ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL NEWSLETTER

Hello and welcome to the latest Accessible Travel Newsletter. This issue has a post reviewing Airbnb’s new accessible online experiences, as well as interviews from my new #SafeAccessibleTravel series. More on both of those below. 

 

How are you doing, lovely readers? I have to be honest and say that I’ve found the last couple of weeks particularly challenging. It always takes me a little while to adjust to changes in routine, and as my husband returned to work after 3 months of furlough I’ve found myself struggling mentally and resorting to old, unhelpful coping mechanisms like working too much, not looking after myself enough and generally trying to get everything done. As my lovely friend Heather put it, “I try to remember that coping mechanisms are exactly that, they don’t allow us to function on a good level”. Wise words. I’ve been rereading the article I wrote for Audacity Magazine about why we need to stop demonising relaxation, and trying to put my words into practice with more self-care. 

 

I am, tentatively, looking forward to a couple of short UK breaks in Autumn. As Disability Horizons recently reported, 95% of disabled people won’t travel abroad until there is a vaccine for Covid-19 or we know more about it. I’m firmly in the staycation camp until 2021. 

 

The surge in virtual accessible travel experiences is, at least, something we can thank the pandemic for. I recently attended my first virtual press trip to review one of Airbnb’s new and exclusive online experiences with accessibility in mind; a masterclass on public speaking with the incredible Eric LeGrand. Martyn Sibley’s recent livestream on the use of virtual reality in accessible tourism is an interesting watch, and Hyperallergic report on how you can travel the world from home with these immersive, accessible video games. 

If you are planning future travels, don’t forget to download your free copy of my 30 day wheelchair accessible travel planner. 

 

This free printable breaks down the planning process of a seasoned disabled traveller, with a short, actionable tip each day and links to my favourite resources. Tick off each as you go and watch your trip become a reality.

 

The 30 Day Planner PDF was created using Canva, and as such, there is no way to make it accessible to screen readers (frustrating, I know!). As an alternative, I've included the option to download a plain text, screen reader friendly version.

 
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Download Plain Text Version

A shout out to the tourism businesses amongst my readers - with Coronavirus presenting a range of new accessibility challenges for visitors, join VisitEngland’s webinar on Thursday, July 30 10:00am with practical steps, real examples and advice from experts. 

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL NEWS ROUNDUP

  • Sophie Morgan’s article for Conde Naste Traveller, with a selection of some of the UK's most beautiful and remote locations that also prioritise accessibility for physically disabled visitors. 9 Accessible UK Holidays That Are Away From The Crowds 

  • Stirling Old Town Jail (accessible on the ground floor) has launched a new self-guided audio tour to help visitors with safe social distancing. 

  • Warrington’s Disability Awareness Day 2020 has been cancelled but will be replaced by a virtual event launching 25th October. 

  • Over in the US, volunteers have installed five new wheelchair mats at North Myrtle Beach 

  • With the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 postponed until 2021, Airbnb, the IOC, and the IPC will bring the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics online with a curated program of activities hosted by athletes for the first time in history. 

NEW SAFE ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL SERIES

I’ve interviewed accessible hotels and holiday cottages across the UK, to show what measures they’ve put in place to make things safe for disabled guests post-lockdown. The interviews cover everything from cleaning procedures and COVID safe training, to flexible booking policies and what’s open locally. 

 

Read the latest interview with the Peak District’s accessible tourism superstars, David and Felicity Brown of Hoe Grange Holidays. 

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I’ll be back in a fortnight with more accessible travel resources, guides, reviews and news. 

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