Hi Ray,

I am not too sure, but i didn't want to see your post unanswered.

I am sure someone who knows will come along shortly and assist you.

Wouldnt that be the airlines responsibilty though?

Maybe you could telephone a travel agent and ask them for their advice.

Nicola

I travel through airports in a wheelchair and at Goa airport were there are steps off the plane, they send 4 men to the top of the steps and carry you down in the chair, there will be times when you had those 4 men with you on the beach.
Danny

Dan, i was actually thinking you were the person who could answer this post, but i didnt want to say anything incase i got it wrong

Make sure at time of booking flight you ask for airport assistance. After much discusion , and holding up the aircrafts turn around, 1hr after landing 4 guys arrived to carry my partner down the steps, as she is a tetra (no use of arms/legs) strapped her in the wheels and they carried her down, bit annoyed that I was asked for paper money, as these guys wore the logo of an internation ground handling company , that we are used to seeing on our travels, from Australia, tiny airports in South Africa and South America.

The wheels did tend to attract quite a bit of attention,both from pedestrians and drivers , they were not quite sure what they were seeing. We had a recomended taxi driver,( Colonial Santa Maria, Baga) and he was great, nothing to much trouble for him, visited Old Goa spent hours visiting the churchs (many had ramps),ect then on to the Temples at Ponda, lots of taking apart and carrying the wheels up steps and then carrying my partner to the wheels, hard work but fun and well worth the effort, we also took a tour bus to to the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, much against the advice we were given, dismantle wheels, lift her on to coach, got to Molem put wheels back together, tranfer to jeep ( lots of stares, hand waving, not possible !!!!), get her in jeep, Indian couple from Wolverhampton carried the actual wheels next to them , other bits stuffed all over the jeep, still lots of head shaking and hand waving, and not possibles. (My partner comes offroading in our 4x4 here in the UK) so she knows whats coming next, 14 or so klics to the falls, this she said was the best bit. So we get to the parking area at the falls, put the wheels back together,crossed the rocky car park and I carried her up the viewing platform so she could see the falls, they dont they see many wheels up there !!!, she was the center of attention. We have tackled more challenging places, but would not reccomend this for wheel chair users unless they had a strong helper. We saw all we set out to see, visited Forts , Temples, Nature Reserves, but not the beaches, neither of us are interested in that aspect.

The check in and crossing airside at the airport was a fiasco, again a escort, big problem with wheels. lift partner out of wheels, no chairs so have to hold her, wheelchair must be put through baggage scanner, so they put it on the conveyor whole, it falls off and hits security guard, mayhem breaks loose, so i lay her on the floor and dismantle the wheelchair completly and put all the bits on the conveyor, them they place other baggage on top of it, so it procceeds to all jam up inside the scanner, so I cross the line to collect all the bits and put it together, then I get shouted at and threatained with all sorts , inore all this and cross back landside and pick her up ,place her in the chair , lots of shouting because of this, our local assistant does a runner at this point. Next she has to pass through the ladies section scan and body check, oh dear she is full of metal in her spine and neck, and she had liquid with her, a catheter bag attached to her leg, so we get through after trying to explain what it was for ,not done yet, we are informed the wheelchair must go through again as I took it landside, so I took it landside and we went through it all again, and then they wanted to dismantle the seat cushion the specialist 2 part back , that is remove all the padding, a nightmare !!!!!!!!!! and the tyres as they were solids to see what they were filled with , alll this with my partner lying on the floor and people walking around her !!!! Apart from the airport all was fine , but the treatment has put us of returning as this visit was a taster.

Absolutely shameful treatment by a bunch of untrained idiots. My sincere sympathies, but par for the course here.

What despicable treatment by these so called wonderful Goan people. This is unforgivable - did you report any of this either to the travel company or Airport Authority?

Thanks for the warning, we got back on 17/3 and everything went pretty smooth, although our situation is a bit different as it is my 94 year old mother we had with us and did not do sightseeing just some sun required. immigration and customs all pretty good (for India) and she is talking about next year already. Sorry you seem to have got the wrong shift at the airport we must have been lucky.

Glad to hear that ews awful experience of the airport is not what you got.

Just to add-
We have had a few queries about the access problems so it would really handy if there were recommendations for wheelchair friendly hotels/restaurants/trip organisers.

the phoenix park has a ramp for heelchairs BUT, I didn't see any access to any rooms for a wheelchair.
Possibly the new "superior" rooms on the ground floor will be OK
There was one man there this year in a wheelchair, but I have no idea if he was completely dependant on it.
I thought that I had seen someone in a wheelchair taken off the aircraft by a hydraulic platform type of vehicle, in Dabolim that is, last year but could have been mistaken.

Although I have no experience either in or in accompanying a wheelchair bound person, I can make certain observations. Firstly, that Goa, outside the hotels, will be a big problem and you must expect the state of the roads to constantly hamper progress. Unless a huge amount of lugging about is undertaken, then the beach is also out. Like many less developed areas of the world, a few places have tried to build ramps and user freindly entrances etc. I think the Highland beach in Candolim has ramps at ground floor level although all of the rooms appear to be up a flight of steps. If you can afford the Taj then everything there appears to be on one level, including the many paths through the gardens. However, most places will only have difficult access and you will also find a big problem of transport unless you find a good taxi man with one of the new car type taxis and not a small mini bus.
With regard to the airport, I did notice at least 3 wheelchair bound flyers waiting in the departure lounge, so it is clear that facilities do exist for the 'getting into the aircraft' problem although to be fair the people involved might have been able to walk short distances. I dont think its too fair to rabbit on about the poor facilities at the airport for disabled people. The Indian authorities clearly dont want to update the airport infrastructure or systems. Most are clearly clueless ( I always love the taping up of the bags once they emerge from the X-ray machine that will still allow all the pockets to be opened.) The best they can offer is a small gang of helpers who will leap in with varying levels of enthusiasm and competence. I think you will need to add into your budget hefty tips money. I also feel that we must be thankful that the airport even exists in the state its in, allowing us to enjoy a Goan holiday.
Lastly, although it will be an experience and an adventure and the sights and weather will be lovely, it must be said that Goa is not a place that will rate any more than '2 out of 10' as a disabled friendly destination. You travel there at your own risk.

I'm making this a sticky temporarily as I think it would be a handy reference.

A few notes on what we found, re my previous post.

We would go again, even thought the airport departure was a shambles, we know what to expect !!!.

Regarding my partner she is a Tetra, that is she has no use of legs, very limited use of her arms, and cannot self propell, so she is totaly reliant on me as a pusher and for personal care. She weighs 57 Kg well within my lifting cabability, this is a major factor as I have to carry her up many steps and flights of steps.

All wheelchair users are unique individuals, Para's ,Tetras and the less able or elderly, and as a result their requirements are different, as are their abilities, as fit young Para (and so can a more mature Para)can be an amazing person at adapting to situations, where as my partner is totaly reliant on me and I am 57, she's a young 37 . No quips on baby snatching please.

Thinks to consider, when booking hotel, contact hotel before making booking. Max width of wheelchair, re room doors, ground floor rooms, number of steps to room. Toilet facilities, do not expect what we have become accustomed to as disabled facilities, no roll in showers or room to manouver, nor space for a wheel chair alongside the toilet, no problem for us as my partner is catherted, we can drain off into containers for dispolsal later.Take plenty of Baby Wet Wipes, we find them very usefull for strip washing . Email the hotel and ask about a ground floor room, ask about steps to hotel, steps to restruant, the words 'wheelchair access 'will not mean anything to Goans, try to get pictures of hotel via the web aspecialy of the front entrance. Allso get info from the web about places you wish to visit, do your research it helps you so much. Just do not expect to much in the way of wheelchair freindly facilities and take it as you find it, an experience. And expect to attract lots of stares and couriosity !!!!!!!.

Airport to hotel transfer, can only speak of the coach which we used, carry/lift partner on to coach, very small access to coach, door did not open very wide, steep steps with a turn for access to passenger area. Wheelchair dismantled on place on seat, no help from driver or any one.

Our hotel was the Colonial Santa Maria , Barga. Hotel entrance 4 steps, easy pull up backwards, the coachs cannot get up CSM Road so you are dropped off at the end of the road and hotel staff are waiting for you, an easy push up a slight incline and then on the level with a stight incline at the hotel. The restruant/reception area is all on one level. Our alocated room No 82 across the road from the hotels entrance, a spread out complex of rooms/apartments, couple of small ramps and 2 very small steps on the path. This took some hard talking to get this room, as we were originaly given one which entailed negoitaing a flight of steps in the pool area and more steps to the room, this was after many emails to the hotel and being assured that a accessible room was available. Goa is not accustomed to wheel chair visitors but we had a long talk with the English, customer relations manager outlining some of the basics for wheelchair users and he was very interested, re what could be done., even a beach wheelchair, and the hotel staff could not be faulted on their willingness to give assistance, as the beach is not suitable for wheelchairs, he said the staff had offerd to carry her across the beach if she wished to spend time there. We would use this hotel again as it all came right in the end.

The roads, well it took a couple of hours to get in the mindset, yes the Baga/Calandute road is busy to say the least, but well we pushed it a number of times, and spent time in Calandute town shoping, stay on the tarmac and avoid the soft sand , just go with it and keep your cool, just be carefull of the drivers/scooter/bike drivers who are more interested in the wheelchair than where they are go'ing. Remember you are different, you can attract attention, as what they are seeing is not normal for the Goan people, disability seems to mean a life of begging !!!!!!.

Transport localy we used Sagar of Shantadurga Taxi Service, based at the junction of CSM Road and the Baga/Calandute Road, using a Maruti Van/Micro bus, brilliant guy, room in the back for the wheels without dismantling, visited Old Goa and the temples at Ponda, full day. We allowed a day between trips for R and R, well a push down town for a few hours and an easy time before the next trip, then of to the the Falls at Dudhsagar, via coach and jeep,not really advised unless you are both fit and are an extreme pusher, the wheels will take a pounding, as well as the occupant, as it tilt back on two wheels pushing over rocky terrain, ( we push out the limits as we allways do, but we attempt most things)

We took a trip to Fort Aquarda ???, above the prison, the path to it loose gravel, tilt back and push on two wheels, quite a distance in the heat, but take it in stages with drinks, the path ends in 3 wide and 18" drop steps to cross the bridge into the fort, then its difficult pushing, back on the rears over large stone blocks/giant cobbles up the ramp into the fort interior, very steep ramp over same blocks of stone up onto the ramparts, the view was worth it, we are gluttons for punishment, getting out of the fort and onto the gravel path we were assisted by other visitors (Indian) who were so suprised that we had been there, in veiw of the roughness of the ground. I think they thought we were mad to even try it !!!. One place we would say is wheelchair accessible is the folk museum at Callizz, brilliant place and the staff allowed us to access the building via other entrances.

Old Goa, no problems, churches very accesable, just lots of pushing, map very usefull and a brilliant place, the temples at Ponda, lots of lifting and carrying, many flights of steps, taxi driver was good, drove up to the barriers to motor traffic, right words and points to the wheelchair and got us right up to the entrances, again we atracted lots of attention, aspecialy when i carried the wheeels up into the temple grounds and then carried my partner at speed up flights of steps to the wheelchair ( andrelanin helps, there all watching, we ca'nt let them down))and then did in reverse on the way out, interestingly at one ,a shout went out and my way was cleared right up a long flight of steps.

Some times I think were mad to do these things, but you have only one life so let us both have some experiences, and we have been to many wonderful places and had lots of experiences that many disabled couples have not had the chance, our next trip is South America from top to bottom, we decide to give the Australian Outback a miss this year, but it beckons for next, it draws you in !!!!!

An Extreme Pusher.

ews
Just want to say, I think you are a remarkable, and intrepid couple, wishing you all the best for your future travels.
x lassi

ews
i have just read your post with great interest,we were in goa this year with friends,and had a great holiday,our friends have a severely disabled son he was in a motor bike accident and is now in a wheel chair he has no use of arms or legs,he had stayed at home but while there we kept saying how much he would enjoy it and that he should come with us next year,but our friends decided it wouldn`t work as goa is so wheelchair unfriendly,i will get them to read your post as it`s so positive,thankyou,and enjoy all future travels

Ews what a fascinating posting, well done to you and your partner, I hope you have many more happy travels

It's great to read about disabled people enjoying Goa, the country is not wheelchair friendly but the people are, I am not wheelchair dependant but I cannot walk very far, I am also a lone traveller and I do depend on the help and tolerance of other holiday makers, which is forthcoming, it was said a couple of years ago to Lynn in Dabolim airport that people in wheelchairs shouldn't go on holiday( a brit again), I say go for it and enjoy and I hope you have many more holidays.
Take care and God bless Danny