collision, and liability). Many rental companies do not provide insurance. Check their requirements.
• Major credit card.

• If more than one person plans to drive, they must also be 25 or older.
• All drivers must sign the rental contract, show insurance and drivers licenses.

• A clean driving history.

Many rental companies also offer scooter rentals, power wheelchair rentals, booster seats, car seats, GPS rentals and other goodies for your travel needs.

Rent a wheelchair accessible vehicle and travel in style! We always recommend an in-person evaluation before you rent or purchase an adaptive vehicle for safety purposes. Many NMEDA dealers rent accessible vans/vehicles and can be found at www.nmeda.org.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Travel Safety Tips (and Gifts) for the Holidays

What do the five most frequently reported modifications to adapted vehicles (hand controls, wheelchair securement, steering control devices, lifts and automatic door openers) have in common? They all have to do with safety. But there are other items that are vital to your safety when driving – whether you are a senior or a person with disabilities.

• Cell phone: Always have it with you. Make sure you have a list of important phone numbers in the phone’s address book, including family, friends, physician, a neighbor, and work contacts, if applicable.

• GPS: Don’t get lost anymore! Anyone who needs to keep track of where he or she is, find their way to a specific location, or know what direction and how fast he or she is going will love a global positioning system.

• Grab Handles or Straps – Installing grab handles just inside the door of a vehicle makes it easier for seniors and those with disabilities to enter and exit a vehicle. Handles can also be installed on the exterior. Grab handles must be securely installed as outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Remote start: If the vehicle battery is weak, activating equipment can drain it and you could be stuck inside (or outside). To prevent that disaster, a remote start uses the battery to start the engine first and then the engine powers access equipment.
• Remote control activation allows you to activate access equipment or other vehicle features from your house or even down the street – a real safety feature when you aren’t parked in the best areas. Also convenient if it’s cold outside or raining.
• Increased night vision headlights: Change your headlights to halogen lights, which are brighter and whiter than conventional headlights, and improve nighttime visibility. Better yet, xenon and other high intensity discharge headlamp systems extend range and visibility even more.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

For Those with Disabilities: Tips on Holiday Traveling

Going to see the family for the holidays? If you’re flying or renting a vehicle, here are a few helpful hints.

Vehicle rental

Car rental companies are required to install hand controls on vehicles at your request, but you must give them 48-hours notice.

Your own portable hand-controls can be installed quickly in almost any automatic vehicle, and leave no marks or holes. Get approval from the rental company first (in writing), as insurance may be voided if you don’t.

If you need a lift-equipped van, contact a travel agent who specializes in accessible travel or contact a specialty van rental firm.

Call a cab! Larger cities usually have taxis equipped with lifts. Call the destination taxi authority.

Airlines

Tell the airlines your specific needs ahead of time, whether it’s a wheelchair, oxygen tank or other accommodations. Ask about fees for using their assistive devices. If they can’t meet your needs or charge too much, you have time to call another airline or make other arrangements.

Confirm the reservation and other accommodations at least 48 hours before your trip.

Let the airlines know if you have a power or manual wheelchair, as rules vary as to where it will be stowed (or even allowed).

Find out the latest security regulations – like what’s allowed on the plane. To avoid Home Security hassles, check the Federal website www.tsa.gov for current updates before you start packing.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has travel tips like “3-1-1” to speed screening:

• Ensure all of your liquids or gels are in 3 ounce or smaller containers. (More than 3 ounces are permitted in checked baggage.)
• Place those containers in a 1 quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
• Place 1 bag only per traveler in the security bin for screening.

For more information on airline travel for those with disabilities, visit the U.S. Dept. of Transportation at http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/airacc.asp.

Have a great holiday!

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Save Money Using a Certified Mobility Equipment Dealer

Some people with disabilities may think that any vehicle can be converted for their unique needs. They buy a car, van, truck or SUV and are surprised that it can’t be modified at all. You can’t just return that vehicle to a dealership and get your money back.

To save money and grief, start with a professional mobility equipment dealer because they know which vehicles can be converted.

These professionals also specialize in accessing clients’ needs, and will determine which vehicle fits your individual needs based on many factors, like wheelchair or scooter size and your unique disabilities.

Ideally, you should contact a mobility expert and discuss your needs for a vehicle even before purchasing a wheelchair or scooter. If you already own a wheelchair (or scooter), tell your dealer if you plan on getting a different one.

Reasons to consult with a qualified mobility equipment dealer:

• Mobility experts, driver evaluators or occupational therapists will interview you to determine your equipment needs and give you a list of specific vehicle and adaptive equipment recommendations.
• They make sure the vehicle you want is sound enough structurally to be modified, as not all are engineered to take conversion.
• They will ensure the vehicle, with adaptive equipment, has been crash-tested to meet or exceed government safety standards. (It must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.)
• They provide a local link to qualified service and repair, as it is vital to have a modified vehicle serviced by a certified mobility dealer due to its adaptive equipment.
• Many will bring the vehicle to your home or place of work for you to test drive it.

It only makes sense. Save money. Less frustration. Get the expert advice of a professional before you buy. A Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealer through the National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association guarantees the highest quality in sales and service.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

 

Transporting Children With Special Needs

If you have a child with special needs, you want the safest protection for them in your car or van. A regular child seat just isn’t enough, and you should never try to alter a car safety seat to fit a child with disabilities.

Some basic seating guidelines

• The back seat is the safest place for all children to ride.
• When possible, an adult should ride in the back seat with the child to watch him or her closely.
• Never put a rear-facing baby in front of a passenger air bag. In a crash, the air bag inflates with great force.
• Never recline a vehicle seat to transport a child. In a crash, the child can slip out of position and lose the protection of the seat belt.
• If you have no other option than to transport a child who is medically fragile in the front seat and your car has a passenger air bag, you should have an air bag on/off switch installed. Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a permission form and details (202-366-0296 or 888/327-4236, www.safercar.gov or www.nhtsa.dot.gov).
• Apply for a handicap parking permit on behalf of your child if it is hard to get him or her in and out of the car safety restraint. Handicap parking allows more space to maneuver.

To find the safest car seat for your child, locate a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist in your area. A DRS makes sure the seat or other equipment fits your child and is properly installed.

Contact the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, 2425 N. Center St., #369 Hickory, North Carolina 28601 or visit www.aded.net. Call 828-855-1623, 866-672-9466 toll free in the United States and Canada.

For more guidelines, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.AAP.org and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at http://www.nhtsa.gov.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!



Airlines Must Meet Travel Requirements for People with Disabilities

Nervous about flying with your disability? By law, U.S. air carriers must comply with highly detailed regulations that affect people with disabilities. (These do not cover foreign carriers serving the United States.) You should know the following:

When a person with a disability requests assistance, the airline is obliged to provide access to the aircraft door, an aisle wheelchair, and a seat with removable armrests. (Aircraft with less than 30 seats are generally exempt.)

Airline personnel are not required to transfer passengers from wheelchair to wheelchair, wheelchair to aircraft seat, or wheelchair to lavatory seat. Passengers with disabilities who cannot transfer themselves should travel with a companion or attendant.

Only wide-body aircraft with two aisles are required to have fully accessible lavatories, although any aircraft with more than 60 seats must have an on-board wheelchair and personnel must assist with movement of the wheelchair from the seat to the area outside the lavatory.

Airline personnel are not obliged to assist with feeding, visiting the lavatory, or dispensing medication to travelers.

Airlines may not require advance notice that a person with a disability is traveling; however, they may require up to 48-hours advance notice and 1-hour advance check-in for certain accommodations that require preparation time, such as oxygen, incubators, respirators, electric wheelchairs, wheelchair batteries, etc. It would be wise to call ahead.

Knowledge gives confidence. Now go confidently into the blue horizon!

Source: CDC.gov

This mobility update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your car, wheelchair or scooter upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Top 3 Accessible Attractions in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia is a city well known for the Braves, but less likely to be known for its huge underground shopping area located in the heart of this metropolis.  Atlanta, GA is an exceptionally wheelchair accessible vacation destination with literally dozens if not hundreds of accessible attractions in and around the greater metropolitan area.  Not to deter you from taking part in any of the many attractions in Atlanta accessible to people with disabilities, instead we have highlighted our top 3 accessible attractions in Atlanta that you definitely won’t want to miss out on if you’re lucky enough to be in this amazing city:

1. An Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
   The Atlanta Braves regular season games are generally from April to September at Turner Field. There is also a Braves Museum and Hall of Fame at Turner Field, which features more than 600 Braves artifacts and photographs that trace the team’s history from its beginning in Boston in 1871 to Milwaukee and finally to Atlanta.   All ballpark levels offer disabled seating with unobstructed views of the playing field as well as handicap parking, a drop-off area, accessible restrooms, and special guest services.  Call ahead if you have any special needs/requests to (404) 249-6400.end_of_the_skype_highlighting
2. Zoo Atlanta
   Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is a great representation of conservation and cooperative effort.  They take the responsibility of educating and inspiring the Atlanta area in efforts of conservation that they’ve even outlined the fact adequately enough in their mission statement.  The zoo itself features more than 200 species of animals from all over the world.  There are Asian small clawed otters, a newly re-opened Sumatran tiger exhibit, and a pair of Giant Pandas with a new panda cub. The Ford African Rain Forest houses a total of 24 gorillas which is one of the largest captive gorilla populations in North America.  Aside from having one of the largest groups of captive gorillas, Zoo Atlanta is one of the most wheelchair accessible destinations in Atlanta as well. The park boasts available wheelchair rentals, accessible access to shows, and an excellent guest services department.
3. World of Coca-Cola
   With an incredible multi-sensory 4-D theater, a fully restored 1880s soda fountain, and a one-of-a-kind World of Coca-Cola glass bottle produced in a live glass bottling line you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy here.  You can even sample up to 60 different beverages from around the world!  The World of Coca-Cola, while indeed amazing, is also meets all A.D.A. requirements for accessibility, even offering courtesy wheelchairs as wheelchair stock permits.

Traveling to Atlanta with special needs, may be a bit stressful, but while there can be some obstacles in doing so, Atlanta has consistently surpassed A.D.A. requirements for accessibility.  Atlanta itself is well known for being a big, open place that is also just as well known for its relaxed, open personality and is a vacation destination you won’t want to miss and will most likely never forget.

This information is brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

5 Top Travel Destinations for Nature Lover Travelers with Disabilities

Traveling for those with a disability can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overly so with careful planning and preparation. Following are 5 fabulous travel destinations to consider for nature lovers with disabilities:

1. Hat Head National Park: Captain Cook’s Lookout, Australia

Captain Cook’s Lookout at Hat Head National Park has magnificent lookout has panoramic views throughout its vast expanse. It’s an ideal place for whale watching, sight-seeing, and relaxing in the sun. The picnic area has easy-access facilities and toilets. At the Hat Head National Park, there are picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues, and a non-flush toilet. Just don’t forget to bring your camera and maybe even an oxygen tank if you need it, views here have been known to take a person’s breath away!
 

  2. Acadia National Park: Echo Lake, Maine 

With a wheelchair accessible path to the water and no reservation necessary all your dreams of a stress-free trip on a more natural vacation can come true.
At Echo Lake you can fish, go boating, or canoe with less than 10 horsepower. All you have to do is obtain a Maine fishing license from the Municipal Building or from Bar Harbor’s Rite-Aid Drugstore or the Wal-Mart in Ellsworth. Within Echo Lake are brook trout, salmon, and perch. The best time to fish is between May and September and deep-water trolling is best by midsummer. Echo Lake is one of the most beautiful glacial mountain lakes; you can do almost anything from fishing to swimming to travelling along one of the many accessible trails including Beech Cliff, Canada Cliff, and Beech Mountain.

3. Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park is one of the world’s most striking, natural sights. There are nearly vertical, 3,000 ft. cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and peaks that form a jagged outline against the sky. On the ground, there are lush, vast prairies surrounded by several different types of tall trees and wildlife that can often be seen. You can visit at any time of year, even in the winter when trails are blocked by snow and waterfalls have iced over. Even with the many tourists that come year-round, Yosemite can still absorb its visitors without becoming overcrowded. In the summer visitors can also park at the day-visitor parking area and take a free shuttle that has wheelchair lifts and tie-downs, to the main visitor’s center.

4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone is home to Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, and a startling group of geysers and hot springs. A large variety of wildlife also call Yellowstone home including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and bison. Camping, hiking trails, fishing, exhibits, films, and attending Ranger-led programs are among some of the many ways to experience the glory and grandeur of Yellowstone. They even have Fee-Free Days!

5.  Hawaii: Kailua Beach, Waikiki

There are several hotels, lodges, and resorts and offer wheelchair accessible options to tourists. In fact, Waikiki, Hawaii is such an important spot for travellers with disabilities, that roll-away beach mats and wider-wheeled wheelchairs were practically invented for the purpose of visiting these beautiful beaches. One beauty in particular we would like to mention would have to be Kailua Beach, not just for its undeniable beauty, but also because you can go to concession for a beach access wheelchair, on-duty lifeguards, and its typically smaller waves.

This information is brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your car wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!