Everybody needs a holiday from time to time. A change of scenery and air, a different environment, meeting new people or simply taking time for yourself can really be of benefit.
This section will give you some useful ideas about choosing a holiday and making arrangements, as well as ways of getting further information.
Choosing a holiday that suits you if you are blind or partially sighted
There are as many different holiday options as there are people wanting to take a holiday! Here are just a few ideas to help you decide what break is right for you.
"The first few trips are about confidence building. It doesn't matter where you go as long as you go somewhere… Blind people tend not to want to explore for obvious reasons. But those who do have a fantastic time. They really gain a lot from it."
Specialist hotels that cater for blind and partially sighted people
A number of specialist hotels around the UK cater specifically for blind and partially sighted people, their friends and families.
A "specialist" hotel has staff specifically trained to offer support to blind and partially sighted guests. The hotels often have additional features such as colour contrasting surfaces, talking lifts, tactile signs, talking menus and a range of useful products from liquid level indicators to make a cup of tea in the morning, to talking alarm clocks. Days out and evening entertainment are often included in the price.
Vision Hotels have been awarded AA 3 Star accreditation. They are part of Action for Blind People and provide a quality, stress free and accessible holiday for blind and partially sighted people. The Vision Hotels experience can range from a relaxing winter break by the sea or a summer holiday trekking in the mountains.
"We were met at the station so problems of finding our way to the location were sorted. I was given a guided tour of the facilities and room. It all seemed natural and I forgot this was a special hotel. When I went to pour myself a coffee using the kettle in my bedroom, I found a liquid level indicator hanging on the cup. The aids and assistance were available, but it was up to me whether I wanted to use them. Trips were organised so if I wanted to be adventurous I could, or I could do my own thing."
Mary
Activity holidays and themed breaks
Many specialist hotels offer activity holidays and themed breaks, such as music and walking holidays, among others.
There are also holiday venues around the UK offering you a range of options if you are feeling a bit more active!
For example, three Calvert Trust Centres in Northumberland, Cumbria and Devon offer options such as abseiling, archery and swimming for people with disabilities, including blind and partially sighted people. For more information contact the booking teams for each centre:
Higham Hall in Cumbria (telephone 01768 77 62 76) and Knuston Hall in Northamptonshire (telephone 01933 312 104) are just two of many residential colleges throughout the UK that welcome blind and partially sighted participants on courses ranging from poetry to Tai Chi, and languages to local history.
Seable
Seable specialises in sensorial leisure active holidays for people with visual impairment.
At Seable, they give you the chance to conduct a tailor-made holiday to improve your confidence and skills for life. Seable have personal and powerful holiday programs that address your physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs, as well as equip you with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to transform your challenges into possibilities.
Seable work in association with accessible providers of travel-related products and services, in particular, with the Sicilian charity LIFE (Life Improvement For Everyone). This charity has developed a number of sensorial activities that have proved to enhance your holiday experience while gaining new skills.
Activities include:
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Scuba diving
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Olive oil making
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Fishing with Sicialian fishermen
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Visit the Tactile museum
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Make your own pizza competition
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And drive in Europe's highest active volcano.
You can find more info at the Seable website or contact Seable via any of the ways below.
Damiano La Rocca
Director
"Accessible Active Holidays"
35 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 7494 866
Mobile: +44 (0) 7936 146349
Website:
seable.co.uk
Facebook: seableholiday
Skype: damiano_la_rocca
Torch Trust Holidays
Nestled into the West Sussex countryside is the family run Torch holiday and retreat centre. With secluded grounds and wonderful views of the South Downs they offer a selection of diverse holidays including book weeks, activity weeks, craft and music. Alternatively you can simply relax, sit back and enjoying the British summer time.
With a strong focus on maximising the independence of blind and partially sighted people and their inclusion into the entirety of each holiday programme this "home away from home" provides a positive environment to renew your body, mind and spirit.
To make enquires or find out more call Torch Holidays on 01273 832282 or email: holidays@torchtrust.org
Residential homes
RNIB's residential homes offer a good option for older blind and partially sighted people who may need more care and attention on holiday, for example help with dressing.
Facilities at RNIB homes include a library with books in large print, braille or tape, a hydrotherapy spa and gardens. Activity organisers provide a range of activities and trips out.
RNIB has residential homes in Somerset, Yorkshire and East Sussex.
Find out more about our residential homes.
Group holidays
Group holidays are a great way to meet new people.
Some local societies for blind and partially sighted people organise group holidays in the UK, and sometimes overseas. Normally, there is a local collection point, which makes travelling more convenient.
For contact details of your nearest local society, contact the RNIB Helpline (helpline@rnib.org.uk or telephone 0303 123 9999), or search the Sightline Directory.
If your local society does not arrange trips, they may know of organisations in your area that can help. Again, you could contact the Vitalise Holidays Team (telephone 0845 330 0149 or email viholidays@vitalise.org.uk for details of their group holidays or download the Vitalise holidays brochure.
You could also try Traveleyes, a company specialising in providing holidays for blind and partially sighted people and sighted travellers.
Traveleyes offer tailor-made holidays that are designed specifically for people with sight loss and pair up blind and partially sighted people with sighted companions. The holidays, which go to a range of UK and worldwide destinations, vary from relaxing beach breaks to more active holidays that explore famous landmarks and historical sites. All Traveleyes holidays are tailor made, varying in format depending on the needs of individual travellers. Holidays include Mediterranean cruises, long-haul trips to India, as well as short breaks in the UK.
To find out more about Traveleyes and their holidays visit Traveleyes or call 0844 804 0221.
Traveleyes offer all RNIB Members and an accompanying friend or family member a five per cent discount on their holidays. Become an RNIB Member to take advantage of this and other great discounts.
UK holidays
DIAL Doncaster
Unit 9 Shaw Wood Business Park
Shaw Wood Way
Doncaster
DN2 5TB
Tel: 01302 327800
e-mail: advice@dialdoncaster.co.uk
Website: dialdoncaster.co.uk
DIAL Doncaster, the disability advisory service, has the following holiday accommodation available for let.
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A purpose built holiday lodge for disabled people located on the Haven Holiday Park at Marton Mere, Blackpool and sleeps up to 8 people.
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A holiday caravan located on the Haven Holiday Park, Golden Sands at Mablethorpe and sleeps up to 8 people. (Please note that this caravan has no internal adaptations but does have a ramped veranda)
Further information, internal photos and the booking forms are available via the DIAL Doncaster website dialdoncaster.co.uk or contact the DIAL Doncaster helpline 01302 327800.
Hotels and guest houses
Most hotels and guest houses offer a warm welcome to people with sight problems.
When you make a booking, do tell them how they can help you make the best of your stay. For example, let them know if you need an orientation tour of the hotel or a lift from the train station.
RNIB's Helpline may have details of some hotels in the UK recommended to us by blind and partially sighted holiday makers for their welcoming service, good location or great facilities. You could also contact your local society for details.
Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, a hotel cannot refuse to serve you for a reason related to your disability, or offer you a different standard or manner of service. For example, they should not assume that, because you are blind or partially sighted, you would be happy with a room with no view. They should also not refuse to accept you because you have a guide dog, for example, or because they believe you pose a fire risk, unless they can justify their reasons.
Holiday providers should make reasonable adjustments to accommodate you, and be willing to offer "auxiliary aids" to make your stay more comfortable. For example, if you are unable to read the menu, they could enlarge it or read it out to you.
"At a recent visit to a hotel in Nottingham, we were looked after extremely well. Staff were happy to show us to our room as we were unable to locate it ourselves. They came and collected us in the morning to take us down to breakfast, where the restaurant staff were also very obliging and helped us with the buffet style serving arrangements. Everyone was very courteous and we could not have asked for more from anyone."
Stephen
Holidays abroad
There are specialist tour operators who arrange holidays abroad specifically for people with visual or other disabilities, for example
Vitalise (telephone 0845 330 0149 or email
viholidays@vitalise.org.uk) or
Enable Holidays (telephone 0871 222 4939).
RNIB campaigns for mainstream tour operators to make their information and holidays more accessible.
We also work closely with
"I enjoy visiting different places and learning about foreign cultures and people's different ways of living. The sunshine is also a bonus! Often when I have visited places like art galleries or museums overseas, people have been happy to do their best to help."
Bella
Making arrangements
The key to having a great holiday is in the planning. Here are some points to consider.
Information services
There are many sources of information to help you plan a holiday. Your local travel agent should be able to help. The internet is another good source of information.
You could also contact tourist information centres. The main UK tourist boards will be able to give you details of centres in your local area:
RNIB also have some good products for sale to help manage your money whilst away.
Booking
There are several options when it comes to booking your holiday. You could contact your travel agent or the hotel of your choice directly.
You could tailor make your own package, or use the internet. Whilst we acknowledge that at present not all websites are accessible to blind and partially sighted users, RNIB continues to campaign for internet accessibility.
If you have access to the internet, one accessible travel website which you could visit is lastminute.com
When booking independently, remember to inform the hotel or tour operator of any special requirements you have, for example
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a ground floor room
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a taxi to meet you at the airport or train station, if possible
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any specific dietary requirements.
Always re-confirm what has been discussed so that your expectations can be met.
"I like going on mainstream holidays because they treat you like any other guest. If you ask for help they give it. You need to tell them that you have a sight restriction and you need to tell them what you need in terms of support."
Passport and visa
When travelling abroad, your passport must be valid for the duration of the holiday, but some countries also require a longer validity than the holiday duration.
Ensure that any visa and health requirements, such as inoculations, are met.
Contact your destination country's embassy for more information. Your travel agent should also be able to give you advice.
Insurance
It is a good idea to take out medical and personal insurance to cover you whilst you are on holiday.
Ensure that the company you choose is a member of the Association of British Insurers and inform them of details such as medical conditions and your age.
RNIB, working with Unique, is now able to offer you specialist travel insurance. Unique offer specialist travel insurance policies for blind and partially sighted people, as well as other pre-existing medical conditions and disabilities.
Travel by coach, rail, sea and air
Before travelling, inform the travel company of your needs. The majority of coach, rail, ferry and airline companies do offer reliable assistance, but it's important to let them know what support or assistance you require in advance.
"On my flight, I was delighted to find that all the instructions on things like safety procedures were available in braille. The staff were very helpful, they showed me where the buzzer was to call them and told me to let them know if I needed any help. I also loved the champagne!"
Bella
Financial assistance
There are some trust funds and organisations in the UK who may be able to help pay for a holiday.
Information is available from RNIB on organisations who may be able to help with funding. However, as funds are often limited you should apply as early as possible.
For more information see our information on grants from other organisations.
Your local authority social services should know of your nearest trusts or organisations. Some local societies for blind and partially sighted people also offer financial assistance.
Contact the RNIB Helpline (telephone 0303 123 9999) for further details of grants, social security benefits or additional allowances you might be able to claim.
Finding an escort
If you would like some assistance on holiday, your local society, or the society near to your holiday destination, may be able to put you in touch with a volunteer who can act as a sighted guide.
If I have a problem?
If things do not go quite as expected, let your hotel or tour operator know exactly what the problem is straight away. Then, between you, you can attempt to resolve any difficulties whilst you are still on holiday.
If the matter is not resolved, give the company full details of your complaint on your return.
Should you feel you have been discriminated against and would like some advice, contact RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 99 99 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
Further information
Our advisers can provide you with further information on holiday and leisure opportunities available to blind and partially sighted people. Call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email adviceservice@rnib.org.uk for more details.