Your thoughts needed: Accessible travel and touring
Hi everyone,
I wanted to open up a discussion about the idea of creating a dedicated space on the forum for accessible travel and touring. This could be to support wheelchair users, or members with a hidden disability and a place where we share tips, resources, and experiences related to caravanning and motorhoming with accessibility needs.
I’d love to hear your thoughts:
- Would you find an accessible travel area helpful and/or do you think it would be helpful to others?
- Would you prefer this as a category (visible to everyone on the activity feed) or a group (more focused and community-driven)?
- What kind of information or resources would you like to see in this space? (e.g. destination guides, caravan and motorhome reviews, etc.)
- Would anyone be interested in supporting this area in welcoming new members, answering questions or sharing their own experiences to help others?
With your feedback I’m hoping we can shape this idea into something truly valuable for the community and our members.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
Comments
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Excellent idea, @Rowena. Might be better as a category.... and to include hints on how to manage in a caravan/ motorhome with disabiity... e.g. how to get the wheel locks on, especially if required by your insurance etc.... other easy ways of doing things??
David
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yes we would find it useful. Info about sites, preferably CLs, with footpaths to villages so we can use our small mobility scooters. Google maps often isn’t clear enough. Parking info is always useful especially for motorhomes. Useful aids eg we have a strip that fits into seat belt catch to aid climbing into van. Definately available for all to view.
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Having recently had to accept that age is creeping up on me and my mobility is becoming more and more restricted, I would certainly be interested in hearing about the experience of others - and to contribute re things I have already done to continue caravanning. Like @DSB , I think it's an excellent idea which, in my opinion, would lend itself to the formation of a specific "Group". I don't think it's appropriate to include it in general discussions since to do so would tend to confirm some people's view that CAMC comprises solely of decrepit old fuddie duddies and I'm sure that's not the image the Club would want to promote! Plus - is it really going to be of interest - or understood - by those who are fortunate enough not to have such issues.
I'd be interested in - as David says - mods that have been made to vans to make life easier - recommendations of sites to visit (Including CLs) and those to avoid from a mobility point of view. Mistakes to avoid ( I am thinking of one particular awning I have bought - very expensive mistake!)
I am only just starting to have to think about these things - I am sure there are lots out there from whom I can learn a lot and I look forward to it.
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@richardandros The trouble with "Groups" is anything posted there is not flagged unless you make an effort to go and look at them you will never see anything posted. Very difficult for those unfamiliar with the site. Fine if a wide audience is not required.
peedee
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I think it should just be another fprum category which can be seen by all. Could even be useful for the able bodied to appreciate what those that have some form of disability struggle with? Some might not consider themselves "disabled" but have lesser problems where shared informatiom might be useful?
David
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If your managers wish you to go down that road, Rowena, then of course you must. But the future of this Club is with the next generation and not with the elderly, infirm and disabled.
Caravan touring is hard work, and motorhoming not much less , so that older group deserves credit for battling on so long. There are easier paths but some members seem reluctant to take them.
The Club should praise them but concentrate all its efforts on attracting a younger crowd with families - so I think your proposal is facing the wrong way.0 -
There are less able people of all ages, Euro. It is not exclusive to us old fogeys.
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I disagree with @eurortraveller insofar as we are talking here of a specific topic, namely disability/reduced mobility not some sort of membership drive. That can be done separately and probably more effective on a younger generational social media platform.
I would have no problems discussing my own rehab efforts following a Stroke, indeed I have already posted a Story to the general effect that caravanning played in the rehab. That really didn't include many specifics but I will be happy to state those areas I still have difficulty with along with observations to help others. I recently gave a review of a CL, an otherwise excellent new CL with a super shower block but with a caveat that access to said shower block was via steps which may be a hindrance for some disabilities. This is the type of thing I am now looking to mention so a thread about such matters would be an excellent conduit for others as well.
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II too agree with @Tinwheeler and @Wherenext and disagreed with @eurortraveller as there are more retired and generally speaking less able members that are likely to read posts on this forum than there are m odd youthful ones. I also agree with @DSB that it should be a category but it is a shame that there is no longer the ability on this new forum to make certain posts a "sticky". Although we are not, as yet, in need of advice for accessible travel there will be a time when it might occur so will be interested in what others post, and perhaps will be able to contribute.
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It’s a very good idea. One of the most interesting aspects we have always enjoyed is just how much of an age range you see out touring in a variety of outfits. We were only in our mid 20’s when we first joined the CC, as it was then, so we have had a very long journey with the Club, from being lithe, superfit very adventurous young tourers, able to cope well with minimal requirements, little in the way of facilities, in very basic outfits, micro campers, tents and small basic caravans, to where we are now, forty years older, with some health challenges, but enjoying a small motorhome. We have learned all about adapting to our changing needs, and gained a lot of inspiration from those a good deal older than us who are still out there and enjoying themselves. We have been lucky so far not to come up against too many health issues that have impacted our way of touring, but we won’t give up easily when they do, we are willing to learn, compromise, and seek advice, so would be very interested in what others have to share.
Others are very right to mention that challenges are faced by those of all ages, not just the onset of older age. Neighbours use their caravan as a safe haven for their autistic children who find much about daily life worrying. Disabilities come at all ages, and are not always visible to others, and it’s not always about the elderly by any means.
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we both have some disabilities but enjoy our motorhoming. I do not consider the alterations we have made to be about battling on. If I was minded to I would be deeply offended by @eurotraveller’s post. He seems to suggest that those with disabilities or getting longer in the tooth have no business caravanning or motorhoming. Don’t know how that fits with the increasing number of vans being specifically modified for those with physical disabilities.
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I worked with special needs/disability sports groups of all ages (apologies if those two terms are no longer current) and the best piece of advice I was given was don’t make assumptions about what you think people can’t do, but listen and take on board, watch and be awed, help where asked, at what people can do. The Club are wanting to listen and share such depth of knowledge from its own Members. Different from marketing to attract new customers, but both Clubs are already good at helping those who want help, hence why many people stay Members for a long time. We have a seriously ill dear friend who is still a Member and had to give up towing a van, but they make good use of the Glamping Pods.
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