To Table of Contents for having a disability at the airport . TSA is one reason why . I was asked no less than 15 questions about my disability , including why didn ’ t I have a disability ID card ? Why do I need a wheelchair and where is the wheelchair when I sleep at night ? How long have I had this particular wheelchair ? And so on . Be prepared for a rigorous and unnecessary intervention !
4 OK , now you probably need a break after you barely make it through TSA and now you ’ re off to your gate . Just about every other airport I fly to / from ensures that people with a disability , people with children , or anyone with a mobility issue can pre-board . This means you get to board the flight before anyone else so that the entire flight is not held up while you get to your seat with assistance , including the use of an aisle chair . BUT , not here . For some reason we were boarded almost last , which means the flow of people in line who are boarding are interrupted . Which , inevitably , means the flight is delayed . Our flight was delayed by nearly 30 minutes as a result of poor planning , despite my numerous requests for all of us to pre-board . The ripple effect is obvious . Pissed off passengers and crew , less time for connecting flights – if you didn ’ t miss them already , and so on .
5 Israel , in general , is a lovely place to visit aside from airport issues . If you need accessible taxis while in Israel , don ’ t expect to see them on the street looking for you . Instead , you must plan ahead and book either private accessible taxis or public accessible taxis if you can find one . Accessible taxis are hard to find . You can opt for accessible public transportation , such as busses or even the train , but again , check schedules and availability .
6 The weather ! Be sure to plan your tip during weather that is comfortable for you . I have traveled there during various times of the year and the weather can vary by location . For example , you can be in Jerusalem during a warm day in the late summer and travel to the Judean Desert , about an hour and a half ride , where it can be dramatically hotter . Upon your return to Jerusalem that evening , it can be quite cool . It ’ s a good idea to check the weather forecast each day and to bring a light jacket during summer months for the cool nights . February and March in Jerusalem can be cold while Tel Aviv during the same period can be warm .
7 Currency exchange . Always a good idea to exchange your currency at an airport kiosk where commissions are zero or very low , or at a bank in the city . Hotels and other businesses will charge a higher commission to exchange your money – so it ’ s worth a few blocks walk from your hotel to a bank or currency exchange location .
8 Have fun . Every time I have been to Israel has been an amazing experience . The food , the people , and the historical sites never fail to impress me . The progress made in the last year for accessibility in the Old City has been amazing . While it ’ s not perfect – there are bumpy sidewalks and steep ramps ( remember , you ’ re in a city that is more than 2,000 years old ), it is much more navigable than ever . Even the Tower of David has added an elevator – a feat itself ! The real key to everything is to enjoy and don ’ t be afraid to ask questions , maybe a lot of questions .