Handicapped Accessibility

Author Message   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 6426 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.163.18.160 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 11:51 pm:    Martha's point (about a lack of accommodation abroad for mobility impaired travelers) is well taken. If you decide to go ahead anyway, and are looking for hotel rooms that do not require climbing stairs, don't forget that in most of the world floors are named the Brit way -- that is, their "first floor" is our "second floor."   Martha Fralia Advanced Member Username: Mjfralia Post Number: 386 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 75.141.137.233 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 09:38 pm:    This has been addressed before, but Europe in general IS NOT handicapped friendly. Access to public transportation with the exception of busses is a problem, many hotels do not have elevators not to mention the stairs into buildings. I have never seen a wheelchair ramp. In my opinion, getting on a Space-A flight is the least of your worries.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2682 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 03:03 pm:    Anthony: As I understand it, the only issue for denying a disabled person space available transportation is the unacceptable risk to safety...of the individual, other passangers and crew. This most usually will be an issue of safe, unassisted egress from the aircraft in an emergency. Aircraft that are not at issue would be the C-9, C-17, C-130, C-21, C-12, C-37, C-38, C-40, and other "exec-type" aircraft. Problematic aircraft would include KC-135 and C-5 (central ladder). Unknown: KC-10. Again, the nature and extent of the disability would come into play. It has been my experience that PaxReps and aircrews will do everything possible to accommodate a disabled passenger. If they say that they can't, trust them...it's with good reason. I'd recommend giving a call out to your local base and talk to a PaxRep supervisor to get a good feel. Happy Travels, John   Anthony Rock New member Username: Firemedic3 Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2010 Posted From: 192.234.90.30 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 01:38 pm:    I'm in the same boat as John, We're looking to travel, my wife can do what we call the "short bursts of speed" without the wheelchair, usually ambulatory (few stairs) and sometimes she uses a walker locally, but we use a wheelchair for any trips. Any advice on Space-A travel? Different trips, but our ending locations we're trying to go to end up in are: Rome, Italy, Scotland and Alaska. Thanks   Larry Campbell Senior Member Username: Czeezo Post Number: 917 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 71.107.152.127 Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 05:39 pm:    Here is what I saw many years ago. There was a retired Vet with no legs. They said (the staff from the terminal at Andrews AFB) that he had to board with no one helping. He went up the stairs to board the C130 with his hands and down the isle to his seat. He was a real trooper!   dinotars Senior Member Username: Dinotars Post Number: 6739 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.169.151.24 Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 01:19 pm:    Disabled Passengers: From DOD 4515/13R. C1.3.7. Disabled Passengers. Every effort shall be made to transport passengers with disabilities who are otherwise eligible to travel. Passenger service personnel and crew members shall provide assistance in loading, seating, and unloading the disabled passenger. Travel may be disapproved by the chief of the passenger travel section or the aircraft commander if there is an unacceptable risk to the safety of the disabled passenger, other passengers or the crew, or if operational necessity or equipment or manpower limitations preclude accepting disabled passengers. Such disapprovals shall be rare. In such cases, air terminal personnel must ensure that the passenger understands why air transport is not possible on the mission in question. When a disabled passenger is denied transportation for the above reasons, and when his or her sponsor or dependent, who is otherwise eligible to travel, accompanies the disabled passenger to assist in his or her needs, travel shall be approved if such assistance will eliminate the reasons for denying travel.   Larry Campbell Senior Member Username: Czeezo Post Number: 916 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 71.107.152.127 Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 01:10 pm:    Many years ago - I was told that any person on Space A must be able to board and get off the plane by herself - with out the help of any other person. But that was about 10 years ago and they my have changed the rules.   John Andrew Clark New member Username: Flyboy Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 67.166.76.215 Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 12:59 pm:    My wife is handicapped (can handle a few stair steps, but primarily uses wheelchair when we travel). Interested in getting info about traveling Space A both from AMC/acft AND overseas destinations' standpoint (since "ADA" is obviously a U.S., not international law). Suggestions?