World Tourism Day 2023: 7 things to remember when traveling with a person with disability

Extend a helping hand, if required, when your co-traveller is a person with disability, irrespective of their age. (Photo via Unsplash)

If you’d ask me, how I feel while traveling, I’d say, “Excited but mostly nervous.” That’s the story of every person with a disability who loves to travel, yet cannot embark on the adventures of their lives because one of the things that holds us back is also what follows us everywhere — inaccessibility. Be it in terms of inaccessible entrances, lack of accessible accommodations, or absence of accessible information in digital spaces, inaccessibility remains the single most constant thing in our lives. But, more than the tangible incapacities, it is the intangible repulsions that make travel an unpleasant experience for the world’s most significant minority!

So, this World Tourism Day, let us understand how we, as fellow passengers and travellers, make the experience happy, accessible, and memorable for people with disabilities. The day is observed on September 27 every year, by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to disseminate the importance of travel, leisure, and tourism, and gauge its widespread, multidimensional impact on society. The day came into existence in the year 1980, the year previous to which saw the adoption of the Statutes of the UNWTO.

Here are seven things to keep in mind while travelling with a person with a disability:

Respect our disabilities

If there’s a piece of unsolicited advice you’re dying to fire at us, please don’t because we have had it all — from some foul-smelling magical oils to performing religious ceremonies, we’ve tried and tested everything. There’s no one who knows our bodies and disabilities better than us and it is okay to be disabled. Please don’t ask about our medical history, instead, why don’t we chat about our dreams and aspirations over a cup of chai?

Not all disabilities are visible

While we do not have Indian numbers, global statistics show that one out of every 10 people lives with an invisible disability. Quite likely, there might be someone with an invisible condition right next to you or in your vicinity. So, be kind and empathetic. Offer help but don’t insist if they decline the help.

Become allies

Accessibility benefits all and everyone, at some point in their lives, requires accessibility. There are no two ways about it. Hence, it’s an inclusive practice to call for accessible infrastructure like ramps, tactile paths, and accessible washrooms in public places, as mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act of 2016.

It’s okay to be curious but not disrespectful

Help a person with disability with accessibility. (Photo: Vicky Hladynets via Unsplash)

If you meet a person with a disability, please (please!) don’t stare at them as if they’re an alien who’s just dropped from space. If you are curious about the way they walk, talk, or live in a certain way, feel free to ask them politely. However, ensure that the question is not personal, disrespectful, derogatory, or offensive, and don’t push if they choose not to answer.

It’s also okay to educate young ones about disability because it is a natural part of humanity and not a bad thing!

Ensure prior accessibility checks

If you’re travelling with a person with a disability, understand what their accessibility needs are and check if the destination meets those needs. Some basic requirements may include but are not limited to, an accessible entrance, ramps, elevators, step-free pathways, tactile pathways, accessible washrooms, etc. If not, be open to tweaking your itinerary a little!

Be open to accommodate

Did you know that we spend hours researching about accessibility, yet somehow still end up at an inaccessible place? Travel has some commendable effects on mental health but for people with disabilities, it adds to the anxiety and stress, leaving no room for fun and joy! People with disabilities have diverse needs and may require additional support such as a seat with more legroom, or a room with an attached accessible washroom. Little adjustments like these can go a long way in making people with disabilities feel included.

Become Disability-aware

Disability awareness helps. (Photo via Unsplash)

Once, in college, I was stuck in a classroom. There was no one drop me to the class next door that was soon to begin. I called for help as someone passed by and frantically began guiding them on how to propel my wheelchair. It almost felt like a breath of fresh air as they got my wheelchair across the step without me explaining to them! Read about the community, try to understand their perspectives, and contribute to an inclusive world, where people feel welcome and are not held by barriers of mindsets, beliefs, and opinions.

As we celebrate the global ubiquitous thread of leisure and travel that binds us together, let us not forget people with disabilities, whose hearts long to travel but the environment often chides away. Let’s become the kind beings that we are and pave the way for an inclusive world where people with disabilities are not bombarded with questions about their illnesses but smiles and laughter that feel like a warm hug!

So, as we travel, let’s take everybody and travel together, shall we?