Posted: January 11, 2016
If you live in an area that gets cold when the calendar changes, you likely know plenty of people who are planning a winter getaway this year. As a parent of a child with special needs, though, you may think that there are not many options for planning your own escape from winter’s reach. We’re happy to report this is not necessarily the case and that there may be some excellent options for vacation available to your family!
Still at the planning phase of your vacation? How about some ideas of wheelchair and accessibility-focused destinations! Friendship Circle has 32 destinations to consider! Lest you think that all of the suggestions are expensive, options include some cold-weather destinations like Ann Arbor, Michigan, or The Skydeck in downtown Chicago, as well as beaches with specialized wheelchairs and more! If the beach is more your goal, though, CurbFree has 10 wheelchair accessible beaches to consider (or dream about) that is worth a look.
A beach that may be closer to those of you on the West Coast is one in California. Shared Adventures works to provide recreational services to people with disabilities, with a wide number of options available to tailor your vacation around. Keep an eye on their Activity Calendar for options that may interest you and your family!
Need a quick overview of places made for children just like yours? Parents.com has a wonderful overview of places for a vacation that are specifically geared to the special needs community, including Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park built solely for helping children who face challenges have fun!
Take the sting out of a long drive this vacation with these 70+ Tips and Tricks for Special Needs Road Trips and a variety of downloads that can keep your child distracted and allow you to focus! If flying is required, we have provided a thorough overview of tips and suggestions when flying with a child with Cerebral Palsy that includes special needs hotlines, TSA guidelines and more!
Wherever you may be going, don’t forget the basics! Beyond things like your handicapped placard in the event you need to rent a car or are being driven by a friend or family member, be sure to bring a copy of your child’s medical records if possible. Doing so can help in the event your child requires medical care or to help mitigate any challenges related to your child’s diagnosis along the way.
Never underestimate the power of a staycation either! Carving out a few days away from school and work and creating an itinerary of fun ideas and creative menus may be the solution your family needs also! Cook or order different foods for each meal, going beyond pizza and into fun, unique recipes that gets you out of your groove. And what’s better than sleeping in your own bed each night?!
These are just a few general ideas and options we have for parents to consider when the vacation bug bites. For more information about traveling with a child with special needs, programs dedicated to helping children with Cerebral Palsy, or for more information about our organization, please call us at 800-692-4453 or fill out our online form today!
