There are lots of organisations who focus on making going on adventures more accessible. Whatever your travel need, there's likely to be a clever person or organisation passionate about developing a series of travel activities ready for you.
Ability Adventures
This unique organisation is run by three Occupational Therapists Travel guides. A job title probably not held by anyone else in the world!
Ability Adventures make outdoor activities accessible to disabled people. They offer fun experiences like skiing, hiking, cycling, and water sports, all designed to be accessible for people with different physical or cognitive needs. They run:
- Private guided disability tours
- Designing accessible tours you can drive yourself
- Organising group tours
The company provides special equipment and guides to make sure everyone can take part and have a great time. Their goal is to make outdoor adventures available to everyone, no matter their abilities.
Visit the Ability Adventures website (external link)
Identity Tours
This Christchurch-based tour company organises trips for disabled adults, youth and children. While they have a South Island focus, they can also support accessible travel and tours across the country.
Identity Tours offer respite care and private charters too.
Visit the Identity Tours website (external link)
Freedom Mobility
If you want more of a general idea of places you could go and the transport to get there, Freedom Mobility are set up for you. Their 'Play and Stay' directory includes 24 accessible tours you can dig into across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Freedom Mobility offer wheelchair accessible vehicles, hand control vehicles and left foot acceleration vehicles too. Don't worry if you're feeling a bit nervous about travelling to a new place or in a new type of vehicle, they meet you and give you a lesson on their vehicles before you head off.
Visit Freedom Mobility's website (external link)
Making Trax
Wanting to adaptive adventures? New Zealand is known as the adventure capital of the world but ten years ago, the founders of Making Trax were gutted when they realised that didn't include 'accessible adventure capital'.
So now the team are working with tour operators and organisations across the motu (country) to develop inclusive tourism.
They've put a focus into removing barriers, educating and even helping build accessible tourism destinations.
Making Trax offer multi-day journeys, courses and experiences. Meaning the biggest adrenaline lovers out there can access safe adventures with informed and practiced tour operators.
Take a look at the Making Trax tour packages (external link)
Mainstream tour operators
Of course, when nearly 25% of our population is estimated to experience an accessibility requirement, mainstream operators make themselves open to provisions.
Tour operators like Trafalgar encourage hearing or vision impaired travellers to bring a support person. While they don’t have provisions for mobility requirements (their coaches require the ability to independently climb and descend steps), they do promise to do what they can to make things accessible.
“Safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we’re happy to discuss any specific needs to ensure clients have their best possible experience.“ – Trafalgar spokesperson.
Accessible travel agency vs Mainstream?
Accessible Travel Agencies specialise in tours and holidays for people of all ages with a mobility, sensory, or learning impairment, or a health condition.
You might be able to work with your travel agent to arrange what you need, but a specialist agent will be able to be more proactive in identifying potential challenges and opportunities.
They'll look at:
- Accessible accommodation.
- Accessible transport with a driver/guide.
- Daily living aids and mobility aids.
- Personal support, sighted guides, sign language interpreters.
- Accessible activities, and adaptive sports or adventure equipment.
Looking for localised or condition-specific recommendations
You might be more interested in activities than adventures. You may want to know what others with similar access needs to you have enjoyed. Check out your local information and advice centre or specialist support people in our 'Get Support' section.
Get Support that's right for you
Last updated on Thursday, 28 November 2024