IL Community News
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always one step ahead
always one step ahead
Everybody needs a break from time to time;
even just a few days in a new environment can make all the difference - but it is important to get the details
right if you are to get the best out of it.
If your family is on a low income, and cannot afford a holiday, help may be available from organisations
like the Family Holiday Association. If you haven't had a break for a least four years, then ask to be referred
by somebody such as a GP, social worker or health visitor. There is more information available and application
forms on their website (it will open in a new browser window)
For families with disabled children, the government has passed an amendment to the Children and Young People
Bill, which places a positive duty on local authorities to ensure availability of short breaks (this used to be
known as respite care). All local authorities must meet this requirement by 2011, and since 2008, funding and
guidance has been provided to ensure that it is achieved. The LA must promote information about the short breaks
that are available, and how they decide on allocating them.
Holidays at home are more popular than ever, thanks to a combination of recession and concern about the environmental
impact of long-haul travel. Equally, the DDA and the work being done for the forthcoming 2012 Olympics mean that access
to holiday facilities in Britain is better than ever. Nevertheless, not every beach is accessible in a wheelchair and
many historic town centres can be daunting for anyone with mobility problems. The challenge is knowing where to look
for information.
Open Britain represents an attempt to bring it all
together in one place. A collaboration between RADAR, Tourism for
All UK, and the National Federation of ShopMobility with various national tourism bodies, Open Britain is promised to be
a definitive guidebook, where you can find out about accommodation from hotels to self-catering apartments, camping and
caravan sites, places to eat and drink, accessible attractions and beaches. The website is already up and running, and
you can pre-order a copy of the book, which is scheduled to be published in November.
Tourism for All points out that although many hotels have "accessible rooms " in order to comply with the DDA,
only a small proportion of these have been independently inspected to confirm the level of accessibility. The National
Accessible Scheme is a nationally recognized scheme for tourism providers, which accurately describes the accessibility
of facilities for customers with a range of disabilities, including mobility and sensory impairments. Symbols in guide
books and other information sources show the level of accessibility provided, ranging from the least accessible - ie
suitable for someone with sufficient mobility to climb a flight of stairs - through to "access exceptional"
which is fully accessible for both independent and assisted wheelchair users. Facilities for visually and hearing-impaired
guests are similarly graded.
In order to ensure that any special needs are fully met, it is important to mention them at the time of booking a holiday.
If you don't, and then find the facilities required are not available, the holiday will be spoiled. With so many providers
and so much choice, it is hard to know which to select. Personal recommendation is often a good guide, so asking friends
and colleagues about accessible holiday experiences can be helpful. Equally, feedback from travellers on websites such
as Visit Britain may give ideas for places to visit that you hadn't considered.
By Air - European regulations guarantee more rights for disabled people travelling by air; for example, airlines must carry medical
equipment and up to two pieces of mobility equipment free of charge; airports across the EU must provide the services
necessary to enable people with reduced mobility or other impairments to get on and off planes; assistance must also be
available on board, and all staff need to be trained in disability awareness. on board assistance does not extend to personal care, however. So if you need help with things like eating, taking medication or using the toilet, you will need to take a carer with you.
Equally, airlines - for safety reasons - may refuse to allow a disabled passenger to travel alone if they are not "self-reliant". In practice, this means that you can:
• unfasten your seat belt
• leave your seat and reach an emergency exit
• put on an oxygen mask and lifejacket
• understand the safety briefing and any instructions given by the crew in emergency situations
As always, it is important to give as much
information as possible about any special needs in advance, so that they can provide the necessary assistance.
A new guide to airports and air travel for travellers with disabilities has just been published by Parkat.
It offers advice on travelling with various medical conditions and impairments, and tips on making
your journey smoother.
You can download the PDF here
By Sea - Cruises are becoming more popular as cruise ships are now much more accessible than previously, though many cruise and
ferry operators will only allow a disabled person to travel with a non-disabled companion, depending on the nature and
extent of the disability. Independent travellers need to take advice on this. Equally, medical clearance may be required
before a disabled person can book up for a cruise.
If you are planning a motoring holiday which starts with a Channel crossing, some ferry companies as well as Eurotunnel
may offer a reduction in price for disabled drivers. You may have to be a member of Mobilise to qualify.
By Train - All British InterCity trains, Eurostar, most UK regional and European trains, are wheelchair
accessible. If you plan to travel in your own chair, you need to check facilities when you book. Most trains can carry manual
and powered wheelchairs, but may not be able to accommodate scooters or really large powered wheelchairs.
In the UK, a Disabled Person's Railcard enables you to buy tickets at a discount of up to a third, for
yourself and another adult travelling with you. If the disabled traveller is a child between five and 16, they pay the normal
child's fare, and an adult travelling with them pays the discounted adult fare. You can download an application form to buy
the Railcard from the Disabled Persons Railcard website
Some journeys across Europe are subject to similar discounted passes for disabled travellers: find out about availability
before making a booking.
Finally - if you need help getting on or off the train, let them know when you book. This is particularly important at
unmanned stations, so that someone can be on hand. Some stations have better access than others: check in advance, so that
you keep your journey as smooth as possible.
Insurance - Travelling abroad, it is important to have insurance. Although travel agents almost always offer cover when you book,
their policies may not be suitable for disabled travellers. For example, some policies won't cover claims arising from a
"pre-existing medical condition" ie, any claim relating to the disability. There are many specialist brokers,
though, so shop around. Equally, insurers are not allowed to charge a disabled person more for cover than they do a
non-disabled customer, unless they can demonstrate that they are a higher risk.
Even for a holiday in Britain, it is worth thinking about insurance cover, particularly for expensive pieces of
equipment, such as a wheelchair or mobility scooter. These are often not covered by travel insurance, though you may
well find that they are covered under a household policy when you take them away with you - so check beforehand.
Medication - For anyone who takes regular medication, holiday planning must include making sure there are sufficient supplies to
last through the trip. Medication should always be clearly labelled, and it is a good idea to get a letter from the
doctor listing the prescriptions, just in case emergency supplies are required. If medical facilities such as dialysis
or oxygen will be necessary, arrange these through the GP ahead of time.
EHIC - In case of medical emergencies abroad, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will entitle you to treatment in the
EU on the same terms as citizens of the country you are in. It is free, and you can get an application form from the Post
Office or from the Department of Health website. The card won't help with continuing medical treatment, such as blood
tests or injections when abroad. For this, you need an E112, which needs to be authorised in advance by the Department of Health.
Remember, you can share your travel and holiday tips by going to the "Talkback"
section (click below right)
Please note that information offered on this site is offered without guarantees or any acceptance of liability. We do our best to verify accuracy, but any advice should be used as a signpost rather than final authority!
