Speedy Packing

Desperate for a spontaneous holiday but have no time?
Fear not, LateRooms.com has pulled together a list of must-haves for all spur of the moment adventurers (or the super organised) meaning you won’t have any packing related flaps the next time you steal away.

New Prosthetic Leg!

A woman has become the first UK patient to be fitted with new computer-controlled prosthetic leg.

Summer Faves

As we soak up the final rays for another year, hotel bookers LateRooms.com documents how Britain has holidayed at home and abroad this summer – from city breaks to exploring some of the UK’s lesser-visited coasted and rural spots, as well as the European destinations we simply couldn’t get enough of.

Hotel Decrease

The UK saw a 1% decrease in average hotel prices paid per night in first half of 2015 compared to last year.

Disabled England!

VisitEngland, the national tourist board, is today launching a new Access for All campaign, aimed to raise awareness of accessible destinations and businesses in England; informing disabled people of accommodation and visitor attractions when planning a day trip or holiday.

Late Holiday?

Travel agents see rush on September bookings!

GB Get Ready!

The BT GB Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) squad is heading to Finland for the 2015 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship, which take place from 13-20 September.

The top eight teams from Europe will be taking part in the tournament. The top two teams will secure their places at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

Best Restaurant

Bohemia named one of the UK’s Best Restaurants in Britain.

Scottish Rider Gets Scooter

Despite living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and severe walking difficulties, Anne Brown, 58 from Falkirk, has been able to continue with her passion for horses and living an outdoor lifestyle, thanks to a radical mobility scooter.

Bank Holiday Inspiration

There are few things more satisfying than knowing there is a Bank Holiday on the horizon, but deciding where to go and what to do isn’t all that easy.

Get A Bargain Cruise!

Cruise Critic offers tips to catch a deal for all budgets:

Holiday Got You Down?

Summer is nearly over and more women than men feel down after the break.

How Do You Tip?

The French tip worse than Brits but just 12% of UK travellers would use some of their unspent currency to tip hotel staff at the end of their holiday.

Need My Protein!

Image conscious Brits heading abroad this summer are  packing  protein powder alongside their sun cream!

The Name's Bond x6

Madame Tussauds London brings together wax figures of ALL SIX James Bonds for the very first time this October.

Manners Lost?

Brits are forgetting their manners at formal occasions, a survey has found.

Achievement Award

TrustFord was recently awarded a special Outstanding Achievement Award by Motability Operations, the company that operates the Motability Scheme for disabled people.

(Holiday) Time For Romance?

A third of Brits have had a holiday romance!

Kids (Not) Out For Summer

Climbing trees, making daisy chains and riding our bikes in the street are firmly a thing of the past when it comes to children’s summer fun as youngsters stay inside.

Avoid Holiday Crime

British holidaymakers are being urged to be vigilant while on holiday this
year, following a flurry of petty crime abroad.

Superhumans Return!

Channel 4 will broadcast a host of major Para sports events this year as part of the build up to its coverage of the Rio 2016 Paralympics next summer.

Lost Tradition

A survey has found out the British holiday rituals  soon be lost to history.

Disabled Sports Day!

Mobility specialist provides technical service for the UK’s first-ever mass-participation disability sports event.

#FoundWally ?

One hundred ‘Where’s Wally?’ replicas have been scattered across the country.

Holidays Are Coming!

Get your turkey in the oven and lights on the tree – Brits are booking Christmas breaks earlier than usual in 2015

Upgrade Please?

Virgin Atlantic has revealed some of its more unusual upgrade requests.

Disabled Ramble

The Disabled Ramblers have recently completed their latest mobility scooter ramble along the coast near Southwold, Suffolk.

What's Holiday?

The average Brit is only able to relax for 11 days a year!

Disabled Driving Tips

With the summer in full swing, disabled motorists can make the most of the good weather with top tips on seasonal driving.

Happiest Airport!

Gatwick has become the first airport in the world to introduce a happiness guide on restaurant menus.

The World's Worst Place to Be Disabled?

A disabled journalist has travelled from London to Ghana to uncover the
horrifying reality of many disabled people who live there.

Wheelchairs For Scotland

World-leading wheelchair technology now available in Scotland.

Disability Sport Campaign

‘Don’t Quit Do It’ Campaign Launched To Highlight Disability Sport Benefits

Cultural Faux Pas

In a survey of 1000 travellers , 44% confessed to committing a cultural faux pas on holiday.

Golf Change For Disabled

According to figures from the latest Active People Survey over 82,000 people with a disability are participating in golf in England at least once a week  and organisations such as The R&A and The USGA have produced A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities to encourage those interested to take up or continue playing the game.

Paralympian Returns

Britain’s star of the Paralympic Games at London 2012, Hannah Cockroft, has returned to the Olympic Stadium for the first time in two years ahead of the Anniversary Games next weekend.

7 What Of The World?

They may be touted as the 'must-see' destinations for any travellers' bucket list, but two thirds of UK adults (66 per cent) have never seen one of the Modern Wonders of the World, according to new research.

Gigs and Sangria?

A growing number of Brits are travelling thousands of miles to get their festival fix, paired with sandy beaches and clear waters, according to new research.

Paralympian Helps School

Paralympic Champion Jonnie Peacock has opened a new facility to aid children with disabilities in Cambridgeshire.

DeStress Holiday Tips

Leave the stress at home this summer and follow the useful tips!

Don't Forget The Loo Roll

You can take the people out of Britain but you can’t take the ‘Britishness’ out of people, with holidaymakers admitting to taking their own toilet roll!

Win £50,000!

Applications are now open for £50,000 Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2015.

Stuntman's Acessible Home

A film stunt double left paralysed after a scene went wrong is featuring in a new series of short film to help disabled people to live more independently.

Paralympians Return

World Paralympic stars are to return to former London 2012 Stadium.

Accessible Venue Award

Bristol Colston Hall has secured a coveted award from the UK’s leading organisation who campaign to improve disabled access at live music venues.

Wheelchairs For Basketball

The London Titans, one of the country's leading wheelchair basketball teams, will be able to help more players experience the sport, thanks to the support of a charity.

Chill In A Cottage

The UK heatwave has sparked an increase in demand for cottage breaks.

#HeatWave #health Advice

Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot for too long there are health risks. If a heatwave hits this summer, make sure the hot weather doesn't harm you or anyone you know.

Ade Adepitan Helping Polio Fight

Paralympian and TV presenter Ade
Adepitan has lent his support for the launch of easyJet’s Change for Good ™
summer collection, which aims to raise vital funds for Unicef to fight polio.

Equality For Disabled?

A House of Lords Committee set up especially to look at the Equality Act 2010 and its impact on people with disabilities has launched its investigation.

 

Scooter Freedom

A disabled ex-Scots Guard can enjoy the Scottish countryside again thanks to a donated scooter.

 

Scooter Crash Day

"Shinbone Sunday", potentially the busiest day of the year for mobility scooter accidents, but few are insured.

Music Tourism Rocks!

Music tourists attending live concerts and festivals in the UK, helped generate £3.1 billion pounds in direct and indirect spend.  

Adventurous Brit Abroad!

British holidaymakers intend to be more adventurous than ever when it comes to embracing their destination research has revealed.

Holiday Etiquette

Will you keep your selfie stick under control on holiday this summer? And how long will you be able to resist the urge to make a phone call after you land? If this is you, you demonstrate the holiday habits that really tick Brits off, according to new research.

Disability Employment Award

Papworth Trust has received a prestigious national award for being so successful in getting disabled people into work.

Wheelchair For Racer

A Scottish wheelchair racer has become the first person in the UK to be supplied with a new ‘every day’ carbon fibre wheelchair.

 

 

Holidaymakers Lost On The Tube

A scuba-diving fanatic and two surfing grannies startled commuters on the London Underground.

Picnic Baskets Ready!

Yum Yum! It’s National Picnic Week 13th – 21st June.

Accessible UK Stay

Explore the UK and stay in an accessible cottage.

 

Marrying Abroad?

Getting married abroad? Wedding experts MarryAbroad.co.uk have listed the Top 9 things UK couples typically forget when planning to get hitched overseas.

Mix Business With Pleasure!

Four out of every 10 business travellers add extra days onto trips so they can enjoy personal travel without incurring the extra cost, new research has revealed.

Have A Cheesy Break

The Brits love cheese, with the average person consuming 10kgs of the smelly stuff each year. With over 700* types of cheese made in the UK, plus the fact that the International Cheese Awards  take place annually each July in Nantwich, Britain is undoubtedly the grand fromage of the cheese industry.

Heatwave In Style

The UK heatwave has arrived and make sure you are in the perfect place.

Sunshine Butler

Enjoy the heatwave in Jersey with a ‘Sunshine butler’.

Brits Top Trip Spenders

Travel is the most popular way for Brits to spend disposable income a survey has found.

Gardeners Can Help Charity

Gardeners can help charity grow with fresh new range

BBC & Disabled Music

Bristol’s Colston Hall will be supporting the first ever BBC Music Day on Friday 5^th June 2015.

Hamlet for £10

100 £10 tickets will be spread throughout the auditorium for every performance of Lyndsey Turner’s production of Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role at the Barbican Theatre from 5 August 2015.

Home Alone,,,

Exploding drinks, wandering gnomes and a hell-raising GOAT were among the unwelcome surprises awaiting Brits returning from holiday, according to a new survey.

Paralympians Return

This weekend two of the world¹s leading Paralympians will be taking to the track for the start of their racing season.

 

Scooter Breaks World Record!

A  disabled Army Corporal has broken a world record on his mobility scooter.

Turkish Delight For #Eurovision

Turkish travellers most supportive of Eurovision Song Contest across Europe.

Learning Disabilities Handbook

A new handbook facilitating peer support activities to help people with learning disabilities understand about growing older and living with dementia is being launched by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.

Holiday Stress

With the Spring half-term just around the corner, research has revealed that for more than half of Brits, booking a holiday comes with anxieties about the cost. 

Quadriplegic Sails Caribbean

A man with limited control of his arms, hands or legs has sailed around the Caribbean.

Customer Always Wrong?

The traditional mantra for successful businesses ‘the customer is always right’ is under threat, as UK businesses get tough with complaining customers.

Motown Comes To London

Tickets for the West End production of Motown the Musical,opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in February 2016, released for sale today (15 May 2015). 

PAY PER RAY!

Alicante is the best value for money when looking to catch some rays this May, costing only £6.15 per hour of sunshine; roughly the same amount as a large glass of wine. By comparing the hours of sunshine per day with the average cost for a night's hotel room stay, the Hotels.com Sunshine Price Index (SPI) determines which holiday hotspots in Europe will provide the best chance of bronzing for your buck.

Accessible Half Term?

The UK desperately searches for bank holiday getaways – but it can’t commit.

LONDON WINE WEEK!

In just one short week, as London sheds off its wintery layers, the capital celebrates London Wine Week!

Free Wi-Fi #1 For Hotel Need

Wi-Fi is the most popular hotel amenity in the world, a report has found.

London Wheelchair Rugby Win

London Wheelchair Rugby Club Storm has won the BT Wheelchair Rugby National Championships at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Park. 

New Paralympic talent

BT develops the next generation of Paralympic talent with two new athletes joining its Ambassador team.

Who Is UK’s Most Extravagant Holidaymaker?

Examining the spending habits of its UK customers, my Travel Card identified the 25-year-old Scottish male as the archetype of Britain’s most extravagant tourist. The research also revealed strong correlations between where people live and where they like to holiday.

Disabled Must Vote

Voters with a disability are being reminded by the Electoral Commission that there should be no barriers to them casting their vote at the General Election on 7 May.

Unpopular Thailand?

The United Arab Emirates has become a top three destination for UK travellers this year, followed by South Africa based on currency orders in 2015 from leading travel money provider ICE.

Invention To Help Disabled

An invention to help disabled people open food packaging receives a £10,000 funding boost.

 

Help For Disabled Kids

People with serious medical conditions will be able to carry heavy medical equipment with them on their mobility scooters Transport Minister Baroness Kramer has announced.

World's Top Landmarks

The Eiffel Tower, has been hailed as the most iconic landmark in the world, according to a study.

Disabled Voters Feel Ignored

With the General Election happening shortly, 79% of disabled voters feel that the parties have so far not focused enough on the issues that affect them.

Roll With Independence

Motability Scheme’s affordable scooters and powered wheelchairs means everyone can find a mobility solution to suit them.

Britain Abroad?

One in three holidaying Brits are guilty of 'bringing Britain abroad', opting to avoid the local culture and activities in favour of English breakfasts, builders' tea and a trip down the pub.

Experience London

A survey has revealed the top London experiences for kids to try before they’re 12 years old.

Paralysed Motocross Rider

A paralysed female motocross rider has made a video to support spinal cord injury research.

Staycation Support

Domestic tourism has seen an increase in popularity across the UK with many Brits choosing to holiday at home instead of travelling abroad.

Fun For Disabled Kids

 Disabled children enjoyed a hydrotherapy event last week to, raise awareness of the benefits of hydrotherapy for children with disabilities and provide a fun activity for both children and their parents/carers during the Easter holidays.

 

Young Disabled Drivers!

Get Going Live!, the test-driving event for young and novice drivers with disabilities, is back for 2015 and now incorporated into the well-known Mobility Roadshow.

Disabled Victims

Disabled girls and women are vulnerable to abuse by carers and partners because of their isolation and physical incapacity, new research says.

Scooter Warning!

Warning for uninsured scooters.

Perfect Holiday Demands

Traditionally seen as a nation that doesn’t like to make a fuss, modern Brits are no longer backward at coming forward in asking for assistance to make their hard-earned breaks as perfect as possible.

High Spending Visitors!

Middle Eastern travellers spend the most to visit Britain, paying an average of £174 per night on hotel rooms.

Spanish 'Selfie' Bus

A Selfie Tour Bus in Barcelona has begun to celebrate millions of Brits being able to use their phones abroad at no extra cost.

Charity Fund Powerchair

A pensioner from Great Abington and who lives with severely restricted mobility, has regained independence thanks to a life-changing, state-of-the-art Balder powered wheelchair donated by several local and military charities.

 

Transparent Hotel!

A completely transparent hotel room shocked passers- by in the heart of Bath.

Marry Abroad

Destination wedding site MarryAbroad.co.uk analysed its website statistics, to find out which world-wide destinations are leading the way for British couples, who are tying the knot overseas this year.

Accessible Farm Stay

Papworth Trust’s Kerry Farm, which provides support and respite for people affected by disability, is now open for paid bookings for the first time.

Sunny Easter?

The Canaries is the destination of choice for one-third of Brits this Easter, as holidaymakers jump at the chance to take advantage of fantastic currency rates in the Eurozone.  

Disabled Housing Need

Bungalows are still one of the most popular types of home, and 30% of us would like to move into one if we moved in retirement. However, in 2013 only 2% of new builds were bungalows and at the current rate of decline the last new bungalow will be built in 2020.

Trains For Disabled

Two thirds of disabled people want ‘turn up and go’ on trains.

#Easter Egg Charity

Disability charity Papworth Trust is asking health conscious supporters to ‘eggschange’ chocolate for a charity donation this Easter.

Perfect Holiday?

This summer you can forget tan lines, forging friends with other Brits and Facebooking contrived holiday snaps by the pool - because the single most important thing for 70 per cent of Brits to takeaway from their summer holiday is an increased understanding of the country they've visited.

Can't Holiday Without Social Media?

Millions of Brits never take a break from social media – even when on holiday.

Powerchair Teen Call Up

A 17- year- old from Hertfordshire has been selected for the England powerchair football squad following several years of success in the sport.

Good Reviews Count

Risk averse Brits choose to book hotel rooms based on the most favourable negative user reviews.

Your Packing Personality

From bikinis and bow ties to snorkels and stilettos, you can tell a lot about a person by what they take on holiday.

Accessible Theatre Video

In a joint-funded initiative, as part of the Visit Britain access project, The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) has launched a video to highlight the wealth of access initiatives available across London theatre and specifically how SOLT and UK Theatre are supporting accessibility.

@CP_Consortium Goes To Manchester

Manchester Airport, in conjunction with Clos-o-Mat and campaigner Tony Clough, has launched brand new Changing Places facilities in each of its three terminals.  

Disabled In China

Happy Chinese New Year!



Tips for Disabled Travelers to China, Public Facilities,



How are you celebrating? Review accessible China and write a review.

Stay & Save

 Brits wanting to save on their spring and summer holiday this year should keep it local as a two-week holiday in the UK can cost £2,000 less than a European holiday.

#ASDA Disabled Best

Asda is the most disability-friendly supermarket chain in Britain, but nearly 95% of disabled drivers say they are impacted or obstructed by able-bodied driver blue badge bay misuse across all the major retailers' car parks - presenting a massive customer relations dilemma for the stores.

Accessible Half Term

Families in the South West can enjoy an accessible half term this week.

Limbless Pilot!

A one-armed man whose missing limb was severed from the shoulder in a freak biking accident has invented a prosthetic replacement which will allow him to fly a plane.

World’s First Eoskeleton

The World’s First Lower-Limb Bionic Exoskeleton Launched in UK.

Disabled Sailing Dropped

Duncan Souster, CEO of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a charity which promotes the integration of people of all physical abilities through sailing adventures, has commented on the sport being dropped from the Paralympics. He said:

Try An Adapted Car

Motability One Big Day events to return in 2015 starting with The Big Event in Manchester

New York! New York!

New York has today been revealed as the top overseas destination for UK travellers in 2014 ahead of other cities across North America, Europe and Asia.

 

Insurance for Amputees

Amputees and the limb impaired can now benefit from access to bespoke home insurance products following the launch of a new scheme by charity Limbcare.

Disabled: Food vs Heat?

Lawyers Call For Improvements To “Unacceptable” Disability Payment Delays Forcing Vulnerable To Choose Between Food and Heating

Travel Trends...

Al Fresco Holidays have predicted trends for European family holidays in 2015.

Escape The Blues

January blues cause searches to tropical destinations to surge.

World Wheelchair!

A father and Having a disabled daughter have travelled the country with the help of an off-road wheelchair and ‘can do’ attitude.

 

#Healthy #Wine ...

A Boutique Wine Retailer and Lounge proposes that drinking wine doesn’t have to be unhealthy.

Disabled Driving

Disabled motorists and their families can look forward to a new year of worry-free motoring thanks to the Motability Scheme, with new cars and prices available in 2015.

#BlueMonday blues

With today now officially known as ‘Blue Monday’ new research reveals that more women across the UK suffer from the winter blues than men.

Wheelchair Users Only!

27 Things You’ll Only Know If You’re A Wheelchair User

With thanks to Buzzfeed

 

1. You’ll always be the first to know if someone’s fly is undone.

View this image ›

images3.wikia.nocookie.net

Do us a favour and keep the peep show zipped up.

Brits Could Save £££

British families could save hundreds of pounds on their next European holiday thanks to the current Euro slump.

Communnity Buys Powerchair

Leisha Lamberth from Telscombe near Brighton, has received a life-changing electric wheelchair thanks to the fundraising efforts of Telscombe Mayor and Councillor Wayne Botting and the local community.

Accessible Adventures

This New Year, try an adrenaline-filled adventure, from skiing and ice skating to indoor skydiving. Ideal for all abilities, these activities and many more are reviewed on The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain: Family Days Out microsite.

Love #Broadchurch? See #Broadchurch

Searches to Somerset and Dorset up 200% as Brits look to visit the setting of ITV crime thriller Broadchurch.

Britons early to book #holiday escapes

Research from Sainsbury's Travel Insurance indicates that 23.5 million people in Britain (50% of adults) are planning overseas holiday escapes during 2015, and 22.1 million (47%) are planning a holiday within the UK.