Normal holiday planning involves plenty of decisions, never mind accessible holidays! Throw accessibility into the mix, and the process becomes even more complex. However, it shouldn’t stop you from exploring the world.

From finding suitable accommodation to arranging airport assistance, a little forward planning makes for a much smoother trip. Here are the main aspects of your journey to think about first.

Personal Mobility on Accessible Holidays

The first place to start: thinking about how you will get around throughout your holiday. That includes travel from the airport and accommodation to attractions and restaurants. Do you find walking difficult or tiring? Powered mobility makes travelling more comfortable while offering greater independence.

An electric wheelchair can be particularly useful for longer trip accessible holidays. It allows you to cover greater distances without depending on someone else to push you. A top–level model also includes features such as extended battery range, adjustable seating, and added manoeuvrability for traversing both indoor and outdoor environments.

Accommodation

There’s one mistake you must avoid: assuming a property described as accessible will automatically meet your requirements.

Before you make a non-refundable deposit for your accessible holidays, contact the accommodation provider directly. Ask specific questions about:

Additionally, if you’re travelling with mobility equipment, check whether there’s somewhere practical to store and charge it overnight.

It might seem bothersome, but never be hesitant to ask as many questions as you need. For instance, you can gather an idea by looking at pictures. Yet requesting specific measurements gives you a much clearer idea of whether the room will work for you.

Flights

Air travel accessible holidays requires extra planning, particularly if you intend to take powered mobility equipment. Start by checking the airline’s requirements well before booking. You’ll then need to supply accurate information about your equipment’s dimensions, weight, and battery specifications. It’s also possible you might need to arrange assistance in advance. Airports can be exhausting, especially if you’re travelling with the elderly.

One suggestion is to keep written confirmation of your arrangements. This is useful when you need to clarify any info at the airport.

Accessible Holidays Transfers

When planning a holiday, it can be easy to overlook the task of getting from the airport to your accommodation.

The problem is that standard taxis might not possess enough room for mobility equipment. Then more specialised transfer services typically require advance bookings.

To avoid potential issues, find out whether your equipment can travel with you and whether you can remain seated during the journey. Is it necessary for you to transfer into a vehicle seat? Also check how your equipment will be stored and handled.

Destinations

While where you want to go is already on your mind, it’s about more than the destination and your chosen accommodation. You must think about accessibility at your planned destination.

Think about pavements, public transport, attractions, restaurants, and the terrain around the places you want to visit. Say you’ve found a destination with numerous accessible hotels. The issue is that the destination could still present difficulties elsewhere.

Reviews from disabled travellers can give useful insight into real-world conditions, while local accessibility information is a way to reveal potential challenges before you travel on your accessible holidays.

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