Traveling can be stressful for anyone, but that stress is compounded when traveling to a new place in a wheelchair. You may wonder what kinds of issues you may run into, but by doing a little bit of research you can save yourself stress and headaches. If you are planning a trip to Baltimore, Maryland in the near future, here is some information about accessibility that can make your trip easier.
Transportation
When traveling to the city, public transportation is often a more practical and economical alternative to using your own car. With high parking prices and heavy traffic, using the light rail, bus, or metro can save you time and money. Baltimore buses are equipped with lifts and/or ramps to make them wheelchair accessible, and securement areas on the bus to hook wheelchairs or power scooters into for a safe journey. The light rail and metro stations offer handicapped parking spots for easier accessibility, as well as elevators for access in and out of the station. Ticket distribution machines are also designed to be an appropriate height for those boarding in a wheelchair. The light rail also offers boarding ramps on the first car of the train for a smoother transition into the train.
Activities
Once you get into the city, you’ll probably want to take in some of the sights. But planning out what activities you’ll do can be just as stressful as planning out getting to the city. Fortunately, Baltimore has lots of wheelchair accessible activities to enjoy, so finding something to do can be exciting, not stressful. Baltimore’s most notable attraction is the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The aquarium boasts thousands of fish and other aquatic wildlife, such as dolphins, puffins, sharks, and even rainforest animals such as monkeys and sloths. The aquarium is handicap accessible with elevators available for accessing each level of the aquarium. Another great attraction in the Inner Harbor is the USS Constellation, a civil war era ship that remains as a floating museum in the harbor. The Constellation is equipped with lifts so that anyone can enjoy learning more about this piece of history. And speaking of history Fort McHenry and the Edgar Allen Poe Museum are also located in Baltimore and are accessible. One thing to note is that while the Poe Museum is accessible, the actual house of Edgar Allen Poe is not. If sports are your forte, Baltimore has both M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Ravens, and Camden Yards, home of the Orioles. Both stadiums are wheelchair accessible so you can catch a game without any trouble.
Other Notable Things
If you plan to stay in the city for more than a day, all major hotel chains within the Inner Harbor are equipped with handicap accessible rooms, including elevators, wide doorways, and accessible showers. One area in which the city is lacking is the upkeep of the sidewalks and walkways. While they are technically accessible, some are worn and bumpy, making travel a little less pleasant for those in a wheelchair. Whether you are visiting Baltimore for a day, a night, or a week, there are plenty of things to do that are fully wheelchair accessible. While traveling in a wheelchair can be stressful, you can still enjoy your trip and put your mind at ease by doing a little bit of research ahead of time. At Freedom Mobility our goal is to help you enjoy life to the fullest. If you have any questions about traveling to the Baltimore area, or are in need of any mobility devices during your stay, give us a call!