TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY: SHIPS AND FERRIES

ShipsAs the American population ages, the call for accessible ships, including cruise ships, is increasing – an advantage for persons with disabilities. When new ships are introduced into ship lines, they have to be physically accessible. This includes accessible bathrooms in the cabins.Problems for those with physical disabilities arise when excursions on land are planned. Although some ports have docks where passengers can leave the ship via stairs or ramps, many ports have to be “tendered,” which means that passengers are taken ashore on smaller boats (tenders). Transferring to a tender in a wheelchair is usually impossible. If you are planning a cruise, ask in advance about tendered and non-tendered ports and whether each port has accessible transportation and general accessibility. Sources of information abound.
FerriesFerries are an essential mode of transportation in some parts of the world. One example is the state system of ferries plying the Inland Waterway in Southeast Alaska. Ferries travel the waters from Seattle up the coast to Ketchikan and Sitka and beyond. It is a basic way to travel for many Alaskans as well as for visitors who want to “get the feel” of real Alaska. These huge ferries are wheelchair accessible with the exception of entries onto the decks, which have one step.Perhaps you are planning a romantic get-away across the seas. Some water taxis in Venice are wheelchair accessible. And some gondoliers are quite willing to lift a person into the gondola if he or she is unable to climb down independently.
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