Vacation In London For The Disabled Traveler

A vacation in London for disabled people is truly a getaway – a getaway from the daily struggle over small things which others take for granted. That’s because the city and Londoners go out of their way to provide accessibility. In fact, the Disability Discrimination Act makes it necessary for service providers to make it easy for those in wheel-chairs.

Your Arrival In London

The welcome begins at Heathrow, where a wheelchair accessible black cab will pull out of line and ease in right next to the passenger. The drivers are helpful in this regard, and will roll out a side ramp to help the passenger roll right in. Even if there isn’t a ramp, the floors are quite low and it’s easy to get in and out with the driver’s help.

Getting Around Within the City

For those who want to use the tube (the underground trains), it’s best to get a disabled persons railcard which offers a third off on fares. The train companies will send a staff member to help those with disabilities, and help get said passenger on board. Ramps are provided to get on and off trains. London’s famous Red double-deckers are even more convenient, and have a ramp leading to a reserved space so that people with disabilities can get in and off easily.

Almost every hotel and restaurant is sure to be accessible and the staff will be happy to help in any way possible. Another important sticking point is the availability of accessible loos. Thankfully, London has thousands of accessible toilets. Over 900 of these are operated under the National Key Scheme, while others are within the premises of private businesses.

The Royal Treatment And Mixing With the “Commoners”

As for the attractions and things to do, here’s a newsflash. Wheel-chair bound visitors to Buckingham Palace get to go in through the front entrance and take the Queen’s own elevator to the second floor. Now that’s what is known as royal treatment for the disabled.

Other attractions like the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and Parliament are also all accessible and offer wheel-chairs on location, with staff and tour guides well trained to handle disability needs. Personal assistants or care-givers are usually allowed in free of charge. Most parks and outdoor public places worth visiting are accessible.

For those who want to go shopping, it’s best to stick to the large department stores like Harrods or Marks & Spencer. It’s understandable that some travelers may still feel a little apprehensive about doing all this on their own. If so, there are accessible tours in a custom taxi with a tour guide that can help travelers with disabilities enjoy the vacation without any hitches or hassles.

Who makes the best handicapped accessible vans?

We’re in the market to buy a van with a lift, I was considering the Dodge Sprinter but someone said they are to narrow for their height, good for hauling things but not a luxury ride.
The van would have to be large enough to accommodate the driver passenger seats, followed by two passenger seat, then enough room for a wheel chair lock and a rear loading ramp.
Any ideas?

How can I find help to find and pay for a handicapped van?

I just found out my 95 Tarus will not be able to carry my new electric wheelchair on the back. I am in no way financially able to buy a new van to be customized to carry my chair with me in it, customizing alone is costly, and been told they don’t like to customize vans any older than two years old, I wonder if there are any government grants to help?

I can’t find anything on grants for getting a handicapped van for my 3yr old son. Where should I look?

We live in Ky. My son has Hydrocephalus with severe neurological damage and Cortical Vision Imparement. We cannot afford to go right out and buy a van. Can anyone help?

What Handicapped accessible van would you buy?

I am looking to purchase a handicapped accessible van and was wondering if anyone can help me figure out what is the best out there for the $$. I am in a power chair so, I will need everything powered (e.g lift and door, hand controls and pwr lock down for chair) I have two children too!

Handicapped accessible shower flooding?

When I moved into my on-campus apartment, I was not able to tour the exact room I would be staying in, nor did it say on the lease that I would have a handicapped accessible shower. Ergo, there’s no divider between the shower and the rest of the bathroom.

The previous tenants actually broke the shower head without realizing it. My roommate and I finally got sick of dealing with the low water pressure, so we called maintenance and they came and replaced it. We now get great water pressure.

Too good, in fact.

Now, whenever we take a shower the bathroom floods. Is there anything we can put on the floor to act as a lip to stop the flooding? It’s soaking our bath mat, and ruining our toilet paper.