Everyone Can Travel: Taking a Gap Year for Persons With Disabilities

We reached out to Juanita Lillie from Abroad With Disabilities, a Michigan non-profit that empowers persons with disabilities to go abroad, to co-author this post with us. Enjoy her take on travel with a disability!

JUANITA LILLIE ON THE BENEFITS OF A GAP YEAR:

“I am a woman of color with a disability. Many of my readers likely have disabilities or impairments as well as identities related to gender, sexual orientation, race, or the label of first generation student. I went abroad twice, once to study and once in pursuit of a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certification. You are reading this entry because you are interested in going abroad, more specifically participating in a Gap Year Program.

Although going abroad is exciting, a few “what if” statements have likely entered your mind. You are not alone. Your friends, family, gap year consultants and instructors, and many others are asking the same thing. While you should not be worried, I do advise some planning and preparation.

I cried on the first leg of my journey to Costa Rica. “Why?” you may ask. I did not receive the accommodations that I requested. My three aids in that moment were previous conversations with professionals working for my program, learning about available resources, and advocating for myself. Here I will describe some highlights of my experience and provide tips on how to plan for your gap year based on that experience.

Going abroad was an adventure and a highlight of my life, despite my barriers and unexpected turns such as the lack of accommodations at the airport and losing my mobility device, white cane, in the ocean. In fact, those setbacks helped me to improve. First, I became a better advocate for myself. Second, I was more creative when adapting fun adventures such as surfing as a blind person. Finally, I was more able to meet the objectives I set for my time abroad. Furthermore, I have had the amazing opportunity of meeting many other individuals with disabilities who have gone abroad in high school, between high school and college, or during college and grad school.”

THE SCOPE ON PROGRAM PARTICIPATION WITH A DISABILITY

Most gap year programs don’t cater specifically to students with disabilities. In fact, some may actively discourage students with certain disabilities from participating due to the physically challenging nature of their programs. You may have to ask a few more questions to ensure that a potential gap year program can fit specific needs. Despite lacking a structure built specifically for gappers with disabilities, many programs are willing to work with each individual on a circumstantial basis.

A few of our Accredited Programs have worked with students with disabilities in past. The following programs have several alumni with disabilities and work on a case-by-case basis to provide the gap year experience to all students:

• Omprakash
• KIVU

Pacific Discovery and The Leap both have physically challenging programs and do not accept participants with physically disabilities; however, they have systems in place to assist  students with challenges hearing or who are non-hearing).

JUANITA LILLIE ON THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING A GAP YEAR:

“There are many things to consider when finding the gap year program that is right for you.

First, you should decide whether you wish to participate independently or in a small group.

Second, it is helpful to consider the support you would like to receive abroad. Types of support include a clear trip itinerary beforehand, structured schedules while abroad, guidance to mapping out the experience, and insurance that includes mental health and or medical consultation.

Other considerations include types of excursions, the amount of time you would like to be active throughout the day, the type of work or learning that you would like to do or receive, and travel type and time from location to location.”

QUESTIONS TO ASK GAP YEAR PROVIDERS

Here are some questions to ask a potential gap year program provider when determining whether they’re a good fit for you:

• Does the program have alum with disabilities? Can I get their contact information? Get in touch to learn about their experiences.
• How has the program assisted students with disabilities in past?
• What mobility requirements does the program have, based on the activities included in the itinerary?
• Will a health professional be available if needed? Will a guide be available to provide physical assistance if necessary?
• Will the terrain, accommodations, and transportation be wheelchair-friendly (if applicable)?

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH A DISABILITY

STAY ON TOP OF MEDICAL PAPERWORK

All student travelers should carry medical paperwork, but this is especially important for students with disabilities. Carry a doctor’s note listing your conditions, medications, special needs, and other relevant information at all times.

Make sure your program leader has a copy as well.

Set up an emergency plan with the program leader that includes your emergency contact information and the emergency phone number of your home doctor or specialist. Talk to your doctor about your upcoming trip and what extra safety precautions should be taken.

Juanita Lillie on Gathering Resources to Support Your Travel:

“It is recommended that you dialogue with the appropriate professionals and your support system in your home country about the accommodations and support you may need abroad. These individuals could be medical professionals, parents or other relatives, trusted friends, and or your program… speak with your Gap Year Consultants or instructors as soon as possible in order to learn about available resources in the host country and come up with strategies to prepare for your gap year experience.

Check with your host country to see if you are able to purchase or rent your mobility devices. Try to find out whether there are any differences in the devices. The replacement cane that I received in Costa Rica was actually a thousand times better for me in my new situation than the U.S-purchased one I lost, as the terrain in Costa Rica was different.“

SPARE PARTS ARE KEY

Anyone traveling with a mobility aid should bring spare parts and tools to make minor repairs on the road. Wheelchair users may also be required to dismantle a wheelchair for flights and certain activities; know how to do this in advance and find a partner to help if needed.

If it comes to it, you may be able to find a replacement mobility device on the road. Juanita Lillie lost her cane to the ocean, but was able to find a new and improved replacement in Costa Rica that was better adapted to that environment.

TAKE A BREAK

FOMO is contagious, but don’t let it get to you. You can even practice JOMO (joy of missing out) instead. Plan breaks into the adventurous itinerary. Students are at their best when they’re well-rested. Simple exposure to new cultures, ideas, and ways of life can be exhausting, let alone the physical demands of travel.

Be sure to get enough sleep (bring earplugs) and take frequent breaks. Many programs plan these breaks directly into the schedule.

CONSIDER THE ACCOMMODATIONS YOU’LL NEED:

Juanita Lillie on Planning for Accommodations:

“I encourage you to look at your activities of daily living. What may you require in order to eat, drink, shower, move from room to room, dress yourself, etcetera? Consider the accommodations that you require. These could be access to medications, the use of mobility devices, contact with interpreters and or therapists, or support from caregivers and interpreters.

Regardless, it is essential to discuss the options and available resources to you explore organizations that may work with individuals with similar disabilities to yours or connect with alumni with disabilities who have gone abroad to learn more about access in the host country.”

LIVE BY THE “THREE P’S”

Proper. Prior. Planning.

Never be afraid to be diligent about details. Plan everything out ahead of time.

• What transportation will you be using?
• Is there an accessible hotel near the airport you can take advantage of?
• Are the museums going to be accessible?
• What do you need to bring along to stick to any dietary restrictions?
• Is there a mini fridge you can use to keep your meds cold?

Make a list of every possible daily need. Test your list out for a day – carry it with you and note down anything you might have taken for granted. Highlight the most important needs and find solutions before the big arrival date.

Call ahead to check accessibility at hotels, museums, tour companies, and more.

STAY CALM AND TRAVEL ON

You’ve followed the Three Ps. Good for you! But no matter how flawless your perfect planning seems, it could still fall through at some point.

“Accessibility” can mean something entirely different when you’re away from home: the hotel manager may consider his willingness to carry you up the stairs “accessibility.” Be prepared to go with the flow if your careful planning doesn’t pan out. Pack your sense of humor with your toothbrush and stay calm. This is part of the adventure!

Juanita Lillie on Remaining Open to the Unexpected:

“Needs may be met in other ways that seem strange or uncomfortable to your traditions or culture, but it is invaluable to be open and creative about methods to remove and reduce the barriers that you may face abroad. You can and should plan, but this will not prevent the unexpected from happening.

As such, it is vital for you to be ready to advocate, communicate, and seek out the available resources. Therefore, it would be helpful for you to speak with your Gap Year Consultants or instructors as soon as possible in order to learn about available resources in the host country and come up with strategies to prepare for your gap year experience.”

CHECK THESE RESOURCES FOR DESTINATION INFORMATION, TRAVEL TIPS, AND MORE

Juanita Lillie on Gathering Resources and Advice:

“Learn from and connect with others! Dialogue safely with other individuals who may have gone to the country of your choice. Ask them questions. They may not have a disability, but you can ask them to describe the country’s daily and popular activities, culture, and environment.

Then connect with others with disabilities and ask about their experiences. Remember, we and our experiences are all unique. Let’s compare notes. You can even look for resources for your friends, parents, and loved ones. Remember, everyone would like to ensure your safety, so learn about ways for your support system to continue to support you abroad. You know yourself. Be sure to advocate and communicate your needs.”

Wheelchair Travel – Destinations: Accessibility destination information for popular cities around the world.

Accomable: Accessible international accommodation information.

Have Wheelchair Will Travel: Detailed advice for wheelchair users new to international travel.

Rexy Adventures: Budget travel tips and reviews from deaf adventure traveler Ed Rex.

Curb Free With Cory Lee: Wheelchair travel blog that reviews accessible destinations and offers tips.

SCHOLARSHIPS

See our scholarship page for the full list of funding options for gap year students. There aren’t many scholarship options that specifically target gap year students with disabilities, but most general scholarships are inclusive.

Additional funding options:

Rotary club. Local Rotary Clubs are likely to fund students with disbilities with adventurous travel goals. Think about what you can give back to the club. See our scholarship application tips.

Success Oriented Achievement Realized (SOAR), www.soarnc.org. Serves youth with learning disabilities or with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder who want to build life skills through adventure opportunities in the U.S. and Latin America.

Wilderness Inquiry, www.wildernessinquiry.org. Organizes a wide variety of canoe, sea kayak, dogsled, rafting, horse pack, and hiking trips in Africa, North America, Oceania, and other regions of the world. All trips include people with and without disabilities working together to make the outdoor adventures open to everyone.

Deep gratitude to Juanita Lillie for sharing her insight into travel with a disability! Please get in touch with Juanita for more information and for support in planning your gap year adventure:

AWDteam@AbroadWithDisabilities.org
AbroadWithDisabilities.org

Photo Credit: Flavio Silva