Summer Travel Toolkit

School is out, summer is officially here, and families are hitting the road for day trips and vacation destinations. We asked Hope Johnson, community supervisor in the WOW adult day program at Boundless, to share some of her top tips on planning a successful trip. Johnson frequently takes adults with disabilities into the community at a variety of locations.

Pack a “To Go Bag” stocked with these essentials:

• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Bottled water (with flavor packet mix-ins)
• Snacks
• Something to keep your hands busy like popits or fidget spinners.
• And, most importantly, a calm attitude. She emphasizes that whatever emotions you display will affect others in your group. “If you are panicked, then they will also be panicked,” Johnson said.

For those with disabilities or elderly loved ones, one obstacle to going far, staying long, or deciding to stay home is the availability of adult changing tables. Kim Boulter, co-leader of Changing Spaces Ohio and co-founder of Inspired Access Foundation, and mother of a 10-year-old who has cerebral palsy, has been actively advocating for more public spaces to provide adjustable height universal changing tables. “If you want something to change, you have to use your voice,” Boulter said.

Boulter, along with Jennifer Corcoran, also with Changing Spaces Ohio, have researched and created an interactive map that shows all the places that have adjustable adult changing tables across the United States.

You can see the map at http://www.universalchangingtablemap.com/ and utilize it when planning your next outing or road trip.

Boulter travels frequently with her family and shares some lessons learned. “Prepare for what you can prepare for but remember that certain things are out of your control. When those things happen just try to stay positive.” She also makes packing lists, so she doesn’t forget anything critical.

Johnson agrees, her motto is “I over prepare and under expect and then I’m not disappointed.”

Finally, we all benefit from having structure, especially kids and individuals in the I/DD community. “I tell them exactly what we are doing each day. Structure equals security and helps them to understand what happens next,” Johnson said.

As you hit the road this summer, we hope you find these tips helpful. Safe travels.