Traveling with a blind companion

Trust me when I tell you that this could be one of the more challenging but at the same time rewarding experiences. When both of us are unable to see enough to find our way, we have to use our skills, depend on each other, and be brave about it.

Firstly, we need to ensure that the airline knows that we need help. When we land at our destination, we have to ensure that we get help to find our luggage and then a cab to the hotel and when we get to the hotel we have to ensure that we can find our way to and from our room.

I have a few pointers for those blind persons who wish to travel together.
1. Inform the airline that you need assistance all the way. Because you are unable to use the self-check-in at the kiosks, it is always a wise idea to show up even a bit earlier than the normal check-in time.
2. Make sure that you identify yourself to the agents at the desk. You would need to ensure that the person bringing you to the airport could at least find you a porter who can take you up to the desk.
3. Make sure that you have requested the same type of help at your destination.
4. At the hotel, it may be wise to request a room on one of the lower floors to avoid any complications with the elevators.
5. If there are no Braille or large print labels on the door to your room, then you may want to place some tape on your door to help with the identification process.
6. Never hesitate to ask the front desk for help. They are almost always very helpful.
7. Most hotel rooms are almost always laid out in the same way so once you get the hang of it, it should not be too difficult.

I hope this helps and you can learn more about how blind persons travel by going to www.traveleyes.com.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and share my blogs with others.

Traveling alone

At the best of times, traveling alone for anyone could be a bit of everything; lonely, boring, scary, anxious, and so much more. However, when you are blind and have to depend on sighted assistance in unfamiliar territory, it sure makes for some very interesting challenges.

As for me, I would like to refer to myself as a fairly seasoned traveler but for all that this is worth, I still have a plethora of feelings each time I do it alone. I do my best to line up sighted assistance before I embark on my trip. That is, I notify the airline or train company that I am traveling with that I am a blind passenger and would need help. I have found that nine out of ten times it works, and staff at these companies are more than willing to help me.

The most anxious moments for me come when I have to go through security; they are not always very accommodating as they often tend to want to take my cane away from me without first asking or advising. Or when I am waiting to board either the train or plane. I sit there with fists clenched praying that they do not forget me.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and asking you to go out there and share my thoughts with others. Visit www.traveleyes.org to learn how blind and sight impaired persons go about traveling the world.

At the Beach with Mom

This is one of my most enjoyable times; going on a beach vacation with my mom.  We have so much fun and she is literally my eyes.  She helps me to negotiate buffets, crowded areas, hotel lobbies, and so on.

 

She describes so much to me; the scenery around us, people passing and walking, and the activity on the beach.  We have so much fun together and she is never tired of describing, explaining, and helping.  Some may say that this is all in a day's work for her because she is mom; but I never take anything for granted.  Mom is my eyes!  My guide!  My best friend!

 

When we walk on the beach I kick my memory into high gear and imagine that I can see the rolling waves, the soft golden sand, the cloudless skies, plus more.  I bring swaying trees into my mind's eye.  Then I expand the picture with boats, surfers, and swimmers.  Then I finish off the picture with sand castles, shells lying lazily on the beach, and sun tanners.  O boy!  What a joy!

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to come and explore the world through the eyes of a blind person.

Visit www.traveleyes-international.org to learn more.