As winter tightens its grip, the dream of escaping to the sun remains alive for many, including those with disabilities. A new initiative led by travel ambassadors and a significant educational milestone are paving the way for a more inclusive society.
Championing Accessible Holidays
For the past ten years, Hannah Cheetham, 35, has been travelling the globe with her younger sister, Becky. Living with cerebral palsy since birth, Hannah uses her first-hand experiences to provide crucial travel advice for disabled people.
She is now one of the Accessibility Ambassadors working with the travel giant TUI. They share their stories and tips on a dedicated webpage, offering reassurance to those looking to explore the world.
Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UK&I, stated: "Our Accessibility Ambassadors are helping us reimagine what inclusive travel truly looks like. Their lived experiences and honest feedback are invaluable in shaping services that work for everyone."
He added that the company believes travel should be a joyful and accessible experience for all, and the ambassadors are helping make that a reality.
The Barriers to Travel
A recent survey conducted by TUI revealed a sobering statistic: one in three people with a disability avoids travelling abroad due to concerns over accessibility.
The research found that many disabled people simply accept these travel challenges as a standard part of life. Common criticisms included inaccessible booking systems, long waits at airports, a lack of adequate support from airline and hotel staff, and unsuitable lifts.
For more information on accessible travel, you can visit TUI's dedicated page.
A Landmark for British Sign Language
In a parallel development for accessibility, British Sign Language (BSL) has taken a major step towards being taught as a GCSE. Following a nationwide consultation, the exam body Ofqual has confirmed that the qualification can now be developed by any approved awarding body.
Once the syllabus is accredited, schools will be able to add it to their curriculums.
George Crockford, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children's Society, hailed this as a "real landmark" for deaf young campaigners like Daniel Jillings who fought for the right to study BSL at GCSE level.
"British Sign Language is a beautiful language with its own culture and history used by tens of thousands of people," he said. "It's only fair and right that users should have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in their own, legally recognised language."
Mr Crockford believes the GCSE will raise the profile of BSL and deafness, promoting a greater understanding of the barriers deaf children face in education. He emphasised a determination to ensure the GCSE is available for future generations, helping to create a world where anything is possible for deaf children.
There are more than 50,000 deaf children in the UK, with three babies born deaf in the country every day.
For support, the National Deaf Children's Society Helpline can be reached at 0808 800 8880 (voice and text).
