Too often, organizations are happy to tick the necessary boxes to cover themselves if something should go wrong for their travelers and overlook the complexities and increased level of risk for disabled travelers in particular. My colleagues and I have spoken with a number of disabled business travelers to identify things your travel and security teams should consider.
Manage Expectations
Locals may stare. Facilities may be lacking. Disabled travelers may have to forgo certain experiences and will be uncertain of the reception they will receive. It may not be ideal, but it's best to encourage disabled travelers to temper expectations when heading abroad, especially to poorer countries. If traveling from a Western country, they may be surprised at how different the local landscape is.
Attitudes toward disabled people vary greatly across the globe. Both the traveler and those responsible for the traveler's safety should take the time to research and familiarize themselves with local attitudes. Understand how people with disabilities may be received by locals so your travelers can mentally prepare prior to travel.
Travelers can discuss apprehensions with a trained counselor. Also provide cultural guides with links, phone numbers and other tools that can help travelers identify the level of assistance they may require.
Be Clear About the Traveler's Condition
The traveler should be familiar with the difficulties he or she may encounter. Discuss the traveler's needs. Ahead of travel, clearly communicate the traveler's needs to airlines, hotels, transport and security companies. Also flag the traveler's preferred means of communication, such as large print or braille.
Travelers should check with airlines and travel departments whether their medications are allowed in the country they're heading to and whether it's possible to purchase more if they run out. Likewise, proactively establish what sort of accessibility will be available on flights, in accommodation and elsewhere. For example, travelers with breathing difficulties should be aware that pressurized canisters attached to breathing apparatuses may be affected as the plane flies higher and the pressure changes. Those in wheelchairs should know their chairs will be stored in the hull and thus the travelers will need assistance boarding and departing the plane.
Likewise, ensure that accommodation bookings are suited to the needs of the traveler, such as hotels with lifts, ground floor access, proximity to medical help, a refrigerator for medication, an accessible telephone, grab rails and a level-entry shower.
Overcome these challengers before the traveler leaves the country.
Prepare for Unexpected Limitations
Sadly, disabled travelers need to brace themselves for disappointment, as there will almost certainly be things they cannot do when overseas. These limitations may be expected, but some may be more subtle and unexpected.
It probably won't surprise travelers with mobility issues to learn that there's no wheelchair access to the Giza pyramids. However, travelers may not expect that the local climate can take a heavy toll on those with skin conditions, in wheelchairs or with albinism or other conditions. Encourage travelers not to assume anything about the weather and to check, check and check again, right up until the day of departure.
Doing this research in advance may take a while but can flag roadblocks ahead of time, such as restaurants that aren't wheelchair accessible. This is also better for the traveler's mental health.
When discussing the challenges disabled business travelers face, education plays as big a role as expectation management, both for the traveler and for the organization at large. Don't treat disabled travelers as burdens or bureaucratic difficulties but rather as assets to your organization. It's your duty of care obligation to ensure disabled travelers are treated with consideration, equality and respect; enjoy a successful business trip; and return home safely.