- A child with a disability is a child with a special ability -

Holiday advice for people with a disability

There are many kinds of holidays, many ways of arranging them, and many places to go - depending on what appeals to you and on your needs and abilities and budget.

Holidays can range from breaks organised specifically for disabled people, where there are helpers and nurses available, to stays in standard hotels or B&Bs, which can accommodate people in wheelchairs.

You can get information from the specialist publications and organisations given here, or for example, from your local travel agent. It is also worthwhile contacting specialist disability organisations to ask whether they run any adapted holiday accommodation.

Accessibility

National standards for disabled access and facilities in hotels and other holiday accommodation have recently been drawn up, with input from the Tourist Board and disability organisations.

Signing up to the standards is voluntary, but travel agents and tour operators should be able to give you details about the accommodation they deal with. The Centre for Accessible Environments (a registered charity) has details of the National Register of Access Consultants.

When making your holiday arrangements you should also ask how possible it is to get to the beach, tourist attractions, local shops or the town centre etc from where you will be staying.

When thinking of getting away from it all. Whether it's for a two-day short break or a two-week holiday, one of the most important things to consider when choosing accommodation is accessibility, you do want to enjoy your break. Don't forget to inform the accommodation provider of your needs.

Most people recognise the wheelchair symbol to identify accessibility, but for a more in-depth indication of the accessibility of a building or attraction, look for the National Accessible Scheme standards.

Organisations who provide holiday advice for people with a disability

Breathe Easy Club

Provides an information sheet on holidays. It is available free and some information on services in a number of countries can be given.

For further information please contact Breathe Easy Club
British Lung Foundation
78 Hatton Garden
London
EC1N 8LD
Telephone 020 7831 5831
Email breatheasy@britishlungfoundation.co.uk

British Epilepsy Association

Can give general advice to people with epilepsy on holidays, and has a reference copy of "A Travellers Handbook for Persons with Epilepsy"

For further information please contact British Epilepsy Association
New Anstey House
Gate Way Drive
Yeadon
Leeds
LS19 7XY
Telephone 0113 210 8800
Web Site www.epilepsy.org.uk

British Red Cross

Some county branches of the British Red Cross organise holidays and may be able to advise on holiday provision in their area.

For further information please contact British Red Cross
10th Floor
Westminster Tower
3 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7SX
Telephone 020 7793 3360
Web Site www.redcross.org.uk

Diabetes UK
Offers advice to people with diabetes on travel planning and has information leaflets for a number of countries that are popular for holidays.

For further information please contact Diabetes UK
10 Queen Anne Street,
London
W1G 9LH
Telephone 020 7323 1531
Web Site www.diabetes.org.uk

Disabled Holiday Directory,

Provides a web Directory where you can find or add information on accessible holiday accommodation.

For further information please contact Disabled Holiday Directory
6 Seaview Crescent
Goodwick
SA64 0AZ
Telephone 01348 875592
Web Site www.disabledholidaydirectory.co.uk
Holiday Care Service
A central resource on holiday information for people who are disabled or have other particular needs, including lone parents, carers, elderly people and those on low incomes.

For further information please contact Holiday Care Service
2nd Floor
Imperial Buildings
Victoria Road
Horley
Surrey
RH6 7PZ
Telephone 01293 774535
Web Site www.holidaycare.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind
RNIB Holiday Service provides an information service, which can advise on many different aspects of travel.

For further information please contact RNIB Holiday Service
224 Great Portland Street
London
W1N 6AA
Telephone 020 7388 1266
Web Site www.rnib.org.uk
Radar

Provides holiday guides for both the British Isles and Abroad They also produce fact sheets which provide useful information

For further information please contact RADAR
12 City Forum
250 City Road
London
EC1V 8AF
Telephone 020 7250 3222
Web Site www.radar.org.uk
Spinal Injuries Association
Gives information on accessible holiday accommodation in Britain and abroad.

For further information please contact Spinal Injuries Association
Newpoint House
76 St James's Lane
London
N10 3DF
Telephone 020 8444 2121
Web Site www.spinal.co.uk
Tripscope,
Helps solve mobility problems by providing useful information for the planning of journeys by people with disabilities.
For further information please contact Triscope
The Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue
Fishponds
Bristol
BS16 2QQ
Telephone 0845 758 5641
Web Site www.tripscope.org.uk

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