Rough Guide To Accessible Britain 2009 Launched

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Category: Useful Information

Published on Tuesday, 03 March 2009 13:28

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Free guidebook to Britain’s best venues for disabled people available now  The new Rough Guide to Accessible Britain has launched, containing details of over 175 of the UK’s best attractions catering for disabled people.

Available FREE to Blue Badge holders from www.accessibleguide.co.uk, the guide features everything from the Scottish Gliding Centre for ‘walking on air’ experiences, to shopping in London’s Spitalfields market. The guide, updated and enlarged for its second year, was compiled by an army of disabled writers across the country, as well as readers of the first edition of the guide who answered a call from the publishers to give details of their favourite days out.

Developed by Rough Guides in association with Motability Operations - the company that manages the car scheme for disabled people in the UK - the new book is crammed with fun ideas for holidaymakers taking into account their mobility or accessibility considerations.

Adrenaline junkies can learn to fly with the British Disabled Flying Association in Lasham, Hampshire; whizz through the water at a Sailability school in Rutland; or watch sharks being fed at The Deep aquarium in Hull.

For those who want to try something new discover what happens when a frozen banana is smashed at Techniquest in Cardiff; have a go in a flight simulator at the Ulster Transport Museum in County Down; or enjoy accessible zip wiring at the Thames Valley Adventure Playground in Maidenhead.

Alternatively, for explorers who fancy something more sedate, the guide also details everything from Wisley Gardens in Surrey for exploring roots underneath the gardens to the relaxing voyage through the Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Canal.

All reviews feature easy-to-follow information about the range of accessibility features including Blue Badge parking, toilet facilities, wheelchair access as well as audio-described tours and BSL-interpreted talks and performances.

Lara Masters, writer for the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain and model and TV presenter said: “It will certainly come as no surprise to disabled people that the way venues and attractions treat the Disability Discrimination Act requirements varies wildly.

As well as addressing specific accessibility information, the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain pulls together the best exciting ideas for making the most of your leisure time. “The practical advice and information gives you the confidence to get out and about, and the fun engaging tone Rough Guides is known for makes for inspirational reading.”

Highlights of the new edition of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain include:

• Over 175 attractions and ideas for days out covered, including festivals, markets, bars, restaurants, sports arenas and events that are disability friendly
• Reader Reviews by readers of the first edition of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain
• Things Not To Miss section highlighting the top five attractions in categories such as free, heritage, hidden, families and outdoors
• Listings of useful organisations to make getting out and about even easier
• Information on the hassle-free Motability Car Scheme that provides an affordable route for a brand new car for recipients of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
• The book is FREE to Blue Badge holders by calling 0800 953 7070 or visiting www.accessibleguide.co.uk – the book is not available in the shops.

Motability Operations, the company that manages the car scheme for disabled people, has supported the publication of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain.

This is part of the organisation’s commitment to increase the information available to disabled people to ensure that living life to the full is as barrier-free as possible.  Mike Betts, chief executive, Motability Operations explains:

“As one of the writers for the new edition of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain said, ‘Getting out and about is good for the soul.’ This sentiment is the philosophy behind the both the Guide and the hassle-free motoring package from Motability. We hope that the new, enhanced Guide will provide ideas and information to give more people, more fun days out with their family and friends.”

The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain (second edition) is available FREE to Blue Badge holders by calling 0800 953 7070, or order online at www.accessibleguide.co.uk. The book is not available in the shops.

About Rough Guides
Rough Guides is a leading publisher of travel information with over 300 travel guides, maps and phrasebooks.  Passionate about travel and telling it like it is, Rough Guides are respected for their accurate, up-to-date content and informed, contemporary writing.

Rough Guides also produce guides to subjects as diverse as Climate Change and the iPhone. For more information visit www.roughguides.com and do as Rough Guides do: Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth ™

About Motability
Motability offers disabled people a worry-free motoring package including a brand new car every three years including insurance, servicing and maintenance, breakdown assistance from the RAC, an allowance of 60,000 miles over a three year period and free tyre and glass replacement.

About Lara Masters
Lara is a writer, actor, model, TV presenter and owner of burlesque fashion label Kiss My Cherry. Check out Lara’s weekly diary blog for Marie Claire magazine at www.marieclaire.co.uk. Lara was the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain reviewer for the London area and also provided the foreword for the new edition of the book.