• Is where you’re going to stay accessible? As you may have already experienced, this doesn’t mean the same to everyone.
• A next to an apartment or house on a website is usually a good starting guide, but to be sure it will work for you, ask specifically about steps, gradients, widths of doorways into bedrooms and bathrooms, equipment available onsite – especially in the bathroom – and the accessibility of other facilities, e.g. dining rooms and bars, to make sure they’ll work for you
• If you need specialised equipment, can it be hired, or will you need to bring it with you? e.g. a portable hoist
• If you’re getting there by car are there suitable parking facilities? How close?
• If you need accessible transport when you get there, what’s available? Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) can often be hired and many taxis are accessible – but it’s worth finding out before you go.
• What medical needs do you have? What services are available where you’re going? Have you got a copy of your Emergency Health Plan with details of any medications or treatments, and contact details for healthcare professionals supporting you? If you’re going abroad, do you need to take a translation with you?

Depending on your SMA, you may need:

• a portable hoist and sling
• a shower chair
• a voltage changer if you’re going overseas – see Taking Your Wheelchair on the tab below.

Some holiday destinations hire out beach wheelchairs, so it’s worth checking if this service is available.

The following organisations offer advice and hire equipment; others may be available (contact SMA UK in case we know of any others that are local to you):

National Mobility Hire – hire out lightweight wheelchairsas well as other mobility aids for adults

British Red Cross – hire out wheelchairs

Tryb4uFly – undertake cabin assessments and hire out equipment for flights

If you use a powered wheelchair (and taking a backup wheelchair either isn’t possible or not what you want to do) you might be wise to have your wheelchair checked before you go anywhere, to minimise the risk of a breakdown.

If you’re travelling within the UK and your NHS wheelchair breaks down, the local wheelchair service repairs may be able to help.

If you’re going overseas:

• Remember to take the battery charger plus an adapter suitable for the country you’re going to. If the voltage is different, you may also need a voltage changer – check with the wheelchair manual or ask your supplier / manufacturer.
• Find out in advance if there is anywhere to get the wheelchair serviced should something happen during the trip.

If you’re travelling by air:

• Check with the airline about travelling with your wheelchair. See if travel or home insurance covers the wheelchair or any other equipment being taken on holiday – please see: Travel Insurance on the tab below. You can also find other important information in the section on Plane Travel on this page.

Maybe you’re looking for something on your own or you want to take your family. Some of these may be worth looking into:

Access Adventures – founded to provide fun adaptive programmes and give access to sport and outdoor adventures may have something to offer.

Avon Tyrrell – offer inclusive weekends for families as well as other opportunities at their accessible centre in the New Forest National Park.

Bendrigg Trust – offer inclusive family weekends for families and other opportunities for young people at their activity centre in Cumbria:

Calvert Trust – have over 40 years experience of delivering a wide range of challenging adventure experiences for individuals as well as inclusive family activities at centres in Exmoor, Kielder and the Lake District.

The National Accessible Scheme (NAS) run by Visit England provides information about which hotels and accommodation have been independently assessed, as well as other useful links and suggestions.

Tourism for All – helps disabled people plan and take holidays and breaks – both in the UK and overseas. You have to be a member to access this service – annual subscription of £25.00 for UK residents. Membership entitles you to use the information service as many times as you like during the year.

CanalAbility – a charity offering accessible canal boat holidays and day trips.

Sandcastle Trust – offers bespoke family respite, wrap around fun family engagement activities and peer support to support families living with a rare genetic condition (based on their individual needs) from across the UK.

For accessible facilities in Wales and Scotland , you might want to start with these websites:

• Visit Wales / West Wales
• Visit Wales / Mid Wales
• Visit Scotland

Gov.UK guide on foreign travel for disabled people – useful tips and links

These organisations have been recommended to us, many others are available:

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) – guidance on how to work with your travel provider to book holidays that meet your needs; as well as information about your legal rights.

A Wheel and Away – for the independent traveller, who may have a disability, but who still dreams of seeing the world under their own steam. It provides a forum for people to share experiences, inspire others and discover how to go about creating amazing adventures.

Disability Horizons – information about travelling

Lonely Planet / Accessible Travel Online Resources – free to download guide

Tourism for All – helps disabled people plan and take holidays and breaks – both in the UK and overseas. You have to be a member to access this service – annual subscription of £25.00 for UK residents. Membership entitles you to use the information service as many times as you like during the year.

Tryb4uFly – information and advice on flying with a disability, cabin assessments and equipment hire for the flight

Going on a cruise:

"In 2003 I embarked on a week cruise to the Canaries. My first taste of foreign sunshine in 20 years!!! It was amazing! The cabin was perfect, the ship completely accessible and the staff couldn’t do enough to help. There was even a dedicated person who was able to offer advice regarding the accessibility of ports and help arrange accessible shore excursions. Aside from the initial trepidation of trying something new, I can honestly say that compared to previous holidays it was completely stress free! All in all I was hooked and suddenly the world opened up to me!"

Katy, an adult who has SMA.

Access at Last – accessible accommodation Europe and the USA.

Airbnb – worldwide accessible accommodation (use search filters)

A Wheel and Away – for the independent traveller, who may have a disability, but who still dreams of seeing the world under their own steam. It provides a forum for people to share experiences, inspire others and discover how to go about creating amazing adventures.

Carry My Luggage – provide luggage delivery with a door-to-door service for UK, Europe, USA and other worldwide destinations:

Ceiling Hoist users Club (CHuC) – lists accommodation in the UK and overseas that has ceiling hoists:

Disabled Holidays – worldwide

Enable Holidays – worldwide

Luggage Mule – door to door luggage delivery service

Matching Houses – house swaps for families with disabled children

Responsible Travel – Accessible Holidays Guide, worldwide

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

Genetic Alliance UK – for their FAQs on travel insurance.

For latest suggestions of what travel insurance companies other families have used, please contact SMA UK’s Support & Outreach Team.

CS Disabled Holidays – offer grants of up to £2000 per year to individuals over 18 who are severely physically disabled by a neurological illness or condition towards the cost of a holiday of their choice. They also offer up to £2000 per year grants to similarly disabled individuals between 16 and 25 towards the cost of an educational or training trip anywhere in the world.

If you need help with funding, please contact SMA UK’s Support & Outreach Team as they may be able to help find other potential sources of funding towards a holiday.