Traveling can be a challenging thing for someone with disabilities due to a need for accommodations. If your loved one has a disability, RV travel can be the perfect way for them to go out adventuring while having all the accessibility and comfort-minded features they need. With disability-friendly accommodations, you and your loved ones can visit campgrounds, cities, relatives and tourist attractions knowing that you have everything you need in your RV.
Resolving Mobility Challenges
Many people live with limited mobility, and they may or may not use a walking aid such as a wheelchair, cane or walker. Either way, the RV must be modified to accommodate mobility issues. For wheelchair users, this often means widening the interior of the RV by removing furnishings and adding a ramp or lift, which can be expensive, but extremely worthwhile when you consider how much easier an RV will be to travel in compared to a plane.
For other mobility issues, grab bars are a great way to make standing and sitting easier. Install grab bars in the shower and by the toilet to facilitate movement. You may also want to install one by the RV’s entrance if it has steps.
Easing Sensory-Processing Issues
There are a number of chronic conditions that may result in someone having sensory-processing issues, including sensitivity to light, sound, odor or temperature. Those with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, anxiety and depression may fall into this category.
To reduce light, install dimmer bulbs in your RV’s light fixtures and put up blackout curtains to block sunlight and campground lights. Blackout curtains will help with muffling sound if they’re heavy enough, also, but you may need to invest in a white-noise machine or add more insulation to the RV to really block out noise. Look for an RV that has a digital thermostat so that the climate can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature.
Improving Security
Some travelers with developmental disabilities or memory issues may need a little more security. Install locks on cabinets with medications or cleaning supplies and replace the window and door locks with keyed or combination locks to prevent someone leaving the RV unattended.
There are many RV manufacturers that make RVs specifically with disabilities in mind, and there are still more that can alter one of their models to make it more suitable for travelers with disabilities. If you have questions or want to get personalized RV shopping tips, visit GT Homes & RVs. Our expert staff is happy to help however we can. Our dealership is located in Vidor, TX.
