How To Get A Tsa Disability Notification Card

carolanne vacation Accessibility is an issue everywhere. If you lot're able-bodied, you lot probably have never noticed or even thought about how difficult information technology is for someone with a chronic illness or disability to navigate everyday experiences. For example, we all know that the security cheque by TSA (Transportation Security Administration) at the airport is a pain but a necessity for our collective safe. What y'all probably don't know is that TSA and airports don't really know how to handle someone who is disabled with dignity. You're probably thinking to yourself, "well that's non hard! Just care for them like anybody else!" And while that is a g notion, the truth remains that disabled folks, similar myself, require different accommodations.

I recently had an encounter at the Philadelphia airport that almost left me in tears and definitely made me feel belittled and dehumanized. I take a chronic illness, gastroparesis, which translates to "paralyzed stomach". Subsequently, I require a feeding tube in lodge to survive.

ACCESSIBILITY AT THE Drome

I've traveled with a feeding tube in the past and didn't have any issues only this time was different because I needed to take my formula, medication and other equipment through security with me. Medical supplies wing for gratis and you're allowed to take more than than 3 ounces of liquid in the aforementioned container. Simply just to be on the rubber side, I chosen TSA alee of my travel date, explained my situation, and they bodacious me that I would have no issues when it came to getting through security.

TSA SECURITY Bank check

On the day of my flight, I arrive to the airport. Multiple staff told me that the conduct-on for my medical supplies was too large and TSA probably wouldn't let me through with it. I told them each that I had called alee of time and was assured I'd have no bug. Once at the archway for security, I was told past a TSA agent that I had to get through the disability screening line if I had medical supplies otherwise, aye, the deport on was too large. Just in order to get through this line, I had to be in a wheelchair. I'one thousand not a wheelchair user except on a few occasions where my trunk is likewise weak to move on its own.

Instead of arguing, I swallowed my pride and went downstairs to inquire for wheelchair assistance. The two workers tried to pawn me off on each other correct in front of me, as if I was deafened or incapable of agreement what they were maxim. Ultimately they did help and I was on my way through security.

carolanne's hardwqare

MANHANDLED BY THE TSA

Of class, I was pulled aside for further screening and they flagged my medical suitcase. Once the TSA agent rumbled through and tested all of my medical supplies, she and so informed me she'd take to give me a full trunk pat down. I showed her my feeding tube past lifting my shirt to betrayal my abdomen and asked her politely to be careful and not touch that area. She did anyway. It was invasive and degrading.

There has got to exist a ameliorate mode to exercise this.

DISABILITY AND THE TSA (for now)

While we work to spread sensation and get better accessibility in place, hither are some tips from the Feeding Tube Sensation Foundation that can aid preclude a situation like this happening to yourself or a loved one.

Go a letter from your doctor explaining your medical condition. Also make sure to document all the medical supplies and equipment you will be traveling with. This can help you through security and act every bit a form of advocacy.
Talk to your homecare company. It'southward possible they can deliver supplies right to your destination so you don't need to travel with it. This save you the hassle of lugging heavy equipment and avoids the difficulty of getting through security.
Contact the airline and TSA 72 hours in advance. Some airports can provide you with an advocate who volition get through security with you.

The most helpful solution is to print a Disability Notification Card (Here) that is provided by the TSA straight. Print this card, make full in your condition and nowadays it to the TSA for situations like this. Existence prepared will help make the best out of a hard situation.

Carolanne Monteleone is a disability advocate and professional ill person. Between blogging her experiences with chronic illness, running a small Etsy business of handmade feeding tube accessories, and helping others transition into the world of inability, she spends what little time she has left being a stay-at-home dog mom to an adorable beagle, Quinn. Carolanne enjoys sewing, shopping for candles, and binge watching medical dramas.