Traveling with/ as a disabled person

Let the airline know he needs assistance when you book the flight. Someone will take him to the gate and to the luggage area (and your DH),

Be sure to really check what ADA means for the hotel room. For some that means bars on the wall by the toilet and in the shower. It does not mean the shower will be a walk in one, it could still be a tub/shower situation. Your husband should ask for pictures of the room if that will be an issue.

Also find out what accommodations the train has. My aunt cannot navigate steps even though she is not wheelchair bound (she uses a walker) but when she takes the train to travel they do have a lift. She uses redcaps to help her get to the train and they are generally very accommodating, although they know her quite well.

Make sure you note the disability and request assistance when you make the reservations, not when you show up.

I really like hotels.com for booking accessible hotel rooms. The room listings show exactly what accommodation each room has (for example, there are hearing/sight impaired rooms, wheelchair rooms, etc.). The listing will list and show a picture of every accommodation. It is SO much easier than calling each individual hotel and asking about accommodations.

When you make hotel reservations make sure to specify wheelchair bound. They have hotel rooms where a person can wheel into the shower. Also, before making reservations specify wheelchair bound when choosing a hotel.

I guess that I would also add that, when there are significant mobility issues, “quick trips” of 2-3 days just aren’t feasible.

DC is doable with disabilities, but, as a resident, I would suggest a 4-5 days - minimum - to see the museums and monuments downtown.

Then, you’d need a day for travel to Boston and then 2-4 days there.

So, at least one week for those 2 cities, but better with more days planned, because there is only so much they will be able to reasonably do in a given day.

Research as much as you can in advance. Specifically look for disability access statements if the place has them on their website, these vary in details . If they do not have them a phone call works . Different entrances may need to be used , often round the back of buildings.  Notify transport and hotels in advance and double check that they can accommodate wheelchair requirements and what arrangements need to made.  Taxi firms can offer vehicles with ramps in some areas.

Ask about steps internal and external,  lifts /elevators. Often a lift reserved for staff / goods can be used instead . Height of door thresholds . Width of doorways. Gravel surfaces can be impossible for wheelchairs. Slope gradients .

Power chairs (electric ) will need batteries charged before use . Power chairs can be outdoor or indoor depending on the model. Manual chairs can be folded up in transit, whereas power chairs can not , and they weigh a lot, and may need to be broken up into sections before loading . Others can not be dismantled. 

 Parking is important too. A disability parking badge can make things easier.

Kerbs can be like steps , so look out for ones that have areas of little slopes ( dropped kerbs ) for wheelchair access. If the chair is a manual one going down backwards is easier if assisted.

Factor in flexible plans . Disability through illness like MS can cause fatigue so rest time is important too.

Spontaneity does not work with disability , advance research and planning helps to avoid difficulty and disappointment.

Your DG should be aware that there is more to pushing a wheelchair than you would think.
My OH nearly tipped me out a couple of times by not pulling the chair over a surface instead of pushing it.
Also there is a way to push a chair that won`t hurt his back.
If his friend is going to push himself for any length of time he will need some wheelchair users gloves. They help a lot.
No help with the travelling aspect from me as I have only travelled by car.

My 96 y/o mama uses both a walker and a companion chair (not a full wheelchair, but meant for someone to push you). We manage travel with her pretty easily. The comments about allowing extra time for ‘everything’ are true. It just takes longer to do things.

I took her and two of her friends on a cruise several years back. I had all three in wheelchairs in the airport. The staff could not have been more helpful. They made it super easy to get through all the procedures in the airports and board the planes. Same for Carnival with the cruise itself. They helped me arrange for a rental wheelchair and some bathroom equipment needed for each cabin. Staff were always willing to step up when assistance was needed.

I found this on Amtrak’s page.

www.amtrak.com/accessible-travel-services

This looked like good information too.

wheelchairtravel.org/review-amtrak-acela-express-high-speed-train/

From what the OP said, it doesn't sound like the BIL is entirely wheelchair dependent -- just that he recognizes that it's time to add a chair to his repertoire of tools. He may not need a full "Accessible" hotel room or table at a restaurant if he can park the chair and make his way short distances on level surfaces. Unfortunately, when you get the accessible hotel room, often you lose amenities like a comfortable chair and table in order to make room for the wheelchair. Same with restaurant seating. If you don't have to have room for a wheelchair and can opt to park it, you have choices for better scenery or more interesting table placement. Besides which, unless his disability requires full supports all the time (it probably doesn't from what OP said) it will be very good for him to get up and walk short distances, reposition, get blood flowing, etc.

With the train, there probably is a lift. But again, he probably doesn't want to sit in his wheelchair the entire trip. The wheelchair can be checked baggage. If he has an extra few minutes in boarding to navigate the stairs and get situated, that may well be all he needs.

My personal tip for traveling with a disabled loved one -- tip lavishly and always be super-polite and pleasant. You come to realize how much you rely on help from porters, doormen, all kinds of service people, when you need just a bit of extra time, space, or assistance.

oh -- also, many cities have aps that show routes for wheelchair access and places that have truly accessible restrooms, etc. Worth taking a look for one.