7 Tips for Traveling After a Disability

A Note from Frank

The first time I traveled after my stroke, I was terrified.

In 2012, I experienced a life-altering stroke that left me with aphasia — a condition that affects my ability to communicate — and ended my corporate career at Deloitte. The world I had known shifted overnight. But what never shifted was my love for travel.

I didn’t know if I could still do it. I was worried that part of my life was over. I didn’t know if I could navigate airports, if language barriers would become mountains, or if my body and mind would cooperate long enough to let me experience the world the way I always had. But I went anyway.

That first trip after my stroke changed everything to me. Not because it was easy, it wasn’t. But because it reminded me that travel was still mine. And I never stopped.

Today, I’ve completed over 151 international trips across 56 countries. I’ve climbed ancient pyramids, sailed Lake Michigan post-stroke, discovered hidden restaurants in Hong Kong, and stood in awe at ruins most people will never see. I’ve done all of this with aphasia. Not in spite of it — alongside it.

This article is everything I wish someone had handed me before that first trip. These are the strategies, mindset shifts, and practical tips that have made the difference between a trip that breaks you down and one that builds you back up.

The world is still yours. Let’s go get it.

Tip #1: Give Yourself Permission to Go

The biggest barrier isn’t the airport. It’s the story you tell yourself before you ever leave the house.

After a disability, many of us quietly put travel in the “someday” category. We wait until we feel ready, until we feel well enough, until someone tells us it’s okay. That day may never come on its own. You have to decide.

What I suggest:

• Start small. Your first post-disability trip doesn’t have to be a two-week international adventure. A weekend in a nearby city counts. Movement counts.
• Redefine success. A “successful” trip isn’t the one where nothing goes wrong. It’s the one where you showed up and tried.
• Talk to someone who’s done it. Hearing “I did it and so can you” from someone who genuinely understands your situation is worth more than any guidebook.

For my first real trip after my stroke, I wasn’t sure my legs were strong enough to get back on flights and explore a different city. I was still building my strength. For big airports with a lot of walking, I used a wheelchair instead of trying to push through. It was humbling, and absolutely worth it for me to get back out there. 

Tip #2: Plan with More Detail, Not Less

Many travelers with disabilities make the mistake of under planning, hoping things will “work out.” Spontaneity is beautiful, but it requires a foundation of preparation. Under planning can also cause boredom and frustration if you don’t have some things planned out. 

I’ve taken over a hundred trips, and I can tell you: the trips where I dug deepest into the details were always the smoothest and most rewarding. Detail isn’t a burden — it’s freedom in disguise.

What to plan in advance:

• Research accessibility at your destination before booking — not after. Look beyond tourist websites; seek out firsthand accounts from travelers with similar needs.
• Map your daily pace. Know how many hours of activity is realistic for your energy levels and build in intentional rest periods. Rest isn’t a weakness — it’s strategy.
• Have a Plan B for your Plan B. If a venue isn’t accessible, what’s your alternative? Thinking through backup options before you go removes panic in the moment.
• Consider working with a travel consultant who specializes in accessible, immersive travel — someone who has been where you’re going and knows the nuances.
  

Tip #3: Know Your Needs and Communicate Them Clearly

With aphasia, communication is my daily work. Traveling, especially internationally, adds layers to that challenge. Over time, I’ve learned that most people, from airline staff to hotel managers to local guides just want to help. They just need to know how.

Practical steps:

• Write it down. Carry a simple card or note on your phone that clearly describes your disability and your key needs in the local language.
• Contact airlines and hotels in advance. Don’t wait until check-in to request accommodations. Most can be arranged ahead of time with a simple phone call or email.
• Use translation apps proactively. Apps like DeepL can be a lifeline when verbal communication is difficult. Download offline packs for your destination.
• Use an app such as Speech Assistant if you need help with communication. This app speaks for you in short phrases.
• Navigation apps, like Google Maps can assist you in showing people where you have been, or where you want to go.
• Travel with a trusted companion when possible, especially on early trips post-disability. Having someone who understands your needs and can advocate alongside you is invaluable.

Tip #4: Choose Your First Destination Strategically

Not all destinations are created equal when it comes to accessibility, and your first trip back matters. Set yourself up for a win.

I started with destinations I knew well before gradually pushing into less familiar territory. That built my confidence and helped me learn how to travel in this new version of my life before I threw myself into the deep end.

What to look for in a first destination:

• Strong accessibility infrastructure. I chose destinations that were forgiving on this front, Cancun and Nicaragua, but places I knew well and felt comfortable. Cities like Barcelona (100% accessible metro stations) and Singapore (100% accessible MRT) are great options. 
• English-speaking or widely spoken language you’re comfortable with, to reduce communication stress on your first trip.
• Good medical infrastructure nearby, just in case. Peace of mind matters for first trips.
• A destination that genuinely excites you. Motivation is fuel. Pick somewhere you’re deeply curious about — that excitement will carry you through the hard moments.

Tip #5: Skip the Tourist Traps — Here’s How to Find the Real Thing

One of the most common things I hear from travelers is: “I felt like I saw the city but I didn’t really experience it.” That’s what happens when you follow the crowd.

I’ve learned that the most unforgettable moments almost never happen at the most photographed spots. They happen in the tucked-away restaurant where the locals eat and the neighborhood market that doesn’t make the guidebooks.  I prefer the viewpoint only residents know about.

"I remember walking into a hidden restaurant in Hong Kong— the kind of place where we were clearly the only foreigners who had ever walked through the door. The entire place turned to look at us and a hush came over the room. We sat down anyway. They were happy to have us and it became one of the best meals and most memorable moments of my entire life."

Finding those moments takes research, local knowledge, and the willingness to go off-script. This is exactly what I help my clients do. When you work with Depth & Discovery Travels, you’re not getting a list of the top ten things to do from a travel website. You’re getting firsthand insight from someone who has actually been there, eaten there, and wandered those streets, and did it with accessibility in mind.

How to start finding hidden gems on your own:

• Ask locals, not hotel concierges. Hotel staff are trained to send you to tourist-friendly spots. Locals will tell you where they actually go.
• When you stop for a coffee or grab a drink at a bar, ask your server and the other guests seated near you. People love to share their favorite places and they’re not likely to send you to tourist traps.
• Look for neighborhoods just outside the main tourist zone. One or two streets over from the famous square is often where the real city lives.
• Search for food markets, neighborhood festivals, and community events happening during your travel dates. These are rarely in guidebooks but often give you the best experience of the local culture.
• Work with a consultant who has firsthand experience at your destination and not just research from behind a desk or a fondness for cookie-cutter itineraries.

The difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one is depth, and a disability shouldn’t affect the depth of your experience. That’s what we’re here for.

Tip #6: How to Navigate Airports and Transportation Like a Pro

Airports are one of the most stressful environments for any traveler. For disabled travelers, they can feel like an obstacle course. But with the right preparation, they don’t have to be.

I’ve moved through hundreds of airports across six continents with aphasia. Communication in high-pressure, fast-moving environments is genuinely hard for me.

I’ll never forget the first time I had to go through customs after my stroke. It was intimidating and I needed my husband’s help talking to the border agent. This came as a surprise as I’d traveled all over the world and never needed assistance with a border crossing.

Over time I’ve built a system that makes it manageable, and sometimes even smooth.

Before you leave home:

• Contact your airline at least 48 hours in advance to request disability assistance. This unlocks wheelchair service, priority boarding, and staff support at no extra cost.
• Download your airline’s app and have your boarding pass, gate information, and flight details all in one place. Less paper, less confusion.
• Carry a simple card that explains your disability and key needs. I keep mine on my phone so it’s always accessible.

At the airport:

• Arrive early — not just on-time early, but buffer early. Give yourself time to navigate without rushing. Rushing is where things go wrong and nobody needs extra stress.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Airport staff are trained to assist. Most will go out of their way if you simply ask.
• TSA and security screenings can be accommodated to your specific needs. You have rights — use them.

Getting around at your destination:

• Research public transportation accessibility before you arrive. Many cities have excellent accessible transit; others will require taxis or rideshares.
• Apps like Google Maps now show accessible routes. Use them.
• In cities where language is a barrier, have your destination written in the local language on your phone so you can show drivers exactly where you’re going.

The goal is to spend your energy on the experiences, not the logistics. The more you systematize the travel mechanics, the more freedom you have for the moments that matter.

Tip #7: Let Travel Heal You

This last tip isn’t practical. It’s personal. And it might be the most important one.

After my stroke, travel became my therapy. Not metaphorically, literally. It gave me purpose. It put me in situations where my aphasia didn’t define me, where I was just a curious human being exploring the world. It rebuilt my confidence, my identity, and my sense of what was still possible.

I’ve sailed Lake Michigan post-stroke. I’ve climbed the Pyramid of the Sun in México. I’ve wandered through the ruins of Jerash in Jordan and eaten in places where I was the only foreigner for miles. Each of those moments gave me back a piece of myself I thought was gone.

Travel has a way of shrinking the weight of what we’ve lost and expanding our sense of what’s still ahead. It reminds us that the world is vast and beautiful and that there’s still so much of it waiting for us.

Don’t let your disability be the reason you stop. Let it be the reason your travel means more.

The world is still yours. And you don't have to figure it out alone.

Reach out here to get help planning your next trip. Everything we do at Depth and Discovery Travels is customized based on YOUR unique preferences, ability, pace, and what’s important to you when you travel.

Can’t wait to meet you! 

- Frank