Are there services to get assistance from the airport, to the plane, to the destination?
g321khalid1235 points5y ago
Of course it’s possible, you just let them know that you are blind and need assistance and they will take you to the gate and then they will take you to the seat of the plane, when you arrived to your destination they will ask you to wait until all of the passengers exit the plane after that The airport employee will take you to the baggage claim.
Dofolo2 points5y ago
And if you have transfers, make sure you have plenty of time between them. I often have to run with 2 hours ... imagine if you don't know the airport, cannot see very well and are waiting for assistance.
It's better to drink an extra coffee than to miss a flight.
Raf_AL2 points5y ago
Does anyone know how it works, when you go overseas by Ferry? Between Finland and sweden for instance, we have these cruise ships, transporting people oversea, if you don't want to go by plane. These rides usually take the whole night. Do the employees lead you to your cabin, and then expect you to stay there for the whole cruise, while there are so many places you could visit on the ferry? I Just wonder if there's something called too much assistance, since I'm pretty sure you can't have anyone with you all the time, unless you travel with some friends.
OutWestTexas3 points5y ago
I took the ferry from Finland to Sweden about 10 years ago and did not have any problems. Finnish people tended to wait until I asked for help, but once I made my needs known, they were great.
estj1361 points5y ago
I’ve done it a few times before. I see it as very possible. The last time I worked the city I was in pretty well. I took the time to make out by bus that most sighted people I knew over didn’t do or know hahaha! It was fun! I get help around the airports and can take transport to my accomodations, no issues. I’ve done that. You just need to be willing to say hi and ask them!
brass4441 points5y ago
Looking online at the pictures, it looks like fun! Not much information on line about accessibility, but a travel agent (if you are using one) can help with that.
There are emails and phone numbers to call, but not sure what cruise line you will be using and each ship is different of course.
Only issue I foresee are the buffets. It took us two years to figure out we can just ask the host/waiter to bring a plate, bowl of soup, salad etc.
brass4441 points5y ago
My husband is blind and travels all the time by himself -- two to three weeks/month. He knows his way around our airport and requests "transfer assistance" to change gates as needed. He just goes to the front desk at the airport and asks for someone to walk with him to the gate, room, etc. Ditto the other comments below. He pre- boards and just asks the flight attendant to lead him to his seat ... If they are behind him for some reason they want to put their hands on him, which make him crazy ha ha. He doesn't like to wait to get off last, so he just gets up and follows the flow off the plane.
Get the app SeeingAI ... it's new and free from Microsoft. It can read hotel rooms, describe scenes, handwriting, boarding passes etc.
His travel doesn't usually take him abroad but we took a river cruise for the first time (we are still figuring out best/accessible vacations) in Europe last year. It was fun and the people were great. No, he wasn't expected to stay in his room. We requested a room kind of close to the main desk so he wouldn't have far to go if I wasn't with him. There were lectures, music, cocktail hours etc. We enjoyed sitting on the top of the boat too. I'm not sure if this is the type of ship you are taking. Definitely go! We met people from all over the world.
The only issue we had were the lack of ... or narrow sidewalks and uneven cobblestones in a few towns but overall Europe is much more pedestrian friendly. Some employees wanted to assist him getting on and off the boat, but he doesn't like people grabbing him. Hope this helps :)
PhotoJim991 points5y ago
I have a friend who flies Canada-US once a year and has no issues. Flying overseas is the same thing, but the flights are longer.
When you book your ticket you can inform the airline that you're a blind passenger and will require assistance. If you will need help at either end of the flight, a friend or companion can usually get a gate pass to take you to the gate or pick you up at your final gate or coming out of customs and immigration.
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