A colleaugue of mine studying to be a special ed teacher recently wrote a paper focused on this topic. She made a list of insights of what should be considered when preparing for an overseas trip, including web links to top travel sites along with some information highlights. If you have anything to add to this great list, feel free to post your thoughts, tips and suggestions:

Tips to Travel Abroad with Special Needs:

- Don’t hesitate to ask a Security Officer for assistance with your mobility aid and carry-on items as you proceed through the security checkpoint.

- Let the Security Officer know your level of ability. For example: whether you can walk, stand, have limited arm movement, or if you cannot stand and/or walk through the walk-through metal detector. This will expedite the screening process.

- Ask the Security Officer for assistance if you need help walking through the metal detector.
Inform the Security Officer about any special equipment or devices that you are using and where this equipment or device is located on/in your body. This will help the Security Officer to be careful during a physical inspection if one is needed.

- Request a private area for your pat-down inspection if you feel uncomfortable with having a medical device being displayed while inspected by the Security Officer.

- Ensure that all bags and satchels hanging from, or carried on and under, your equipment are put on the X-ray belt for inspection.

- Ask the Security Officer for assistance with putting your items on the X-ray belt, if needed.

- Let the Security Officer know if you need assistance removing and putting your shoes back on your feet when additional screening is necessary.

- Let the Security Officer know if your shoes cannot be removed because of your disability so that alternative security procedures can be applied to your shoes.

- Ask the Security Officer to monitor your accessible property, mobility aid(s,) and device(s) during the screening process and reunite you with them once X-ray inspection is complete.
Security Officers will visually and physically inspect your wheelchair or scooter and perform explosive trace detection sample of the cushion. These inspections will be conducted while you remain in your wheelchair or on your scooter if you indicate that you cannot get out of your wheelchair or off your scooter.

- You should not be required to transfer from your wheelchair to another chair or be lifted out of your chair during the inspection process.

Other sites that were noted as offering good travel information for people with special needs is below:

http://www.accessibleurope.com/twasp/offertepersonali/search2.asp

Current Seat Availability
http://world.maporama.com/default.aspx
http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/transport/rail/rl_webs.htm
http://www.trenitaliaplus.com/ train / Eurail
http://www.seatguru.com/ : airline seating diagrams

- Access-Able Travel Source has an excellent database of articles and links about accessible travel to a variety of destinations. http://www.access-able.com/.

- Global Access News – Disabled Travel Network has useful general information about traveling in a wheelchair, and articles and links about travel to a variety of destinations. It also publishes a superb monthly e-zine with informative and interesting tidbits and links about accessible hotels, apartments, transportation and museums. To sign up, go to the website or send an email to clearpath@cox.net. (Note the new website address.) http://www.globalaccessnews.com/.

- Emerging Horizons has links to several sources of access information about Rome and other Italian cities. Emerging Horizons publishes a print magazine with articles about accessible travel to a variety of destinations, some of which are also on the website, and also publishes a book of practical advice about accessible travel in general. http://www.emerginghorizons.com/.

Please feel free to post other valuable and informative links to help others with alternative travel options and suggestions. Thanks and happy travels!