Holidays abroad for disabled person

scally_2

I've always loved to travel, but I'm now disabled and rely on a wheelchair to get me around. I've thought lots about traveling abroad again, but I know now it's not quite as easy as it was. I've found some websites that offer holidays suitable for disabled people, but they seem very expensive.

I've had enough problems with hotel accomodation in the UK that claimed to be disabled friendly, but in reality didn't turn out to be. I ended up having to go to the hotel pool changing room to have a shower and wash my hair, as the bath was too high to get into, and the shower was one over the bath and not a roll in one which I was led to believe.

Can anyone who may be disabled themselves, or have travelled with a disabled friend/relative abroad, suggest places that may be suitable/accesible? If anyone can offer tips or information that may help me find a suitable holiday, I would be very grateful.

Thank you

scally

richardw

I've seen this group http://www.ichotelsgroup.com offer wheel chair friendly rooms, worth a browse.

A city in Germany might be a possibility, try Cologne.

lisyloo

Hi scally,

If you can explain a bit about your disability it might help to get more relevant advice. For example

Are you totally wheelchair bound or can you get on a coach?
Are you travelling alone or do you have someone to assist you?

We have taken my mother-in-law on 4 holidays so far (even managing to get her into a gondola). She has bad arthritis but can get onto a coach.

There are many escorted coach holidays that would be suitable if you can get up the coach steps (and this is almost certainly the cheapest way to go).
We usually ask for a disabled room but there is no guarantee unfortunately.
If they end up with a bath (which she can't get in) then my mother-in-law simply washes standing up.
I think you will find it hard to get a guarantee unless you have endless funds to book direct, because with group packages often rooms are not allocated until you arrive.

Another suitable type of holiday may be a cruise.
Fred Olsen have some rooms for people who are wheelchair bound (although I would say that particular cruise line is targeted to a mature market).
There are many staff on hand to help and some of the excursions involve no walking (such as panoramic coach tours) providing of course you can get on the coach. On cruise excursions they normally tell you whether an excursion is suitable for people with imparied mobility or whether there is loads of walking/steps. A cruise will be quite a bit more expensive than an escorted coach trip but it's obviously not the same type of holiday.

When we got to the ship there were high steps so my mother-in-law was lifted in her chair but all the other days it was like a plank and not steps.

We recently flew with her and she was lifted on and off the plane with either a hoist or manually.

We have generally found people very helpful whereever we have been, but of course you need to check out the arrangements before you go.

scally_2

lisyloo wrote:

Hi scally,

If you can explain a bit about your disability it might help to get more relevant advice. For example

Are you totally wheelchair bound or can you get on a coach?
Are you travelling alone or do you have someone to assist you?

We have taken my mother-in-law on 4 holidays so far (even managing to get her into a gondola). She has bad arthritis but can get onto a coach.

Opps..I'm having a brain full of mush today!

I need a wheelchair when I am outside, but can manage with 2 sticks and grab rails around the house. I would be going on holiday with my partner, who is used to helping me when we're out and about.

I've got arthritis in my hand, right hip, both knees and feet. I also have spasms in my foot which contorts it, and my leg, into strange positions. I've known I was going to end up relying on a wheelchair for a while but have only become dependent on it over the last 9 months. So, travelling with the disabilities I have now is a new experience, and I'm a bit nervous about trying it, but at the same time, we need a holiday, and I need to overcome my anxieties of how we are going to manage it.

I've looked at booking flights and accomodation seperately, which is the way we've always done it, but getting there is only half the problem. Once there I need to know I'm going to be able to manage to get around. So places we've been to in the past, like some of the Greek islands for instance, I've ruled out already.

I'd never thought about coach or cruise holidays. I guess I thought they would be aimed at the more mature market. But, it may be worth a look to see what is available. Thank you for those suggestions.

scally

lisyloo

Cruises these days are aimed at all sorts of markets.
Different companies have different target audiences so Fred Olsen is a bit more mature with lots of bingo and the entertainment is war time songs (for example).
But there are other cruise lines that cater for different markets.
EasyCruise caters for the hen/stag party type.
Some others offer art, wine tasting and classical music etc.
It's a case of finding the right one for you.

Upsides are :
plenty of staff to help
Loads of things to do on the boat
excursions (some of which may be unsuitable but others will be fine).

Downsides are:
About 6 inch step into bathroom (this is to avoid shower water going into the cabin when ship moves).
Cabins are generally compact and bijou unless you are loaded. Not much room to get a wheelchair or frame around although wheelchair cabins will be much better.
Wheelchair cabins are probably limited so need to get in early.
Excursions can be pricey (but you don't have to take them you can travel independently).
If the weather is rough then ship can rock (A frame or sticks is really usesful here) but can be tricky in the bathroom but that's true for able bodied people as well.

In general I would say coach holidays are aimed at older people, many of whom are not as comfortable as younger people with flying and independent travel.
However you don't have to worry about getting round at all.
You are taken everywhere.
We have found this very useful with my mother-in-law.
It's a case of finding an itinerary you like and old people aren't that bad :-)
In general I would think a lot cheaper than a cruise but then again there is something special about big ships.

Broken_hearted

We've found the USA to have the best disabled access, we have never had any problems. I know what you mean about thing promising to be accessable and then turning out not to be despite you checking 10 times.
We ring the airline taking us and the hotel before we book to double check before we book.
A lot of historic places are out because of steep hills or steps. We look through brouchers like any other family some now state whether it's wheelchair accessable. Then theres the lift issue, we tend to still get a ground floor room if possible just incase.
Just wanted to add we have only had one bad experience (very very bad) but have been all over the world, most places treat OH with respect and are more than willing to help.

am_bain

Hi
like you I use wheelchair for distances I am just back from a cruise with island cruises which I found very good. I had a disabled cabin which was fine with a small ramp to the bathroom with a walk in shower with a seat the staff were all very helpful we did not go on any excursions but we walked to the local towns which were very nice. Only once we had to use the tender boat to get from the ship to the nearest port but with the help of the staff it was ok in all I really enjoyed it. Palma Nova is another nice place very flat and you can hire a scooter.

scally_2

Thanks Ann :-) We've been investigating cruises after lisyloo suggested them as an option. We've not quite decided what to do yet. A lot is hanging on a hospital appointment on Friday. Really glad to hear you've enjoyed your holiday :-)

scally_2

Thanks Broken Hearted :-) One of my friends has been to Florida and told me that they are really geared up for those less mobile holiday makers, so it is good to hear that confirmed by you too.

I've travelled exstensively through Canada and the US in the past, before I became less mobile. I must admit I didn't pay too much attention to the things that I need to think about and consider now. I think like many I didn't ever think I would need a wheelchair to get around. Wish I'd payed a bit more attention now.

Once again thank you for your helpful suggestions. I really appreciate them.

scally

emloft

Hi Scally, Slightly off the point, but Dales Holiday Cottages have some great disabled friendly cottages in the Northern Dales. For example http://www.dales-holiday-cottages.com/detail.asp?refno=4046&i_max_records=20&i_record_position=16 (or search 4046 on https://www.dales-holiday-cottages.com ).

Weymouth_Man

Broken_hearted wrote:

We've found the USA to have the best disabled access, we have never had any problems. I know what you mean about thing promising to be accessable and then turning out not to be despite you checking 10 times.
We ring the airline taking us and the hotel before we book to double check before we book.
A lot of historic places are out because of steep hills or steps. We look through brouchers like any other family some now state whether it's wheelchair accessable. Then theres the lift issue, we tend to still get a ground floor room if possible just incase.
Just wanted to add we have only had one bad experience (very very bad) but have been all over the world, most places treat OH with respect and are more than willing to help.

We were on holiday many years ago and although we are not disabled found the service for diabled poeple great, on their bus routes wheelchair visitors went on before walking passengers. VIP,s treatment.

Pitty the UK can't do the same ?