Accessible Holiday Tips

I agree with Mr Fox, though will not be booking a holiday ever again, as far as I can see. Too much opportunity for disasters to happen and stress to ruin everything.

I am returning to Lanzarote shortly and have recently visited, Barcelona, Sorrento and Rome. I can only access a plane via the special assistance at airports and this has been pretty good so far. It is important to bear in mind that special assistance is provided by the airport not the airline and HAS to be booked in advance as they have to book the ambulift or whatever assistance you need and airports are busy places. Don’t think that it will all be fine just turning up and expecting them to accommodate you. My wheelchair has always been loaded at the last minute and is ready for me at the other end of the flight. I take my cushion on board the plane with me so we don’t lose it. I don’t use the loo on board the plane but short haul at the moment don’t have disabled loos, but transatlantic should have and on board wheels. You can take two wheelchairs free of charge and other equipment you need because of your disability, read each airline’s policy. You can take assistance dogs. I tend to hire an electric wheelchair at the resort I am staying in and this is at the hotel on arrival.

If you need advice about hotels etc I would recommend using a disabled holiday specialist in the first instance, if you are not sure, but most holiday companies can accommodate but be aware that the disabled rooms are booked up well in advance and are in the minority with wet room facilities. You can be cheeky and look through the disabled holiday specialist resorts and then book yourself. This is often cheaper but you are not ATOL protected, your flights are via the airline.

Insurance is the other factor. Be sure to check this prior to booking as in some cases the cost can be prohibitive.

Because I am a total control freak and we fly from Gatwick I book the premier inn the night before an early morning flight. They also provide valet parking which is fantastic, the hotel is literally yards from check in. We can book our baggage in the night before with the airline we use and fly with minimum hand luggage (a change of clothes is recommended, especially if you are getting connecting flights (our baggage did not make it to our connection but did arrive at the hotel the next day, put your name and address/hotel in each suitcase in case your labels get lost. but we survived). Have a look around for accessible beaches too. I have been able to swim in the sea, something I thought would never happen again because of accessible beaches, with amazing lifeguards and volunteers. Getting there is the most stressful bit.

Feel free to ask questions I will help if I can

i am going my first ever holiday via plane in june.

I have hired bed. how much does hiring chair average out.

I booked via a accessible holiday firm.. never heard term ambulift. should I ask this

Hi the chair hire worked out at 19 Euro a day but it would vary from each hire company and each country etc. I think if you have it for a week and or 2 it gets cheaper but if you work it out on that basis it gives you a rough idea. The ambulift is a generic term for the vehicle that will take you from the gate to the plane if you do not board via a tunnel, This is just a vehicle that will lift you to the height of the door of the plane. They are all different at each airport and some airports use a stair climber. I have not used one of these but all adds to the excitement. If you google ambulift you can see a picture of the vehicles, I look at it as a personal vip taxi. If you cannot climb stairs you just need to state this otherwise they will make you climb them which is why being specific about your needs is important when booking the flight, if you need a wheelchair to get you to your seat you will have to transfer to a hannibal lecter type narrow chair. Also you will be asked again at check in what your requirements are and are advised to be early as they may want to board you first but you could be last too depends on lots of variables, including if the plane is being refuelled.

Batteries are fine as long as they are dry cell which most chairs are these days, as for battery charger I got a good strong box, bubble wrap the charger first then place inside the box, once sealed I made sure it had all outgoing flight detail over it then did the same on return flight. Label your footplates too incase they get parted from your chair.

Thanks for all the information Emilie I doubt I’ll be flying anywhere exotic for a long time but maybe somewhere in the lakes will be nice.