In Things to do

The summer holidays are here and no doubt you’ve a busy couple of months ahead with day trips and a cheeky holiday or two. Whatever your plans, take the stress out of travelling with these top tips for exploring with a wheelchair.

If you’re not sure whether your destination is wheelchair friendly, we have a selection of attractions and places to stay that are suitable for wheelchairs and other mobility aids that you can see here and here.

Tip 1 – Travelling

If you’re not using your own vehicle to get around, we recommend booking mobility assistance where possible for public transport. There are several train stations in the UK that have been adapted to offer step free access and have assistance that can be booked, so make sure to check with the stations on your route. Coach companies also offer assistance for wheelchair users and hire car companies often have adapted vehicles available. If you are using a coach or train, do arrive at the station early to ensure you have time to get to the platform. If you have a sunflower lanyard, keep it on your person as these will help alert staff that you might need additional assistance.

You can also purchase disabled persons railcard or disabled persons coach card, both of which give you discounted fares and can even offer discounts or free travel for a carer.

Tip 2 – Instructions and insurance

If for any reason you need to disassemble your wheelchair during the journey, make sure to have assembly and disassembly instructions clearly attached to your chair. It is also a good idea to have insurance and to know your rights. If anything goes wrong, like your chair is damaged or lost, you can ask to speak to the travel company’s Complaint Resolution Official or Accessibility Officer who should help you through every stage of the process.

Tip 3 – Accessorise

While you might not need them day to day, while travelling it might be a good idea to get a few accessories for your wheelchair to make it easier for you while at attractions or staying somewhere new. For instance, having a backrest bag will save you having to have your stuff on your lap and will make it easier for seeing displays or joining in with activities. Plus, a proper backrest bag is safe and secure, so you don’t need to worry about losing anything. Lap trays can also be useful when out and about.

Tip 4 – Equipment

If you have a power assisted wheelchair, make sure to pack your certificate of compliance for any batteries and take a door wedge with you! It might sound odd but it will make opening doors and keeping them open much easier, even when staying somewhere with doorways suitable for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

Looking for wheelchair friendly places to stay? You can find a list of options here and wheelchair friendly things to do here.

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