Wheelchair easy travel

As the saying goes, when you go out and rely on friends, a common language or writing can help you communicate; when you encounter difficulties, you can easily seek help. Because wheelchair users will have more questions before and during the trip, especially about barrier-free settings, toilets, asking directions, making appointments for special assistance, and even requiring assistance in emergencies, etc.You should choose a travel destination with fewer communication barriers。

The commonly used language of Hong Kong people is Cantonese, followed by English and Putonghua, and the text is traditional Chinese;Basically, going to Taiwan, a popular tourist spot for Hong Kong people, is definitely an entry point, Communication is never difficult, and the Chinese characters are all used, so whether you watch instructions for shopping or lead the way, or even ask for help through dialogue, it is easy.

Japan is also a popular tourist area for Hong Kong people. Although there is no common language, the text is written in Chinese characters. This can be used to estimate the meaning, plusSome Japanese also understand English and are willing to help others carefully, So it is very popular with Hong Kong people and wheelchair people.

As for other western countries, many countries also use English as their main language, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, so communication is basically not a problem；

But if you want to go to countries with your own language, such as Spain, Germany, South Korea, etc., it is recommended to plan and prepare before you travel. It is suitable for traveling with friends。

Accessibility facilities in a place are very important for wheelchair users.Points to pay attention to on the hardwareHave:
-Is there barrier-free transportation?
-Is it easy to find the handicapped toilet?
-Is it convenient for the airport to leave the city?
-Is the attraction passage / ramp enough?
-Are there enough entrances and steps?
-Is the lift easy to find?
-Are the medical and emergency arrangements complete?

It is recommended that the first traveler can choose Tokyo, Daban, Taipei, Sanpan City, Singapore and other places with more complete subways and easy to find large shopping malls.. As for areas outside the major cities in the UK, such as Oxford and Cambridge, unlike London, where there are many large shopping malls, it is more difficult to find restrooms. As for some places due to environmental restrictions, such as the subways in Beijing, London and South Korea, not every station has elevators. . In addition, in some places near the sea and high water levels, in order to prevent the shops from sinking, many floor shops will have steps at the door, such as the outlying islands of Hong Kong, which cause inconvenience to wheelchair users. Avoid going to these places.

Through the Google Real Map, you can observe the basic accessibility and basic supporting facilities in various places, Such as whether the pavement on the street is level, whether the pedestrian crossing will have barrier-free design to facilitate wheelchair users to cross.

If you want to know the accessibility of local transportation, you can browse the official websites of major transportation tools, Understand the facilities displayed by the official, and search for relevant photos at the same time, observe the transportation to the barrier-free level.

In addition to the barrier-free packages mentioned above, you should also pay attention when choosing a tourist locationSoftware coordination,include:
-On the whole, are the locals friendly and easy to get along with?
-Is law and order stable?
-Are there any special religious taboos?
-Is the internet open?

As we all know, Japan is a very friendly city, and Taiwanese are very hospitable. The public security in the above two places and Singapore is also very good, and they are common to Hong Kong people. Places to go;

As for some non-popular tourist places, such as the Philippines, India, and even Turkey, which are not very open, it is recommended not to go alone, especially for wheelchair users Put the backpack behind the wheelchair and the risk of being stolen is relatively high;

In addition, because our wheelchair friends have to collect data before traveling, the most commonly used are Google real-world maps and route detection. They will also search for people with disabilities and accessibility news in different regions to understand the development of accessibility in each region. , So where the Internet is mature and more wheelchair friends have visited and shared their experiences will be more convenient for wheelchair users to prepare before setting off.

On the contrary, in some areas,It is difficult to find relevant accessibility information on the Internet, which indicates that the place lacks accessibility facilities and is not convenient for wheelchair users, It is not recommended to choose to go to these areas; such as the Philippines, there are only very short railways, and there are no barrier-free facilities, and there are no other barrier-free public transportation.

The purpose of each person's travel is different. Some people like to see the customs, some people are looking for excitement, and some people have a special liking for the nature of the countryside, but wheelchair friends should choose to go first.More prosperous cities and economic and trade centers as a base; This type of area has matured development, no matter transportation, entertainment, shopping, etc. are also available. In these areas, clothing, food, housing, and transportation are within easy reach, which is more convenient for wheelchair users.

Some bloggers once shared that some wheelchair friends encountered flight delays and delays, and needed an extra day of stay and then arrange transportation to the airport. Because wheelchair friends need to take care of more things, such as car rental, wheelchair rental and accessible hotel facilities, It is also not suitable for "shopping on the ground" at the airport. If you are a base in a big city, the arrangement is more flexible and convenient.

No matter what route is used to travel, it is most important to be able to reach and leave the destination safely and easily, so try toChoose a visa location with simple visa procedures and immigration policies, In order to save the waiting time and convenience of immigration, andPay attention to whether the barrier-free facilities at the airport are convenient。

The subways in major cities such as Japan, Taipei and Singapore are relatively complete, and barrier-free access is also provided to facilitate people in need. JR in Japan does not require wheelchair reservations.

There are conventions in the United States that specify wheelchair spaces. For example, in San Francisco, the trains (Caltrain) and subways (Bart) also specifically mark wheelchair spaces.

London, UK’s subway system is older and the subway has insufficient barrier-free infrastructure, but the British train system between different counties is relatively new. Connected by roads, cross-border railways have added barrier-free access channels and lifts to and from different floors for the convenience of different passengers. Some stations and train cars will also have barrier-free toilets to facilitate wheelchair users. Pay attention to wheelchair passengers in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, when travelling by train to other counties. They must purchase tickets in advance and communicate with the staff in advance to avoid any inconvenience when getting on the train.

But be carefulIn Mainland China, South Korea and other countries, barrier-free facilities are not yet fully universal, Wheelchair users will encounter greater difficulties when traveling in these areas.

The barrier-free transportation in the UK and some European cities is bus-first, such as buses in France Almost all bus routes can also be easily used by wheelchairs. Japan almost all buses have lifting equipment, which makes it easy for friends in wheelchairs to get in and out.

Many popular tourist destinations also have sightseeing buses, and most of the sightseeing buses in most areas are designed to facilitate the needs of wheelchair users, such as the sightseeing buses operated by the "Big Bus" company , They operate with a new bus fleet, with routes covering Sydney, London, Paris, Vienna, San Francisco, New York and Washington, etc., suitable for the needs of different people.

General public museums, zoos, and aquariums are operated by the government or large groups and need to comply with operating terms, so these places are barrier-free facilities They are relatively complete, and are also doing well in maintenance; most of them will establish official websites, which provide the latest information, including traffic and different barrier-free facilities details. Many exhibition halls, including the British Museum, National Gallery, National Palace Museum, etc., are all suitable for barrier-free tourism.

Fisherman’s Wharf has often been developed into a tourist area, with waterfront dining, street performances, live music performances, and similar outdoor markets in different countries and regions, which can be recommended to wheelchair users, such as the fishermen in San Francisco. Man's Wharf and Macau Fisherman's Wharf......

In Japan, there are many different large markets, mainly selling fish and seafood. You can choose some covered markets with flat ground, which are convenient for wheelchair users to shop and enjoy. Authentic local culture, even if it rains, will not be affected, such as Dabanheimen Market...

There are also many shopping malls around the world and Hong Kong,Large shopping malls generally have better facilities, with barrier-free access, elevators going to and from each floor, wide roads in the mall, and barrier-free toilets, which are convenient for wheelchair users.。

In many places, outlets are located near the airport, as a good place for tourists to sprint last, such as Daban, Hong Kong, Bangkok, etc., because the places have reserved space for passengers to pull suitcases, the roads are wide and flat.

Many areas will also take advantage of the natural beauty to build perfect outdoor promenades and waterfronts for visitors to enjoy the local scenery at any time; and the main unit will set up special themes in these venues, such as Hong Kong has the Avenue of Stars and the promenade.These officially managed outdoor spaces are generally well constructed and maintained, and wheelchair users can visit some places。

It is worth mentioning that whenever there are major international competitions or exhibitions, such as the Olympics, World Expos, etc., operators are usually selected from different countries around the world. After each successful bid, new venues will be planned immediately and The international display of friendly and equal policies, so most of them can meet the needs of different people, and facilitate the activities of wheelchair users in the venue.

The main cities hosting the Olympics must also cooperate with the Paralympics, soThe construction of barrier-free facilities will be greatly improved, Such as Beijing(Near Water Cube), London, Sydney, Athens, Tokyo, etc., it is recommended to travel to these places after the event is over, to avoid crowds, and wait for these facilities and related supporting facilities to become more mature.