travel-quest specialist travel directory

Specialist holidays and vacations for people with a disability – disabled access holidays aimed at people with a range of disabilities, including wheelchair users, physically handicapped, blind or visually impaired, deaf & supported holidays for people with learning difficulties.

TRAVEL TIPS

Tips for travellers with a disability:

FLYING: Let the airline know! If you are likely to have difficulty boarding the plane or just getting around the terminal then let the airport staff know. Most airports are well equipped with motorised chauffeur driven buggies – a great way to avoid that airport hustle and bustle.

PACKING: Put a medical kit in your hand luggage in case of delays or lost luggage.

DISCOUNTS: They're not always well publicised, but it's often worth asking about disability discounts when visiting holiday attractions.

STEPS: Remember to do a thorough check of any holiday accommodation before you book – the rooms may be accessible, but are there any steps into the building or in any of the public areas? Try to get information from somebody who's visited or direct from the owner.

LONDON: Disabled visitors holding a European Blue Badge don't have to pay the London congestion charge – just register with Transport for London and make a small payment.

NEWS

Row yourself fit for your holiday – if you're planning an active holiday then it will be so much more enjoyable if you're physically fit before you go. We'd like to introduce you to a new development in fitness training for people with a disability – FES Rowing. So what is it? FES stands for 'functional electrical stimulation' and is a method of stimulating paralysed muscles using electrical impulses so that paraplegics can have the benefits of a full body workout. And it's had some fantastic successes! Read all about FES rowing here.

INDEX > SPECIAL CATEGORIES > DISABILITY INDEX:
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    deaf travel
    blind & visually impaired
    deafblind travel

ALSO SEE:
disabled friendly – accessible holiday accommodation

Disability holidays
tours, trips & breaks for people with a disability

Accessible Boating
based: Hampshire, UK
website: accessibleboating.org.uk
Boating on the Basingstoke Canal for people with access difficulties. Accessible Boating is a registered charity (no:295034) operating two adapted boats, one a day boat and the other a cruising boat available for week-long holidays.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Access Tours
based: Idaho, USA
website: accesstours.org
Non-profit organization providing guided accessible travel in the American west including, California, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks, Canadian Rockies, Mount Rushmore ...
| for people with a disability | USA |

Agriturismo Villa La Rogaia
based: Umbria, Italy
website: rogaia.com
Offering a wide range of creative classes including Argentine tango, painting, stone carving, Italian cooking and culinary travels in Tuscany and Umbria. Classes take place at Villa La Rogaia an outstanding wheelchair friendly country house in Umbria with pool. They serve delicious food with products from their organic farm.
| salsa | tango | cookery | wine | gastronomic | painting/drawing | sculpture/carving | Italian language | groups | seniors/silver surfers | for people with a disability | Italy |

Bruce Trust (The)
based: Berkshire, UK
website: brucetrust.org.uk
Registered charity providing purpose-built, wide-beam canal boats on the Kennet and Avon Canal for holidays for disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people and their carers. The Trust has a fleet of four self-catering hire boats boats operating from Great Bedwyn near Marlborough and at Lower Foxhangers wharf near Devizes.
| for people with a disability | England |

Calvert Trust
based: Devon, Northumberland & Cumbria, UK
website: calvert-trust.org.uk
Registered charity with centres in Exmoor, Kielder and the Lake District, the Calvert Trust offers accessible outdoor activity holidays, breaks and courses for people with disabilities, together with their families and friends.
| for people with a disability | England |

CanalAbility
based: Essex, UK
website: canalboat.org.uk
Registered charity with three purpose-built accessible broad beam canal boats, sleeping 8 to 12 and with wheelchair access. Offering facilities such as disability controls, central heating, a accessable wetroom, fully equipped galley, day bed with hoist, ramps and lifts.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Crystal Ski Holidays – Crystal Adaptive
based: UK
website: visit site»
Crystal Adaptive for independent skiers with a disability. Offering return transfers from the airport to resort (private transfers available), special travel assistance, fully accessible accommodation and experienced ski schools with qualified adaptive instructors and adaptive skiing equipment.
| ski/snowboard | for people with a disability | Europe | Scandinavia | N America |

Cuisle Holiday Centre
based: Co Roscommon, Ireland
website: cuisle.com
Located in the grounds of Donamon Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland, Cuisle Holiday Centre provides accessible holidays and breaks to people with disabilities. Quality accommodation is available in 35 ensuite bedrooms with TV (single, twin, double and family rooms available). Support includes, personal assistance, nursing care, hoists, call bells, accessible transport and specialist equipment.
| for people with a disability | England |

DR Yachting Ltd
based: Athens, Greece
website: disabledsailingholidays.com
All-inclusive accessible holidays sailing around the islands of the Saronic and Argolic gulf in Greece. These vacations are designed for people with special needs, and the yachts are specially equipped to allow guests to participate fully, guests need no previous experience.
| for people with a disability | Greece |

Island Trust (The)
based: London, UK
website: theislandtrust.org.uk
Teenage sailing holidays in SW England, week-long trips for independent teenagers during school holidays. Aimed at young people with visual and hearing impairment, learning difficulties, special educational needs, deprived backgrounds, behavioural difficulties, offenders, and those on rehabilitation programmes.
| youth/teen | for people with a disability | England |

Jubilee Sailing Trust
based: Hampshire, UK
website: jst.org.uk
Adventure sailing holidays for able-bodied and disabled people. The JST is a UK based charity that aims to promote the integration of able bodied and disabled people through adventure sailing holidays. The JST welcomes people from all over the world onto its two specially designed tall ships, the Lord Nelson and Tenacious.
| for people with a disability | blind travel | sailing (large boat /sail ship) | working /volunteer holidays | UK | Ireland | USA | Europe | Canaries | Worldwide |

Lyneal Trust
based: Shropshire, UK
website: lynealtrust.org
The Lyneal Trust is a registered charity providing canal holidays for people with disabilities, their families and friends, or in groups. The Trust owns and maintains 2 specially designed boats and 4 holiday cottages suitable for people with disabilities.
| for people with a disability | England |

Phab
based: Surrey, UK
website: phab.org.uk
A national charity who's aim is to promote and encourage people of all abilities, disabled and non-disabled, to come together on equal terms. They fund special short breaks and short stay activity holidays at accessible centres which offer specialist tuition. These holidays are available to disabled and non-disabled children and young people.
| for people with a disability | UK |

QE2 Activity Centre
based: Hampshire, UK
website: qe2activitycentre.co.uk
Activity centre catering for people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities and other specific needs, with accommodation for holidays available in attractive timber cabins. Offering multi-activity holidays, themed weeks and self directed holidays.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Scuba Trust
based: Bedfordshire, UK
website: scubatrust.org.uk
Promoting scuba diving for all abilities, the Scuba Trust organise regular diving holidays specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
| diving/snorkelling | for people with a disability | Worldwide |

Sundial Special Vacations
based: Oregon, USA
website: sundialtour.com
A family owned and run tour operation offering specially designed excursions and short vacations for developmentally disabled adults, mainly within the US. Offering escorted and chaperoned tours, discounted rates for parents/friends accompany the tour, and discounts for groups.
| for people with a disability | USA |

3H Fund – Help the Handicapped Holiday Fund
based: Kent, UK
website: 3hfund.org.uk
Charity offering holidays in the UK for disabled people and respite for carers.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Ability Adventures
based: Otago, New Zealand
website: abilityadventures.co.nz
Customized adventure tours for the disabled and seniors, making adventure accessible to everyone.
| for people with a disability | seniors/silver surfers | New Zealand |

Accessible Kiwi Tours
based: Rotorua, New Zealand
website: toursnz.com
Catering for people with special or specific needs when visiting New Zealand.
| for people with a disability | New Zealand |

Arctic Aventure
based: Quebec, Canada
website: arcticaventure.com
Quebec based snowmobiling holidays for all levels including wheelchair and accessible trips, and family snowmobile packages.
| snowmobiling/skidoo | for people with a disability | Canada |

Assisted Cycling Tours
based: Colorado, USA
website: assistedcyclingtours.org
(ACT) Bicycle and multi-sport vacations and adventures for people with any disability and any age range, also including the entire family.
| for people with a disability | USA |

Bruce Wake Charitable Trust
based: East Midlands, UK
website: brucewaketrust.co.uk
Leisure facilities for the disabled offering narrowboats specially designed for wheelchair users.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Canal Breaks
based: Warwickshire, UK
website: canalbreaks.com
Family-run business offering a purpose built narrowboat suitable for disabled or wheelchair users, fitted with ramps, dual steering, wide doorways, large wetroom, etc.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Casa Del Lago Holidays
based: Malaga, Spain
website: casa-del-lago-holidays.com
Wide variety of disabled accessible activities and specialist accommodation; care packages available.
| for people with a disability | Spain |

Challenged America
based: California, USA
website: challengedamerica.org
Therapeutic recreational rehabilitation sailing courses for active youth and adults with disabilities.
| For people with a disability | sailing (small boat/yacht) | USA |

Charis Hills
based: Texas, USA
website: charishills.org
Christian summer camp for kids with learning and social difficulties such as AD/HD, ADD and Asperger's syndrome.
| summer schools | for people with a disability | Christian | USA |

Connie George Travel Associates
based: Pennsylvania, USA
website: cgta.com
Package, tour and cruise vacations for wheelchair users, deaf, slow walkers and non-disabled travelers.
| for people with a disability | deaf travel | USA |

Disabled Afloat Riverboats Trust
based: Gloucestershire, UK
website: glosdart.co.uk
Boating holidays for people with physical, aural, visual or learning disabilities and their carers, family and friends.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Disabled Holidays Khao Lak
based: Khao Lak, Thailand
website: disabledholidayskhaolak.com
Supported holidays in Thailand for people with mobility needs, providing specialised transport, accessible accommodation and equipment hire.
| for people with a disability | Thailand |

Disaway Trust
based: Surrey, UK
website: disaway.co.uk
Charity organising group holiday packages for physically disabled people.
| for people with a disability | UK | Europe |

Ecuador for All
based: Quito, Ecuador
website: ecuadorforall.com
Travel agency/tour operator specializing in accessible tourism for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users and people with visual or hearing impairments.
| for people with a disability | deaf travel | blind travel | Ecuador |

Endeavour Safaris
based: Cape Town, South Africa
website: endeavour-safaris.com
Tours and safaris for people with hearing, vision and mobility problems, people requiring kidney dialysis or oxygen and for seniors.
| for people with a disability | deaf travel | seniors/silver surfers | animals/safari | South Africa |

Epic Enabled
based: Cape Town, South Africa
website: epic-enabled.com
Accessible safaris and tours in South Africa; safaris that are fully accessible for both able and disabled travellers.
| for people with a disability | South Africa |

Ethel Trust Community Barge
based: Northumberland, UK
website: etheltrustcommunitybarge.co.uk
Purpose-built community barge offering fully accessible residential trips on the inland waterways.
| for people with a disability | England |

Flamingo Adventure Tours
based: Cape Town, South Africa
website: flamingoadventuretours.co.za
Accessible adventure tours in South Africa, offering inclusive tourism for all.
| for people with a disability | deaf travel | South Africa |

Flodden Edge Riding & Driving Centre
based: Northumberland, UK
website: floddenedgefarmequestriancentre.com
Carriage driving tuition with well-schooled horses from absolute beginner level upwards; also a wheelchair accessible carriage.
| carriage driving | for people with a disability | England |

Glamorgan Holiday Hotel
based: Mid-Glamorgan, Wales, UK
website: glamorganholidayhotel.com
Porthcawl hotel offering short breaks and respite care for people with disabilities and the infirm and elderly; registered for providing personal care with the Care Standards Inspectorate of Wales.
| for people with a disability | Wales |

Heads Up Holidays
based: Nottinghamshire, UK
website: headsupholidays.com
Dedicated to offering UK and world-wide holidays for traumatic head injured people, their families, friends and carers.
| for people with a disability | UK | Worldwide |

Israel4All
based: Binyamina, Israel
website: israel4all.com
Specializing in tourism services in Israel for people with disabilities and special needs.
| for people with a disability | deaf travel | blind travel | Israel |

IWA Re Nua
based: Dublin, Ireland
website: iwa.ie/services/holidays
Supported five day residential holiday for people under 65 with a physical or sensory disability or an acquired brain injury.
| for people with a disability | Ireland |

Lock View Canal Boat Holidays
based: Essex, UK
website: lockviewholidays.org.uk
Canal boat holidays aboard fully accessible broad beam canal barges, for people with a disability or with restricted mobility.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Maison des Landes Hotel
based: Jersey, Channel Islands
website: maisondeslandes.co.uk
Holiday hotel specifically for the disabled their families and escorts/carers, in Jersey.
| for people with a disability | Channel Islands |

Options Holidays
based: Gloucestershire, UK
website: optionsholidays.co.uk
A not-for-profit organisation offering supported holidays for adults with learning difficulties in the UK, the Mediterranean and further afield.
| for people with a disability | UK | Europe | Worldwide |

Parasol Project
based: Oxfordshire, UK
website: parasolproject.org
Oxford based charity with a programme for disabled and non-disabled young people aged 13 – 19 years; including short holidays and breaks away.
| for people with a disability | youth/teen | UK |

Park House Hotel
based: Norfolk, UK
website: parkhousehotel.org.uk
Holidays in the Norfolk countryside for disabled guests and their carers or companions.
| for people with a disability | England |

Seagull Trust Cruises
based: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
website: seagulltrust.org.uk
Charity providing canal cruising in Scotland for people with special needs.
| for people with a disability | UK |

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch
based: Arizona, USA
website: stagecoachtrailsranch.com/features_for_disabled.htm
Acessable dude ranch vacations for disabled travelers and their families; including an accessible riding program.
| for people with a disability | USA ||

WheelChair Tours Australia
based: Western Australia
website: wheeltours.com.au
Specialist tour company for disabled tourists and visitors to Perth and Western Australia.
| for people with a disability | Australia |

Wilderness Inquiry
based: Minnesota, USA
website: wildernessinquiry.org
Making the outdoors accessible to everyone, including persons with disabilities.
| for people with a disability | USA | Worldwide |

– other useful sites for disabled travellers and adventure seekers –

National Rail Information for disabled passengers.
RDA: Riding for the Disabled Association, UK riding and carriage driving holidays for disabled people, only open to RDA Group members.
Adaptive Mountain Biking offers information and links to authentic mountain bike experiences for disabled riders, including information on where to have a go at the sport.
Disabled Ramblers run a programme of supported disabled rambles in the UK using wheelchair accessable paths and trails.
AeroBILITY (formerly the BDFA: British Disabled Flying Association) enabling disabled people to experience flying a light aircraft.
Wheelyboat Trust charity with the aim of providing opportunities for disabled people to enjoy UK waters in wheelchiar accessable 'Wheelyboats'.
Woodlarks Camp Site charity dedicated to providing a permanent camp site in Surrey for disabled people of all ages.

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Deaf travel & holidays for hard of hearing
& deaf people

Hands On Travel
based: Arizona, USA
website: handsontvl.com
Worldwide travel experiences for people who use sign language, a company run entirely by deaf people. Group tours are open to all, customized and schools tours available.
| deaf travel | Worldwide |

Seable
based: London, UK
website: seable.co.uk
Accessible activity holidays for deaf, blind and visually impaired people. Offering activities such as scuba diving, 4x4 driving experiences, visits to a tactile museum and sensorial botanic garden, fishing, and gastronomic experiences such as honey and wine tastings and olive oil making.
| blind travel | deaf travel | deafblind travel | Europe |

Deaf Globetrotters Travel
based: Texas, USA
website: deafglobetrotterstravel.com
Vacations and travel for hearing impaired clients, with certified sign language interpreters on all escorted tours.
| deaf travel | Worldwide |

Egypt Deaf Travel
based: Quito, Ecuador
website: egyptdeaftravel.com
Specialty travel programs in Egypt, Jordan and Israel, with itineraries and guides using sign language.
| deaf travel | Egypt | Jordan | Israel |

National Deaf Children's Society
based: London, UK
website: ndcs.org.uk
A variety of activity weekends and short breaks open to both deaf and hearing people.
| deaf travel | UK |

Passages Deaf Travel
based: Virginia, USA
website: passagesdeaftravel.com
Agency specialising in deaf group travel and cruises for deaf people.
| deaf travel | USA | Mexico |

– other useful sites for deaf travellers and adventure seekers –

Deaf Sailing UK Cruising events, dinghy sailing and RYA training courses for deaf sailors.

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Travel & holidays for blind & visually impaired people

Action for Blind People
based: London, UK
website: actionforblindpeople.org.uk
Vacation/holiday scheme providing week long residential holidays for children and young people with sight problems. Available for 8-17 years olds with a sight problem. Registered Charity numbers: 205913 (England & Wales), SC040050 (Scotland).
| blind travel | UK |

National Blind Children's Society
based: West Sussex, UK
website: nbcs.org.uk/Pages/Events/
Holiday activities and events and a family weekend in Devon, offering a opportunity to meet other parents and exchange information. Registered Charity number 1051607.
| blind travel | England |

Royal Blind Society
based: West Sussex, UK
website: royalblindsociety.org/holidays
Holidays tailored to the needs of people with sight loss or visual impairment; the Royal Blind Society runs its own hotels in West Sussex and North Wales and, working with a number of tour operators, offers dedicated holidays and short breaks in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Wight, numerous English seaside resorts, Scotland and the Lake District as well as activity holidays with the Calvert Trust in Devon. Registered Charity number 207827.
| blind travel | England | Wales |

Traveleyes
based: West Yorkshire, UK
website: traveleyes-international.com
A travel company providing worldwide holidays for both visually impaired/blind and sighted people, travelling together to fascinating world destinations on unique multi-sensory holidays. In return for acting as 'eyes' for blind travellers, sighted people get up to 50% off the holiday price.
| blind travel | Worldwide |

Southend Blind Welfare Organisation
based: Essex, UK
website: southendblindwelfare.org.uk/holidays.html
Independent charity for visually impaired people in the Southend-on-Sea area; including holidays for people with sight loss and their carers.
| blind travel | England |

Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre
based: Sussex, UK
website: torchtrust.org
Holidays and retreats with a Christian atmosphere, for blind and partially sighted people.
| blind travel | England |

Westlea Centre for the Visually Handicapped
based: Jersey, UK
website: jerseyblindsociety.org.je
Specially constructed centre providing holiday accommodation for people whose vision is impaired.
| blind travel | Jersey |

Travel & holidays for deafblind people

European Deafblind Union (The)
based: Cambridgeshire, UK
website: edbu.org
The EDBU run European Deafblind Holidays, thse are summer camps held each year in a different European country and offering sporting, social, creative, cultural and other recreational activities. The EDBU is a non-government and not-for-profit organisation which aims to bring together deafblind people across Europe.
| deafblind travel | Europe |

Sense
based: London, UK
website: sense.org.uk/content/holidays-and-short-breaks
Sense, the national charity for deafblind children and adults, offer a programme of holidays. Each year they organise around 25 summer holidays, with activities that include anything from climbing to canoeing to. Also on offer are breaks for older people with hearing and sight loss.
| deafblind travel | UK |

St Anne's Breaks – for deafblind, blind and deaf people
based: Essex, UK
website: clacton-on-sea-essex.co.uk/st-annes-breaks
B&B accommodation in Clacton-on-Sea, on the North East coast, offering comfortable friendly holidays for people with sight and hearing difficulties. St Anne's is located a short distance from the seafront and the town. Facilities include hearing loop system, tactile signs, TV with teletext and sub-titles, assistance dogs welcome, special diets catered for.
| deafblind travel | England |

Helen Keller National Center
based: New York, USA
website: hknc.org
Two week summer school for deaf-blind high school students.
| deafblind travel | USA |

The Thomas Centre (The)
based: Lincolnshire, UK
website: thethomascentre.co.uk
5 star holiday facilities for families, groups and carers, accessible for all.
| deafblind travel | England |

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Disability holidays tours, trips & breaks for people with a disability

Deaf travel & holidays for hard of hearing & deaf people

Travel & holidays for blind & visually impaired people

Travel & holidays for deafblind people

Disability holidays
tours, trips & breaks for people with a disability

Deaf travel & holidays for hard of hearing
& deaf people