Checklist of questions

I can walk only for short distances

• How do I arrange to get a wheelchair at the terminal?
• Can I have assistance moving in the terminal?
• Can I pre-board?
• Is there courtesy seating available in the pre-boarding area?
• Where will my cane, walker, or crutches be stored?
• Can I access them during the trip?
• I need some assistance walking to my seat.
  • Can the carrier provide this?
  • Can I have a friend/family member assist me to my seat?
  • Does the friend/family member need a special pass to do this?
• I need to take my wheelchair/scooter on the trip. Can I check it as baggage?
• Are there size or weight limits for my mobility aid? What are they?

I have a physical disability and will travel by plane or bus

• Using my wheelchair in the terminal
  • Are the washrooms in the terminal accessible?
  • Is the boarding area accessible?
  • Are the stores/restaurants accessible?
• Boarding
  • Can I pre-board?
  • How early do I need to arrive?
• Transporting my wheelchair/scooter
  • What are the size and weight limits?
  • Where will the wheelchair/scooter be stored?
  • Is there help to assemble and disassemble my wheelchair/scooter?
  • Does the battery need to be removed?
• Security checks
  • Is there a private area to conduct the security screening?
• Accessible seating onboard
  • Can I have advanced seat selection?
  • Are there any seats with more legroom?
  • Are there liftable or removable armrests?
  • Is there a tie-down for my wheelchair on the bus?
  • Is there a boarding ramp or lift?
  • If necessary, how will I transfer from my wheelchair to my seat on board?
  • Can personnel provide my choice of transfer method?
• Accessible washrooms during the trip
  • Can I be assisted to get to the washroom on the airplane?
  • How can I access the washroom during rest stops during bus travel?
• Multi-stage trips
  • Will there be sufficient time for me to transfer to my connection?
  • Will I receive my mobility aid to get to another gate or terminal?
  • How can I confirm that my mobility aid has been transferred to my connection at the transfer terminal?
  • Can I receive assistance to get to another gate or terminal?
  • Will I have to retrieve my luggage or will it be transferred to my final destination?
• Unforeseen circumstances
  • How will I be accommodated if the carrier has to switch equipment on short notice?
• Retrieving luggage and mobility aids
  • Where in the terminal will my mobility aid be made available when I arrive?
  • How do I get assistance to retrieve my luggage and mobility aid?
  • Is there help to assemble and disassemble my mobility aid?
  • What happens if my mobility aid is lost or damaged in transit?
• Accessible ground transportation
  • Are there accessible taxis or buses to get to and from the terminal?
  • Are there designated parking spots? Where are they?
  • How can I book an accessible taxi or bus service from the terminal?

I have a physical disability and will travel by train or ferry

• Using my wheelchair in the terminal
  • Are the washrooms in the terminal accessible?
  • Is the boarding area accessible?
  • Are the stores/restaurants accessible?
• Boarding
  • Can I pre-board?
  • How early do I need to arrive?
  • Are there any size or weight limits for a mobility aid?
  • Is there a mechanical lift or high-level platform to board the train?
  • If not, how will I board?
• Secure placement of my wheelchair/scooter
  • Is there a tie-down for my wheelchair/scooter?
  • Where is my seat located?
• Accessible washrooms during the trip
  • Are the washrooms accessible?
  • Can I be assisted to get to the washroom?
• Multi-stage trips
  • Will there be sufficient time for me to transfer to my connection?
  • Will I receive my mobility aid to get to another part of the terminal?
  • How can I confirm that my mobility aid has been transferred to my connection at the transfer terminal?
  • Can I receive assistance to get to another gate or terminal?
  • Will I have to retrieve my luggage or will it be transferred to my final destination?
• Unforeseen circumstances
  • How will I be accommodated if the carrier has to switch equipment on short notice?
• Retrieving luggage and mobility aids
  • Where in the terminal will my mobility aid be made available when I arrive?
  • How do I get assistance to retrieve my luggage?
  • What happens if my mobility aid is lost or damaged in transit?
• Accessible ground transportation
  • Are there accessible taxis or buses to get to and from the terminal?
  • Are there designated parking spots? Where are they?
  • How can I book an accessible taxi or bus service from the terminal?

I have a visual impairment

• Does the terminal have wayfinding help?
• If I cannot read the signs, whom do I ask for help?
• I need help getting to my seat. Is this available?
• Who can give me a briefing on the layout onboard and the use of the controls on my seat?
• Are there large print and Braille briefing and information cards available?
• I need help unwrapping foods and beverages, describing the food and its location on the tray. Can I get this service?
• Will ingredients in the food that cause allergies, like nuts, be pointed out to me?
• How will I be informed when I reach my destination?
• Can I pre-board?
• How early do I need to arrive?
• How and where do I catch my connection?

I travel with an attendant

Attendants may travel with a person with a disability to assist with their personal needs such as eating and drinking, medical care, personal hygiene and providing passenger information.

• Do I need proof that I require an attendant?
• Is there a charge for my attendant? If so, what is it?
• Is my attendant expected to help me board and disembark?
• Can I get advanced seating for my attendant and myself?
• Can we pre-board?
• How early do we need to arrive?

I travel with a service animal

Only trained, certified, and properly harnessed service animals are allowed to travel in passenger compartments.

• What proof will I need to show that my service animal is professionally trained?
• Will there be sufficient space for my service animal? Its size is: (height, width, length in standing position).
• For international travel - I am crossing an international border. Do I need proof that my animal has been vaccinated? Are there any quarantine restrictions?
• Is there an area around the terminal for my animal to relieve itself? Where is it?
• Are stopovers long enough to allow my service animal to relieve itself?

I am deaf, or hard of hearing

• Can I be seated close to a screen that shows announcements?
• Can I receive any travel announcement in writing? Will it be written in plain language?
• Can I pre-board?

I have a speech impairment

• What is the best way for me to communicate with staff? In writing?

I will need to use medication or medical equipment during the trip

• Do you need proof of my disability, my medication or my medical equipment?
• My medication must be kept cool. Is there storage for it on board?
• I will need to use oxygen or a portable oxygen concentrator. Can I use it onboard?
• Does the carrier provide oxygen or can I bring my own?

I will need to eat during the trip

• Will a meal or snack be served? If so, when?
• Is there a charge for snacks or meals?
• Can I bring my own food on board?
• I have special dietary needs. Can they be accommodated?
• I will not be able to get to the restaurant/dining car. Can the meal or snack be brought to me?

I have a cognitive impairment

• Who do I need to inform?
• Could I have “unaccompanied passenger” service? Is there a charge for that?
• Can I receive help with …
• Can I pre-board?
• How early do I need to arrive?

I need additional seating for myself

• What proof do you need that I require additional seating?
• Can I have advanced seat selection?
• Are the armrests between seats movable?
• Is there an extra cost for the additional seat?
• Can I pre-board?
• How early do I need to arrive?

I have allergies

• I have food allergies. Can I order a special meal?
• I am allergic to nuts. Will there be nuts on board?
• How can you help me travel safely if nuts are on board?
• I am allergic to some animals. Will there be animals on board?
• How can you help me travel safely if animals are on board?