Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Practical issues Holidays and travel Holidays and travel Holiday organisers are increasingly considering the needs and wants of disabled people. There are, however, steps you can take to help ensure your holiday goes as smoothly as possible. Before you go It is important to check that the holiday insurance policy covers any aids or equipment that you might need to take with you. Do ensure that you have a good supply of medication and necessary aids and equipment to last you for your stay. Medicines and tablets should be clearly labelled. If in doubt, check with your doctor that it is safe for you to fly. You should check any special health requirements for the countries you are visiting. Vaccination may be required, or advisable, against certain diseases. Do ensure that you contact those concerned (airline, railway, accommodation) well in advance if you have any special requirements. Don’t assume that staff members will know and understand your needs, make sure you tell them! Allow enough time for boarding - you may not follow the same procedure as everyone else. Consider the security of your home whilst you are away. You may wish to make arrangements for somebody you trust to visit your home whilst you are away for security reasons. Funding for holidays Any disabled person or family with a disabled member has the right to approach their local Social Services department concerning assistance in making holiday arrangements. Unfortunately, in practice, holidays are often a low priority for Social Services due to budget restrictions – but it is always worth asking especially when considering your needs as part of a personal budget assessment. Possible sources of help include organisations set up to look after members of a particular group and their family. Professional bodies often have funding available for members and their dependents. Trade Unions have similar schemes. Local charities may be able to help. The local public reference library and local CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) are good sources of information on the charities in your area. There are some trusts that consider applications for financial assistance towards the cost of a holiday For more information on possible sources of funding contact our freephone helpline. Travel insurance Most insurance companies charge a large premium or offer lower levels of cover for people with pre-existing medical conditions, including brain injury. We always suggest getting a few quotes before buying travel insurance, as prices and cover can vary depending on your circumstances. You can find a list of more providers on our Holidays and Travel after brain injury factsheet (PDF) Caring If you are caring for someone with a brain injury or have a relative being treated in hospital, this section will help you to meet the challenges ahead and find the support you need. Find out more In your area Find brain injury support in your area by searching our directory of local Headway groups and branches, specialist solicitors, approved care providers and charity shops. Find out more Related resources Holidays and travel after brain injury Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings