Help Lines For Disabled Travellers
Disabled Travellers General Rights
See Also General Conumer Rights Information For Travellers
Information Advice And Guidance On Travelling Abroad From The UK Trading Standards – Travel Rights For Disabled Travellers And Holidaymakers / Tourists
Important Note: West Sussex County Council, Trading Standards Service has prepared this information for the guidance of Euromost & Londonmost visitors. The information given cannot be regarded as an authoritative interpretation of the law. Visitors with specific complaints or issues should contact their local Trading Standards Office for relevant advice.
Find your local Trading Stanfards Office.
Help Lines For Disabled Travellers
Disability Rights Commission (DRC):
DRC Helpline
FREEPOST MID02164
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 9BR
Telephone: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622644
Website
The DRC will investigate and may prosecute any organisation which subjects you to unfair treatment on the basis of your disability. In recent months it has done the following:
Obtained £1,500 compensation for a man who was told he would have to pay more for a caravan large enough to accommodate his wheelchair.
Brought about a change in policy at a large chain of hotels which could not guarantee twin bed rooms for a man travelling with a helper who was forced to take a double room; he also received £1,000 in damages.
Won a refund and a week’s free accommodation for a woman who was told to take an older caravan if bringing a guide dog on holiday.
Reversed an £18 surcharge for wheelchairs by a no-frills airline and £1,500 compensation for the man who was the centre of the claim.
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS):
South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SR.
Tel: 0845 080 1800
Fax: 0207 964 1001
Email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Web site
Contact the FOS if you feel that an insurer has not’t paid out on a claim it should have and you have already contacted the underwriter.
Holiday Care Service:
7th Floor, Sunley House, 4, Bedford Park, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 2AP.
Telephone: 0845 124 9971/020 8760 0072
Minicom: 0845 124 9976
Fax: 0845 124 9972
Email: info@holidaycare.org
Information available includes transport, accommodation and holiday companions.
RADAR (The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation):
12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF.
Telephone: 0207 2503222
Minicom: 0207 2504119
Fax: 0207 250 0212
Email: radar@radar.org.uk
Website
Extensive information available on all aspects of a holiday.
Tripscope:
The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Bristol, BS16 2QQ.
Tel: 08457 585641/0117 939 7782 or Fax: 0117 939 7736
Advice on all types of transport.
Mobility & Inclusion Unit:
Department of Transport, 1st Floor, Great Minister House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR. Tel: 0207 944 8300
Fax: 0207 944 9622 Email: inquiries@tripscope.org.uk Website
A leaflet is available called ‘Door to Door’ which is a guide to all types of transport in Britain. A taped edition is available free to blind & partially sighted people. The blue badge scheme is run by local authorities.
Information FO Disabled Drivers Re Ferry Concessions, Travel & Access.
Disabled Living Foundation:
380-384 Harrow Road, London, W9 2HU. Telephone: 0845 130 9177/ Text phone: 0207 432 8009
Email: dlfinfo@dlf.org.uk
Website
A booklet is available called ‘Flying High – A Practical Guide to Air Travel for People with Disabilities’.
The Travel Advice Unit:
Consular Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Old Admiralty Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2PA.
Telephone: 0870 6060290
Fax: 0207 008 0155
Website
Provides travel advice relating to personal safety on some 120 countries. Leaflets available are: ‘Checklists for Travellers’; ‘British Consular Services Abroad’, ‘Backpackers & Independent Travellers’ and ‘Dos and Don’t’s’.
Post Office Customer Care:
FREEPOST, P.O. Box 740, Glasgow, G2 1XX.
Help line: 08457 223344
Website :
On-line advice and leaflets on Travel Insurance, Medical care in the EU and Travellers’ Checklists. See also free emergency medical treatment in the EU. Full Details
Diabetes UK:
Central Office, 10 Parkway, London, NW1 7AA.
Telephone: 0845 120 2960/020 7424 1000
Fax: 0207 424 1001
Email: info@diabetes.org.uk
Website
Leaflets and information sheets include: ‘Travel insurance’, ‘Air travel and insulin’ and ‘Travel and discrimination’.
Haemophilia Society:
Chesterfield House, 385 Euston Road, London NW1 3AU
Freephone: 0800 018 6068
Telephone: 0207 380 0600
Fax: 0207 387 8220
Website
The web site has a very useful link to an organisation called ‘Haemophilia abroad’, which provides information and contacts throughout the world.
National Eczema Society:
Hill House, Highgate Hill, London, N19 5NA.
Telephone: 0207 281 3553
Help line: 0870 241 3604/0207 263 8909
Email: help line@eczema.org
Website
Fact sheets include ‘Sunscreens and Ingredients’ and ‘Eczema and the Sun’.
Dialysis:
The Directory of the European Dialysis & Transplant Association lists dialysis centres in Europe & the Mediterranean, where visitors can receive treatment, but this must be arranged in advance through the person’s own dialysis centre.
Disabled Drivers’ Motor Club:
Cottingham Way, Thrapston, Kettering, Northants, NN14 4PL.
Telephone: 01832 734724
