We are looking for a wheelchair that would be able to go on the beach, possibly powered? My daughter suffered a spinal cord injury and will be going to the New Jersey shore after her prom in June. Would love for her to have some independence.

Debbie

Answer:

The good news, Debbie, is that there are lots of products on the market, including motorized options. Plug beach wheelchair into Google and you’ll come up with lots of choices. Just as an example, the Seeker II has FDA approval and a “best new product” accolade (albeit from 2002). But there are tons to choose from, so log on, read the online brochures and talk to the manufacturers. Ask them why their product is superior to others and make sure they have a good warranty.

Question:

My sister is in an electric wheelchair. She was thinking of taking a trip, but she’s worried that if she goes on a plane they might disassemble the battery on her wheelchair and mess the chair up. Do you know what the general treatment is of wheelchairs on airplanes?

Answer:

Rules for wheelchair transport on aircraft may differ according to the country your sister is traveling to and the airline she is traveling with. However I did find some useful information from the United States of America Department of Transportation (DOT) Air Carrier Access Regulations, which state that airlines must transport battery-powered wheelchairs, except when cargo space doesn’t allow.

Depending on if your sister’s wheelchair runs on a spillable or non-spillable battery, the following rules apply:

For wheelchairs with spillable batteries - the battery must be removed, however if it’s possible to load, store, secure, and unload the wheelchair in an upright position, the carrier may not detach the battery from the wheelchair. However, a wheelchair battery may never be drained according to DOT.

For wheelchairs with non-spillable batteries – the battery shouldn’t be removed from the wheelchair before its stowed. However, if the battery is damaged or leaking or if the airline can’t determine if a battery is spillable or non-spillable, the battery may be removed.

The following DOT rules are in place to protect your sister’s rights and her wheelchair:

Question: I am looking for a firm that will insure my wheelchair against damage etc. especially on airlines, as they tend to handle them roughly. ~Lisanne

Answer: Travel insurance is important for disabled people when they go on holidays because most holiday insurance offered by travel companies will not cover damages that might occur to a wheelchair. If the insurance policy that is offered by your travel agent doesn't cover wheelchair damage, you should purchase additional or alternative insurance. Also, some travel insurance policies offered through travel companies have exclusion clauses that may affect disabled persons (often considered high risk).

Remember that you do not have to buy your insurance policy from your travel agent. It is often cheaper to buy insurance from your bank or an independent company that offers greater coverage or you and your wheelchair at a better rate. Costs of travel insurance vary a great deal from company to company, so it's a good idea to shop around.

For more information, 'Airport Security: Know Your Rights', an article featured in our Wheelchair News section.

Question: Do you know of a website that has lists of hotels that are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with amenities for disabled travelers? ~Chris

Answer: The Internet is a rich source of accessible travel websites and articles. The Wheelchair Site features a great article entitled 'Airport Security: Know Your Rights' in our wheelchair news section. Also check out the Wanago - A Guide to Wheelchair Accessible Travel (www.wanago.com).