Travel barriers for D/deaf and D/disabled people

Why is this a problem?

Travel can be harder for D/deaf and D/disabled people, making it more expensive, stressful, and tiring. This can make it difficult to attend in-person meetings, and some members may not be able to participate or may attend under extra strain.

Common problems include:

• Support and guidance problems
  • No clear contact person to help with accessibility planning
  • No guidance on how to arrange accommodations for specific needs
  • Traveling without regular caregiver or personal support.
  • Higher travel stress, physical pain and fatigue because of limited support and long journeys
• Accessibility support issues
  • Not having access to personal equipment or a full technology setup while travelling
  • Risk of mobility equipment being damaged during travel
  • No access to sign language interpreters during travel
• Inaccessible spaces
  • Airports, trains, or taxis that are not fully accessible.
  • Limited information about accessibility in the host city
• Funding and expense problems
  • Extra costs and difficulty finding accessible transport, hotels, or flights
  • Paying out of pocket for mobility equipment, support workers, or special insurance

Ways to address the barrier