Traveling with a Visual Impairment
In 2017, a record-breaking 4.1 billion passengers traveled by airplane, an increase of 7.3% compared to the previous year, according to the International Air Transport Association (click here for more info). This staggering statistic is only expected to increase in the future due to the increasing ease of travel, as well as the trend towards mandatory business travel. As airports become increasingly crowded, they also become more and more difficult to navigate, especially for those with visual impairments or blindness. Because many directions require sight to successfully arrive at your assigned gate in the airport, traveling alone with a visual impairment can be extremely frustrating. Many of the difficulties of travel that the visually impaired community faces are being looked at, and addressed. Whether you are traveling internationally or domestically, we have compiled information and quick tips, regarding traveling with a guide dog, navigating airports, and disability information abroad, to help ease your experience and give you the confidence to be jetset.
Traveling with a visual impairment can seem confusing at times, especially when traveling by plane. Airports are already confusing , but because many of the necessary components to successfully traverse an airport require sight, such as reading gate signs, traveling with a visual impairment can be particularly challenging. Luckily, many airports and airlines alike are aware of these challenges, and are readily able to offer assistance to those who require it. All you have to do is ask.
Many airline companies today, including Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, and Qatar Airways, offer information on the services provided to customers with disabilities on their website, or through service helplines. It is important to note though that some airlines do require you to make the company aware of any special service requests at least 48 hours in advance of your flight, whether on the company’s website or by calling a help desk. That being said, there have been some instances, particularly with domestic airlines, in which passengers have been less than pleased with the assistance provided to them by airlines. In one particular case last November, “a man with a spinal problem was taken to hospital after he collapsed at Heathrow Airport while waiting for a booked wheelchair that failed to turn up”, according to BBC (click here for more info). Situations like these are not common, but if you or a loved one don’t feel comfortable accepting assistance from the airline or airport itself, there are other options.
Many airlines and airports, including Southwest, now offer Non-Passenger Escort (NPE) passes to travelers who may require assistance getting to their gate, such as young children or adults with disabilities, meaning a relative, friend or caregiver could escort you to your gate. These passes are available at the check-in counter of your airline terminal and are available usually for both arrival and departures, the exception being international arrivals. To learn if the airport you are flying through offers this option, you can call the airline’s helpdesk ahead of your flight. This is a popular option among those with visual impairments because airline assistants can at times remove a passenger's agency.
Service animals are also an option to ease your travel domestically, however some complications regarding the animal may arise if you are traveling internationally.While guide dogs are particularly popular companions for the blind and visually impaired in the United States, bringing your guide dog abroad can be a lengthy and sometimes seemingly impossible process. For example, some countries have legislation that bans certain dog breeds from entering the country, and even if the country you are visiting allows your guide dog to enter, some countries require pets to undergo a quarantine process (Click here for more info). To inquire about the rules and regulations regarding guide dogs in foreign nations, you can contact the country’s embassy or consulate to learn more specific information. If you are only traveling domestically within the United States, legally all airlines are required to allow service animals on flights, so traveling with a guide dog is much less complicated.
When traveling abroad, either for work or pleasure, it is important to be aware of the different attitudes regarding disability abroad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Around 15 percent of the world’s population, or estimated 1 billion people, live with disabilities. They are the world’s largest minority” (click here for more info) . Though persons with disabilities are prevalent across the globe, not all countries have laws in place to protect those with disabilities from discrimination. In fact, according to the United Nations, “Comparative studies on disability legislation shows that only 45 countries have anti-discrimination and other disability-specific laws” (click here for more info). Cognizant of this information, it is important to research ahead of your trip if you may experience any issues during your stay. One site that provides especially useful information regarding disability rights in foreign nations is the United States’ Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (click here for more info). This website allows you to search the specific country (or countries) you are traveling to, and provides information on local laws and common practices regarding disability rights.
If you or a loved one with a visual impairment or blindness are interested in traveling abroad for vacation, but nervous about accommodations and accessibility, there are several travel companies designed specifically for individuals with disabilities. One company that is particularly designed to create fully accessible journeys offered both domestically and internationally, is Mind’s Eye Travel. Mind’s Eye Travel, founded by Sue Bramhall who began to lose her sight at 19 due to retinitis pigmentosa, offers specially designed trips for individuals with visual impairments or blindness in destinations such as Colorado and Maine, and even international destinations like Portugal and Norway. These all-inclusive trips have pre-planned activities, meals, and lodging and usually last around 7-9 days depending on the location. To learn more about this travel company, you can (click here for more info) .
Partial or total loss of vision should never deter you are a loved one from venturing out into the world. Though you may not be able to “see” the world, there are many other ways to experience other destinations and cultures. Hopefully this information has been helpful, but if you would like to research more about traveling with a visual impairment or blindness, you can read more about this topic by following the links below. Bon voyage!
https://www.state.gov/promoting-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/
Vision Aware- Blog: Travel Tips For People Who Are Visually Impaired
http://www.mindseyetravel.com/trips
https://societyfortheblind.org/tips-traveling-visually-impaired/
https://www.iaadp.org/new-guidance-air-travel-uk.html