Talk to airlines, bus lines and train lines and share any disabilities you have that will require special assistance during travel.
When making reservations. tell the hotel staff about the disabilities you have and any special accommodations you require. If you make reservations online, send an email before making any non-refundable reservations. If the hotel, inn, lodge or cruise liner truly wants your business and a positive review, they will gladly work to ensure your needs are met. It is up to you, however, to let them know what you need.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (Resource 2) to allow the State Department to assist you in an emergency. When you enroll in the program, you will include travel plans and an itinerary so the State Department can easily find you in the case of a family emergency at home, or if a crisis develops where you are traveling.
Pack all over-the-counter and prescription medications that you require and separate them from clothing and other items. This helps airport security and other travel security easily screen and clear your medications at checkpoints. You may need to declare or hand over large volumes of liquid medications to National Transportation Security officers, who will handle the medication during travel and return it to you at your destination.
Check your medical insurance to see if your policy covers emergencies overseas. If not, you may want to consider buying supplemental insurance to prevent incurring expensive, foreign medical bills.
Fill in all emergency information on your passport and sign it. This information will help EMS and police in foreign countries contact your doctors and family in case of emergencies.
Leave family and friends copies of your passport, medical information and travel itinerary in case of emergencies. Plan to call and check-in with loved ones regularly, especially if you are disabled and traveling alone.
Program the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs emergency assistance line: 1-888-407-4747 from the US and Canada, and 202-501-444 from abroad. Put these numbers into your mobile phone and keep a written copy in your pocket.
