Airplanes

 

Flying presents a first obstacle for a wheelchair user (WU).  Our flight took us from Raleigh, NC to Philadelphia, PA to Gatwick, England.  The flight from Philadelphia to Gatwick was approximately seven hours long.  Airplanes are currently not accessible to WU; however, with assistance from airport employees or companions, one can definitely maneuver the flight.

 

Tips:

1.  Contact airlines in advance to discuss what accommodations they can offer to fit your individual needs.

2.  Identify yourself as a WU upon purchase of tickets.  Be sure to request an aisle chair and transfer assistance, if needed.

3.  Remind the airline at ticket check-in and at flight check-in of your needs.  Ask to be boarded on the airplane first, which provides privacy and more room.  Ask to be seated near a bathroom.  Ask to have the aisle chair remain on the airplane.

4. Bathrooms are not accessible and are very small on airplanes.  Try scheduling an overnight flight.  People are usually sleeping, which provides privacy during transfer or if you need companion assistance in the restroom.   If you are unable to shut the door, ask the attendant to pull the cabin divider curtains closed.  If there are no curtains, ask attendants to hold up flight blankets.   

5.  Remind attendants toward the end of the flight that you require assistance in exiting the airplane.

 

Gatwick Airport: A passenger must request assistance (i.e. bag carrier, electric cart, temporary wheelchair, aisle chair etc.) at ticket check-in.  The airport has accessible bathrooms located at each restroom station.  The bathroom is a separate room and is very spacious for wheelchair maneuvering.  Rails pull down easily from an upright position on the wall, but tend to be slightly wobbly. 

http://www.gatwickairport.com/ (Locate the “Special Needs” Section)

 

Trains

 

Once in Europe, we traveled to each destination via trains.  Unfortunately, many of the trains are wheelchair inaccessible.

 

Tips:

1.  Attempt to locate a travel agent that can assist you in locating accessible trains. 

2.  Purchasing tickets through a eurail program is cheaper, but it may limit you to inaccessible trains.  Be sure to get your pass validated before getting on the train.  http://www.eurail.com/

3.  If you get placed on an inaccessible train, ask staff for help as many were very nice.

 

Eurostar (London Waterloo/Paris Gare du Nord):  If taking a taxi to Waterloo Station, ask the driver to drop you off at the accessible entrance.  If taking a bus, there are signs from the stop that lead to the accessible entrance.  On the lower floor between the elevators, there is a disability service desk with a phone.  Ask the operator for assistance and they will send an attendant to assist with check-in and luggage.  Wheelchair seating and one companion seat are discounted ($58.00) and are located in first class.  Staff will setup a portable ramp to enable a WU to board the train.  The aisles and doors of the train are spacious.  Ask for a raised meal tray upon boarding if the regular tray is too low.  Meals on-board are very appetizing.  Bathrooms are large and have rails.  At Gare du Nord, a portable ramp is used to allow exit from the train and the station had no barriers to street level.

http://www.eurostar.com/ (Select Plan Your Travel; then select Special Travel Needs)

 

Artesia Night Train (Paris Bercy/Roma Termini):  Our train departed Paris Bercy where we were informed that there was no ramp or lift at this station.  The train was not wheelchair accessible.  Doorways and halls are too narrow for a small wheelchair.  Staff are willing to assist with carries.  A private room is the best option; however, the room is very small.  The beds fold down from the walls, which makes transferring difficult.  The bathroom is not accessible as it is barely large enough for one standing person.  At this time, I do not recommend taking this train. 

 

Eurostar Italia (Termini/Milano Centrale):  A WU should go to the disability services office at least 45 minutes before departure to request an escort and lift into the train.  The lift is attached to an electric cart and is somewhat old.  The train had an accessible seating area and accessible bathroom with grab bars.  

 

Barcelona Sants/Zaragoza/Atocha:  The three train stations were accessible to a WU.  Portable ramps and luggage assistance were provided.  However, on the first train, I was asked to transfer due to a lack of accessible seating.  This made the connection difficult as the language barrier prevented the attendants from understanding that I could only walk a few steps at a time.