Tips for travelling with a disability

Part of the joy of going on holiday is the planning. Deciding where you’re going, what you’ll do, places to stay and unmissable sights you want to see. However, for those with a disability, of which there are over 11 million in Britain, travelling comes with a whole host of additional considerations.

We’ll share with you our tips for travelling with a disability to ensure you get the most out of your trip.

Plan your stay

The purple pound is the spending power of the disabled people, and recent figures suggest that day visitor spending accounts for £11.6 billion, with overnight visitor spending at around £3.2 billion. If you’re planning on a trip that involves an overnight stay it’s worth requesting a copy of the accommodation’s accessibility guide. This will give you an idea of whether it will be suitable for you.

Pick your attractions

When travelling with a disability you’ll want to be able to see and do as many of the popular attractions as you can. Top attractions will often have a robust accessibility guide in place. Attractions like the London Eye offers plenty of information about accessibility on their website as do many other top attractions.

For tourist attractions in smaller locations, calling the attraction itself and asking them what they have in place and if they’re able to make special arrangements is a must.

Speak to your doctor

Before embarking on a trip, especially if you’ll be going abroad, it’s important you speak to your GP. They’ll need to be aware of where you’re going and if they need to give you additional advice and support with regards to your condition and potentially prescribe additional medication or increase your prescription. Getting a letter from your doctor detailing the medication you need is also a good idea in case you lose your medication or need more during your trip.

Pack your medication

Once you’ve consulted your GP or healthcare provider you should make sure you pack your medication. Make sure you have enough for your whole trip, plus extra in case of delays or emergencies. Ideally you should keep your medication in its original packaging – especially if you’re travelling abroad.

Plan your journey

Whether you’re going on a self-drive trip, you’re flying or even going on a cruise you should plan your journey ahead of time. Work out when and where you’ll take your comfort breaks and make sure your essential items are easily accessible.

If you require a wheelchair and don’t have one, see if you can hire one or check that where you’re going has one.

Check your insurance

Before you go on your trip decide what type of travel insurance you’ll need. There are a number of different policies available, each one offering a different type of cover. You should take out travel insurance even if you’re travelling within the UK, especially if you’re taking your own special equipment or you’re likely to need medical attention whilst you’re away.