There are few things as liberating as caravanning: With just your heart and a map as guide, you can venture out and explore new places, enjoying the myriad wonders of the great outdoors along the way.
Tips For Caravanning As A Disabled Person
Caravanning is an excellent holiday choice for those with disabilities; your caravan can be modified to act as a ‘home away from home’, outfitted with accessibility accessories (like caravan steps for disabled people and hand rails) so that it’s safe and comfortable. If you have a disability and are planning a caravan trip this summer, take the following steps to prepare for your journey:
1. Choose a caravan with a ‘disability-friendly’ layout. While you can modify most modern caravans to be more accessible, it’s still important to look for ‘disability-friendly’ features when choosing a caravan design. These include variations like having the shower and WC in a single cubicle, allowing the user to shower while seated. Likewise, the kitchen counters and sink should be at the correct height to be used by someone in a wheelchair and there should be enough storage room to house your mobility aids when you’re not using them. A fixed bed is also recommended.
2. Make sure you can enter and exit your caravan easily. Most modern caravan manufacturers design their caravans in such a way that they can be easily fitted with ramps, grip handles, extra-wide sliding doors, and caravan steps for disabled people. If you rely on a wheelchair or mobility scooter, be sure to talk to a professional installer of accessibility features; he or she will be able to give you advice on choosing caravan steps for disabled individuals, selecting the right width for your caravan’s sliding doors, and so on.
3. Plan how you’ll tow and manoeuvre your caravan. Make sure that the vehicle you plan to tow your caravan with meets the weight requirements stated for your model of caravan. You should also consider investing in an electric motor mover; an electric motor mover will allow you to operate the caravan by remote control even when it is not attached to any vehicle, making setting up camp a simpler task.
If your mobility is very restricted, you may want to look into additional accessibility features like infra-red steering devices and lightened power steering. You can also get steering balls, knobs and even bespoke driving gloves that will allow you to drive a large vehicle safely and with ease.
4. Choose your camping sites ahead of time. Today, most caravan sites have superb facilities for disabled individuals, but it’s still worthwhile to check ahead and make sure that each site you plan to visit has all of the features you need. Additionally, if you use a wheelchair, verify that the site’s paths have hard, even surfaces; pebbles, gravel, and uneven land can be hazardous for wheelchair users.
5. Test your caravan setup before you depart. As a final step, conduct a few ‘test runs’ to make sure that your caravan is completely comfortable and accessible. Practice embarking, disembarking, and navigating the kitchen, washroom, and bedroom areas.