subject: Basic Travel Mobility Questions And Answers [print this page] Travel Mobility is something which has become a significant factor in holiday planning. Everyone has the right to enjoy a holiday from time to time, and in recent years it has become possible for people with a range of disabilities to participate in a wide range of Activity Holidays.
There are two main considerations. How do I get to wherever I want to go: and once I'm there, how do I get around from one activity to the next?
Certain disabilities, such as visual impairment, are easy to recognize and making provision for people with these special needs is relatively straightforward. Many of these were started informally, and were largely provided by other members of the immediate family who were not prepared to allow a physical disability to rule out a family holiday.
Using a pre-recorded guide on cassette is one example of a sensible solution to allowing someone who is visually impaired to enjoy a trip around an Art Gallery or a Museum. In similar fashion, recordings are available for those with limited hearing, and the profoundly deaf have been helped for some time by in-screen 'signing' on all major TV news channels.
Physical disabilities are also catered for. Free public transport is provided for passengers with a range of recognised disabilities by most local authorities in the UK.Furthermore, there are a number of government and private support organizations who can arrange for significant discounts on longer journeys.
In the UK there is one scheme which is especially valued by many disabled drivers. The government-backed Motability scheme makes it possible for many people who suffer a wide range of disabilities to retain something of their independence with a car. This can be adapted to suit their own personal requirements, depending on the nature of the disability. The scheme is funded by an agreement between the State and the driver that the mobility 'element' of their benefit is paid directly to the relevant Government office. Road Tax and regular maintenance costs are also met under the scheme, and at the end of every three year period the car can be replaced with a new one.
More and more adventurous Activity Holidays are available for disabled people, including many outdoor activities such as horse riding, camping and canoeing. They are organised in carefully designed safe environments, and are generally also open to non-disabled relatives or other companions who wish to share the holiday experience.
Various sports have been adapted to make them accessible for the disabled. The Paralympics, competitive Olympic sports adapted for disabled athletes, have been with us since 1960, when a number of wheelchair athletes competed in a competition which coincided with the Olympics in Rome.
by: Dreyken Mar
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