{"id":107,"date":"2018-03-13T12:56:45","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T12:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.educationaldestinations.com\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2018-06-27T09:10:33","modified_gmt":"2018-06-27T13:10:33","slug":"educational-travel-with-special-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.educationaldestinations.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/13\/educational-travel-with-special-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Educational Travel with Special Needs or Dietary Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you, or a loved one, have a special need or dietary restriction and will be traveling with a student group, Educational Destinations has you covered. When a group is focused on education, it is easy to overlook issues with accessibility, facilities, and other factors to consider to ensure all members of the group are able to participate and enjoy the trip to the fullest extent. Group travel with special needs members requires extra consideration at every stage of planning and executing the trip.<\/p>\n

It is important to travel with a tour provider that will make your special needs or dietary restrictions travelers a priority. In planning a trip, remember that everyone in the group deserves to participate in all of the activities.<\/p>\n

Educational Destinations has recently overhauled its process for addressing travelers’ special needs and dietary restrictions: they are now handled individually. It is the right thing to do, and it is the level of service that all of our travelers deserve. No matter if the need is a food allergy or a physical limitation, Educational Destinations special needs and dietary restrictions travelers are assigned a dedicated Operations Coordinator who will address requests, need by need.<\/p>\n

Here are some questions and answers that will help your travelers during their next trip with Educational Destinations:<\/p>\n

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I have a traveler with special needs or dietary restrictions. What do I need to know?
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When you register for the trip, don\u2019t forget to tell us about any special needs your traveler has, like a physical limitation or a food allergy. Please share that information with us, so we can explore options and plan the best possible experience for your family member.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What are some examples of Special Needs?
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For physical limitations, please share everything that might help us plan. For instance, if walking all day for several days is going to be a struggle, let us know. While the group is on foot, we may be able to arrange a location for you to take a break. If you get around by wheelchair, let us know. We want to be sure your fold-able wheelchair will fit in the motor coach luggage bay. We may even be able to reserve a handicap-accessible motor coach if you contact us early enough.<\/p>\n

Key Tip<\/strong> \u2013 Select and brief your traveler\u2019s wheelchair companion, and have the two practice together, before trip departure.<\/p>\n

For travelers with cognitive disabilities, some amusement parks offer a rider switch program, which allows one person to experience a ride, while another person waits with the traveler who does not.\u00a0 The two helpers then swap places to allow the second traveler to ride without waiting in line. Also, some parks offer a guide that addresses each attraction’s specific triggers, such as flashing lights, loud noises, surprise elements, etc.<\/p>\n

Key Tip<\/strong> \u2013 Request cognitive disability information from amusement parks and other attractions early in trip planning.<\/p>\n

If there is a food allergy, it’s important for travelers to tell us the specific foods they must avoid, as well as the alternative foods they can eat. For instance, if one has nut allergies, list the specifics (i.e., My student is allergic to almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, and cashews, but not allergic to peanuts and pine nuts). If your traveler is a vegetarian, let us know if they may eat dairy products, eggs, honey, and gelatin. Be as specific as possible.\u00a0 Once we’re informed, we will contact our dining vendors to gather meal options.\u00a0 We work together and do our best to accommodate dining needs.<\/p>\n

For those who have food restrictions based on faith traditions, let us know your traveler\u2019s specific needs, so we may arrange appropriate meals.<\/p>\n

Key Tip<\/strong> \u2013 Let us know what you CAN eat, in addition to the foods that you cannot eat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How do I share information?
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Check the \u201cSpecial Need\u201d box when you fill-in your online tour registration. This is the best way to let us know that your traveler has a specific concern. When the trip is moved from the Travel Designer stage to your Operations Agent, he or she will send an introductory e-mail to each person who checked the Special Need box. Reply to the Agent with detailed information by the requested due date.<\/p>\n

Key Tip<\/strong> \u2013 Be open. Be specific.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What happens to my information before the trip?
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Your Operations Agent contacts vendors with specific requests. Once arrangements are finalized, Special Needs details are given to your Educational Destinations Tour Director, who re-confirms them and travels with your group throughout its trip. Receiving Special Needs details early allows us to plan the most appropriate course of action.<\/p>\n

Key Tip<\/strong> \u2013 Share information as soon as you receive your Special Needs email. It takes time to gather options and determine a plan of action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What can I do to prepare my Student\/Traveler before the trip departs?
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Share the Special Needs of your traveler with teachers and chaperones. The latter are the traveler\u2019s main \u2018contact people’. Also, the special needs traveler should be coached to be his or her own advocate, especially in situations when \u2018contact people\u2019 are not present. Educational Destinations Tour Directors manage pre-planned arrangements, answer traveler\u2019s questions and handle adjustments. Maintaining open communication and working together to share information with all parties is essential for a smooth trip.<\/p>\n

Key Tip<\/strong> \u2013 Share your student\u2019s Special Need with the Chaperone and Teacher.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Do you have any tips for the rest of the group?
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Be patient<\/strong> \u2013 Someone with special needs may move more slowly than other travelers. The journey is sometimes more interesting than the destination. You may see something amazing that you would have missed otherwise, and everyone still will participate in all of the activities and events.<\/p>\n

Be flexible<\/strong> \u2013 When the unexpected happens (i.e. a meal is delayed, a ride is stopped to load a disabled traveler, etc.) take a moment, take a breath, and look around. This is a great opportunity to think about details you want to remember about the trip.<\/p>\n

Be kind<\/strong> \u2013 You will have a unique experience, but the same experience might be challenging for someone else. Can you help? Trips are more fun when you get to know the other travelers in your group better and share memorable adventures.<\/p>\n

Educational Destinations Goals<\/strong> \u2013<\/p>\n