Disabled and Handicapped Travel in Mexico
Before planning a trip to Mexico, it is important to realize that Mexican authorities have made little, if any, effort to ease the lives of handicapped or disabled persons. There are few ramps leading into buildings, public transport is inadequate, and independent businesses are not required to designate handicapped parking areas, to name a few. This deficiency has, unfortunately, deterred most handicapped or disabled travelers from exploring Mexico. However, with careful research and planning you can still enjoy an entertaining, if limited, stay in Mexico. Here are some tips for disabled travelers wishing to visit Mexico:
Your best bet is to visit the most popular travel destinations with 5-star luxury hotels, as found in the larger cities in Mexico. These modern establishments generally have wheelchair access, as well as showers and restroom areas for handicapped visitors. Because these destinations feed off tourism, they are particularly service orientated and go out of their way to make all their visitors feel comfortable.
Cancun Accessible – specializes in the planning and marketing of trips for persons with special needs. They will make most arrangements, including sign language interpretation, oxygen therapy, and dialysis. They will also arrange for wheelchair-accessible vans to take travelers on tours requiring personalized services. For more listings, see Accessible Mexico.
The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) – provides travel reviews and offers advice on a condition-by-condition basis. Though it mostly focuses on travel within the United Sates, much of their advice could be applied virtually anywhere. SATH also provides instructions on how to prepare yourself and your support equipment for international travel.
Northwest Airlines offers a 13-page brochure entitled “Air Travel For People with Disabilities.” It is available in standard, Braille, large print, or audio cassette with Braille labeling. Call +1-800-358-3100 for a free copy.
The U.S. Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings has developed a toll-free hot line for disabled air travelers.It provides general information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities and assists them in resolving disability-related issues. Call +1-800-778-4838 (voice) or +1-800-455-9880 (TTY), daily from 7am-11pm, ET.
