HOLIDAYS Traveling season is hard on disabled

Companies in the travel industry are catering to people with impairments.
By KORKY VANN
SPECIAL TO THE HARTFORD COURANT
No question, there's no place like home for the holidays. The National Household Travel Survey done by the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that the Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year's holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel times of the year -- and visiting family and friends is the single biggest reason Americans travel during the holidays.
But getting there can be a challenge, especially for the country's millions of travelers with disabilities.
Experts say that as we age, sight, hearing and reflexes diminish. Medications, decreased range of motion and loss of stamina all affect our ability to safely navigate airports, train stations or long drives. And if you've lost your spouse or traveling companion, suffered a stroke or heart attack, developed a medical condition that limits mobility or are experiencing diminished eyesight or hearing since your last trip, you may encounter some unexpected roadblocks along the way.
Wheelchair travel
Adele Malott, author of the "Mature Traveler," a syndicated travel column for seniors, learned this firsthand earlier this year when a newly developed mobility problem forced her to use a wheelchair in airports and on cruise ships.
"All of a sudden I was experiencing travel from a whole new vantage point," says Malott. "I learned very quickly to check things out ahead of time, confirm and reconfirm details and to make contingency plans."
Malott found many airlines, cruise lines and travel professionals were helpful and well informed but quickly learned to ask a lot of questions.
"American, America West and Southwest are very good," says Malott of her air travel experiences. "Others are more random. Always ask if there is a special-needs desk, and get as much information as you can ahead of time. Ask how far it is to your gate. Reserve your wheelchair ahead of time, then confirm it again before you go. The success of any special-needs travel depends on how prepared you are and on the staff and attitudes you're dealing with. Most important, know your limitations. Be realistic about your abilities, and expect some glitches."
Big market
Stephen Mydanick, director of corporate affairs for the Society for Accessible Travel & amp; Hospitality (www.sath.org), says the size and spending power of the disabled and mature travel market segment is attractive to the travel industry. He estimates that more than half of about 50 million American consumers with disabilities are travelers or potential travelers.
"Twenty years ago, if you were in a wheelchair and wanted to wave bon voyage, you had two chances: slim and none," says Mydanick. "These days, there isn't a major cruise ship or hotel that doesn't have accessible cabins or rooms."
Malott agrees.
"Seniors hold 44 percent of adult passports, take 70 percent of all trips in recreational vehicles and make up close to 70 percent of cruise passengers. Many of us have the time and money to travel," says Malott.
"It makes sense that travel providers would want to create a positive experience for us."