Using a qualified accessible travel agent can do a lot of the heavy lifting when planning a trip. Accessible travel author Candy Harrington offers these tips to help find the right travel agent for you:

• Ask a friend who has recently used an accessible travel agent.
• Confirm that the person is an accessibility travel expert.
• Does the agent travel personally?

Lodging is another important part of accessible travel. Use these tips to secure an accessible sleeping space for your getaway:

• Use a hotel name you’ve had success with in the past.
• Read up on hotel access laws to know about design standards for different establishments. You can find more information on the ADA website.
• If you’re using an online resource to book a hotel room, call to inquire about doorway widths, furniture height, and restroom accommodations. Request to see photos of the rooms.

Use these tips to make traveling by car, bus, or train as hassle-free as possible:

• Car: Use a portable mobility cart, such as the TravelMate™, for quick and easy rest-stop breaks. Pack meals and snacks to reduce the number of necessary stops.
• Bus: Contact the carrier as soon as possible to make arrangements. Many offer assistance with boarding, luggage, and retrieving mobility carts.
• Train: Choose the carrier that best meets your needs and requirements. For overnight routes, request a private bedroom and confirm that your care has wide enough doorways and that switches are low enough on the wall for you to reach.

Security screening is required for all airline passengers. It is recommended to arrive an extra hour early for check-in inspections. Your Amigo will be inspected first. A mirror is often used to inspect underneath the platform, followed by a series of questions regarding any recent maintenance within the past 48 hours of your Amigo. A TSA representative will then use a hand-wand and perform a security pat-down. Upon passing the security screenings, drive through the metal detectors on your Amigo, and you’re on your way! If you are uncomfortable with these public screenings, request a private screening area.

Non-spillable, sealed batteries are approved for commercial airline travel by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Amigo’s sealed AGM and lithium-ion batteries are approved for commercial airline travel. Amigo’s lithium-ion batteries are rated below 300 watt-hours. Acid batteries are not allowed on airplanes.

Some airlines have special instructions for traveling with personal mobility devices that use lithium-ion batteries, such as the Amigo TravelMate and Viva. Before checking your mobility device, the batteries will need to be removed and stored in carry-on baggage only. It’s strongly recommended that you contact your airline for further instructions.

You can find more information on the FAA’s packsafe webpage for wheelchairs and mobility devices. According to the FAA, Amigo battery-powered mobility aids must be checked luggage and are not allowed as carry-on luggage.

It is strongly recommended that you contact your airline to inform them that you will be checking your battery-powered Amigo. This will also help airline staff better prepare for loading, stowing, and securing your Amigo.

Many cruise lines now offer accessibility information right on their websites. Before reserving space on a cruise ship, contact the cruise line with any additional questions you may have.

Keep the following questions in mind to help determine the best cruise line for you:

• Is the ship, its rooms, and its restrooms fully accessible for personal mobility vehicles?
• Do cabins have low or no sills?
• Will my personal mobility vehicle fit on the ship’s elevators?
• Are ramps available on the decks?

Traveling internationally with your Amigo doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Verify that you have a universal charger. If you don’t, you can purchase one from Amigo
• Identify what type of batteries you have and the approximate age. If they are older than 18 months, Amigo recommends buying new batteries before traveling. Amigo has free shipping to our healthcare customers in the continental U.S.
• Consider taking a spare key. If you don’t have a spare, contact Amigo to get one. There is no shipping fee for customers in the continental U.S.
• Ensure you have the correct plug adaptor to use in the countries you are visiting.

Amigo’s Friendly Wheels blog features many stories and advice about accessible travel and vacation ideas. Read more:

• Beyond Barriers: Jim’s Guide to Accessible Adventuring
• Accessibility Tips from a Professional Tour Guide
• Experience the Disney Magic with Accessible Options
• Accessible Beach Days
• Accessible Vacation Ideas
• Florida Keys Charter Tours Creating Accessible Adventures
• Four of the best accessible trails in US national parks
• Taking Amigos On Vacation & Tips for Travel