|
Getaway : Travelling with
Disabilities
getaway.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=16202
Thursday, July 18, 2002
We speak to an expert to get the scoop
and tips on travelling with disabilities.
Lyn Smith wrote to us wanting some tips
for travelling with her husband who unfortunately
is in a wheelchair after being involved
in a motorcycle accident.
We have had so many enquiries about travelling
with disabilities over the years, we decided
it was time to put in some thorough research
to see what progress has been made.
Firstly we spoke with Matt Laffan, who
is wheelchair-bound, but that hasn't stopped
him travelling the world.
Matt said his most important tip is research.
It's an important tip for able-bodied people,
but when you have a disability it becomes
critical to know as much as possible about
the place you are visiting. The success
of your journey can depend on that.
Transport is a vital issue — will there
be wheelchair-friendly transport on arrival?
Are the places you want to visit able to
accommodate a wheelchair? Try to find out
how locals in the same situation get about.
Check out accommodation — how close is
it to where you want to be? Are their bathrooms
suitable? Is there somewhere nearby where
you can rent any necessary equipment? If
you need to take transport from your accommodation,
can it take a wheelchair?
If travelling alone, see if there are any
nursing or caring agencies available, and
find out their costs.
Before leaving home, have your chair tuned
up, just like a car. It's important that
everything is running smoothly.
Matt has recommended a website for people
with disabilities and their family and friends
who wish to travel. He says the main elements
are enthusiasm, confidence and enjoyment
of the experience.
The website is: www.accessibility.com.au.
We have come up with about 50 companies
specialising in travel for people with disabilities.
TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCIES:
e-bility Travel Spot:
- http://www.e-bility.com/travel/ NEW
SOUTH WALES:
- Ability Travel: PO Box 91, NARWEE 2209.
Intellectual disabilities with moderate
to mild support needs — Australia and
overseas — escorted by experienced staff
(on 24 hour call). Tour cost does not
include "one-to-one" care. Ph/fax: (02)
9534 5973. E-mail: cheryldunn@consultant.com.
NB: Ability Travel is currently in the
process of organising tours for those
with hearing impairment.
- Independent Living Services: PO Box
1780, BONDI JUNCTION 1355. This is not
a travel service as such, but offers attendant
care for people with disabilities, particularly
those visiting Australia. Overseas and
interstate visitors can be met at the
airport and have all care needs, including
equipment, organised. The service offers
travelling companions who are prepared
to accompany any traveller all over Australia.
Managing Director is Helen Mendels. Ph:
(02) 9386 4363, Fax: (02) 9386 4376. Email:
ilshm@magna.com.au.
- J & P Australian Getaway Tours: PO Box
456, HORNSBY 2077. Tours planned for people
with all kinds of disabilities and elderly
people. Costs are all-inclusive. There
is a registered nurse on all tours, and
a carer on some. Ph: (02) 9456 7770, or
0419 794 497. Fax: (02) 9456 7771. E-mail:
info@jpcoaches.com Web: www.jpcoaches.com.
- Respite Tours: PO Box 7218, LEURA 2780.
For people with intellectual disabilities
(no wheelchair access) and acquired brain
injuries. Twenty-four hour care on 4:1
ratio provided — all meals, accommodation,
activities etc included in trip price.
Local and interstate trips. Ph: (02) 4782
7611. Fax: (02) 4782 7855.
- WeCare Tours and Travel: PO Box 330,
ST CLAIR 2759. All disabilities, all-inclusive
costs, carers available. Wheelchair accessible
bus with hoist. Managers Adel and Michelle
Nigl. Ph: 0415 694103 (Adel), or 0408
384151 (Michelle). PH: (02) 9670 6668
& Fax: (02) 9670 4562. E-mail: wecaretours@fastmail.fm.
Web: www.daytoursaustralia.com/wecare.
- Young Adults Disabled Association Inc.:
PO Box 841, LIVERPOOL 2165. This is a
self-supporting group for people over
16 with a disability. Every two years
the group has a major tour within Australia
or overseas, with numbers in excess of
150 people, from those with disabilities
to friends and carers. Anyone can join
the group, and be part of the holiday.
Ph: (02) 9602 7808. Fax: (02) 9601 0080.
E-mail: yada@tig.com.au.
- Linmar Travel Consultancy: PO Box 175,
SEVEN HILLS 1730. Agency that can arrange
tours all over Australia and overseas
for people with physical and intellectual
disabilities. Clients can book in on one
of the many tours available, or a tour
can be tailor-made to suit individual
clients and their needs. Small group travel
of four clients or one-on-one care available.
Carer support and attendant care is available.
Tour costs are all inclusive. Ph: (02)
9622 9010 or (02) 9676 2410. Fax: (02)
9622 9023.
- Royal North Shore Hospital (Sydney)
Activities Department, ST LEONARDS 2065.
In addition to the many recreational activities
offered, there is a travel program, offering
a variety of tours from "safaris" to luxury
coach and motels to suit travellers' needs.
All tours are fully staffed. Ph: (02)
9926 8367. Fax: (02) 9926 7731. E-mail:
kbowden@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.
- NRMA: 388 George St, SYDNEY 2000. Provides
free urgent wheelchair repairs (for example
flat battery or flat tyre) to members
using a wheelchair. Ph: (roadside assistance)
on Ph: 13 11 11.
QUEENSLAND:
- Able Tasman Tours: PO Box 352, Mt. GRAVATT
4122. For people who are blind or vision
impaired, 24 hour care service mainly
for overseas travel. Costs are all-inclusive,
hands-on attractions at a leisurely pace.
Ph: (07) 3849 7086. E-mail: brucegoose@eisa.net.au.
- Crossroads Qld: PO Box 13100, George
St, BRISBANE 4003. A licensed travel agent.
A Christian fellowship with people with
disabilities: tours from day trips to
four weeks, Australia and overseas, support
services available. Ph: (07) 3229 9011.
Fax: (07) 3220 0190. E-mail: xrds@ucaqld.com.au.
Web: www.ucaqld.com.au/uc/crossroads.
- Disabled Travel: PO Box 348, FORTITUDE
VALLEY 4006. Travel consultants specialising
in travel within Australia and overseas
for people with disabilities. Have access
to specials and deals from major airline
companies, cruise ship companies and accommodation.
Contact David Alker or Anthony Sproule
(NB: Both are travel consultants with
disabilities). Ph: (07) 3257 4050. Fax:
(07) 3257 4050. E-mail: levart21@lycos.com.
- Dunkleys Coaches and Tours: 34 Shennan
Street TOOWOOMBA 4350. Accessible tours
for people with mobility restrictions,
using a bus with a hoist. Tours range
from half day to interstate "safaris".
One male and one female helper on all
tours. Staff available to assist travellers
plan their holiday. Ph: (07) 4630 2566
Fax: (07) 4630 2366. E-mail: dunkleyscoach@ozemail.com.au.
- # Australian Easy Access Tours: offers
tours across Australia for those with
disabilities. Ph: (07) 4630 2566 Fax:
(07) 4630 2366.
back
to the top of the page
back to Travelling
and Getting Beyond The Front Gate
|
