Know Your Rights
Identify Yourself
"Every major airline has a department dedicated to meeting the needs of passengers with disabilities and other special needs," writes Christopher Elliott, co-founder of Travelers United, in a piece for The Washington Post. The key is to let the airline know before a flight.
"You can do that by checking 'special assistance required' when filling out your passenger details online," Elliott writes.
Enlist Help
The New York Times suggests working with a travel agent who knows the kinds of details that matter to disabled travelers, including the layout of specific airports. "Consider agencies that have experts on staff that specialize in accessible travel, like the ones at Travel Leaders, New Directions Travel or Disabled Travelers, among others." And don't forget to bring their contact info with you, in case any issues arise.
Request the Right Seat
Typically, passengers with disabilities are given a certain amount of seat preference—often an aisle seat, toward the front of the plane. But as Elliott points out, those seats are increasingly being offered at a premium.
Get the TSA on Your Side
Seventy-two hours before your flight, be sure to connect with TSA Cares, a helpline from the Transportation Security Administration for passengers with disabilities or medical needs. They can also connect you with TSA Passenger Support Specialists. Both programs are getting a much needed reboot.
Consider TSA Precheck
John Morris, founder of WheelchairTravel.org, suggests getting approved for TSA Precheck, if you travel more than once a year. The main benefit? Being exempted from the full-body pat-down, most of the time. "Your membership restores some of the dignity that we all sacrifice when traveling in those cramped metal tubes called airplanes," he writes.
Carry Evidence
It's useful to carry a TSA notification card. An official doctor's note, or medical certificate, isn't required—but it can help. While no one needs to "prove" a disability, having documentation of any kind can often expedite potentially awkward situations.
