Holidays & Leisure

Dorset is a lovely part of the country, and for wheelchair users, there are a number of different holiday options available. Weymouth has long been a popular family destination with its sandy beach, shallow waters and seaside attractions, and there are several converted caravan options here. These sleep six people, have wheelchair accessible ramps, wide entrances, sliding doors and converted WC/shower room with trapeze lift handles. Poole is a lovely wheelchair friendly town with lots of things to do, and also offers caravans, and the choice of two accessible hotels. A cottage with a sea view on the famous Chesil beach is a lovely self-catering option for up to nine people on the coastal path in Bridport. The charming market town of Blandford Forum on the River Stour is a popular destination for wheelchair disabled holidays in Dorset and offers a choice of four accessible cottages which sleep from three to six people. While in Sturminster Newton you can choose between two lovely converted barns with lots of character and fabulous views and a complete range of facilities, or an accessible cottage which sleeps eight and is set in its own large garden with lovely rural views. In Sherborne, there are three cottage options sleeping from two to eight people, as well as a converted barn, while in Dorchester, there’s a rural cottage for eight, and a beach barn conversion for from two to eight people. For a couple, there’s a nice accessible cottage in Evershot, and Charmouth offers purpose-built self-catering cottages for four guests. In Blackmore Vale, the East Orchard country cottage for five is a great place to see wildlife. The historic 16^th -century hotel at Corfe Castle has four specifically designed wheelchair accessible rooms located in a separate annexe next to a walled garden with excellent facilities. While in the traditional hilltop town of Shaftesbury you can find a very unusual accessible accommodation opcion, a glamping holiday yurt.

>> Find an accessible holidays in dorset - Click here

Getting the right wheelchair is essential - what we mean by the "right wheelchair" is what they meets your needs and requirements and enables you to be as active and independent as possible. A wheelchair suitable for you can improve your quality of life, but unfortunately not all OT's and wheelchair services are good and people end up with the wrong wheelchair for them.

Before you speak to an OT, a physio or go along to the wheelchair services appointment speak to wheelchair users, browse the internet and go along to a specialist shop. When we say specialist shop we mean one that specialises in wheelchairs and has wheelchair users who work there - not your run of the mill mobility shop who will often sell you the one with the biggest profit margin.

Then go armed with the info you have gathered - you are well within your right to have an opinion and discuss your needs and explain why you think such a type of wheelchair would be suitable for you. If you have extra available money then the best option is to get the wheelchair voucher and go to a specialist, place the order and pay for extra cost. If not then make sure you put across a good case to wheelchair services and get the right wheelchair for you.

What is a good active user wheelchair? - in general you cannot go far wrong with the Kuschall K-Series, it's adjustable, lightweight and a great active user wheelchair.

How much should I expect from wheelchair services voucher?

This seems to be a postcode lottery! - but the way it works is it is based on the cost of the wheelchair that would be provided by the NHS. So if you ensure they know you want to be active, they know you want to self push independently and that you want an active user wheelchair they you should get at least £1000 as a voucher. TIP: make it clear you are worried about pressure sores and you need a proper pressure cushion, they should also add the cost of this into the voucher amount.