News

  It’s a fact: 93 million Americans are overweight. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in three Americans is overweight. Another one-third is obese, meaning they are at least 20 percent heavier than their ideal body weight. Approximately one in 20 people is morbidly obese, or 50 to 100 percent above his/her ideal body weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of acquiring serious medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, certain types…

As baby boomers are now in or reaching their mature years, a record number of people are driving around in mobility scooters, whether it be on vacation, in a supermarket, at a convention, etc. While those driving scooters deserve the respect of others in order to smoothly operate their equipment, driving a scooter is a two-way street. If scooter drivers are conscious and courteous of those around them, they make it safer and more pleasurable for pedestrians and others. Surprisingly,…

  The New Year is here. Whether your journeys are to foreign lands or to visit family and friends, Special Needs Group offers these tips to help you stay healthy while away from home.   Be Informed Before traveling, check with the Center for Disease Control for updates on any outbreaks or health warning for the countries on your itinerary. The recent outbreak of Cholera in Haiti is an example. The CDC will also recommend any shots or vaccinations required…

September and October, the traditional “shoulder season” between summer’s high season and winter’s low season are good months for slow walkers and individuals with special needs to travel. There are fewer tourists overall, meaning more space on walkways, fewer lines for museums and other attractions. Prices drop too, especially for international destinations. If you are planning to take advantage of shoulder season to travel abroad, here are a few facts you should know before embarking on an international trip. Booking…

This year, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Since the ADA’s inception, we have seen significant changes within the travel industry including accessibility across the fleet for cruise ships, including foreign-flagged vessels carrying U.S. passengers and more ramps, railings and grab bars in public venues. We have also seen a deepening respect and higher level of acceptance for all forms of ability differences. Looking ahead, there are new provisions being implemented that will bring even more…

  When driving a car, car owners make sure their cars provide safety and comfort. Many also like to add personality to their cars by decorating them with bumper stickers, license plate frames, detailing and more. Just like a car, wheelchair owners look for safety, comfort and individuality when using their wheelchair. Thanks to our readers, we recently learned about three products that are lesser known but significantly enhance a wheelchair user’s experience. Although Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea…

Cruising is an excellent vacation choice for families with a special needs child. It’s a chance to visit multiple destinations without flying or driving from city to city and the family only has to unpack once--important plus for your special needs child. Once settled into your stateroom, there are few disruptions to routine. Today’s passenger cruise ships are very accommodating to persons with special needs, and more kid-friendly than ever. Almost all ships offer supervised, age-appropriate activities for children plus…

As 2009 closed, several new ships made a huge splash within the cruise industry, foreshadowing the future of cruising, including Disney Cruise Lines’ 4,000-passenger Dream and Royal Caribbean Cruises’ 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas, the largest passenger cruise ship ever floated. Within the next twelve months, several more behemoth vessels will enter the waters including Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, sister ship to the Oasis; and the largest ship ever for Norwegian Cruise Line, the 4,200-passenger Epic. With increased…

Did you ever cancel a trip because of a bad knee or other mobility impairment? Have you avoided cruises and family events that require travel for fear you’ll need oxygen mid-trip? Relax. Today’s world is more accessible than ever, and for anyone with special requirements for traveling, there’s a world of information and help waiting for you. It’s disappointing to be left behind or to have to leave a loved one behind because of a physical limitation or special travel…

Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) much anticipated next generation cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas is ready for passengers. Rising sixteen decks high, she is the largest vessel afloat---and among the most accessible. We toured the ship recently and can report first hand that the Oasis of the Seas offers the largest number of accessible staterooms of any ship, a total of 46. For the newer ships in the fleet, RCI has consistently maintained a standard of 1.7 percent of all staterooms…

As a supplier of oxygen and other special needs equipment for travelers, I see first hand the uncertainty and confusion regarding traveling with oxygen, especially the rules and regulations for dealing with cylinders or other forms of portable oxygen on a cruise. Like everything in life, cruising with oxygen is simple, once you know the guidelines. After almost a decade of working with cruise ships and accessibility, here’s what I’ve learned that can ensure smooth sailing for anyone traveling with…