For information about driving assessments, vehicle adaptations, wheelchair accessible vehicles, insurance, tax and the motability and blue badge schemes

Read more here >

For learning to drive, go here >

You can find information about flying when you’re disabled at:

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) / Assisted Travel > 

Disabled parking at UK airports >Your right to special assistance is set out in UK law. It applies when you fly:

• On any airline from a UK airport
• On an EU or UK registered airline to a UK airport
• From outside of the UK or EU to the EU on a UK carrier

It can be from the moment you arrive at an airport and can cover:

• your journey through your departure airport
• boarding the aircraft and during the flight
• disembarking the aircraft
• transferring between flights
• travelling through your destination airport.

Similar passenger rights apply in other countries including the EU and the United States. However, there are many parts of the world where similar rights are not available. Assistance may require a fee or not be available at all.

You may be asked for proof of your “fitness to fly” when requesting assistance. If you have a stable condition, there is generally no need to be cleared for travel.

Civil Aviation Authority/ Getting Medical Clearance to Fly >

The Civil Aviation Authority Aviation Health Unit > website page provides ‘fitness to fly’ advice to health professionals. 

If you use a ventilator, the airline will need to be told well in advance of your travelling, especially if you may need to use it on the plane. Some airlines offer oxygen on-board or alternatively you may need to take an oxygen concentrator. Oxygen needs to be pre-ordered with the airline and some airlines charge.

Travelling with a powerchair

If you use a powerchair, check that the airline will carry it in the plane’s hold. The airline will need to know its size, weight and battery type. Two pieces of mobility equipment can be carried free of charge from the UK to anywhere in the world, but this may differ on the return flight. Check in advance with the airline.

Powered wheelchairs need to be made safe before they can be stored. The electrics need to be disengaged. This can usually be done with an ‘airsafe plug’, which the airport may supply, or you can buy one before you travel. If an ‘airsafe plug’ can’t be used, the battery will need to be disconnected. A photocopy of the relevant section of the equipment handbook can be useful to help airport staff to do this correctly.

Wheelchair manufacturers can provide an airline battery safety certificate.

You may be able to stay in your chair until you reach the side of the plane and then transfer into an on-board wheelchair to access the plane. Manual slings or a hoist may be used to assist you to transfer from your chair to an on-board wheelchair or onto the seat on the plane. Cabin crew won’t lift or transfer passengers. Once you’re in your seat, you will have to be assisted by your partner or PA if you need to move during the flight .

Civil Aviation Authority / Travelling with  Medicines, Mobility & Medical Equipment >

Other Assistance

If you can’t access a toilet during a flight and need to use a device, like a uribag, you must inform the airline in advance. You will need to let them know the name of the device. This is because there may be issues with the safe disposal of the contents from some toileting devices. The airline will try and assist with privacy while you’re using a toileting device – for example, by holding up a blanket.

If you need supportive seating, you can talk to the airline’s customer services before you travel to make sure that it’s compatible with the airplane seats and seatbelts.

Many of you will be used to the extra thinking you have to do for holidays. For some of you though, it is new. This section will hopefully be useful and may even have some ideas for seasoned travellers.

Read more >

For information and links scroll down.

In this podcast episode, Ross, Luis and Ellie discuss their experiences of getting around and using public transport

 Recorded March 2024

Boats & Ferries

Most UK ports have good facilities for disabled travellers, but services can vary in Europe.

Before you book a ferry crossing or cruise, check with the operator or travel agent that they will be able to help with any requirements you may have.

Buses

All buses most have ramps and designated wheelchair spaces inside the bus.

A national bus concession scheme for disabled people is run by local councils. It currently operates differently in different parts of the UK.

• Apply for a Disabled Persons Bus Pass >
• If you live in London most of the time, check if you are eligible for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass > and what it would cover.

Coaches

There’s no national concessions scheme for coach travel. But it’s worth asking any coach operator if they offer any discounts. Accessible coaches are provided by:

• National Express
• Oxford Tube
• Megabus
• Gold Line (Northern Ireland)
• City Link (Scotland).

Community Transport

This local door-to-door transport service is often called ‘Dial a Ride’ or ‘Ring and Ride’. It’s usually run by local councils or transport authorities. They can be booked in advance and are cheaper than taxis. It generally can’t be used for everyday trips when alternative transport is available.

• Local community transport service >

MotorBikes

• The National Association for Bikers with a Disability > – for advice and grants to enable bikers to continue biking.

Taxis

All black cabs in London, must be accessible for wheelchair users. How accessible they really are can vary.

Outside London, local taxi licensing offices can tell you what’s available.

It’s illegal for taxi drivers to discriminate against wheelchair users.

Some areas have taxi concessions in place which make taxi travel cheaper:

• Contact your Local Authority > for more information.
• If you live in London most of the time, check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass > and what it would cover.
• A London Freedom Pass holder who finds public transport too difficult to manage without assistance may be eligible for the London Councils’ Taxicard scheme >.

Trains

All rail vehicles in service have to meet the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR).

• Check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard >

Most stations have portable ramps if the train doors aren’t level with the platform. Access at most large stations is generally pretty good. You need to book free assistance in advance so that a member of staff is ready with a ramp when you get on and off. Train companies ask for at least 24 hours’ notice.

Book through the train operating company, in person at a local station or online:

• National Rail Passenger Assist >

Once booked, Passenger Assistance is treated like a reservation. You and the staff at the relevant stations each get an email record of what you’ve been booked and when it’s for.

If you live in London most of the time, check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass > and what it would cover.

Tube in London

These guides tell you which stations are accessible:

• Transport for London >
• If you live in London most of the time, check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass > and what it would cover.

As access is such a barrier to so many activities, we provide links to accessible inclusive national organisations.

Read More >

Accessible Toilets

These can make a big difference to a day out.

Accessaloo App > – uploaded and rated by users worldwide.

Changing Places toilets  >provide a height adjustable changing bench with hoist and plenty of space. Visit their website for more information and a map > of where Changing Places can be found. 

The National Key Scheme > for accessible toilets that can be found in shopping centres, cafes, department stores and in bus and train stations around the country. To unlock the toilets, you’ll need to buy a RADAR key >.

ToiletMap > – Great British Toilet Map gives opening hours and locations – use the filter to find accessible toilets.

Where to go.

These websites are full of ideas, tips and advice:

AccessAble > – access information for over 120,000 places of interest in the UK

Accessible Boating > – charity offering day trips on an accessible boat.

CanalAbility > – charity offering accessible canal boat day trips.

Euan’s Guide > – access reviews from disabled people and their friends and families. Covers tourism and entertainment venues as well as post offices, supermarkets and railway stations.

Kids Days Out > – child friendly activities across Britain and whether they are wheelchair accessible throughout.

National Trust Accessibility Guide >.

Seagull Trust (Scotland) > – a charitable organisation, wholly run by unpaid volunteers, providing free barge trips for people with additional needs. They have fully accessible boats suitable for wheelchairs.

The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain > includes accessibility information, including disabled parking and reviews, hints and tips written by disabled visitors.

Access Card > this photo ID can be used to easily communicate your access requirements to events and venues. It also works online with other platforms like ticketing systems, to unlock the access facilities you need. It can award a +1 companion.

Cost: £15 for 3 years.

The National Disability Card >  For anyone age up to 99. It’s accepted at 600+ locations in the UK and abroad, including Disneyland Paris. The scheme includes:

• the official RADAR Key for access to disabled toilets nationwide and other
• Priority access at Disneyland Paris (with a 25% discount on tickets)
• Exclusive savings on shopping, days out and events
• 25% off the National Carers Card for carers

Cost: £20 for 2 years.

Applicants need to provide a piece of evidence such as a letter from a doctor or other relevant medical professional or a copy of the back of a Blue Badge.

The CEA Card (Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card) > works nationally. It entitles anyone age 8 years and over to one free ticket for whoever is going with them. To apply, you need to be receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Cost: £6.50 a year.

The Max Card > – the UK’s leading discount card for cared for and looked after children / young people up to age 25.  The card can be used at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission. They are provided by Local Authorities and selected charities across the UK.

The National Carers Card > Anyone, regardless of age, who cares for someone requiring assistance due to illness, frailty, disability, mental health issues, or addiction and can’t manage without support, is eligible for a National Carers Card. This encompasses family members, friends, volunteers, and professionals who provide care anywhere in the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The primary purpose of the National Carers Card is to show others that the person is a carer. As a card holder they’re also eligible for concessions and discounts from its partner brands.

Cost:  £20 (including VAT).

For more information, please see the Equipment section >.