Disabled travellers 'may need to make extra plans'

Disabled people going on holiday should be prepared to make sure their needs will be catered for, according to a national charity.

Tourism for All provides advice and information for disabled travellers and says that there are certain steps that should be taken in order to ensure a trouble-free holiday.

Head of consultancy at Tourism for All Brian Seaman said that when making hotel or ferry reservations, disabled holidaymakers should make staff aware of their requirements. In addition, holidaymakers should ensure they take enough medication to cope with unexpected delays or strikes.

He added: "If you use a wheelchair or have any equipment, you need to find out if they are insured or not under the standard policy or if you need to take an extension to the policy to cover those items."

A survey undertaken by Leonard Cheshire Disability in December, found that 37 per cent of disabled people had suffered negative attitudes from staff when taking flights and 11 per cent had been forced to cancel or delay a flight because of accessibility problems.