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| The
Gateway to Services in the UK |
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Given here is some sources of information and ideas on going on holiday
and leisure pursuits.
Holidays
The question of access is a key factor. You may want to feel confident about access to the accommodation, to the attractions you want to see and leisure facilities you wish to use before thinking about anything else. Or you might put, type, destination and price of holiday first, and then look at the issue of price.
Should you opt for group holidays tailored for disabled people? These can save you the time and trouble of organising things for yourself. You are actually guaranteed access and assistance. But you might get less choice. And you might not always want to be with a group of disabled people. You can find more information in the English Touring Board’s leaflet The National Accessible Scheme, Helping you to book with confidence and the Welsh Tourist board’s leaflet Discovering Accessible Wales.
Before deciding you need to have as much relevant, up-to-date information as possible. Tourist attractions which subscribe to the English Tourist Board’s National Code of Practice for Visitor Attractions (The Visitor’s Charter) will have considered the requirements of disabled people with special needs and made suitable provision where it applies
In Scotland attractions which are accessible or have some accessible facilities (eg. Car parking, toilets, eating places, shops, on-site transport) may display one of three wheelchair symbols. These correspond to the three categories of accessibility (see below).
Holiday Care Service
This service is the UK’s central source of travel and holiday information for people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, older people, carers, one parent families and those on low income. The computerised database holds information on all aspects of holidays and travel in this country and overseas.
Holiday Care Service works within the framework of the TOURISM FOR ALL campaign for mainstream tourism environment accessible to all regardless of age or disability
Holiday Care Service ’Friends Scheme’ gives members (who make a small donation each year) exclusive access to the Reservations Service to book accessible accommodation throughout the country, often at discounted rates.
Phone or write your enquiry to:
2nd Floor, Imperial Buildings, Victoria Rd, Horley, Surrey RH6 7PZ
Tel: 01293 771500 for information, 01293 773716 for reservations,
Textphone: 01293 776943
National Accessible Standard
There is a National Accessible Standard for tourist accommodation denoting three categories of accessibility:
Category 1 accommodation likely to meet the needs of all wheelchair users, including those travelling independently;
Category 2 accommodation likely to meet the needs of wheelchair users accompanied by a capable helper;
Category 3 accommodation likely to meet the needs of those who can walk short distances and climb at least three steps. May not be suitable for wheelchair users.
Tourist Boards
The British Isles
The national and regional tourist boards all publish lists of accommodation which are graded using the National Accessible Standard for tourist accommodation. Tourist board numbers are listed below together with guides specially designed for disabled people.
English Tourist Boards’ information on accommodation is handled by Holiday Care Service 01293 771500
The National Accessible Scheme: Helping you book with confidence
Northern Ireland Tourist Board Tel: 0207 355 5040
Accessible Accommodation in Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Tourist Board Tel: 0131 332 2433
Wales Tourist Board Tel; 02920 475 226
Discovering Accessible Wales from Anabledd Cymru (Disability Wales)
Cumbria Tourist Board Tel: 01539 444444
East of England tourist Board Tel: 01473 822 922
Information Sheet for People with Special Needs
Heart of England Tourist Board Tel: 01905 763 436
London Tourist Board and Convention Bureau Tel: 0207 730 3450
Holiday Fact Packs are available from RADAR
The Tourist Information Centre, Victoria Station, London SW1, which itself is accessible, can provide information on tourist accommodation which caters for disabled people
Northumbria Tourist board Tel: 0191 375 3000
North West Tourist Board Tel: 01942 821 222
South East England Tourist Board Tel: 01892 540 766
Places of Interest for Disabled People
Southern Tourist Board Tel: 02380 620006
West Country Tourist Board Tel: 01392 276 351
Yorkshire Tourist Board Tel: 01904 701 414
ABROAD
Some national tourist boards produce information about access and facilities for disabled visitors available through their offices in the UK. Their offices are listed in the London phone book or you can obtain them through Directory Enquiries if you live outside London
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