🌳Summer Holiday Support - Accessible Days Out For Parents & Carers of Disabled Children🌳

Mary_Scope

Part One - An Introduction for Parents & Carers of Disabled Children
Part Three -Maintaining Routine in the Summer Holidays
Part Four - Sensory Friendly and Accessible School Uniforms
Part Five - Parent & Carer Wellbeing In The Summer Holidays
Part Six - Emotionally Preparing Your Child To Go Back To School
Part Seven - Back to School Tips

Finding fun, inclusive and accessible days out can be a challenge but there does seem to be an increasing number of places that are becoming more accessible and inclusive for disabled children and their families😄

I hope this post makes it easier to find and plan fun days out that are able to meet you and your family's needs!

Popular Accessible Days Out in the UK

• Merlin Attractions
  Merlin Attractions (including LEGOLAND®, Alton Towers and SEA LIFE Centres)
  Offer a ride access pass and have detailed accessibility guides. Many include Changing Places toilets and sensory spaces.
  
• National Trust (Nationwide) and Cadw (Wales)
  Many National Trust and Cadw properties across the UK have accessible paths, adapted facilities and sensory experiences. Many also offer a free companion ticket.
  
• Cinema
  May cinemas offer relaxed screenings for autistic people and the adjustments can include a more relaxed environment with low lighting and quieter sound. Other adjustments at the cinema may include subtitled screeenings and audio described screenings. You may also be able to have a free companian ticket if you have a CEA Card
  
• Accessible Walks
  If you and your family prefer to be out and about in nature then here are some good websites for accessible walking trails across Wales, 10 Best wheelchair accessible trails in England, easy access trails in England and accessible walking routes in the Lake District

Where To Find Accessible Days Out?

• Euans Guide
  Euan's Guide is a great disabled access review site that covers everything from toilets to staff helpfulness that can make planning and finding a day out feel less overwhelming!
  
• AccessAble
  AccessAble gives detailed accessibility guides for thousands of places across the UK, including photos and step-by-step access details
  
• Social Media
  Parents often share hidden gems and first hand tips and experiences about certain places that you won't be able find out on the official websites so its definitely worth having a look on facebook groups and instagram pages!

Some other tips are to call ahead to confirm access details, because advertised features may vary in practice. Look for “quiet hours” or “SEN sessions” at venues like museums, soft play or trampoline parks as these offer a calmer environment and always ask about carer tickets because many places offer free or discounted entry with the right documentation!!

I hope this has been helpful!

Do you have any other tips about finding an accessible day out or can you recommend somewhere you've been where you and family have had great experience?😄

AlexW_Scope

You can find more at Activities and days out for disabled children

charliesadie

if anybody going on holiday to turkey the asks lara beach resort and spa is fantastic for going to,there was 6 in our group 2wheelchairs and a electric scooter and they catered for all our needs.with disabled friendly rooms and they have 3 shuttle buses to go to the beach.one of which disabled are given first priority then prams even before able bodied people are allowed on the remaining seats.and the staff go out of there way from reception all way down to mintenace when a wheelchair broke down maintenace stayed with myself until it was fixed.

Mary_Scope

Thank you for sharing @AlexW_Scope 😄

That's great to hear @charliesadie, thank you for sharing your experience and giving a recommendation😃 I bet Turkey was hot!! How was your holiday?

charliesadie

the weather was really hot,fantastic food and entertainment through the hotel and then going to beach on shuttle bus which is accessible,so much to do you need a week just to get a go on everything,we going sharm el sheikh on 10september will let you know how it goes,but when we was in turkey we went quad biking,and had booked to go on tour with the quads,the taxi said me and step-daughter could go,but THAT cannot go,this upset all of us my wife was crying,we wentback in to hotel the rep had seen us angry and upset,we told them what had happened the rep was straight onto the tour company giving them hell,and said the taxi driver should be sacked,which did happen,so we went with same company back into the mountains and my wife met the owner and he was amazed at how good she was,he said she was first ever wheelchair bound person who had done the course,she said to him IM DISABLED NOT DEAD,and he praised her for what she said.

Mary_Scope

Ahh lush @charliesadie! Hot weather, delicious food and sounds like there was loads to do, what a great holiday! Sorry to hear about the incident with your wife and the taxi, that's not on at all but I'm glad the rep had your back and things got sorted in the end! I hope you and your family have a lovely holiday to Sharm El Sheik and I will look forward to hearing all about it when you come back😄