Six Tips for Booking an Accessible Summer Holiday By Jennifer Black
Planning a summer getaway should be an enjoyable experience for everyone, but for those with disabilities or chronic health conditions, it can also be quite stressful.
However, there are some ways to tweak your bookings to accommodate your accessibility needs so you can have a relaxing and comfortable holiday.
Here are six key tips to help make booking your summer holiday as simple as possible.
1. Research accommodation thoroughly
You know your situation best, so to start with, write down a list of your personal accessibility needs. What would it take to have the summer holiday you envision?
Brainstorm potential obstacles, such as navigating airports, public transport, and hotel stairways. Then, when choosing a place to stay, sites like Accessible Travel Online are superb resources. Looking for accommodation that clearly states accessible features that will resolve these issues.
Some common features include:
- Step-free entrances and pathways
- Elevators or ramps for multi-story buildings
- Accessible bathrooms with grab bars and roll-in showers
- Wide doorways and hallways for wheelchairs
- Visual or vibrating alarms for hearing-impaired guests
It’s important to always call ahead to confirm these features with your hotel, ensure they are aware of your needs, and confirm that they can support you during your visit.
2. Learn from the experience of others
Once you’ve found your ideal destination and resort, be sure to check out reviews from other travellers with disabilities. Websites and forums specific to accessible travel can provide valuable insights about hotels, restaurants, and attractions that might not be evident on brochures or business websites.
Check out Euan's Guide, which is a platform that empowers disabled individuals by offering user-generated reviews of venues and locations. It strives to give disabled individuals the confidence and choice they need to explore their surroundings. Euan's Guide encourages participation from disabled individuals and businesses to improve accessibility awareness and standards.
3. Prioritise destinations with inclusive policies
Some countries may be more advanced in their infrastructure for supporting people with disabilities. Destinations such as Sweden, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Canada have stronger disability-friendly policies that can provide a smoother experience—they also tend to have more accessible tourist attractions and inclusive public spaces.
You could consider investing in travel insurance that covers any personal mobility equipment you’ll need to take with you as health emergencies or special assistance. This can significantly impact your trip in the event of an unexpected incident.
4. Advocate for your rights
Understanding your rights as a disabled traveller is crucial. For example, in many locations, airlines and tourism operators are legally obligated to provide certain assistance for disabled passengers. Knowing these rights ahead of time can help you avoid stressful situations and make for an all-around better experience while travelling.
5. Travel with others
Whether you choose to plan your adventure with friends, family, or other like-minded people as a group, travelling with others relieves much of the pressure that comes with planning a trip on your own. Plus, you’ll benefit from having others around you to support and advocate for you, and accessible tour groups often host unique activities for you to enjoy.
Choosing an accessible tour group means less planning for you and far less stress. Many companies focus solely on providing inclusive travel tours, so you can lean on their expertise to make your trip as seamless as possible. As an added bonus, emergency assistance is often included in the fee.
If you're considering a trip to the UK, you'll find plenty of accessibility-friendly resources to make your journey easier.
New tech solutions are always coming into this market. Concepts like WelcoMe will allow communication before you arrive. Check them out here http://Wel-co.Me. Imagine a future where everyone you want to know about your arrival knows about you… before you arrive.
6. Be realistic
While having the holiday of a lifetime is certainly possible, it’s important to be realistic about your expectations, whether related or unrelated to your disability. Your budget, fitness level and ability, medication requirements, and dietary needs all play a significant role in determining which expeditions are suitable for you.
That said, there’s always a way to turn a roadblock into a positive. If you enjoy mountainous landscapes but climbing one isn’t an option, you could consider a helicopter tour to access similar views, for example. Being creative with your ideas is the best way to make the most of your holiday.
Enjoy your accessible summer holiday
Finally, remember that accessible travel options are often limited and can fill up quickly. Booking your accommodation, transport, and any special services early ensures you’ll secure what you need for a stress-free holiday. So then all you need to do is pack your bags and relish your summer getaway.
Jennifer Black
As a person living with a chronic disability, Jennifer understands the challenges that come alongside travelling with additional needs. Sharing her top tips and advocating for more inclusive travel, she hopes to make it possible for more people to see the world.
