Navigating the airport alone for the first time when I haven't flown period in 20 years is a scary prospect.

I know it's going to be fine, but until I actually do it, my brain is not letting me have peace of mind.

Yup

What if no one is available to help me? What if I get lost? What if I'm too slow and miss my flight? What if I conk out and miss my flight while waiting? What if no one believes I'm legally blind?

I'm telling my brain to put a sock in it, but that just results in discontent grumbling.

brains are rude

does your airport have the thing where they escort disabled folks to their gate?

Just so you know, you can look up your gate with your phone if you have your phone connected to the internet!

You can input your flight number, and if that doesn't work if you happen to see any agent at the desk you can ask them for a helping hand too!

But it wouldn't hurt to ask if there is any accessibility options too as they should have options available to you

They might also have volunteer workers usually wearing the general color of that airport who can help find a place you're looking for!

Also the close gates when it's 10 minutes prior to departure, which is why they start boarding 30 minutes before the departure time so they can make it on time.

So if you do find your gate I'd say stick around that area--they should have a boarding screen near the gate too in case there's any gate changes. Usually a gate agent would advice you check back in an hour to make sure there wasn't any gate changes!

but yes tl;dr it's best to state any disabilities make it be known because the airline make it a priority to accommodate passengers who are need of extra time/accessibility etc!

lenainverse: They are very rude. And they do. I'm planning to use it.

Spagonia: I'm not planning to move from the gate once I get there, so no worries there at least.

I work at the airport and hope the general info can help /o\ I understand having travel jitters and worry especially when it can be an overwhelming place to be in-!!!

But yeah, if you ever need extra boarding time I absolutely recommend letting the gate agent know so you can go in as a pre-board!

for the record they're not allowed to not believe you if you say you're disabled, if that helps at all

That helps a ton. It genuinely feels like people aren't trained to help the blind/low vision in a lot of places anymore. Even hospitals.

Both of you are helping a lot.

Glad to help out!