When supporting someone with a physical disability, the caring role can involve helping them to be as independent as possible, including when out and about. When thinking about journeys, activities and holidays, a little extra planning and research in advance can make all the difference. Here we talk you through the main points to consider as you support someone with a physical disability to travel outside the home with as much ease as possible.
What does ‘accessible’ really mean?
The term ‘accessible’ can be interpreted in many ways depending on a particular place and situation. Whilst the accepted definition of accessibility is simply the ‘ability to access’ or ‘something that allows people with disabilities to access it without encountering a barrier’, you and the person you are caring for know their needs best, and so even if something is described as being ‘accessible’, asking the right questions in advance can save you encountering issues later on. Before you make a journey, calling venues or transport operators to check their accessibility and asking the right questions will support you both.
- Is there disabled parking?
- Is there disabled access into the building?
- Are there designated wheelchair spaces in the venue?
- Is there an accessible toilet? What equipment does this have?
- Are there free or discounted places for a carer?
Larger organisations and venues like theatres, cinemas, stadiums and national parks will often recognise your role as an ‘essential companion’, and this means you may be allowed to attend for free or at a discounted rate. You might be required to show evidence that you are a carer, like a copy of a letter that explains which disability benefits the person you care for receives, or that shows you receive Carer's Allowance.
Planning a journey
Whether travelling together or supporting them to travel independently planning ahead for a journey can help to ensure that they are able to get to their destination as smoothly and on time as possible. In addition to planning for additional time for travelling, navigating the most accessible route and parking, there are a number of things which can be done to make travelling a little easier.
If you are travelling by car regularly, it might be worth applying for a Blue Badge. With a blue badge, the person you care for will be able to park closer to entrances and in bigger spaces that allow you to get equipment out more easily. It can also mean free or longer parking in certain places. Blue Badges are granted to people with certain disabilities (including non-visible disabilities like dementia, epilepsy and Parkinsons) and you can find out if you or the person you are caring for is eligible for a Blue Badge here.
If you are looking to purchase a new car with adaptations, the Mobility Scheme offers ways for people with a physical disability and/or their carers to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair. Anyone with at least 12 months of a qualifying Mobility Allowance can join the scheme, and there are more details and information here.
Another helpful resource to explore before you travel is the People's Parking website that gives information about the location and facilities available at car parks across the country.
If the person you care for uses public transport to get out and about, they may benefit from a bus pass (or similar) to help them with the cost of journeys. Bus passes that offer free off-peak travel and free companion cards for carers are available across the UK, though details will differ slightly from place to place, so finding your local scheme is an important first step. You can see if you qualify for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass and find out what your local authority offers here.
If you are intending to travel by train, a Disabled Person’s railcard entitles the person you are caring for ⅓ off regular fares, and as their carer, you can travel free. In addition to discounts on tickets, there is also practicial support available for those with physical disabilities travelling by train. For example, National Rail offers Passenger Assist services for all its train routes; you can find more information about how to book Passenger Assist services in advance on their website here. For more specific information, you can find out about accessibility at each station on your journey here.
Most transport services and local authorities also offer their own form of assistance card that the person you care for can apply for and use as a simple and discreet way to communicate their needs whilst travelling on public transport or coach services. Asking about this when you are considering booking a ticket can be a great way to prepare in advance, and something to consider if you are supporting the person you are caring for to travel independently.
Things to consider when planning to visit a venue
There are a range of ways that venues can help to ensure a venue is accessible for everyone. The most relevant accommodations will depend on the needs of the person you care for but we outline some of the key accessibility measures below.
If planning to go to a specific venue, it can also be helpful to find out about their accessible entrances and routes around the building. One way to do this is to speak to the venues directly, asking about the measures they have in place to meet their needs. You can also use Google Street View within Google Maps to find out whether there is a suitable route.
When talking to a venue, you might also want to ask about their safety procedures for someone in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Being aware of the safety procedures, asking about evacuation (Evac) chairs and any modifications that would need to be made regarding fire safety procedures and emergency evacuation plans can give peace of mind to everyone.
Being able to access toilet facilities when out and about is crucial for everyone, and a RADAR key (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) gives people with disabilities and their carers access to over 10,000 locked accessible toilets in the UK. You should be able to get a RADAR key from your local authority, or buy one for a small charge online.
RADAR keys can also be used in any one of the 1900 Changing Places in the UK, which are accessible toilets with additional features such as extra space, an adult changing bench, and a hoist. Whilst most Changing Places require a RADAR key for access, some may require special arrangements with the venue to access them, so it’s always best to check.
Accessible countryside
Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) provides information and signposting to helpful organisations so you and the person you care for can enjoy time out in the countryside. This includes details on wheelchair-friendly paths, places to hire adaptive mountain bikes and accessible recreational activities.
Accessible holidays
When it comes to planning a holiday, there may be some additional planning needed to ensure you and the person you care for have the most enjoyable time possible.
A useful first step might be to create a checklist together of all your specific requirements in terms of access and specialist equipment before you book anything, and then plan your route to ensure you have the assistance you need at every stage of your journey.
As part of this, you might find talking with their medical team to be beneficial. They might be able to offer advice and support with additional measures to support them whilst they are on holiday, like extra medications. They might also give them a medical statement stating that they are fit for travel, outlining their medical needs for use at hotels or airports if they ever need to explain their situation.
Airlines should provide special assistance in airports, and because they may have a limit on wheelchairs for each flight or size restrictions on wheelchairs for example, giving yourself lots of time to organise these things is important. Many airports have separate priority lines for people with disabilities, meaning you can avoid long queues and security lines. You might also be entitled to priority boarding and a free additional carry-on bag for disability-related items, so asking about these things before you book is recommended.
Apps like AccessAble can also help you discover what facilities are offered in towns, restaurants and hotels in the UK so you can plan the most suitable trip for you.
If you intend to fly or travel abroad, research and planning well in advance is crucial, and the most up-to-date Government information for travellers with a disability can be found here. It is also important to make sure you and the person you are caring for have the right travel insurance cover for their needs, listing any chronic illnesses and long-term medical conditions, and checking if additional insurance is required to protect any mobility aids.
Wherever you intend to stay in the UK or travel abroad, you’ll want to know about accessible accommodation. This can mean different things to different places and people but can include widened doors, suitable furniture and layout, and adapted bathrooms. It is worth contacting every venue in advance to discuss your specific needs in person so you can be sure to receive service tailored to your requirements.
When looking for accessible accommodation, it can often be useful to explore what facilities they offer and whether they are suitable for someone with a physcial disabilitiy. For example, if they have a swimming pool, whether they have equipment to help someone transfer into the water. If you are planning a beachside break, if can be helpful to ask if there are beach wheelchairs, or equipment to support the person you are caring for.
Blue Badges are valid in some places within Europe so if you are intending to drive whilst on holiday in Europe, researching where it can be used can be a great help.
Assistance dogs
According to the Equality Act 2010, every person with a disability who is supported by an assistance dog has the legal right to be accompanied by their dog wherever they go (with certain exceptions like sterile hospital environments and zoos). Many organisations are not fully aware of this, and so it is always a good idea to let any venue or organisation know if the person you care for intends to bring an assistance dog so suitable provision can be made. If they have an ID booklet it can also be helpful to take this along to provide proof of its status as an assistance dog if there is ever any doubt.
It’s worth knowing too that although people can ask what tasks a service dog is trained to offer, they cannot ask the reasons why someone has their dog, so you or the person you care for do not need to answer any intrusive or personal questions.
Extra things to help when out and about
Medical bracelets, necklaces or some kind of medical ID can be useful for some individuals who may find it difficult to communicate their medical needs when out and about. These can give medical professionals access to vital information in the event of an emergency.
Having a bag ready-packed in the boot of the car or carrying with you a list of emergency contacts, essential medical information and extra medical supplies is useful. Snacks, clothing, a cosy blanket, communication devices and even an extension lead to charge mobility aids might also be handy additions.
Checking whether or not there are free places for a carer at the events and activities you choose is always useful to do in advance, and you can make sure any organisation or venue is aware of your access needs by using an Access Card. This photo ID card is available to anyone for a small fee, and is another simple, discreet way to communicate what you need and ensure a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience when you are out and about. The Access Card app also provides you with a personalised directory of venues, with up-to-date accessibility information to help you plan your day.
All this might seem a lot to consider before you even leave the house, but the benefit of planning ahead will mean you are both more prepared for anything, and be well set up to enjoy yourselves as fully as possible when you are out and about.