Travel

The Blue Badge parking scheme provides an arrangement of parking concessions for people with various disabilities, who travel either as passengers or drivers.

If you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) you are automatically entitled to a Blue Badge.  If you live in an area covered by Shropshire Council, contact Customer Services on 0345 678 9014 to request an application pack or apply online.

If you live in an area covered by Telford & Wrekin Council, you can apply for a Blue Badge in person by visiting one of the Council’s First Point contact centres.

The Lyneal Trust is a registered charity that provides holidays and canal boat trips for people with disabilities with their families, friends or in groups from its base at Lyneal Wharf.

Seable organises accessible tailored holidays for the visually impaired community.  Its holidays are suitable for individuals, couples, families and small groups of friends. Destinations include: Sicily, Amsterdam, Cyprus, Lanzarote, Rome, Slovenia and Thailand. It offers a wide range of activities, including: relaxing, sport, culture, winter sun and food tasting.

Traveleyes specialises in providing holidays for blind and partially sighted people who want to explore worldwide destinations, with independence, flexibility and freedom. It offers a range of UK breaks, sun holidays, cruises and long-haul escorted tours.

Enable Holidays organise bespoke holiday packages and all accommodation in their brochure has been carefully assessed to ensure it is accessible and suitable for travellers with different mobility impairments.

Shropshire Council administers a Concessionary Travel Scheme enabling people with an eligible disability, or who are state pensionable age or over, to apply for free or reduced travel.

Telford & Wrekin Council administers a Concessionary Travel Scheme enabling people with an eligible disability, or who are state pensionable age or over, to apply for free or reduced travel.

The Shropshire Community Transport Consortium provides door to door transport throughout Shropshire for people who are unable to use, or do not have access to, public transport.  The consortium comprises 8 groups who are all independent charities or voluntary organisations.

If you are registered as blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired) you are eligible to apply for a disabled person’s railcard.  THis gives at least one third off the price of certain rail tickets for the cardholder, and a companion where applicable.

Passenger Assistance is a service provided by train companies to disabled passengers and others who require assistance with any part of their train journey.  Staff can help you plan your journey, book tickets and make reservations; they can also assist you at stations and on board trains, with anything from changing platforms to finding your seat.  Passenger Assistance is free and available to anyone who needs assistance due to a disability, temporary impairment, or older age. No railcard is required.

These different organisations offer information on accessible travelling in the UK and abroad.

• Tourism for All UK is a national charity dedicated to making tourism welcoming to all.
• Visit Britain and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) can also provide information about booking a holiday from mainstream tour operators who have made efforts to make their information and holidays more accessible.
• DisabledHolidays.com can provide help and advice when booking a holiday if you are blind or partially sighted.

The Lyneal Trust is a registered charity that provides holidays and canal boat trips for people with disabilities with their families, friends or in groups from its base at Lyneal Wharf, in Shropshire.

Sense Adventures offers guided day activities and short breaks in mixed groups to blind and sighted people in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.  Activities take place in the Malvern Hills, and area of outstanding natural beauty nestling between the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

North Wales Accessible Holidays for Blind and Visually Impaired helps blind children and adults to access local holidays in beautiful North Wales by providing specially adapted caravan facilities.

The Calvert Trust Centres in Northumberland, Cumbria and Devon offer activities such as abseiling, archery, carriage driving, climbing and sailing.

You can find more specialist hotels or places to stay in the UK using the RNIB’s Sightline Directory.