THE time of year has come when we want to sit by a cosy fire and browse a variety of holiday magazines.
Perhaps you are dreaming of sun, sea and sand, or maybe something more energetic, let’s say surfing, skiing, cycling or perhaps hot air ballooning.
But, spare a thought for a group of people for whom holidays can seem just a dream.
Disability covers a variety of illness and conditions but generally they come under the category of mobility, visual, aural, learning difficulties and mental each with their individual needs.
Some people have known life as an able bodied person and can feel a sense of loss and that is why planning a holiday with a disabled member in the group requires forward planning and attention to detail
When you truly research the opportunities they are endless and disabled people no longer have to settle for just a visit to a museum or a trip along the promenade; unless they want to.
Having lived in France as a disabled person for some years now I admit the country doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to disabled facilities but, things are changing.
Regional and local councils are offering diverse holiday accommodation, travel facilities, entertainment and activities for all disabilities. France is a diverse country, each region offering distinct scenery, food, culture and attractions; so being disabled should not stand in the way of your enjoying what France has to offer.
If you enjoy painting, Monet’s gardens at Giverny and Chateau Lanquis, in the Dordogne, are just two places that offer courses.
For the more adventurous the imagination can run wild, as disabled people can take part in motor bike touring, fishing, swimming, white water rafting, wheelchair basketball, sailing, cycling, shooting, archery, bowling, horse riding, mountain biking, quad biking, golf, hot air ballooning, skiing and cabin cruising; to name but a few.
There should be something there to entice everyone.
You can contact a specialised centre which provides a variety of activities or plan your own holiday around the one you prefer.
Le Handisport, a French organisation, promotes Alpine mountaineering for the disabled in the Savoie. They firmly believe disability is no barrier and with their specialised equipment you will be able to cross the mountains and take part in the other activities on offer too.
If you want to take to the skies then Montgolfière du Périgord (Périgord Balloon) provide hot air balloon trips and disabled passengers are very welcome.
Disability Holidays Net is a company that runs holidays for groups and families caring for adults and children with physical and learning disabilities.
Funnell Deaf World arranges group holidays for the deaf and hard of hearing with signing interpreters. While, for the blind and partially sighted, Vitalise is a national charity which provides short breaks, respite care and other services for the disabled, visually impaired and their carers. Copies of Vitalise’s brochures are available in Braille, on tape, on CD and in large print.
Perhaps you would prefer to take life at a more leisurely pace and spend a week or two on a cabin cruiser in Burgundy or the Midi. France Passion Plaisance Holidays have boats with wheelchair accessible bedrooms and bathrooms.
The Alsace has put in place a range of tourist and leisure activities for everyone, including disabled people. Association Libre have developed outdoor activities and access to the mountains for all.
For the disabled there are FTT, Off Road Wheelchair Riding (ORWR) and joélettes, a rickshaw type vehicle, and an all terrain vehicle for disabled biking. All this will enable the able bodied and disabled to enjoy the beautiful Alsatian landscape, participate in archery, Nordic walking, monoski, dog sledging, cultural visits and workshops.
When anyone visits France one place they want to go is Paris. Access in Paris gives comprehensive information on accessible places to visit, places to stay and transport in Paris.
Back up Trust is a small professional charity which run a range of services and courses in Europe, including France, for people with spinal injuries.
Whatever your disability you should have no difficulty in finding a holiday to suit your needs amongst the plethora of activities on offer.
This is the first in a series of articles by Coral that will look at holidays, travel, holiday accommodation and more for people with a disability in France.
Part 2: Travel and accommodation for disabled people
Part 3: Medical advice for disabled travellers