LIFE
LONDON
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The nation’s capital is jam-packed with things to do for those with access needs. The Science Museum (www.sciencemuseum. org.uk) has lots of fascinating exhibits and interactive displays – and it even runs ‘Early Bird’ and ‘Night Owl’ sessions for people with autism. Buckingham Palace (www. royalcollection.org.uk) is a huge draw for tourists – and during the summertime, it’s open for visitors. Obviously, you won’t be rooting about Her Majesty’s bedroom, but certain parts of the palace are open to visitors. You’ll find step-free access through a separate entrance at the front of the palace, and any assistance must be pre-booked.
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USEFUL CONTACTS VisitEngland
Rough Guide to Accessible Britain
www visitengland o a ess orall
VisitWales
www visitwales o a essible wales
www a essibleguide o uk e plore
VisitScotland
www visits otland o holida s breaks a essible
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If you’ve got a thing for celebrities, Madame Tussauds (www.madametussauds.com/ london) has the next best thing! Check out some lifelike waxworks of your favourite stars, from Lady Gaga to Zoella. Only three wheelchair users can be hosted at any one time due to safety reasons, so book your slot in advance – all of the galleries are accessible apart from the Spirit of London ride. Carers get free entry too. You can’t go to London without a trip to the theatre. Theatres are becoming more inclusive, with better facilities for those with access needs, including special ‘relaxed’ performances on offer for people with autism and learning disabilities and even captioned, signed and audio described performances. Shakespeare’s Globe (www. shakespearesglobe.com) will have a relaxed performance of Twelfth Night on 27 July, and one of King Lear on 14 September – and there are audio described, captioned and signed performances scheduled in the coming months too. The Lion King (www. thelionking.co.uk) will have a captioned show on 27 August, Aladdin (www.aladdinthemusical. co.uk) will have a signed show on 5 September and a relaxed performance on 22 August, and Matilda (www. matildathemusical.com) will have an audio-described show on 9 July.
Euan’s Guide
www euansguide o hello euansguide o
DisabledGo
www disabledgo o en uiries disabledgo o
FFION’S FAMILY ADVENTURE Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants to families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. They distribute grants for family breaks, computers and tablets, sensory equipment and much more help to ease the added pressures that many families face. our ear old fion has been diagnosed with autis She loves being a tive and pla ing outside, but an find it di ult to ope in bus or nois environ ents, whi h eans the a il struggle to get out and about together er u , egan, applied to a il und or a break, and the a il hose a trip to evon e had an absolutel a a ing ti e, egan sa s t was so ni e, not ust to have a holida , but to get to spend so e ti e together as a a il , going swi ing, getting ess , running about and ust doing a il stu e got up to all sorts, eeting deer and lla as, but fion’s avourite bit was definitel the swi ing e didn’t know how she ight rea t to a totall new environ ent, but we ust took the plunge e didn’t need to worr she got stu k in and had a great ti e nowing that fion reall en o ed hersel and that she an ope with being awa ro ho e reall gave us a assive onfiden e boost as a a il e’re reall happ that a il und gave us the opportunit to have su h a great e perien e ou’re raising a disabled or seriousl ill hild, find out ore about how a il und ould help b visiting www a il und org uk ou an also all the tea on , e ail in o a il und org uk, or find the harit on a ebook a ebook o a il und , witter a il und and nstagra a il und
www.enablemagazine.co.uk
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