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Here are some guidelines which may help you if you are planning just a few days away or maybe longer.
Disability Access
As a full time ‘wheelie’ with no use of my legs I require assistance transferring and always travel with my husband/carer. Grab rails in an open shower and toilet area are necessary (no small shower enclosures or 5” hobs) and I always request a shower chair or plastic patio chair to use. I’ve found that by being friendly and not demanding when making enquiries most people go out of their way to help.
It helps to realise that your holiday accommodation will seldom be as good as ‘home’ and you may need to make some adjustments – everybody has different needs so remembering that helps you accept what’s available. Thankfully things are improving and more motels/holiday villas and cabins are now catering for physically challenged persons.
Planning is very important! We use the RACV Accommodation Guide, ‘The Wheelie’s Handbook of Australia” by Colin James and various Motel Chain booklets to assist with our holiday accommodation. To avoid surprises, we double check what facilities are actually available when booking because some people have an entirely different view as to what disabled access means. As truly accessible rooms are in short supply we book well in advance of our travel dates.
We’ve had many holidays over the years either camping or caravanning and, although we mainly use motel rooms or cabins with cooking facilities now, we still try to be self sufficient. We take all our breakfast items with us as well as some basic food and cooking ingredients. Tins of soup, canned fruit, muesli bars, dry biscuits and cheese are always handy.
Wheelie friendly places
As promised a few months ago here is a short list of the better “wheelie” friendly places in Victoria where we’ve happily stayed over the past few years. We’ve found the following places better than most. (I’m sure there are others; if you have a favourite please let the editor know.)
MELBOURNE
‘Holiday Inn on Flinders’, Cnr. Flinders Lane & Spencer Street, Melbourne.
‘Somerset on Elizabeth’, 250 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
‘The Tudor’ – Box Hill, 1101 Whitehorse Road (Maroondah Highway) Box Hill.
‘Comfort Inn Ringwood Lake’, 327 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood.
APOLLO BAY
‘Seafarers Getaway’, 6080 Great Ocean Road, where you can lie in bed and watch the waves roll in!
PORT CAMPBELL
‘Portside Motel’, 62 Great Ocean Road.
‘Port Campbell Motor Inn’, 12 Great Ocean Road.
PORTLAND
‘Victoria Lodge’ Motor Inn, 155 Percy Street.
RED CLIFFS
Big Lizzie Motor Inn, 133 Jacaranda St. (Calder Highway)
Written bye Dot Leckie Sent to me by Jennifer (Kanga)
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