Accessibility Summit 2016

Two weekends ago, Trippin' with Jamie was at the annual Accessibility Summit held at Mclean Bible Church. It is a great event held to connect families with special needs to vendors, service providers, and other families as well as offering seminars and workshops taught by professionals in the field on various topics all focusing on dealing with special needs.

This is one of our favorite events to attend because it brings together a wide variety of parents, service providers, educators, and specialists all focused on helping families with special needs navigate through life. It is also an incredible reminder of why we do what we do.

I (Jamie) began Trippin' with Jamie in April 2014 after many years of planning our own family vacations and the increasing special needs that came as my daughter dealt with various medical issues and eventually was diagnosed with a rare disease. What used to be planning a simple ski vacation or all-inclusive resort now had a bit more complexity. How do we bring her feeding tube formula? Will the cruise ship have enough outlets to charge her various medical devices? Are we close enough to the slopes to go back mid-day to rest for a while? Are the layovers long enough to allow her to take her service dog out to go to the bathroom and make it back through security before the next flight?

Traveling has become much more complicated. But that doesn't mean it had to become less enjoyable. Things take more time to plan now, but we have continued to travel and continue to build family memories on all sorts of different trips. We've gone white water rafting in West Virginia, gone on a cruise to Alaska, she has stayed at bed and breakfasts, and is looking forward to both Disney and San Francisco later this year.

Yes, traveling with special needs is more challenging and it's not easy. But life with special needs is challenging and not easy. Trippin' with Jamie can't make your trip easy or take away those special needs, but we can make it easier. We offer our expertise in the travel industry and understanding from our personal experiences to offer suggestions and tips to help you make your trip as easy as possible. Some of my family's best memories have come from trips we have taken. We are in this business because we want families to know that having special needs doesn't mean that these memories are not an option for you. Traveling may still be a challenge, but we are here to help you navigate through the craziness of travel planning to make it easier for you. Special needs don't mean you can't have vacation memories, it just means that your memories will be that much more special.

Fun Dude Ranch Vacations for Families with Special Needs

Horseback riding, campfires under the stars, rustic but comfortable accommodations, incredible scenery...just some of the amenities that dude ranches offer families looking to get away from the busy city life. However, dude ranches can also be on the list of vacation destinations crossed off the list for families with special needs.

Riding solo on a large horse, uneven terrain that is difficult to navigate with a wheelchair, stairs up to a porch that opens into a cozy (read small and not wheelchair accessible) cabin...what makes dude ranches most attractive also is the major turn-off for families with special needs.

However, if a dude ranch has always been on your bucket list, or you just started reading this post and are now hooked, here are two destinations that are dedicated to helping families with special needs enjoy a dude ranch vacation with the whole family.

STAGECOACH TRAILS RANCH

The vision behind this Arizona dude ranch came from a family who had a daughter in a wheelchair. Because of their personal experience with their daughter, the entire ranch is handicapped accessible. The ranch is set up like an old western town but with plenty of modern adaptations to make it accessible for all guests. Every room and bathroom is accessible with a roll-in shower or ADA tub and hand-held shower. All common areas in the lodge and dining room are wide open and easy to navigate in a wheelchair. Horseback riding is offered, and the ranch offers a variety of accommodations for disabilities, such as a mounting ramp for wheelchairs and adaptive equipment. In addition, all wrangles are familiar with therapeutic riding and the horses are evaluated for the proper temperament. Side walkers or a double rider can be provided for riders with balance issues. The pool is accessible and a chair lift provides easy transitions from chair to the water. In the dining room, the chef is willing to accommodate special dietary requirements with advance knowledge. Bonfires, sing-a-longs, and stargazing are just some more of the activities that give guests a rustic dude ranch experience.

SUNDANCE TRAIL GUEST RANCH

Located in Colorado, this dude ranch provides a smaller feel than some of the larger guest resorts. Accommodating only 24 guests at a time, this ranch offers an intimate atmosphere without skimping on the activities. Completely wheelchair accessible and in partnership with a local medical supplier, Sundance aims to provide families with special needs any accommodations they can to allow every family a great vacation. The chefs are comfortable and familiar with accommodating a variety of special diet requirements including, gluten free, vegan, and various allergies. Advance notification is requested to provide each guest with a variety of options each meal. Another unique feature is their accommodation of the four legged family members as well. Well mannered dogs and horses are welcomed along with the human guests to allow the whole family a fun trip.

If either of these sound like your dream vacation or just sparked your interest, give Trippin' with Jamie a call! We look forward to hearing about how we can help you book a trip for you and your family.

Autism Friendly Vacation Spots

Trippin' with Jamie understands that planning vacations is not always easy. There are so many variables and moving pieces, it can seem overwhelming. Add in a family member with autism and the challenges become even more complicated. While traveling with special needs may never be easy, the travel industry has been slowly changing to better accommodate families that may require a bit more planning and preparation. We want to highlight a few vacation destinations that have committed to not just accommodating families dealing with autism, but to helping them have the best vacation possible.

Tradewinds Resort:

Located at St. Pete's Beach on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, this resort provides a great autism-friendly destination without the need for a passport. Going above and beyond for families with special needs, all the staff have been through the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities training and Tradewinds has been designated an Autism Friendly business. Families dealing with autism can request a "safety kit" that provides a door alarm and corner cushions to keep all family members safe. The resort is equipped to handle a variety of special diets and are willing to work with families to make sure everyone is accommodated. The children's program has sensory activities for children with autism and a variety of drop-off programs to allow parents some alone time.

Franklyn D. Resort and Spa:

An all-inclusive located in Jamaica, this resort has been recognized as a top travel destination for families with special needs. Upon arrival, each family is assigned a "nanny" for the entire trip. The nanny is available from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm and can be hired for longer if parents would like an evening out. These nannies can provide an extra set of eyes and hands to allow families to enjoy their vacation and give parents some room to relax. During down times, the nanny will keep the rooms clean and tidy and allow families to enjoy their vacation. Family suites provide space for everyone to spread out and relax, but also keep parents close enough to keep an eye on everyone.

Disney:

Disney has been recognized for years for their impeccable service and willingness to go above and beyond for their guests. This mentality does not waver when it comes to families dealing with autism. For families dealing with autism, Disney offers the Disability Access Service Card that allows families to avoid waiting in long lines. If there is a wait of more than 10 minutes for a ride, the attendant will give the DASC holder a return time which allows the family to wait in the shade, go indoors, or enjoy other aspects of the park. In addition, there are multiple break areas located throughout the park to provide a quiet area for relief from over-stimulation. Companion restrooms are also available in select locations which allow the family member with autism to be accompanied in the restroom if assistance is required.

For families dealing with dietary restrictions, Disney has been known to be one of the most accommodating vacation destinations. While the restaurants in the parks and at the resort are able to accommodate most allergies and restrictions, Disney allows guests with special needs to bring in food as needed. In addition, the hotels located at the resort have staff trained and accommodations in place to help accommodate families with special needs. Easy access to the parks and the ability to take breaks mid-day are only some of the benefits staying at the resort offers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises:

The first to offer Autism Friendly Cruising, Royal Caribbean has become a fantastic vacation choice for families with a family member with autism. All youth staff are specially trained on how to best accommodate children with autism, and there are a variety of additional services available for these special needs families. Priority check-in, boarding, and departure allow for families to avoid large crowds and noise, and the cruise staff are capable of handling a wide range of dietary accommodations.

New in 2014, the cruises have started offering autism friendly movies in a low sensory environment with the ability to move around as needed. A toy lending program as well as autism friendly activities are also available to give families multiple options of fun things to do with the entire family. For children ages 3-11, the youth programs allow children with autism to be placed in ability-appropriate groups rather than by age.

Smugglers' Notch Resort:

Located in Vermont, this 4-seasons resort can be a great vacation destination in any weather for families that have a family member with special needs. Specially trained staff are experienced in a variety of special needs including, decreased mobility and autism spectrum disorders, and are willing to work with families to provide the best possible experience.

This resort has a program called the Smugglers' Notch Adaptive Program that focuses on providing vacation activities for children and adults with special needs and their families. In the summer, the program offers swimming, water slides, hiking, crafts, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, sing-alongs, and more. Children are able to also attend the children's programming with assistance or can be one-on-one by trained staff. All activities are tailored to the individual and they are able to do as little or as much as possible.

In the winter, the Adaptive Program offers children and adults the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard with the assistance of specially trained instructors. Students can be taught one-on-one or with two or more additional instructors if needed. They can also take participate in regular lessons with extra assistance from one of the adaptive instructors. Smugglers' Notch provides adaptive equipment which includes mono-skis, bi-skis, a slider, and snowboarding options.

We hope these vacation destinations has sparked your interest! A variety of options for whatever floats your boat (although if you're not interested in cruising, maybe think about a mountain resort or all-inclusive)! We want to help you find the best option for your family, so give us a call! Maybe one of these is shouting your name, or maybe you have a dream destination you've been wishing you could make work. Either way, give us a call and let us help you plan your next (or first) trip!

Things Trippin' with Jamie Wants You To Know About Special Needs Travel

Here at Trippin' with Jamie, our main focus is on helping families with special needs take trips that they may have thought impossible. We do our best to make each trip special, and here are some things we want you to know!

1) We can't make it easy, but we can make it easier.

Anyone who tells you that traveling with special needs is easy has obviously never traveled with special needs. Our goal as your travel agent is to get to know you and your needs. We want to help you plan your trip and anticipate any potential problems so they can be avoided.

2) Know your limits and be realistic.

This goes for anyone traveling, but especially families with special needs. If your child can only manage 4 hours of school before having sensory overload, do not plan to cover Magic Kingdom in a day. You can always add more activities, but a physical or mental breakdown can derail an entire trip. Make sure to schedule rest breaks, plan for the weather (hot, cold, rainy, etc.), and be flexible.

3) Look for value not cost.

This is one of the key vacation planning tips for special needs families. There will always be something cheaper. Instead of focusing on strictly cost, look at what you are getting. Yes, hotels further from Disney are cheaper, but if you have a wheelchair, coolers, medications, and emergency information to carry, is it worth it to use valuable energy just packing and getting to the park? Plus, if you are planning to take rest breaks during the day, staying offsite adds more energy zapping travel to and from. Consider the needs of your family and ask us what options are available. We want you to get the most value for your spending, so ask us how you can save while still getting top value.

4) Be prepared to travel with your special need.

We don't mean packing supplies, we mean be mentally prepared. Whether this is your first vacation as a family or the first since a diagnosis, traveling with a special need can require mental preparation as well as physical. While vacations are often used to escape everyday life, there is no escaping your disability or illness. Recognize that your special need will be coming too and be prepared. It may not be the dream trip you always imagined or the same as vacations used to be before getting sick, but it can still be a great time away as long as you adjust your expectations.

5) Relax and have fun!

Easier said than done, we know, but try! You want this to be a great trip and it can be, just relax. By doing your research up front and allowing Trippin' with Jamie to handle the details, you are free to focus on making memories with your family. Know that things may not be perfect for the whole trip but decide to enjoy whatever comes. Traveling with special needs can be unpredictable, but embracing each moment and celebrating small victories can make any trip special.

Introducing Trippin' with Jamie!

Thank you for visiting! We hope to hear from you soon to book your next vacation. In the mean time, let me introduce you to the face behind Trippin' with Jamie.

Jamie began Trippin' with Jamie after leaving a long corporate career in in risk analysis and management in the mortgage industry.  She wanted to take her love to travel and use it to make a difference in the lives of others.  Her goal as a travel agent is to help families build stronger bonds and lasting memories that include all family members regardless of their special needs.

A mom of two adult children, she has been planning vacations since her children were small. She continues to plan family get-a-ways, that now include her son-in-law. With trips to more than 20 ski resorts, all-inclusives, cruises on multiple cruise lines, dude ranches, beach and lake house rentals and of course Disney, she has a breadth of understanding in the industry.

Her passion for special needs grew after her daughter struggled with a mystery ailment for many years that included, among other things, severe allergic reactions.  Vacations became complicated with a great deal of pre-work required.  Still determined to enjoy family trips, Jamie found ways for her family to travel even with their special needs. As she became more integrated into the special needs community, she wanted to leverage her knowledge and experience to help those families experience what many others take for granted. While she knows that travel with special needs may not be easy, she aims to make it easier by reducing the stress of planning and coordinating details to find the best value for her clients.

When she is not booking trips (call today!) or traveling herself, she enjoys distance running and triathlons, spending time with her husband and 2 dogs, fostering dogs for a local rescue organization, and chocolate!