HOLIDAY PROBLEMS
In a matter of
weeks we are packing our suitcases and heading off to bring you an ultimate
report back from the worlds best clubs. Although disabled travelers are
becoming less and less according to disabled charity, Leonard Cheshire.
The forecast doesn't look good from the moment some disabled people make
a booking.
With this years August Bank Holiday weekend over with a new report 'originally'
titled, 'Wish You Were Here' aims to bring to the attention the needs
and boundaries disabled travelers come up against when they attempt to
escape for a week or two in the sun.
As in Family Fortunes, 100 disabled people were asked about past holiday
experiences. The survey said..
A quarter didn't bother
because of accessibility trouble.
Half of them were given
the impression that the travel agent was unaware of how to deal with a
disabled customer.
60% of those had been
holiday have had difficulty with transport.
Nearly a quarter had their
wheelchair or other walking aid damaged in transit .
Nearly one in three had
problems with access in their hotels
And a quarter of the poor
sods had a nightmare trying to obtain insurance.
The charity is calling for tougher measures so all travelers can book and go on a holiday with little hassle. John Knight, head of external policy at Leonard Cheshire pointed out that the package holiday has been around for more than fifty years and there's no excuse to meet the needs for disabled travelers. One idea to solve the problem is to introduce pan-European Standards which will be easily recognized. It is also putting pressure on travel staff to receive awareness on disabled customers and how to meet their requests, if they are needed. Something which has been concentrated on in the States where feedback from disabled travelers are more positive as opposed to those in Europe.
"Disabled people have a right to holiday outside the UK and the travel industry must improve accessibility to ensure they can.", Knight added.
The ABATE, which stands for The Association of British Travel Agents have stressed that they have been trying to improve the situation for ages. Keith Richards (No, not that one!) is the head of consumer affairs at ABTA. He said,
"It is clear that increasing numbers of people who have some for of disability are taking holidays, and many more want to spend their money on travel but currently don't."
Despite the obstacles which are put in the way for disabled travelers ABLE2UK urges are readers to carry on regardless. Everybody deserves a week or two in the sun and we suggest you take the bull by its horns and book that late Summer or Winter break now.
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