Flying the flag at Rise4Disability
By Barbara Huntley -
'I was invited by Limitless Travel to attend the Rise 4 Disability Exhibition at Maidstone Showground in Kent on 7th September. Over 90 exhibitors were showing aids for the disabled, together with the attendance of physiotherapists, social workers, welfare organisations, carers groups, advisers and volunteers with and for people with all forms of disability, from those who needed 24-hour constant care, to those with sight, hearing and language problems. The range of exhibits was extremely wide and a huge number of disabled people attended. Apart from the exhibitors, there were many demonstrations and workshops. It was a really interesting show for everyone.
There was little time to eat a sandwich or get a cup of tea, as my host and I spent so much time discussing with the visitors the needs of those travelling on holidays with a wide range of disabilities. Many of the people I spoke to had experience the common problem that companies who stated their venues were accessible proved not to be the case. Many establishments have very little knowledge of what constitutes an 'accessible' space and most felt that designers of these spaces were not themselves disabled.
There was little time to eat a sandwich or get a cup of tea, as my host and I spent so much time discussing with the visitors the needs of those travelling on holidays with a wide range of disabilities. Many of the people I spoke to had experience the common problem that companies who stated their venues were accessible proved not to be the case. Many establishments have very little knowledge of what constitutes an 'accessible' space and most felt that designers of these spaces were not themselves disabled.
Disability can mean needing far more than just step-free access, a wide door or a lift, as many of us know who have PPS. The increasing weakness we have means that legs and arms cannot move, lift or push objects as easily as we might have managed in the past.
The company who invited me to the exhibition wanted to make travelling for their clients as easy as possible. Their Chief Executive is disabled, as are 50 per cent of the staff who visit the venues they use for their package holidays at home and abroad, to ensure they match the stated needs of their passengers.
They also provide fully trained carers on board their luxury coach trips, with a lift and space for four electric wheelchairs, fully clamped and leather recliners seats for other passengers. I have travelled with them to Devon and was so impressed by the kindness and understanding of the carers on board, the hot or cold drinks provided and the pleasure that many on board expressed at being able to have their first holiday in years, I booked for a second trip to go to Scotland as soon as I returned...'
The company who invited me to the exhibition wanted to make travelling for their clients as easy as possible. Their Chief Executive is disabled, as are 50 per cent of the staff who visit the venues they use for their package holidays at home and abroad, to ensure they match the stated needs of their passengers.
They also provide fully trained carers on board their luxury coach trips, with a lift and space for four electric wheelchairs, fully clamped and leather recliners seats for other passengers. I have travelled with them to Devon and was so impressed by the kindness and understanding of the carers on board, the hot or cold drinks provided and the pleasure that many on board expressed at being able to have their first holiday in years, I booked for a second trip to go to Scotland as soon as I returned...'
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