Holidays
Depending on the severity of your child's needs, holidays could not be an issue at all or could be a major one. For us, we have to meticulously plan every aspect of a holiday from packing, travelling, the accommodation, activities etc to try and give ourselves the best chance of them not being a complete disaster and mitigating as much of the potential stress as possible before it actually happens. There are a number of places around the UK that cater specifically for special needs. Click here for Foreign Holidays.
The Calvert Trust
The Calvert Trust offer all inclusive exciting breaks for people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities at their fully accessible activity centre in the heart of North Devon. Activities include horse riding, canoeing, sailing, abseiling, archery, climbing etc all with qualified instructors.
Spectrum Breaks at The Hartlands
Is an Autism friendly holiday centre in Shanklin on the Isle Of Wight. It has 4 fully equipped self contained apartments and features free access to a number of activity rooms including pool tables, music equipment, cinema, IT, sensory, art, gym & sauna and a private indoor heated pool.
Homelands
Offers award winning self contained custom built, fully accessible holiday accommodation in Fife, Scotland.
Spectrum Holidays
Offers autism friendly holiday homes to families with autistic dependants, with accommodations across the UK. They work with existing holiday home owners to help make their properties more accessible to families with autistic children. They also have 2 Sensory Caravans that we have set up to cater for the sensory needs of those on the autism spectrum, complete with sensory area, themed bedrooms, free WIFI and lots more. Every property comes with a “Spectrum Pack” that includes: A selection of handheld fidget toys, light projectors, easy hold mirrors, sensory light toys, fibre optic plume, a range of sensory tactile toys, visual resource pack, stair gate and bed guard (if applicable).
The Thomas Centre
Set on a dedicated 25 acre site in Lincolnshire, the Thomas Centre offers self contained accommodation (3 houses & 5 bungalows). They offer a range of onsite activities including an indoor swimming pool, play barn, outdoor play park, gokarts, bicycles, trampoline, football pitch, sensory area and gym.
Isle Of Wight Ferry Discounts
Wightlink - Offer up to 25% discount on ferries to the Isle of Wight for Blue Badge holders.
https://www.wightlink.co.uk/tickets/accessible-travel
Red Funnel Ferries – Offer a 20% discount to disabled passengers on their sailings from Southampton.