Accessible Travel: Essential Tips for Carers

The responsibility of caring for a family member with a disability or an elderly relative can be challenging, especially when it comes to making travel plans. But it doesn’t need to be that way.
Here are helpful tips to help Carers navigate travel smoothly so that you, as a Carer, can have a break.

Plan Ahead with Accessible Travel in Mind

Carers play a crucial role in ensuring their loved ones’ comfort and accessibility during a holiday. Before your holiday, thorough planning is essential for a stress-free break. Booking in advance ensures you secure the best options tailored to your family member’s needs.

Firstly, set a destination in mind, and try to be flexible with dates so you have more choices. Accessible Accommodation makes this process easier, with 300 options around Australia, Bali and New Zealand. Each listing has over 50 frequently asked questions, video tours, and information on activities nearby.  You are guaranteed an accessible room when using the website to book for your peace of mind.

Once you have the accommodation sorted, plan to get there with ease. 78% of travellers with accessible travel needs prefer road travel for flexibility and savings; if travelling by car, plan your stops where there are Changing Places facilities. Clean, well-maintained bathrooms that also have showers and adult change tables make it convenient for carers as well as family members.

Tip: If you haven’t travelled frequently, choose a short break destination within 2 hours of home as a “trial run”.

Plan for Rest and Self-Care – Book a Support Worker for Help During Your Stay

As a carer, you too need a break to rest and recharge. You know when a flight attendant does the safety briefing and instructs you to place an oxygen mask on yourself first? It’s so you can help your loved ones during an emergency. Carers often don’t have time to rest and recharge in their daily lives. A holiday is the perfect opportunity to practice self-care, so you return refreshed.

Did you know you can book a short-term Support Worker to help you on your holiday?  Our family has used Mable, a website that connects Support Workers to people with accessibility needs.  Simply create an account and post the job or search for a Support Worker in the local area. Their qualifications and customer reviews will help you narrow down the right choice. Having this sort of assistance means you can do an activity knowing your loved one is safe, allowing you to be in the present moment.  If your loved one is on NDIS, check whether your at-home Support Worker can travel with you, which is ideal for a sense of familiarity for your loved one.

Tip: Support Workers don’t just help with accessible travel, bathing and dressing; they can take your loved one on excursions too. Arrange to meet online before the trip so your loved one feels familiar with their helper—pre-plan excursions and hours.

Special Assistance

Many airlines, railways, and public transport services in Australia provide special assistance and accessible travel for passengers with disabilities. For extended trips, contact the transport provider ahead of time to arrange wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, or any other specific requirements needed. This ensures a smoother travel experience from departure to arrival. If you haven’t already signed up, a Companion Card enables eligible people with a disability to attend venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their companion. Most experiences and public transport accept a Companion Card, even if you visit from interstate. I always recommend pre-booking and asking if they accept companion cards.

Below are links to special assistance for transport:

Qantas

Virgin

Jetstar

Air New Zealand

New South Wales Public transport

Victorian Public Transport

Queensland Public Transport

South Australia Public Transport

Western Australia Public Transport

Tasmania Public Transport

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry

Northern Territory Public Transport

Australian Capital Territory Public Transport

Hertz hire of mobility vehicles

Tip: If booking a Maxi Taxi, have the hotel book it for you. Taxi drivers are notorious for not accepting bookings for wheelchair accessible vans if it is a short fare. They need to stay on the good side of hotels as a great deal of business is from there. They accept fares if a hotel books it.

Find Accessible Travel Activities

Rather than planning multiple accommodation options, choose one location and look for experiences within a radius. When planning activities during your trip, make sure to choose attractions and experiences that are accessible to your family member. Many tourist sites, museums, and parks across Australia are increasingly offering wheelchair access, sensory-friendly experiences, and other accommodations for those with mobility or sensory challenges.

Be sure to check online for accessibility guides or call ahead to confirm what facilities are available. You might also want to look for nature trails that have been adapted for wheelchair users or seek out events and performances designed for families with special needs.

While Google Maps isn’t fail-proof for accuracy, they do have a cool accessibility feature. To find and utilise Google Maps’ accessibility features, navigate to Settings > Accessibility and turn on “Accessible Places” to see wheelchair icons and information about accessible entrances, seating, restrooms, and parking. 

Tip: Look for experiences on local council websites or the Accessible Experiences website. Also, use Google Maps’ feature to check out the terrain from your accommodation to the experience, ensuring there are good paths and the terrain is not too hilly.

Prepare and Pack Essentials and Medications

Prepare a travel kit with essential items such as medications, a summary of medical records, mobility aids, and comfort items your loved one may need.  If you aren’t already using Webster Packs, have your pharmacist prepare one for you. It saves space and time.

If space is limited and your loved one requires mobility equipment, many Accessible Accommodation listings already have equipment ready, using the search filter such as a shower chair.  If you do have to hire, their frequently asked questions have information on where to hire equipment.  Having these accessible essentials can alleviate stress and ensure comfort for your loved one.

Tip: If you hire equipment, check that delivery coincides an hour before check-in and after check-out, and notify the property of an impending delivery.  Also, hire shops don’t deliver on weekends. Most accommodations are happy to store the equipment for you if you check-in or out on the weekend.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance tailored for carers and individuals with medical conditions is necessary if you travel overseas. Ensure the policy covers any medical emergencies, cancellations, or changes due to your family member’s condition. Knowing you’re covered financially can reduce anxiety and provide peace of mind during the trip. Our family has used Covermore Insurance because it is reasonably priced and supports people who have a disability.

Tip: Ensure you declare existing medical conditions. If you don’t, the insurer will not cover you.

Seek Support Networks and Resources

Joining travel support groups or online communities for carers can provide valuable insights, tips, and support from others who have travelled as carers and people with disabilities. These networks often share recommendations for accessible destinations, reviews of services, and practical advice based on personal experiences. Facebook disability travel groups are a great resource, especially for your loved ones who need reassurance and encouragement when travelling.

Tip: Join The Accessible Group Facebook Page. With over 8,000 members in Australia and New Zealand,  post a call out for advice and tips, such as the destination where you are holidaying.

Involve Your Loved One in the Planning

As a carer, it’s essential to recognise that the person you care for is also the expert in their own experience. By involving them in the decision-making, you empower them to voice their desires and concerns, which can help them get excited about what they will experience and reduce anxiety by knowing what to expect. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of independence and control and can make it a more enjoyable and fulfilling holiday for all of you.

For example, do you or your loved one want to travel with your dog? Look for pet-friendly, accessible accommodation such as these options HERE. Or would you love to be able to get into the pool with them?  There are wonderful accessible stays with pool hoists or pool chairs. Check these options HERE.

Tip: Subscribe to Accessible Accommodation and Experiences newsletter  HERE for travel inspiration and special deals. Share them with your loved one and see what sparks their interest.

Embrace Flexibility

Unexpected situations may arise during travel. Stay flexible and prepared to adapt plans as needed. Having a contingency plan and remaining patient can help manage stress and ensure a positive experience for both you and your loved one. Often, unplanned detours lead to a memorable adventure. When travelling through France, an unexpected detour led us to the cutest little market, one of my mother’s most memorable parts of her French Adventure.

I hope these tips help ease your mind that travelling as a carer for a loved one living with a disability can be enjoyable and give you a break as well. Start planning your perfect getaway!

By Kerry Williams – Founder of  Accessible Accommodation and Accessible Experiences