Traveling With Disabilities - Part 4

Making your reservations with the hotels/resorts:always get the persons name you talk to. Ask for a
BOOKING ONLINE is not a good idea, I recommendroom located close to the elevator and located close
you call the hotel/resort direct, for two reasons, oneto the facilities you will be using at the hotel/resort.
you will get a name of a person making theFIND OUT if the grounds are accessible for you;
reservation and two you will start building arestaurant, pool, exercise room, etc etc and find out
relationship with the hotel/resort. This is veryhow accessible the parking is and if there is available
important for return/follow up calls and also forstaff to help with carrying in your luggage and if
arrival. Be sure and get the persons full name andthere are limited hours for that assistant that will
direct phone number, this is so that when/if you callco-ordinate with your arrival and departure.
again you will have someone to ask for, if they aren'tPARKING is very important so research this out
there or are unavailable, you still have a niche in thethoroughly, imagine yourself arriving and what you will
door. Also, be sure and keep all of this info updatedneed, go online and look at the hotel/resort and get
in your travel folder.a feel for the entrance and lobby and imagine
BE CLEAR on your needs and keep talking with theyourself arriving there...ask questions and ask more
reservation agent until you are both on the samequestions of what challenges you will be facing
"page" and the agent is clear on what you meanarriving at their hotel/resort....if the parking is public
need/want.parking...find out if they have valet at all and then do
EVERY reservation will be different, as each hotelvalet the first night so it is easier to unload your car,
resort will have different accommodations, so if youand then you can always change to the public parking
are staying in multiple facilities/places be sure andif you want.
cover each need again.IF YOU find someone that just doesn't seem to "get
NOT necessarily will you want a handicapped unit, asit" when you are explaining your needs, my favorite
they take out counter/cupboards/closets/furniturequestion to them is "if you had my (situation) would
etc and the bathroom is always a roll in shower; sothis work for you and/or would you be comfortable
unless these are your definite needs, what you wouldto be able to "this". What this does is puts your
want to ask for is an accessible room, which wouldrequests on a personal level and makes them realize
be a convenient room with no stairs etc. For me Iyou're a real person not just a phone call.
want a regular room with no stairs as I need/want aTRAVEL REFLECTIONS: "Love the moment. Flowers
bathtub and I don't need extra space for agrow out of dark moments. Therefore, each
wheelchair etc, so know what your needs/wants aremoment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a
and ask specific questions and get specific answers,succession of such moments and to live each, is to
and get the persons name you talk to...always,succeed.