Planning to Go Out?
Here’s a Top Ten list to think about when planning an outing in the community. If you need more information, contact the therapeutic recreationist or another member of the health team at your rehab facility.
- Do you get tired quickly? How long can you go out without getting tired?
- Do you need to take your medications before you go out or do you need to bring them with you?
- Remember to plan around your bladder/bowelroutine. Do you need to bring supplies or should you empty your bladder/bowel before going out? How long can you go out before you need to do your bladder/bowel routine again?
- Bring a beverage with you. It is important to keep hydrated.
- Bring a cell phone with you in case of emergencies.
- How much money is this outing going to cost? Remember to include the cost of the leisure activity, transportation, parking, etc.
- How are you going to get there? For example, if you take wheelchair transit or a taxi, you will have to book ahead. If you are going to take the wheelchair accessible public transit, which routes are accessible?
- Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
- Remember to check if you and/or your attendant are eligible for discounted prices—including companion fares for travel, Access to Entertainment card and fitness centre memberships, for example.
- Is the facility wheelchair accessible? Some facilities may state “yes” they are accessible when they are not “completely” accessible. It is up to you to probe further. For example, you should ask the following questions, if applicable:
· If you have your own vehicle, is there wheelchair accessible parking close by?
· Are the front/rear doors of the facility wheelchair accessible?
· Is there a ramp to get to the front/rear doors?
· If there are stairs inside the facility, are there elevators available that are wheelchair accessible?
· Are the washrooms wheelchair accessible?