Family Days Out Guide

FAMILY DAYS OUT Organising a day out when your child/young person has a disability or additional need can be a daunting prospect for some.

This leaflet offers a series of information on disability-friendly venues, travel information, and offers; this list is not exhaustive and there will be other things out there we may not know about.

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NB: It is always advised to check with a venue before going in case offers, or further information has changed.

Venue/Organisation Max Cards Max Cards are available through various parent carer support groups – please contact us for more information. www.mymaxcard.co.uk

Offer/Information • Free / Discounted Access to Attractions The Max Card provides free access to attractions for looked after children, children with complex needs, their friends, and their family.

The card is valid for two years and gives free entry for 2 children and 2 adults.

A full list of over 245 venues accepting the card across the UK can be found on the website.

Although originally set up for looked after children an increasing number of Local Authorities are now using the scheme for children and young people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or/and children with additional needs.

English Heritage www.englishheritage.org.uk

• Carers Go Free • Free Access Guide • Admission Concessions For The Elderly, Students and, The Unemployed.

English Heritage has over 400 properties including abbeys, castles, and stately homes. Free entry for carers or companions of the disabled to English Heritage sites.

To help you plan your visit you can download a free 'Access Guide', providing information on facilities and support. It also includes virtual tours, audio tours, tactile exhibits, and scented gardens. Printed copies, braille, large print, and audio versions of the access guide are also available. Hearing loops and transcripts of tours may too be provided.

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Venue/Organisation Forest Live

www.forestry.gov.uk

Offer/Information • Carers Go Free The Forestry Commission run a successful concert programme at seven of its forestry sites: Bedgebury Pinetum (Kent) Cannock Chase Forest (Staffordshire) Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire) Delamere Forest (Cheshire) Sherwood Pines Forest (Nottinghamshire) Thetford Forest (Suffolk) Westonbirt Arboretum (Gloucestershire) The Forest Live events are held outdoors and there are no covered areas. You must bring your own seating with warm and waterproof clothes, as umbrellas are not permitted. Complimentary tickets are available for carers/companions.

Viewing platforms are available for wheelchair users or individuals with limited mobility, and are accessible by ramps. Places on the platforms cannot be reserved.

Accessible toilets and disabled parking are provided at venues.

For information on eligibility check www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7xglqv To book these, contact the booking office Tel: 03000 680400.

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Venue/Organisation The National Trust

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Offer/Information • Carers Go Free • Free Access Guide The National Trust issues a companion's free entry card called "Access for All Admit One Card" for carers.

It is issued to the disabled person so that it can be used for different carers. To obtain an "Admit One Card", email the disabled person's name and address to enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or call: 01793 817634.

Entry for the disabled person is a standard cost or free with membership.

The National Trust publishes an excellent 'Access Guide' to their properties which can be downloaded from their website as a complete book or as individual regional guides. The Access guide is also available as a book in standard and large print. A CD version of the guide can be obtained from Soundtalking, email: admin@soundtalking.co.uk Most properties have disabled toilets and free wheelchairs on loan. Mobility vehicles are available at venues with large gardens and parks.

Merlins Magic Wand

www.merlinsmagicwand.o rg

• Free Tickets to Merlin Entertainment Sites Merlin's Magic Wand is a children's charity that supports children facing challenges of serious illness, disability, or adversity around the world. Merlin’s Magic Wand believes that every child deserves to laugh, enjoy and cherish memorable experiences and it’s their mission to enable children to access the magic of Merlin Entertainments.

Please visit Merlin's Magic Wand website to check eligibility.

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Venue/Organisation Public Toilets

Offer/Information Disability Rights runs the National Key Scheme (NKS) for toilets for the disabled in the UK. Toilets fitted with NKS locks can be found all over the UK, as they have been fitted in many locations including local authority toilets, toilets in shopping centres, bus and train stations.

To find an NKS toilet, you can purchase a guide to the various locations and a Radar NKS Key. Radar Keys can be purchased from your local town hall customer service centre on proof of disability letter. There is also an app that can be downloaded from the App store.

Disabled Persons Bus Pass

Please visit NYCC'S website to check eligibility.

www.northyorks.gov.uk/a rticle/27584/Disabledpersons-bus-pass Disabled Persons Railcard

. Save 1/3 on most adult rail fares for disabled people and their companions’ fares.

www.disabledpersonsrailcard.co.uk

Available for £20 a year (£54 for 3 years) to those on disability related benefits, registered deaf or use a hearing aid, registered visually impaired or suffering with epilepsy.

To apply download an application form, or visit a local manned station.

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Venue/Organisation National Express www.nationalexpress.com

Offer/Information 1/3 Off Standard Price Tickets National Express offers a Disabled Coachcard for anyone registered with a disability. The card costs £10 to purchase and lasts for a year.

It can save 1/3 of the cost of standard price tickets and can be used at peak and non-peak travel times.

The majority of coaches have a passenger lift at the front of the coach but do let them know if you are a wheelchair user or have reduced mobility.

Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card (CEA Card) www.ceacard.co.uk

Carers go Free This is a national card providing concessionary cinema tickets for carers accompanying a disabled person to the cinema across the UK. The card is valid for one year and costs £8. The application is made by the disabled person who must be either in receipt of Disability Living Allowance / Personal Independence Payment or registered as blind.

To apply: Either download an application form and return to CEA Card, PO Box 212, Waterlooville, PO7 6ZN, Tel: 0845 123 1292 or apply online.

LegoLand www.support.legoland.co. uk/hc/enus/articles/360010643718 -Do-you-offer-personalassistants-carers-tickets-

Carers go Free Ride Access Pass. Subject to eligibility. Please check their website.

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Venue/Organisation Theme Parks (Please check individual parks websites for eligibility and costs)

Offer/Information Theme Parks welcome disabled visitors. Many theme parks have flat-even paths, disabled toilets and disabled parking close to the main entrance. You may find that some parts of the park aren't accessible though e.g. woodland or nature areas. Do ask for a map/accessibility guide when you arrive as this will showcase difficult to access areas and the location of disabled toilets.

Theme parks may operate a queue jumping system which allows a disabled person to "Fast Track" the queue for the ride or attraction. Entrance to the ride may be through a different gate to avoid turnstiles.

Fast tracking is a great bonus for parents of children with additional needs who are unable to wait, and individuals who find waiting difficult through pain or discomfort. The eligibility criteria for Fast Tracking will vary between parks. If eligible, the Fast Tracking ticket will usually include everyone with the disabled individual, so that groups can stay together.

The person with the disability or additional need will usually pay the full entrance fee, but many parks offer free carer tickets/concession for the main carer. Some parks offer more than one concession if extra support is required. You will need proof of disability. This may include your Blue badge, an Education and Health Care Plan, a letter from a medical professional, or proof of your DLA entitlement. Wheelchair hire may be an option on a first come first served basis.

Activity options may be limited depending on the accessibility of the rides/attractions. Parks have the final say whether a person is able to go on an attraction as they have to consider health and safety issues.

USEFUL LINKS CONTACT:

The charity for families with disabled children, providing guidance and support to improve life for themselves and others (www.contact.org.uk).

COUNCIL FOR DISABLED CHILDREN: The umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector, bringing together professionals, practitioners and policy-makers (councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk).

IPSEA: Independent Parental Special Education Advice - a registered charity (number 327691). IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities (www.ipsea.org.uk).

SENDIASS NORTH YORKSHIRE: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service. Confidential information and support for young adults with SEND and parents of children with SEND living in North Yorkshire (www.sendiassnorthyorkshire.co.uk).

SEND LOCAL OFFER (NYCC): North Yorkshire County Council’s dedicated hub for up-to-date regional SEND information, advice and offers (www.northyorks.gov.uk/sendlocal-offer).

SEND CODE OF PRACTICE (0-25): Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0-25 (www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25).

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Parent Carer Voice represents the collective voice for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They are a growing voluntary organisation run by a steering group of volunteer parent carers and supported by and based at Community First Yorkshire.

Contact Parent Carer Voice: WEBSITE: www.parentcarervoiceuk.org EMAIL: info@parentcarervoiceuk.org PHONE: 07396 641232 FACEBOOK: @Parent Carer Voice North Yorkshire