Great Britain for all
The Tourism for All UK website is filled with references to accessible holiday possibilities in the United Kingdom. In addition to a substantial collection of links, you will also find among others a forum, a news section and background information. Have a look at www.tourismforall.org.uk. The information is available in English.
Taster
Disabled Holiday Info is an English voluntary organization. Its website www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk offers a first taste of what’s available in England for tourists with reduced mobility.
Unless otherwise mentioned, every review is based on a wheelchair user’s own experiences. Most of the information covers the Welsh and English parts of Great Britain, but their “Notice Board” also contains travel experiences from other corners of the world. Don’t forget to look under their “News/Events” heading, where you will find several of the organization's own publications that you can download free of charge. All the information is in English.
Further afield?
A small region thinking big… take South-West England, for example. The www.accessiblesouthwest.co.uk website definitely lives up to its name: a wide range of reader-friendly information about the accessibility of tourism-related items. All types of accommodation, beaches, resources, organisations, attractions, parks, toilets, recreational facilities,… Everything is neatly divided by geographical area so you can look up all the information you need about your holiday destination. And best of all: this source, too, is an example of the current ‘inclusive’ trend within the tourist sector. In common with the Flemish Tourist Office (Toerisme Vlaanderen) the tourist authorities in South-West English have been pulling out all the stops. The information is available in English.
British style
If you have a motor disability, hearing or sight impairment, then take a look at www.disabledgo.info. This site, produced by a young wheelchair user, tells you where to find a suitably-adapted toilet in 20 British towns and cities, or where information is provided in braille or large print, or where there is an induction loop. Click on “More” for a detailed description. Very convenient: every address mentioned is also shown on a road map (click on “Map”). The info is available in English.
From Highlands to Lowlands
Finding accommodation and tourist sights in Scotland is now child’s play. The website or the brochure of Accessible Scotland uses three categories of (wheelchair) accessibility, with category 1 meeting the strictest requirements. Surf to www.visitscotland.com/accommodation/accessiblescotland or call +44 (0)845 22 55 121 for a printed copy.
Info available in English.
Super-concentrated
Take a seat. On www.nationaltrust.org.uk click 'Days out & Visits', then 'Information for visitors' and finally 'Visitors with disabilities' or surf directly to this page .
Take a deep breath and download the visitors with disabilities leaflet. This opens a .PDF file with no less than 160 pages of sheer accessibility information for Great-Britain. Here you won’t find any pictures or illustrations: this is the super-concentrated version. We never saw that much information per square centimetre anywhere before, Often recurring concepts are abbreviated and given a code. It takes a bit getting used to, but without these codes the booklet would have been even longer. Nnnnice!
Specific information on how to taking your guide dog or assistance dog with you across the Channel can be found on the same site. All information is available in English.
Tourism for All
This co-operation of 3 British organisations offers a.o. travel information and support to disabled travellers. Here you can obtain a summary of accessible accommodation, tourist attractions, transport info, children's holidays, etc.
Website: www.tourismforall.org.uk/.
Info: Tourism for All - The Hawkins Suite, Enham Place, Enham Alamein, Andover SP11 6JS - Tel: +44 (0)845 124 9971 - info-at-tourismforall.org.uk -
Fax: +44 (0)845 124 9972.
Available in English.
Radar
Radar is an organisation working with people with disabilities in the
United Kingdom. They offer a wide range of services relating to information, training and employment, etc…. for people with disabilities.
On their web site, you will find a search engine on which you can search for accessible
accommodation in Great Britain and Ireland and similar information, all attuned to the
needs of the user.
Info: RADAR, 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, Londen EC1V 8AF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7250 32 22 – Fax: +44 (0)20 7250 02 12 – e-mail: radar-at-radar.org.uk
web site: www.directenquiries.com
Available in English.
More...
You can find all kinds of accessibility info about this destination here (see also Travel Info and Links: International).
www.globalaccessnews.com
www.access-able.com
www.disabilityworld.com/accom
www.winfried-h.de
users.pandora.be/paul.pirmez/reizen_op_wielen.htm
www.yanous.com
www.mis-ch.ch/d/info-ausland
www.procrustes.nl
www.wheeltheworld.net
www.eurocampings.net
www.emerginghorizons.com
www.able-travel.com
