For many individuals living with a sensory impairment, getting out and about can be challenging. It can take additional planning, adaptations to routes, use of adaptive tools and sometimes support. As a carer for someone with a sensory impairment, you may be involved in helping them to take journeys and have enjoyable experiences outside of the home. Here we talk you through the main points to consider as you support someone with a sensory impairment to travel outside the home with as much ease as possible.
Creating a plan
Planning ahead is often a great first step to helping someone to get out and about as it ensures that the transport used and the places, they want to visit are accessible for you and the person you care for. If they are going somewhere unfamiliar, supporting the person you care for to do their research and contacting venues and transport companies in advance can go a long way to reducing anxiety and making sure they have an enjoyable time.
When considering accessibility it is important to consider what adaptations might need to be in place to ensure the venue or transport is accessible for the person you are caring for. Everyone’s needs are different and so accessible can look different for every person. By asking the right questions, it will help people to be aware of their needs where necessary so they can support them in the most appropriate ways. This allows you, and the person you care for feel confident that everything is in place for them. We talk about accessibility more in our article on supporting someone with a physical disability, where you will find a list of questions you may find useful.
Apps like AccessAble can also help you discover what facilities are offered in towns, restaurants and hotels in the UK so the person you care for can plan the most suitable trip for them.
Choosing the right time to get out and about
Whilst the best day to get out and about cannot always be planned, there are often better times to travel; like off-peak times, which are less busy which can be better suited to someone with a sensory impairment, especially if they experience sensory overload.
Accessible transport
If you are travelling by car with someone who has a sensory impairment, you might consider applying for a Blue Badge. This will allow you to park closer to entrances and in larger spaces. It can also mean free or longer parking in certain places. Blue Badges are granted automatically to people who are blind, but may also be offered to those with a hearing impairment if they meet other criteria. You can find out if you or the person you are caring for is eligible for a Blue Badge here.
If travelling by public transport, there are a number of services, tools and discounts which can support someone with a sensory impairment to get out and about.
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 doing your research in advance is key. You can check if the person you care for qualifies for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass and find out what your local authority offers here.
For individuals with access needs travelling by train, National Rail offers Passenger Assist services for all its train routes and each individual station offer their own accessibility support. You can find out about these on the station’s website. The Passenger Assistance App can also be very valuable, helping the person you care for to request specific support in advance. Also, if you and the person you care for are intending to travel by train, a Disabled Person’s railcard entitles them ⅓ off regular fares, and as their carer you can also travel free.
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.
Accompanying someone whilst out and about
If you are caring for someone with a sensory impairment and accompanying them on a trip outside the home, being really clear about where they are going and what they want to do there will help you create a tailored plan to help them achieve what they want. If you are guiding or assisting the person you care for to find their way around, you both want to feel relaxed and confident as you are out and about. Our article on supporting someone with a visual impairment has lots of useful strategies you might find useful.
When visiting an activity or a venue, checking whether there are free places for you as a carer at the events and activities you choose is always useful to do in advance. 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. Calling to check in advance is a good idea as each place will have their own policies.
Technology to help someone get out and about independently
Being able to plan trips out so things feel as easy and as relaxed as possible is important for everyone. Those with a sensory impairment face extra challenges, and technology such as the WelcoMe app can be really useful in letting people and organisations know their specific needs before they arrive. There are also plenty of other navigation apps, assistive devices and communication tools that can support someone with a sensory impairment to explore and get out and about independently. Our article on technology to support those with a sensory impairment goes into much more detail.
Talking to others when out and about
If the person you care for has a sensory impairment, the way they prefer to communicate will be unique to them and may involve a combination of methods and tools. Letting others know their specific needs in advance will be helpful, and being able to communicate their needs and desires at any point when they are out and about will ensure the person you care for feels respected and confident. Our self-advocacy toolkit might be a useful read.
The person you care for might need the services of a sign language interpreter or want to know if a hearing induction loop is available. It will be useful to know details about the environment they will be visiting too, in terms of lighting, noise level and accessibility to the rooms they might be in. You can find more information on communication strategies to support someone with a sensory impairment here.
Other things to consider
Allowing extra time
Navigation apps and route planners are designed to reflect the typical routes of individuals who do not have a sensory impairment. Getting from place to place can therefore take longer than ‘planned’. Being prepared for unexpected situations, like inaccessible routes, and allowing extra time to arrive at their destination can help to avoid feeling rushed or stressed, helping you both to remain calm and confident when out and about.
Letting people know that they have a sensory impairment
In the case of an emergency, a medical bracelet or necklace containing vital information can be a simple and effective way to communicate their particular need, especially if they cannot communicate verbally.
Providing evidence of needs and caring
You can make sure any organisation or venue is aware of their specific needs by using an Access Card. This photo ID card is available to anyone for a small fee, and is another simple, discreet way for the person you care for to communicate what they need and ensure a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience when they are out and about. The Access Card app also provides a personalised directory of venues, with up-to-date accessibility information to help plan their day.