Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STAYING SAFE
Although Chicago's crime rate rivals
that of any other American big city,
the neighborhoods covered in this
guidebook are usually quite safe. Use
the same precautions you would in
any other major urban area: Beware of
pickpockets in crowds and on the
subway; don't wander through dark
parks late at night; and take a taxi if
you're traveling late in the evening
and are unsure of how to get to your
destination.
them access to your records through
MedicAlert's 24-hour hot line.
Pack
prescription medications
in
your carry-on luggage, and carry pre-
scription medications in their original
containers, with pharmacy labels—
otherwise they won't make it through
airport security. Also bring along
copies of your prescriptions in case
you lose your pills or run out. Don't
forget an extra pair of contact lenses or
prescription glasses.
6 Specialized Travel Resources
TRAVELERS WITH
DISABILITIES
Most disabilities shouldn't stop any-
one from traveling. There are more
options and resources out there than
ever before. Most of Chicago's side-
walks, as well as major museums and
tourist attractions, are fitted with
wheelchair ramps. Many hotels pro-
vide special accommodations for visi-
tors in wheelchairs, such as ramps and
large bathrooms, as well as telecom-
munications devices for visitors with
hearing impairments; inquire when
you make your reservation.
CTA paratransit
offers door-to-
door lift services to and from O'Hare
International Airport for travelers
with disabilities. One week's notice
is required, and visitors must be regis-
tered with a similar program in their
home city. For information, call
&
312/432-7025.
Several of the
Chicago Transit
Authority's (CTA's)
El stations on
each line are fitted with elevators. Call
the CTA at
&
312/836-7000
for a
list of those that are accessible. All city
buses are equipped to accommodate
wheelchairs. For other questions about
CTA special services, call
&
312/432-
7025.
For specific information on facili-
ties for people with disabilities, call or
write the
Mayor's Office for People
with Disabilities,
121 N. LaSalle St.,
Room 1104, Chicago, IL 60602
(
&
312/744-7050
for voice; 312/
744-4964 for TTY). The office is
staffed from 8:30am to 4:30pm Mon-
day through Friday.
Horizons for the Blind,
2 N.
Williams St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(
&
815/444-8800
), is a social-service
agency that can provide information
about local hotels equipped with
Braille signage and cultural attractions
that offer Braille signage and special
tours. The
Illinois Relay Center
enables hearing- and speech-impaired
TTY callers to call individuals or busi-
nesses without TTYs 24 hours a day.
Calls are confidential and billed at reg-
ular phone rates. Call TTY at
&
800/
526-0844
or voice 800/526-0857.
The city of Chicago operates a 24-
hour information service for hearing-
impaired callers with TTY equipment;
call
&
312/744-8599.
Many travel agencies offer cus-
tomized tours and itineraries for trav-
elers with disabilities.
Flying Wheels
Travel
(
&
507/451-5005;
www.flying
wheelstravel.com) offers escorted
tours and cruises that emphasize
sports and private tours in minivans
with lifts.
Access-Able Travel Source
(
&
303/232-2979;
www.access-able.
com) offers extensive access informa-
tion and advice for traveling around
