’s most accessible beaches

oseisle Forest, Burghead, Scotland oppit sands, Pembrokeshire, Wales or those wanting an active beach day out, Pembrokeshire’s dventure Wheelchair Walk at Poppit Sands could be the lace for you – a 380m walkway with spectacular views owever, if you prefer a more leisurely pace, nearby berporth beach is an excellent choice too, with both having

Wheelchair users can access the forest on a flat tarmac path. ’s then an easy trek along a wooden boardwalk to an ccessible look-out, where you can enjoy the coastline cenery without getting sand stuck in your wheels.

The Blackpool Tower and Sandcastle Waterpark, Lancashire

The Tower has good accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility Carers also go free Having won multiple VisitEngland access awards, Sandcastle Waterpark welcomes guests with a wide variety of access needs with all staff having received accessibility and autism awareness training Facilities include pool accessible wheelchairs, wide access gangways, four poolside wet rooms, poolside lockers, wheelchairs available to hire There’s also an accessible luxury Safari Tent with a campfire nearby, just five minutes drive from Aberaeron, situated between three Welsh national parks

Whitley Bay, Newcastle private treatment room and there’s extra help for people with assistance dogs n Tel 01253 622242 www theblackpooltower com/plan/informati on/accessibility n Tel 01253 343602 www sandcastle-waterpark co uk/accessfor-all

A stunning coastline with a picturesque lighthouse, minutes from an accessible car park.

What makes this beach so accessible, however, is its all-terrain wheelchair called a ‘Hippocampe’ which you can rent to access this stunning part of the North East.

The Deep in Hull, East Yorkshire

One of the most spectacular aquariums in the world, The Deep is committed to accessibility for all visitors Free use of mobility aids, including electric scooters, wheelchairs and walking aids Sensory packs are available

Each week (during term time)

The Deep holds Tranquil Tuesdays, where lights and sounds are subdued from 3pm until closing time There are also two Quiet Day events a year with British Sign Language interpretation n Tel 01482 381000 www thedeep co uk/plan-your-visit/ access-for-all

GOING abroad with a wheelchair or mobility scooter? Here are some tips to stop that dream holiday turning into a nightmare

1 Make your airline aware of your accessibility needs:

Tell your airline in advance about the mobility equipment you are bringing This includes the make, model, weight and size of your wheelchair or scooter It is also worth taking the operating manual of the equipment as this will be useful for airline employees

2 Check the accessibility of your destination: Unfortunately, when it comes to accessibility, not all destinations are created equal Use websites such as Tripadvisor or Trustpilot to find out if your desired holiday destination and lodgings are accessibility friendly for wheelchair and mobility scooter users

3 Booking accessible accommodation: Be sure to specify that you need a wheelchair or mobility scooter-accessible room This can be done through a holiday booking site like Jet 2 Holidays or TUI, or you can contact the hotel directly via phone or email Using email means you can have a written record of evidence in case the hotel fails to deliver on its promise

4 Hire a wheelchair accessible vehicle:

By hiring a wheelchair or mobility scooterfriendly taxi service to take you to and from the airport, you will be able to carry all of your luggage and mobility aids in one trip, offering comfort and a stress-free journey

5 Take a portable ramp:

They can be very useful! You can carry up to two mobility items free of charge It is also worth telling your airline you need to take these mobility aids

6 Get travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions:

Make sure you are covered for medical expenses and getting you home if you’re injured or fall ill

7 Insurance can cover lost or damaged items: Airlines hold responsibility for any damage to mobility equipment, although the compensation may be limited to around £1,300 Consider taking extra insurance coverage n Our thanks to Mobility Solutions Direct for these wise words

Shopmobilit Y

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Helplines

rsonal Budgets Helpline 0330 995 0404 ning hours: 9 30am-1 30pm, and Thurs pe sonalbudgets@ disabilityrightsuk org n Disabled Students Helpline Tel 0330 995 0414 Opening hours: 11am-1pm on Tues and Thurs students@disabilityrightsuk.org n Scope’s Disabilty Information and Advice Line (DIAL) Freephone 0808 800 3333