Please note!
The factsheet "Holidays for Disabled People" contains details for much of the information included on this sheet.
General
DIAL Doncaster has a wealth of information on Holidays, Holiday Travel and associated matters and our Helpline staff will be happy to assist you in obtaining and providing whatever guidance you may need.
This factsheet attempts to describe the information which we hold and to give some practical guidance in choosing, booking and going on a holiday.
Holiday Travel
Air
Flying is not covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, but there is a Code of Practice produced by the air industry itself. Responsibility for providing assistance is shared between the airport operator (up to the check-in desk) and the airline. A useful guide is produced by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).
As with other aspects of holidays and holiday travel, perhaps the most important thing is to make sure that your travel agent or airline is made fully aware of your disabilities and of your needs.
Assistance - such as use of a wheelchair or help with luggage - may be provided. But if you are unable to, for instance, feed yourself or use the onboard toilet without assistance, you will not be allowed to travel on your own.
Rail
Between the years 2005 and 2015 a fund of £370 million will be distributed to the rail industry to enable improved access for disabled passengers. The Strategic Rail Authority has set out the key elements for an access strategy and has published a consultation document outlining what it sees as the work that needs to be undertaken.
Sea
If you will be using a ferry or ferries as a part of your holiday, you should check with the specific ferry provider as to any special needs you may have. Fare concessions are sometimes available; in particular, they have been negotiated with most ferry providers for the benefit of full members of Mobilise (formerly The Disabled Drivers' Association).
Road
Motorists taking their car abroad, should check with their motor insurance company or broker regarding cover whilst abroad. If you wish to take a Mobility car abroad, check the conditions in your Motability handbook. Under no circumstances can you legally take a Motability car outside of the UK unless you comply with instructions given by Motability, or obtain special written authority from them.
Insurance
Travel Insurance
The factsheet "Holiday Travel Insurance" deals with the topic of travel insurance and includes a list of companies offering policies that may be of particular interest to disabled people.
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
For many years, travellers to the continent have been advised to carry a form E111, validated by the Post Office, to prove entitlement to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment under reciprocal arrangements with other European Union Countries. Now, with changes in the European Economic Area, the E111 has been replaced by a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that will serve the same purpose.
These cards are issued to each individual and not, as previously, only to the head of the household.
To apply for an EHIC card telephone 0845 6062 030 or you can obtaib an application form at the Post Office. Alternatively you can complete an online application at www.ehic.org.uk
Finance
There are a number of charities and trusts which make finance available enabling the severely handicapped or disabled, and perhaps their carers, to take a holiday which would otherwise be just too expensive to think about. Grants are sometimes targeted at particular groups.
A selection of grant-providers is listed on factsheet "Grants and Trusts", in most cases it will be necessary to contact the organisation to obtain details and an application form. In addition to these, a national charity - Holiday Care - publishes a wide range of Information Sheets relating to holidays and one of these is a comprehensive list of trusts and funds offering financial help.
Health Matters
The Department of Health booklet "Health Advice for Travellers" has lots of useful advice and information on avoiding health risks, planning for healthy travelling and obtaining emergency treatment wherever you may be travelling abroad. It is available from Post Offices and other local sources, or by phoning the Health Literature Line on 0800 555 777.
Types of Holidays
There are many charities and Organisations which specialise in providing specific types of holiday either at home or abroad. DIAL Doncaster has details of many of these, which include:
- holidays at the seaside or in the country.
- accommodation in hotels and guest houses or bed & breakfast.
- self-catering apartments, flats or caravans.
- water-based holidays - cruises, canals, sailing etc.
- activity holidays of all kinds at outdoor centres etc.
- coaching holidays.
- holidays for children and young people.
- holidays with care.
- holidays for carers.
Disabilities Catered for
As with various types of holiday, as listed above, there are also providers of holidays to cater for those with a specific disability such as blindness, polio, arthritis and spinal injuries. In many cases, providers of these holidays are the national support group for the disability concerned.
Holiday Planing and Booking
DIAL Doncaster has a selection of guidebooks and travel guides which are usually the most recent versions. Holiday providers generally provide us with a number of copies so that they can be provided to enquirers.
Whilst DIAL Doncaster is concerned only with the provision of information to and for disabled people, the staff are experienced in helping people with their holiday and travel problems. Please ask!
Inputted
For further information please contact DIAL Doncaster. We can provide more from our files and our computerised information system.
DIAL Doncaster does not endorse any product or service offered in this factsheet.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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