Travel accommodation and disability
Information about accommodation, including links to advisory bodies in Northern Ireland, if you have a disability or reduced mobility.
Booking accommodation
Often a disability is not obvious to other people. Make sure you explain your particular needs clearly when booking accommodation or dealing with a travel company.
You should not assume that staff will automatically know or understand your needs. This is particularly important when booking by phone, post or over the internet.
Accessible accommodation
Hotels and businesses differ in what they offer. For example, some places will be fully accessible to a wheelchair user travelling independently. Others may be accessible to people who have limited mobility but can walk a few paces.
Some charities produce guides detailing specific holiday accommodation. They may have information such as whether there are:
- ground floor bedrooms
- wide corridors and doorways
- menus and other information in Braille
- adaptations in the rooms
- staff trained to assist people with disabilities
It's also worth checking if companions or carers can accompany you at a discounted rate.
Equipment, adaptations and services on holiday
You, or the person you care for, may be used to equipment or adaptations at home. It's important to check that your holiday accommodation meets your needs.
When booking accommodation directly, or through an organisation or travel agency, check what's on offer.
Some places are able to support people with different needs. For example, some hotels have rooms adapted specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired. The following are some examples of the types of adaptations and services that may be available:
- wheel-in showers
- raised toilet seats
- manual and electric bath hoists
- manual and electric bed hoists
- alarm systems in rooms
- vibrating alarms
Depending on your needs, check what help staff can offer. For example, can they help wheelchair users or are they trained to use sign language?
Carers and companions
You can hire a companion, carer or nurse for extra help - some commercial companies offer this service. It's worth checking if companions or carers can accompany you at a discounted rate.
Places to stay
Northern Ireland is renowned for its friendly people and natural beauty. The activities and attractions here bring together these qualities in a great package of things to do throughout the region.
For information on things to do and places to stay, visit the Discover Northern Ireland website.
Complaints
The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland protects and promotes the interests of all passengers travelling to, from or within Northern Ireland.
It helps individual passengers with their transport complaints and also works with transport providers to help stop complaints arising in the first place.
You can contact the Consumer Council by letter, telephone, fax or email:
Travelling with pets
When travelling with pets, the rules you must follow depend on the country you are going to or coming from.
Factsheets
The Inclusive Mobility Transport Advisory Committee (Imtac) has factsheets to help people with disabilities travel more easily: