News (July 2019) - Accessible Holidays - Tourism For All

Music is a universal language and an important part in many people’s lives, though getting to see it live can be a struggle if you use mobility aids. Some venues are older buildings that have restrictions on what they can do for accessibility, others take accessibility really seriously and welcome everyone to enjoy their favourite acts. You can find a list of accessible venues all over the country on our attractions page, but what else do you have to bear in mind when attending a gig with a wheelchair?

Tourism For All, which is committed to teaming holiday makers with accessibility needs up with the best accommodation and attractions to suit them, has become even more accessible after partnering with AudioEye.

Purple Tuesday is an international call to action focused on changing the customer experience for disabled people across the world. This year, Purple Tuesday will be celebrated on12th November, with businesses of all sizes and from all sectors getting involved to take practical actions to meet the needs of customers with disabilities and accessibility needs.

If you’re thinking of joining the many businesses that are becoming more accessible to those with sensory conditions, well done! Many companies offer guests a sensory backpack, which is a bag designed for visually impaired children and adults or those with autism or other sensory conditions. If you’re considering putting something similar together to offer your guests, here are some ideas of what you can put inside.

In an effort to tackle issues that are faced by those with autism when visiting somewhere new for the first time, Heritage Ability has produced an online Visual Guide for Prior Park, a popular tourist attraction owned by the National Trust in Bath. This guide hopes to reduce anxiety for autistic people as well as being beneficial for those planning group visits, particularly groups that have complex needs.

Getting older comes with many perks, more free time, no more dependents to look after… but it can also come with problems, you might not feel as fit and active as you did previously, and your confidence might be knocked because of this. Don’t worry though, we’re here to put your mind at rest – age shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoying yourself, so here are some tips to help make your trip go smoothly.

A pioneering 360-degree virtual reality tour, launched this month at the historic Geevor Tin Mine, is opening-up this part of the Cornish mining World Heritage Site for the first time to a wider variety of visitors of more ages and abilities.

The Blue Badge Scheme which allows parking in disabled spaces has been extended to include hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health problems. This is the first major change to the scheme since it was introduced 50 years ago.

For families living with dementia, it can be hard to find things you can do together, particularly if you are looking to go on holiday. For someone with dementia, going away can be very disorientating and for those looking after them, incredibly stressful, especially if you are going to an unknown environment and changing their everyday routines, however, it can still be an enjoyable time that you can spend together, especially with a little help.

Highstreet department store chain, John Lewis, has announced that they are launching an autism-friendly shoe fit service to help parents of children on the autistic spectrum with the buying of school shoes.