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Traveling by Air, Train or Bus
Getting to your destination should be pleasurable and stress-free. Here are tips and resources to help make your trip, whether by air, by train, or by bus, go smoothly and allow you to relax and enjoy your journey.
If You're Planning to Fly...
Know your rights. The Federal Air Carrier Access Act and the regulations developed by the Department of Transportation to implement it are designed to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access when traveling by plane. Here's what you need to know:
A person may not be refused transportation on the basis of disability, nor be required to have an attendant or produce a medical certificate, except in certain limited circumstances.
Airline personnel and/or equipment must assist with boarding and exiting the plane, as well as with making connections.
Passengers with vision or hearing impairments must have timely access to the same information given to other passengers, such as gate assignments, schedule changes, delayed flights and safety briefings.
Carriers must allow service animals to accompany passengers in the cabin, as long as they don't block the aisle or other emergency evacuation routes.
Airlines must make available a specially trained complaints resolution official if a dispute arises.
Airline personnel who deal with the traveling public must receive training to respond appropriately to people with disabilities, and know how they can be accommodated quickly, safely and with dignity.
Resources
New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler With a Disability is a free booklet that can be obtained by writing to the Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002 or by logging on to New Horizons, part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Web site.
Toll-Free Hotline for Air Travelers With Disabilities
The Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) operates a toll-free hotline to assist air travelers with disabilities. Call (800) 778-4838 (voice) or (800) 455-9880 (TTY) daily between 7 A.M. and 11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. To request the D.O.T. to investigate a complaint, send an e-mail to airconsumer@ost.dot.gov. For more information about what to include in your correspondence, follow this link to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the D.O.T. Web site.
What You Can Do
Call the airline before your trip to request and confirm assistance that's needed.
Ask to be pre-boarded and to be oriented to plane facilities and exit locations.
When possible, book direct flights to avoid the hassle of making connections when there are flight delays.
Many airlines publish travel information for people with special needs and may also make them available in alternate formats, so check with your airline ahead of time.
Traveling by Air With Vision-Related or Medical Equipment
Permissable items include:
A slate and stylus, although you may need to explain its purpose to the security screener.
A white cane or support cane, once inspected.
Syringes, as long as you have a documented medical need such as professionally labeled medication that requires its use.
Traveling by Air With a Dog Guide
It's a good idea to notify the airline ahead of time for appropriate seating and information about specific requirements.
Some airlines have been known to require dog muzzles. Regulations only refer to muzzles as a potential solution to a barking dog.
Be prepared to show your dog's health certificates with proof of vaccinations.
Check out requirements for international travel, which can vary depending on your destination.
For more information about regulations governing travel with service animals, visit the Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division Web site.
If You're Traveling by Train...
If you require assistance or an accommodation for a disability, it's best to speak to a reservation agent by calling (800) 872-7245 rather than booking your trip on the Amtrak Web site. This will ensure that your needs are documented with your reservation record and the appropriate station and train personnel are notified. If you don't get answers to your questions about accessible services, ask to be transferred to a Customer Service Agent.
People with disabilities are eligible for discounted fares as along as they have written documentation such as a letter from a doctor or identification card from a transit system or disability organization.
Train personnel can bring food to you at your seat or room, provide assistance to get to the lounge, dining car or rest room, and help you to detrain at your destination.
If train schedules permit, you can walk your dog guide at station stops. But, you'll need to remain in close proximity to the train so that you can reboard promptly when the conductor announces that the train will depart. It's a good idea to notify the conductor in advance if you need to walk your dog.
For more information, you might want to check out Access Amtrak: A Guide to Amtrak Services for Travelers With Disabilities. This publication describes Amtrak's accessible services and discounts as well as tips for people with disabilities traveling by train. To receive a free copy (also available in large print, in braille and on tape) call (877) 268-7252.
Passengers with vision impairments can get special assistance. It's best to book your travel by telephone by calling (888) 842-7245 to ensure that your requests are documented. Service animals can accompany passengers and you can ask to be served meals at your seat.
National Rail: Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers (United Kingdom)
UK residents who are blind or partially sighted are eligible to get a Disabled Person's Railcard, which enables the individual and a sighted companion to travel at two-thirds the normal fare. Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers is a booklet that can be accessed on the National Rail Web site. Here are some tips for rail travelers in the UK from the Royal National Institute of the Blind.
Purchase your tickets and reserve a seat in advance. If you're a dog guide owner, ask about a seat that has sufficient space for your dog.
Advance arrangements can be made for assistance from station staff for any part of your journey including boarding a train, changing trains or deboarding at your destination.
- Be sure to know where your luggage has been placed. Place an identification tag on your baggage, and know its color and distinguishing characteristics.
European Rail Network (Eurail)
Eurail provides accessibility for people with disabilities including space for wheelchairs, which usually require advance notice. Specific accommodations for people who are partially sighted or blind include platform edges with tactile markings, audible boarding announcements and signs with clear pictographs.
If You're Traveling by Bus...
Greyhound provides city-to-city service throughout the U.S. including assistance with boarding and deboarding, luggage, transfers, stowage and retrieval of mobility devices as well as destination announcements. Service animals can ride on the bus in the traveler's space. Even with advance requests, it's a good idea to make Greyhound staff aware of your needs throughout the trip. Call the Customers With Disabilities Travel Assistance line at (800) 752-4841 at least 48 hours in advance of your departure to advise personnel of your travel needs and schedule.
Special services are available to people with vision impairments as long as they are registered with the Canadian Institute for the Blind. Service animals can travel with the passenger at no extra charge. For additional information call (800) 661-8747.
National Express is the UK's only scheduled coach network throughout England, Wales and Scotland with services also to Europe. Requests for assistance are to be made 24 hours in advance of travel by calling the Additional Needs Helpline at 0121 423 8479; TTY: 0121 455 0086; or by sending an e-mail to additionalneeds@nationalexpress.com. Information in large print or audiotape is available on request and help completing forms or reading leaflets can be provided. Coach drivers are available to provide assistance with getting on and off coaches and storing luggage.