'Safe travels!' part 2: Disability-friendly adventures
On the hunt for summer holiday inspiration? Search no more! Continuing our ‘Safe travels!’ series, part 2 explores some of the amazing excursions and adventures on offer in Australia and abroad, all with a disability-friendly perspective. Without further ado, here are NDP’s top choices.
Go diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Finding Nemo has never been so easy! He is literally everywhere. Based in Cairns, all of Reeftip’s (www.reeftrip.com) tours are disability-friendly and you can experience the Great Barrier Reef in all its grandeur. On the west coast of Australia, Dive Unlimited (www.diveunlimited.com.au) in Perth is a certified dive shop specialising in diving with people with disability. So grab your wetsuit and experience weightlessness from a whole new perspective.
Sky’s the limit. Go from under the sea (scuba diving) to 2500 ft. above sea level. Global Ballooning (www.globalballooning.com.au) is Australia’s premier disability-friendly hot-air balloon operator. The basket has an easy access door that will allow people with limited mobility and those in wheelchairs access to the sky. Take your adventure over the city of Melbourne or relax over the Yarra Valley. This will be an unforgettable experience.
Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace (www.royal.gov.uk/theroyalresidences) is a major attraction in London; it is the Queen’s official and main royal London home. It is important to note that the Palace has 775 rooms, so planning ahead is essential. Wheelchair access is available, but must be pre-booked by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Stair lifts are situated around the palace for users who have limited mobility and scooters can be used throughout the gardens, with a number of rollators free to borrow.
Broadway show in the Big Apple. If you plan to visit New York City, a Broadway show is a must-see. Since 2012, Broadway has debuted a range of sensory-friendly and disability friendly shows through the sponsorship of not-for-profit organisation, Theatre Development Fund. They incorporate a wide range of accessibility initiatives into shows such as open captioning, sign language interpretation, and Autism friendly performances. Grab a seat and enjoy the show!
Take a trip to Disney World. Who said theme parks are only for kids? Disney World (disneyworld.disney.go.com) is one on the most accessible parks in the world and is famous for accommodating guests with special needs. Walt Disney World Resort offers a host of services to help guests with cognitive disabilities—including those on the Autism Spectrum—maximise their ‘Disney’ experience. There are also guides for guests with disabilities for each of Disney World’s theme parks.
Go on a safari in Africa. Access 2 Africa Safaris (www.access2africasafaris.com) and Go Africa Safaris (www.go-africa-safaris.com) coordinates safaris for all travellers, but specialise in tours for people with mobility, hearing, and visual impairments. You can now experience the African savannah in Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa. Africa is one of the most enchanting continents in the world. Don’t miss the chance to see and experience a vast landscape and amazing animals; from lions, wildebeest, and rhinos!
