🌞 Holiday Time! 🌞

🌞 Getting Holiday-Ready: Tips, Tricks, and a Little Bit of Magic ✨

Hey everyone!

The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,”  and  “a well-earned rest” but let’s be real - when  you have a medical condition, disability or are disabled, it can also be the most exhausting, inaccessible, and overwhelming time of the year if you’re not careful.  Many of us avoid going away and prefer to stay home watching netflix!

So let’s talk about prepping for the season in a way that actually works for us.

Here are a few interesting and useful survival tips for anyone thinking about a holiday!

1. Start Early, Pace Yourself

Procrastination + low energy = disaster. Start planning now (even if it’s just a tiny bit at a time). Whether you need to order clothes or sun tan lotions online, schedule transport, or line up assistance, spreading it out means you don’t burn out. Your body will thank you later.

Even if you're just chilling at home, the summer season can sneak up fast. Take a few minutes to:

• Check your gear (mobility aids, cooling vests, meds, etc.) I especially recommend a cooling blanket!
  
  

• Look at event invites or family plans, choose a quieter time of year when there will be less crowds around.
  
  

• Set expectations with others early (before you're already exhausted)
  
  

• Check airline details or train or car accessibility.
  
  

• Plan your trip in detail, with rest stops and comfortable accessible beds and rooms etc.
  
  

• Check your insurance is valid for travel or take out medical travel insurance
  
  

• Consider making a travel journal, use a notebook with all the details in so nothing gets forgotten. Either a book or on your phone etc.
  
  

• Plan in case there is no wifi or your battery runs out. You may be in a non signal area.

2. Make It Accessible (For You First!)

Wherever you are planning on going, check access ahead of time. So ask things like:

• Are there stairs?
  
  

• Is the bathroom accessible?
  
  

• Can I bring my mobility aids/service animal/support person?
  
  

• Can I have an assistant?
  
  

Don't be afraid to say "nope" to plans that just won't work. Your comfort is important!

3. Beat the Heat (Literally)

Heat can be brutal for many disabilities. Some hot weather hacks:

• Cooling towels/vests/blankets (Game changer)
  
  

• Portable fans (USB ones are great)
  
  

• Hydration apps or reminders to drink water 
  
  

• Stay indoors during peak heat hours (usually 11am–3pm)
  
  

If you’re heat-sensitive, do not feel bad about staying in the AC or skipping that outdoor party. Heat exhaustion is no joke!

4. Travel? Only If It Works for You

Summer = travel season, but you don’t have to go anywhere unless you want to. If you are travelling:

• Call ahead for accessibility (hotels, trains, beaches, etc.)
  
  

• Look for disability-friendly destinations (some national parks and resorts are actually getting better!)
  
  

• Know your rights: Airline Accessibility Rules (U.S.)
  
  

Consider staycations! Sometimes a cozy backyard + your favorite snacks = perfect summer.

5. Low-Energy Activities That Still Feel Like Summer

• Audiobooks in a hammock
  
  

• Ice cream and cocktails with a friend
  
  

• Stargazing from your porch
  
  

• Indoor movie marathons with a fan blasting in your face
  
  

• Water painting (yes, like when you were a kid, trust me, it's relaxing)
  
  

You don’t have to go hard to make summer feel like summer.

6. Say “No Thanks” Without Guilt

Not every BBQ or beach day is going to work for your energy, mobility, or needs, and that’s okay. Boundaries are your armour like sunscreen, protect yourself before you burn out.

Examples of what you can say:

• “That sounds fun, but I need to stay cool and rest that day.”
  
  

• “I can join for a bit, but probably won’t stay long.”
  
  

• “Would love to hang out another time - maybe somewhere with AC?”
  
  

7. Travel Packing Pro Tips

• Bring a medical/needs printout (translated if needed)and a doctor’s letter if needed for the country you are going to.
  
  

• Keep a “disability explanation card” if your disability is invisible (some airports accept these for quicker screening)
  
  

• Pack spare meds and assistive gear in your carry-on (never check them)
  
  

• Use a foldable stool or mobility aid even if you don’t usually - summer = long lines and big crowds

Use Tools

• Wheelmap – find accessible places around you
  
  

• AllTrails – shows accessibility-friendly nature trails
  
  

• SunSmart – track UV levels for sun sensitivity
  
  

• AccessNow – accessibility info for public spots
  
  

• Chronically Capable – good year-round for work-from-home jobs if you need summer income
  
  

🌍 Worldwide Disability Resources

Whether you’re planning a big trip or staying local, these international resources are amazing for planning, support, and inspiration:

🔹 General Travel & Accessibility

• Wheelmap (https://wheelmap.org) – Find wheelchair-accessible locations worldwide (cafés, toilets, parking, etc.)
  
  

• AccessNow (https://accessnow.com) – Global crowd-sourced accessibility reviews of public spaces
  
  

• Travelability (https://www.travelability.net) – Tracks how accessible global destinations are and shares tools for accessible travel planning
  
  

• AccessibleGO (https://accessiblego.com) – US-based but has tips that apply globally (deals, guides, community)
  
  

• DisabledTravelers.com – Global listings of accessible travel agencies, tours, hotels, and more
  
  

🔹 Flying & Transportation

• Airline Passenger Rights (U.S.): Transportation.gov
  
  

• European Accessibility Act – Improves transportation and services access across EU member states
  
  

• IATA Travel Accessibility Guidelines – Guidelines airlines follow for accessible travel worldwide
  
  

✈️ Disability-Friendly Destinations (Global)

Here are some awesome, relatively accessible places to consider for summer trips:

🇳🇿 New Zealand

• Known for: Very disability-inclusive culture and legislation
  
  

• Highlights: Rotorua’s accessible hot springs, Wellington’s inclusive museums, and many wheelchair-friendly trails
  
  

🇨🇦 Canada

• Vancouver and Montreal are both very access-forward with public transit, trails, and inclusive cultural sites
  
  

• Banff National Park has accessible viewpoints and adapted wilderness experiences
  
  

🇯🇵 Japan

• Major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto have surprisingly great accessibility (elevators in stations, tactile paving, accessible toilets)
  
  

• Bullet trains (Shinkansen) offer designated wheelchair spaces
  
  

🇪🇸 Barcelona, Spain

• Flat city layout, wide sidewalks, accessible beach boardwalks
  
  

• Public transport and Gaudí architecture sites are mostly adapted
  
  

🇸🇪 Sweden

• Stockholm has accessible ferries, museums, and metros
  
  

• Sweden’s Disability Act ensures most public areas are adapted
  
  

🇦🇺 Australia

• Sydney and Melbourne have well-equipped transit systems, accessible beaches (some with beach wheelchairs), and nature trails
  
  

Disability-Friendly Travel Tips (All Types)

♿ For Physical/Mobility Disabilities

• Look for step-free access, elevator availability, and accessible bathrooms when booking
  
  

• Consider bringing a folding ramp for older cities
  
  

• Use Google Maps’ wheelchair-accessible routes (available in many cities)
  
  

🧠 For Neurodivergent Travelers

• Call ahead to ask about sensory-friendly hours or quiet spaces at museums, theme parks, or airports
  
  

• Bring noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools
  
  

• Use apps like MagnusCards (visual guides for public tasks)
  
  

🌡️ For Chronic Illness or Fatigue

• Break up travel days with rest stops or overnight layovers
  
  

• Bring a travel power bank for devices (especially if you use health-tracking or mobility gear)
  
  

• Plan activities with flexible cancellation or ticket windows
  
  

🦮 For Blind/Low Vision

• Use apps like Be My Eyes or Aira for real-time help in unfamiliar places
  
  

• Many museums now offer tactile tours or audio guides
  
  

• Cane-friendly pavement (tactile strips) is common in Japan, Korea, and parts of Europe
  
  

🧏‍♀️ For Deaf/HOH Travelers

• Download offline transcribers (e.g. Otter, Ava)
  
  

• Many major museums now offer sign language or captioned tours 
  Consider a vibration-based alert device if you're travelling solo in hotels
  
  🌞 Are you planning a trip or holiday? Where are you going?
  
  🌞 If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and what would you see there!
  
  🌞Share your tips with us about how to have a wonderful holiday!

  
  

Written as part of the Disability Support Community Articles. More can be found here 

If you have a condition or 'Awareness Campaign' that you feel we should recognise please message either myself @MistyMagic (teens and adults) or @AffyAvo (adults)

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p.s. apologies for the bad format but I've tried 4 times and it keeps resetting so will try again later . . .