For people with disability, the idea of taking a holiday often goes beyond the logistics of picking a destination, booking tickets and packing a bag. Things like adequate accessible information, transport and accommodation as well as being able to hire relevant equipment for mobility and self care, through to getting support on the ground at the destination including carers are some of the issues that need to be sorted.

Accessible Tourism

Tourism Research Australia released a report in January 2018 on accessible tourism earlier that looked at the needs of travellers who may need extra assistance. Approximately three-quarters of those with a disability do travel, with more people stating they would like to if the products or technologies existed to enable and support their travel. The report estimates the disability tourism market at $3.2 billion per annum.

CareAbout is really pleased to be partnered with a national award winning provider of assisted travel who provide barrier-free local, national and international holidays for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Assisted holidays

Assisted holiday options are an industry that’s really starting to take off, with pressure growing on the tourism sector to think more broadly and to properly accommodate the diverse needs of the community. Local and regional councils are also hopping on the bandwagon, with new experiences being created in consultation with people with disability and their carers, that factor in adequate information and access.

Transport providers including airlines are now required to provide schedule and pricing information, dedicated seats as well as services such as ‘meet and greet’ to assist travellers to board and disembark flights and connect with transfers and accommodation. You may have heard negative cases where some people with disability have been discriminated against in relation to accommodation that is offered and provided.

Using your NDIS plan to assist the cost of holidays

Well it’s good to see things are changing for the better. And it’s a little known fact that NDIS participants are also able to use their NDIS plan support funding to assist them with the cost of holidays. Using Daily Living and Social & Community Participation funding, NDIS participants can help offset the costs of some of the more costly aspects of going on an interstate or international holiday.

CareAbout is really pleased to be partnered with a national award winning provider of assisted travel who provide barrier-free local, national and international holidays for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

We can now assist people with NDIS plans to connect with specialists whose sole business is to create holiday experiences for people with disability. Or if you are just starting on your NDIS journey, now may be a good time to start thinking about how you can get organised to be spending next year in a new destination.