Top travel tips for blind people

Travel and going on holiday should be relaxing and fun. However, being disabled can present more challenges, usually as a result of a lack of understanding and awareness of disabilities and people’s access needs. One key factor that can make your trip go more smoothly is planning your journey in advance.

Below we share some top tips for planning a holiday if you have sight loss, and also what you can do while on holiday to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Please note that the mention of any company here does not constitute a recommendation by Henshaws. Happy holidays!

(1) Specialist travel providers

There are specialist organisations out there that can support you to plan a holiday if you’re disabled. Some of these organisations can support you to research accessible holiday options, while others organise tailor-made holidays that you can book onto. Tailor-made holidays are an opportunity to meet new people and maybe even try an activity or destination you wouldn’t have considered previously. Below we list some of these organisations:

• Tourism for All UK is a national charity dedicated to making tourism welcoming to all.
• Traveleyes is an organisation that provides group holidays for blind people.
• Seable is a social enterprise that organises holidays for visually impaired people. Seable offers group holidays that are on set dates, or can organise a tailor-made holiday for you based on your interests.
• Enable Holidays organises bespoke holiday packages. The company assess all accommodation and destinations, to ensure accessibility for disabled travellers.

(2) Research your accommodation

When researching accommodation, investigate what the accommodation offers that could support your access needs. You could also read reviews on websites like TripAdvisor to check what experiences other holiday makers have had there. Bear in mind these reviews will most likely not be focused on accessibility, but can give a very good indication of what your overall experience may be like.

When booking, maybe explain any accessibility requirements you have. This could be asking a staff member, if applicable, to help you locate and identify your room when you first arrive, so that you can then find it independently during the rest of your holiday.

If you have an idea of your destination but aren’t sure where to stay, maybe ask other visually impaired people, for example in Facebook groups or on mailing lists, for recommendations of accommodation that they found particularly accessible.

Technology can be a great help too. For example, if you have a smartphone, you could use a free app like Seeing AI or Be My Eyes to identify visual information, for example text on toiletries, so you know which is shampoo and which is conditioner.

(3) Book assistance if possible

There is travel assistance available on most forms of transport. It’s best to let your travel agent, tour operator or the travel company in advance know if you need any extra assistance so that there is time to organise the support you need.

• If travelling by aeroplane, you can arrange what is referred to as special assistance, in which a member of airport staff can guide you through the airport and assist you to access security checks and board your flight. You should arrange special assistance at the point of booking, or at least 48 hours before you travel.
• If travelling by train, you can book assistance up to two hours before you travel. You can either book using the Passenger Assistance app, or phone the operator of your journey. You also have the right to Turn Up And Go, so if you turn up without booking, staff should support you. Unfortunately though, this doesn’t always happen, so we recommend booking if you can at this time.

(4) Concessions

There are a variety of travel discounts and fare reductions available to disabled people. These include concessions when travelling, as well as discounts when visiting attractions. For example, if you are travelling with a companion, you may be eligible for a free ticket for them, depending on the attraction’s policy.

We have put together a guide to many of the documents you can apply for to prove your eligibility for these discounts and concessions. It covers transport, leisure as well as benefits you could apply for in order to receive extra income to cover costs associated with being disabled.

(5) Travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential for going on holiday as it protects against so many things, such as flight delays and losing luggage, but what can be most important is the protection you have for medical expenses and other costs if you have an accident or are taken ill abroad.