Disability Holidays
Want to know more about disability holidays and caravans for the disabled? Then read on ...
As a family we really enjoy caravanning and we think that caravanning should be enjoyed by the disabled as well as the able-bodied.
Although most caravans would be suitable to be used for disability holidays with some modifications, we have only come across two caravans which have been designed specifically for the disabled.
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Autochair is a family business, established in 1983 by David Walker, who was confined to a wheelchair due to a car accident - the story is on the website at www.autochair.co.uk One of the range of products is the Milford Person Lift, designed to lift a person, via a sling, from one seat to another, typically a wheelchair to car seat. The only drawback of the Milford is that it has a limited range of vertical lift, so we sometimes struggle with taller vehicles, e.g. Motorhomes. I have attached a photograph of an installation within a Motorhome which enabled the user to be lifted from their wheelchair to bed or toilet, with which they were delighted, but to lift them from wheelchair into the front passenger seat, we have to build special units which reduces the lifting capacity to around 10 stones.
The Milford video can be viewed by following this link: www.youtube.com/autochair . The new product will lift a person either via a platform they can stand on, a seat they can sit on or a sling they can be lifted via. It will have an almost limitless range of lift and we hope that it will lend itself very well to the Motorhome market and possibly even caravans, although we may struggle to get sufficient strength within the caravan structure to mount the lift to. In order that we can develop the product range, we are trying to understand what challenges disabled or less mobile caravan/motorhome owners experience and what they would like the product to do for them? To help us to understand the potential market, we also need to try to determine how many such vehicles exist in both Europe and the USA and of those vehicles, what proportion of owners have these types of access issues. Obviously, the smaller the potential audience, the more expensive the products would be, but I suspect the number is quite considerable, hence developing the product! If you would like to comment or suggest how you would like this developed if you are disabled in any way, please contact www.autochair.co.uk or phone 01773 830222. |
The New and Exclusive Axcess Caravan built by Adria to Mr Simon Fry’s specification. The Axcess combines the benefits of a touring caravan with the ability to have the caravan customised to accommodate the requirements of a disabled user. A wide access door, standard ramp, easy access wet room, rear double bed with individually adjustable back rests makes the caravan user friendly for those that requiring wheelchair access. The specially designed interior combines reverse L shaped lounge to allow a wheel chair to be manoeuvred with ease and the unique drop down sink ideal for wheelchair users.
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The specification includes Alko ATC trailer control, Alko Delta chassis, Radio CD player, TV aerial, Microwave, Alloy wheels. The wet room has a new moulded shower tray and the option of either standard WC or bench toilet, a separate area houses the flip down basin. A large number of options/extras are available to enable the caravan meet the requirements of the maximum number of users including electric hoist, electric bed back, movers etc. Built by Adria to UK specifications the caravan is NCC approved and comes with Adria’s 6 year damp and water ingress warranty and their standard 3 year warranty. The Axcess is VAT free to accredited users.
Frys Caravans in East Yorkshire have them on permanent display, or you can visit their website at www.frys.co.uk/frystar_axcess.
If your budget doesn't stretch quite that far, most caravans can be adapted to suit your needs. Simple things like handles can be retro-fitted. There are many different types of access steps on the market as well as ramps if needed. Check all these products out at your local caravan dealership.
The following is taken from the direct.gov website and gives information regarding what caravan sites, or any service provider, should be doing for the disabled.
Any service provider who provides a service to the public in the UK, whether they charge for it or not, has duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Service Providers' Responsibilities:
Service providers include holiday accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurants and transport providers.
They cannot refuse to serve you as a disabled person or provide a lower standard of service because of your disability unless it can be justified.
Service providers may need to make 'reasonable adjustments' to any barriers that may prevent a disabled person using or accessing their service.
What is a reasonable adjustment?
Under the DDA, service providers only need to make changes that are 'reasonable'. These might include simple changes to layout, improved signage and information and staff training which can improve accessibility to disabled customers.
It's about what is practical to the service provider's individual situation and what resources they may have. They will not be required to make changes that are impractical or beyond their means.
Examples of reasonable changes that can be made include:
Good for business:
Making their services more accessible will not only benefit disabled people but could encourage recommendations and return visits.
For example:
If you have any other information about disability holidays and caravans for the disabled which we have not mentioned, please let us know.
If you are disabled and would like to go caravanning, don't be put off - do a search on the internet for disability holidays - this will always bring back loads of websites to help you. Your local caravan dealer will also be able to help you if you are thinking of buying a caravan and need some modifications.
Don't give up - there is lots of help out there.
