Accessible Travel with Spinal Cord Injury – lessons from 23 years on the road
By Scott Crowley, Support Coordinator, estara
In this blog post we talk to Scott, one of estara’s Support Coordinators. A wheelchair user for 23 years, Scott has had a long association with travel for both leisure and professional purposes. He has travelled weekly as a sports competitor, run an accessible travel business and advised both national and State Governments, with his wife, on how to make experiences more accessible for people living with a disability.
Here are his tips on how to get it right as both a provider and traveller.
Things to consider as a traveller with SCI
I would like people to know up front that travelling with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is possible – in fact it would be great to see more people do it. I have travelled all over the world and Australia. Some fantastic experiences have been sightseeing in Florence, travelling between London and Paris on the Eurostar and seeing Berlin’s dark history. Closer to home the Tantanoola Caves were fully accessible with my wheelchair, I’ve done the Oyster Tour in Port Lincoln and more recently a tour to the Great Barrier Reef in Port Douglas.
No one wants travel to be stressful so here are some tips for making it easier:
1. Define ‘accessible’ for yourself
While accessibility has become a bit of a buzz word, ‘accessible’ means different things to different people. Some travellers need an accessible bathroom and step-free entry. Others don’t need a roll-in shower but do need wide doors or enough room to turn a power chair.
I always tell people: know your own ability and what works for you. Then ask providers the exact questions that matter.
For example:
Can I see photos of the bathroom and toilet?
Is there space for my wheelchair beside the bed?
Is there step-free access from the car park to the room?
Don’t be shy about asking. Your definition of accessible won’t always match theirs.
2. Ask lots of questions
Confidence is everything and can take the stress out of travel. As a traveller with SCI, that means knowing what to expect before you arrive. Unfortunately, there’s still no single source of reliable information. You’ll often have to contact providers direct and ask very specific questions.
Some tips:
Look for accessibility statements — the good operators are starting to publish them.
Join travel forums and read first-hand reviews from other wheelchair users.
Call ahead - tell them your chair type (manual, power, dimensions, weight) and ask exactly what you need to know.
3. Air travel: be organised and outspoken
Flying is one of the biggest pain points.
Here are my tips for a better flight:
Budget airlines are often harder to deal with and may not have the right equipment – I tend to avoid them if I can.
Arrange assistance in advance with every airline. Don’t just rock up. Most now have a special booking service for example this is Qantas’.
Have documentation ready for batteries, smart drives, and medications.
Take photos of your chair and any other equipment before you fly. Things can get bashed around, and having proof helps with claims.
You’ll usually be first on and last off. Allow plenty of time for transfers, especially with connecting flights.
I’ve had good and bad experiences on flights. It really pays to ask questions at every stage – when you book, at check-in, when you get onboard. Remember, each of these points is looked after by different staff with different levels of training so it pays to always check that information has been received, and everyone is clear on your needs.
4. Equipment and packing
A couple of things to think about before you pack:
You can find travel equipment like compact commode chairs which can make life easier when away.
Power assist devices are good if you are likely to spend long hours in your chair sight-seeing and can reduce the effort of pushing over uneven surfaces.
Always bring more toiletries and medications then you think you will need and keep essential items in your carry-on.
Make sure your wheelchair and equipment are covered by insurance.
5. Getting around once you’re there
Transport is one of the trickiest parts of travel.
Hire cars: accessible hire cars don’t really exist, so you are likely to be reliant on a family member, friend or public transport if travelling alone.
Taxis: these can be a mixed bag depending on where you are travelling to - don’t assume you’ll find an accessible cab quickly.
Public transport: patchy in Australia – for example in Melbourne not all trams are accessible. Similarly, overseas I have had great experiences in major cities like Berlin and London and terrible ones in placed like Prague and Budapest.
Sometimes the best option is to stay central so you don’t have to rely on transport as much. In Florence (probably my favourite destination), for example, I could wheel to most attractions from where we stayed.
What I want providers to think about and know
Even with all the preparation in the world, travel often comes down to how providers handle accessibility. Here’s what I wish more of them would understand:
1. We want to participate fully, not just watch
Travellers with disability want the same thing as everyone else: to participate and enjoy the experience. Welcoming us as equals makes a huge difference.
2. Be clear and upfront about accessibility
Publish an accessibility statement that says exactly what’s available – some examples below:
Adelaide Oval
Have current photos of bathrooms, toilets, and entryways — these are often more helpful than written descriptions. You don’t have to publish them online but have them ready for anyone that asks.
Define your version of “accessible” so travellers can decide if it works for them. This should include as much detail as possible.
3. Train your staff
Some of my worst experiences have been when airline or hotel staff didn’t know what to do or made me feel like I was a problem. Some of the best have been when staff were confident and proactive. Confidence from providers creates confidence for travellers.
4. Think about the whole experience
Accessibility doesn’t stop at the entrance.
Ask yourself:
Can a wheelchair user use the bathroom?
Can they buy a ticket at the counter or a souvenir at the gift shop?
Can they participate fully in the activity?
5. Learn from the good examples
When providers get it right, it stands out. The Quicksilver reef tour in Port Douglas that I mentioned above, for example, explained everything upfront and had a plan for every step. It made the whole trip stress-free. More providers need to aim for that standard.
Last words
Travel with SCI can be challenging, but it’s absolutely worth it. With planning and persistence, you can have experiences that stay with you for life, as I have. Recently, I have seen more providers start to think about accessibility which is a move in the right direction. However, we still have a way to go, and it would be great to see more providers of flights, travel, accommodation and experiences think about what they can do to make travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone.