Introduction

Lynne Kirby, Managing Director

A specialist overseas tour operator for people with limited mobility, their

families and friends

In 2004 we identified the need for improved facilities for

people with mobility impairments

which resulted in the launch of Enable Holidays

What We Did

Involved disabled people with the development process by organising focus groups with Disability Associations and Special Needs Schools; and asking questions

This Is What We Found• Lack of confidence• Fear of travelling abroad into the great unknown• Poor information on facilities at travel agents and in tour operators’

brochures• Inaccessible adapted rooms• Roll-in showers that did not allow wheelchairs to ‘roll in’• Doors that were too narrow for wheelchairs• Limited number of dropped kerbs

What Has Improved

Since the third stage of the Disability Discrimination Act in 2004 made it law for service providers to make adjustments to their properties to overcome barriers to access, things have improved

Airports, airlines, hotels and resorts have all upped their gamePre-boarding introducedHarnesses and TravelChairs installed Initiatives by major players such as Virgin and Monarch AirlinesMore information readily availableMore innovative disabled holiday guides and resources online

What’s Still To Be Done?

Change mindsets on the ‘disability’ issuesMore adapted facilities (ratio per property is still low – less than 5%

in many hotels)Expand horizons. Disabled people are looking further than a beach

on the Med. Many have a sense of adventure and want to take on new challenges: adventures, safaris, extreme sports and more

Satisfy the ‘I Can Do That’ attitudeBetter understanding and more ‘quality’ training for travel industry

personnel

Where Do We Go From Here?Keep disability at the top of the agendaPromote a fairer world with tourism for allCampaign for more adapted rooms per hotel Improve the location of these roomsOffer more ‘adventurous’ options to satisfy appetites

Carry on where the Paralympics left off – that’s our legacy!