The Benefits Of Travel Destinations Becoming More Accessible With Dr. Scott Rains

Scott in South Africa with some new friends.

Editor’s Note: The real key to success is taking your disability and turning it into an advantage- it’s about what you can do, not what you cannot do. In the story of Dr. Scott Rains, a consultant on travel and disability, you’ll see that his wheelchair has become his marketing tool. Dr. Rains, “New Mobility” magazine’s Person of the Year, is known worldwide for opening up many countries, businesses and vacation sites to physically challenged individuals and has enabled these places to become more inclusive. Part 2 of a 5 part series.

According to two studies done in 2005 and 2007 for the Americans with Disabilities Act, first passed by Congress in 1990 and later expanded, Americans with disabilities are spending $13.6 billion a year on travel alone. We all know that America isn’t the only country with disabled people who travel. Canada is the first destination that Americans visit. The Caribbeanis the fifth top destination that disabled Americans visit. As other countries start to realize how much money disabled people are spending on travel, then the next questions are, “How do we get these disabled people to come to our destination?” and, “How can we make our destination more accessible for these people?”

They ask themselves, “Can we change our policies or building codes, so that our destination becomes more accessible?” These people realize that if they do, then they can gain more of the market share of this travel. All these needed improvements will be paid for by the new customers attracted to these places.

 

People who are disabled aren’t charity cases. A good number of us are individuals who have saved money, enjoy travel and want to go to accessible places. We pretty much operate like everyone else in society. We want to go out and have fun too.

Scott having a blast in Korea.

What I do is explain and teach businesses that if they make their facilities more accessible to more people, then they can make more money. I decided fairly early after my injury that I could live with a spinal cord injury. I discovered that a tremendous amount of work had been done in this country to make more and more facilities and destinations accessible to people with physical challenges. Then I realized that physically challenged or disabled people represented a huge market for tourism and want to live their lives to the fullest.

The studies from 2005 and 2007 indicated that people in wheelchairs and with other disabilities would travel even more (possibly twice as much) if there were more places that they could go to and be comfortable. When you look at the possibility of doubling the amount of money that disabled Americans spend on travel, you’re talking about a market that’s worth $27.2 billion a year.

Therefore, I’m saying, “Mr. Hotel Owner, Mr. Attraction Owner, Mr. Airline President and Commerce Secretary, you can make more money, if you change your facilities to include everybody, and by doing so, you’ll make America stronger and healthier.” When I show up in Italy, Thailandor any other country, these people can see I’m disabled and that if they’ll make their destinations so that I can be comfortable, then more people like me will come and visit.

Scott in Bangkok, Thailand.

 Here’s an example of a tourism company that has gone the extra mile to assist travellers with physical challenges. Waypoint Yacht Charter Services books the wheelchair-adapted wood-hulled yacht the Sea Wolf.  This picture below is from a May 25-30, 2008 tour that Dr. Rains took out of Gustavus, Alaska.

Glacier Bay on Sea Wolf

Small enough to be intimate (six cabins/ three wheelchair usable) and retrofitted with wheelchair lifts to each of the three main decks cruises in Glacier Bay, Alaska on the Sea Wolf include sea kayaking because the owner has installed …a unique lift system. Scott was out of his wheelchair and into his kayak with the splash skirt fitted down in 60 seconds thanks to a skilled and attentive crew.

To take the trip yourself contact:
Sherri Backstrom
Waypoint Yacht Charter Services
contact@waypointcharter.com
www.waypointcharter.com/accessible_travel.htm
t 888-491-2949 or 360-656-5934 

Please visit Dr. Rains’ blog to learn more!

Next: Dr. Scott Rains Realizes He Can Be A Ski Instructor Even Though He Can’t Walk

About the Author: For the last 12 years, John E. Phillips of Vestavia, Alabama, has been a professional blogger for major companies, corporations and tourism associations throughout the nation. During his 24 years as Outdoor Editor for “The Birmingham Post-Herald” newspaper, he published more than 7,000 newspaper columns and sold more than 100,000 of his photos to newspapers, magazines and internet sites. He also hosted a radio show that was syndicated at 27 radio stations; created, wrote and sold a syndicated newspaper column that ran in 38 newspapers for more than a decade; and wrote and sold more than 30 books. Learn more at http://www.nighthawkpublications.com

Wheelchair Athlete Todd Robinson Says You Can Have Kids and Travel with Your Disabilities

Editor’s Note: Paraplegic Athlete Todd Robinson of Alpharetta, Georgia, is a sales representative for At Home Medical, based in Suwanee, Georgia, which specializes in urological products, incontinent supplies, wound-care, ostomy and general medical supplies for patients who are making cash purchases.  As a follow-up to Todd’s interview about his IronMan competition, we also talked with Robinson about some of the concerns that people in wheelchairs have.  Part 4 of a four-part series entitled “The 10 Most-Often Asked Questions about Living with Disabilities”.

Todd Robinson shares his thoughts from the perspective of a wheelchair user.

Question: What would you say to folks who ask about getting married and having kids if they’re in a wheelchair?

Robinson: The answer to this question varies, depending on your disability and your body’s functionality after your injury. In-vitro fertilization is one solution. However, when my wife and I married, she had a 1-1/2-year-old son who’s now my son. We later decided that there were so many kids who needed good homes, and we adopted a little girl. There are all types of options out there for having children.

 The next question inevitably is how to take care of children when you have a disability. I always tell people that they’ll figure it out. I have a friend who’s a quadriplegic. He and his wife have a little girl, and he was concerned about how to hold and change a child without full use of his fingers.

But this guy’s a real hands-on Dad. He’s just figured out a way to do it. He’s learned his limitations and has determined what he needs to do to adapt to take care of his daughter. He wanted so badly to be a dad that he didn’t really care what he had to do to take care of his daughter. He made-up in his mind that he would be hands-on and enjoy every moment with his daughter, and he does.

I was scared to death the first time I held our daughter Lydia, because she was tiny when we brought her home. I was afraid that if she kicked or arched her back, while I was in my chair holding her, she’d throw me off balance.  I made sure I was as stable as I could be, and we never have had an accident.

So, if you have kids, just jump in, and do it. Do all you can, and ask for help if you need it. Enjoy your children. Live life to the fullest and enjoy your family.

Todd believes the key to success in parenting is to actively participate- jump in and do it!

 Question: What should people who use wheelchairs know about traveling?

Robinson: I had a fellow ask what I do about my catheters when I get on an airplane. If you’re going out of the country, I recommend taking all the catheters you’ll need, as well as a prescription for the catheters.

I went to Guatemala once and didn’t have any problem leaving the United States. But on my way back, they asked to see my prescription for my catheters. We didn’t understand each other’s language, so we went round and round for about 45 minutes. They eventually let me on the plane.

To prevent any problems at the airport, carry your prescription with you for your catheters and other supplies you may need. I’ve never had a problem inside this country, but going overseas, you’ll need all your documentation and prescriptions.

Todd doesn't let his disability stop him from going anywhere, and you shouldn't either...especially to the beach!

I’m also often asked how I get on an airplane. Before I get on an airplane, I tell the airlines about my disability, and what I’ll need to get on the airplane. They have straight backboards, wheelchairs and other devices to help you get on and off an airplane. Let them know ahead of time of your departure and return times and your flight numbers. Delta and American Airlines are really good to work with you. I’ve flown with both of them.

Having a disability doesn’t prevent me from flying anywhere in the world, but the secret to being able to travel is to plan ahead. Call the hotels where you’ll be staying, and have your wheelchair measurements on-hand. Then you can tell them your wheelchair or device measurements. Have someone measure the hotel doors to make sure you can get through them, especially out of the country.

I went to a race in Washington,D.C., and I made my hotel reservations two months in advance. I made sure the door going into the bathroom would accommodate my chair, because I would be getting into town at the last minute. When I reached the hotel, they didn’t have the size room I required.

When I asked the desk clerk what happened, he said that the 800-number routes to a switchboard, which didn’t know exactly the size of each room in each hotel. So, I was recommend calling the motel or hotel directly to make your reservations. Don’t just say you want a handicap-accessible room. Make sure they measure the doors.

I’ve found that most places are helpful, if you call in advance and let them know what you need. You can go anywhere you want to go. Just plan ahead, take plenty of supplies, and carry your prescriptions with you.

About the Author: For the last 12 years, John E. Phillips of Vestavia, Alabama, has been a professional blogger for major companies, corporations and tourism associations throughout the nation. During his 24 years as Outdoor Editor for “The Birmingham Post-Herald” newspaper, he published more than 7,000 newspaper columns and sold more than 100,000 of his photos to newspapers, magazines and internet sites. He also hosted a radio show that was syndicated at 27 radio stations; created, wrote and sold a syndicated newspaper column that ran in 38 newspapers for more than a decade; and wrote and sold more than 30 books. Learn more at http://www.nighthawkpublications.com