Handicapped Access Information

Handicapped parking is available throughout JBSA Lackland.  Handicap DMV License Plates or Hangtags are required. If you are traveling from another state, your hangtag will be honored on base. Please be sure to display them properly in your vehicles.

  • Parking and Access: Handicapped Parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the Reception Center.  The parking lot will be blocked off, but show your Hangtag to the Airmen posted there and they will allow you access.
  • Wheelchair, Scooter and Walker Access – Reception Center: Ramp access is located from the parking lot into the building. You will exit the building onto the Retreat Pad. (There is a ramp available).
  • Handicapped Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available on the 1st Floor, off the lobby.
  • Seating – Event takes place on the Retreat Pad behind the BMT RC. Handicapped Reserved seating is located in and in front of the stands as marked on the map below.

Wheelchair, Power Wheelchair and Scooter Rentals in San Antonio

-Toms Wheelchair Rentals 118 Broadway Street, Suite #540 San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 223-7878 is open 7 days a week (9 AM – 5 PM), including holidays.  They also offer after hours support: www.tomswheelchairs.com. Rates are affordable and with delivery and pick-up options available to area hotels.

-Ability Scooters 10860 Gulfdale San Antonio, TX. 78216 (210)-315-8242 Monday – Friday (10AM – 5:30PM) www.abilityscooters.com

Wheelchair Accessible Van Rentals: Alamo Mobility of San Antonio, TX 6473 DeZavala Road San Antonio, TX 78249 Toll Free: 1-877-659-1480 Local: 1-210-338-8301 www.alamomobility.com Handicap accessible rental vans with lowered floor Dodge Grand Caravans with an automatic door, ramp and kneel system. The van accommodates one person in a wheelchair and up to five passengers including the driver.

Service Animal Information for Hotels and Business Owners in San Antonio: Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

City of San Antonio – Service Animal Facts for Business Owners www.sanantonio.gov/publicworks/dao/serviceanimalfacts.aspx

Hotels: All hotels in the Greater San Antonio area are required by law to be ADA Accessible. Please check with your individual hotel to confirm amenities.

City of San Antonio Disability Access Office: Director’s Office Municipal Plaza Building 114 W. Commerce San Antonio, Texas 78205 Main Line: (210) 207-8022 Fax: (210) 207-4406 Monday – Friday (8AM – 5PM)

San Antonio Area Attractions ADA Handicapped Accessible Information

Morgan’s Wonderland: General Information

River Walk: General Information, ADA Accessible Maps

The Alamo: General Information,  Accessibility Info

Institute of Texas Cultures: General Information.  A limited number of wheelchairs are available for visitor use.

San Antonio Botanical Garden: General Information.  According to the SABOT website, it is “highly suitable for use by people of all ages and abilities and is wheelchair accessible.”

San Antonio Zoo: General Information http://www.sazoo.org.  You are welcome to bring your own strollers to San Antonio Zoo.  The zoo also offers the following rentals:

  • Single Stroller $13.00
  • Double Stroller $16.00
  • Wheelchair $10.00
  • Electric Wheelchair $35.00
  • Electric Wheelchair with canopy $45.00

*A valid drivers license is required for all rentals. Tax not included.

Sea World-San Antonio:  General Information,  Waves of Honor,  Accessibility Info

Six Flags Fiesta Texas: General Information, Accessibility Info

Other Tips from an AFWM member:

  • If your loved one uses medical oxygen, you don’t have to use the provider recommended by the airline. Call your medical supply provider. When I called the airline-recommended company, they told me it would be $350 for a portable for the week and that Medicare/private insurance “would not cover it because they consider portable oxygen a luxury item.”  If your loved one qualifies for oxygen, they qualify for temporary portable oxygen!  All I had to do was call our supplier – give at least 2 weeks lead time- and show up for a quick how-to lesson.
  • Make sure the portable concentrator is airline-approved.  There also may be a form- depending on your airline- to have the doctor sign, then you fax for authorization. Check the airline website for their specific guidelines, and have everything pre-approved as far ahead of time as possible.  Notify the airline of the need for medical oxygen and mobility level of your loved one. Do this by CALLING the airline and talking to a live person, who can flag his/her ticket. This will also ensure you have an escort to help wrangle the wheelchair and bags.
  • MEDICAL DEVICES DO NOT COUNT AS BAGGAGE!!! Check whatever you will not need. We checked the walker, but kept our own wheelchair with us.  When you check things at the ticket counter, you can ask for an escort.
  • SECURITY: When you get to security, there is usually a lane for handicapped people/ families. This allows you to not slow down other travelers. You need to let the TSA agent know your loved one’s level of mobility, as well as hearing, vision, or dementia/confusion issues. That determines how he/she will be screened. TSA has information on screening disabled people on its WEBSITE.  When you get to security, have all documentation you need, such as for the oxygen concentrator or liquid medicine.  ***NOTE- NEVER check medications!  Bring enough for the trip, plus 2-3 days more. Have a written list of all medications, including vitamins and supplements, with you ‘just in case.’***
  • Prepare your loved one for the likelihood of a manual pat down from TSA.  If your loved one has dementia or just forgets, keep repeating everything as necessary and talk to him/her through the procedure so he/she can hear your voice and knows where you are. This really helps.
  • AT THE GATE: If available, sit in the chairs designated for those needing boarding assistance. Let the gate agent know ASAP how much assistance you will need to get on the plane. If using your own wheelchair, let the gate agent know you want to gate check it.  You will board first- before first class.  Plan to stay on the plane until everyone else is off of it.  It is only polite to those who are in a hurry, PLUS the crew will be able to assist you.
  • If you checked your wheelchair at the gate, it will be waiting for you as soon as you step off the plane.  Ask for an escort to help you get to baggage claim ( if necessary).
  • Layovers are NOT a bad thing.  A long flight is a long time sitting and without an easily accessible bathroom. Two segments, with time to use a decent bathroom, get food and walk a bit can help. Remember- sitting a long time puts everyone at risk for blood clots when flying.  Watch out for possible concourse changes!!
  • If renting a car, be sure the company knows if you need wheelchair space. Most agents are familiar with vehicles that easily accommodate the disabled.  A larger vehicle does not mean it will handle a wheelchair!
  • If taking a shuttle, ask the first person in line (or a travelling companion) to notify the driver you need assistance with a wheelchair. On a shuttle you will be last on, last off.
  • Consider a private limo.  This is something most people don’t think about. Private care service/ limo pick ups from the airport are not at all expensive. The really nice part is you have a pre-paid driver who needs to earn a tip and is completely dedicated to you ahead of time.
  • At Lackland, the handicapped parking for the BMT reception center is easy to find. Let the Airmen monitoring traffic/parking know you need handicap parking and they will assist in showing you where to park.  Once you are on the Retreat Pad for the ceremonies, handicap seating will be available in marked sections.
  • REMEMBER YOU WILL BE OUTSIDE!!! If it is chilly and/or rainy have extra blankets and an umbrella.
  • Begin planning ASAP, make notes for two weeks of every item he/she needed, then decide what must be taken and what can be easily purchased if needed. Run through every step in your mind and anticipate situations that may arise- and how you will deal with them. Weather, health issues, accessibility are all concerns, but the primary caregiver of a disabled person should already have a handle on these things.