Having a disability shouldn’t prevent you from experiencing the joys of camping and embracing nature. Still, we understand your disability can present additional challenges, which may prevent you from using traditional campsites or motorhomes.
Fortunately, there are solutions that will allow you to maximise your enjoyment of nature, letting you get involved with camping life and various outdoor activities. So here’s our quick guide to planning a motorhome holiday with a disability.
Choosing the right motorhome for accessibility
If you don’t currently own a motorhome or campervan, then you should look for one that already has accommodations for your specific disability requirements. This may include options like wheelchair access or modified driving controls.
With a variety of choices on the market, we strongly advise you to compare multiple options and settle on one that fully supports your needs. Otherwise, you may need to invest in additional modifications to allow safe and comfortable operation.
Adapting your existing motorhome
If you already own a standard motorhome, it might need to be modified or adapted to suit your needs and enhance accessibility. Main considerations include installing ramps or lifts to allow easier entry, widening doorways, or adapting bathroom facilities.
You should also consider whether your motorhome can satisfy the three basic functions; accessibility, driving, and living. Your campervan should provide suitable support so that all three of these functions are both safe and comfortable. If they’re not, you might want to consider what other adaptations you might need.
Another concern when adapting your motorhome is whether the modifications are within budget. If you need extensive changes, it may be more cost-effective to sell your current campervan and purchase a more suitable one.
Preparing for travel: Safety and insurance considerations
Before you go anywhere, we recommend you thoroughly prepare for your trip. This includes checking your tyres, brakes, and fluid levels, as well as double-checking your motorhome insurance. If you’ve made changes to your motorhome or installed any specialised equipment, your current insurance may not cover this. By preparing before you travel, you’ll be protected if anything goes wrong.
Selecting accessible campsites
Unfortunately, not every campsite will have disability accessibility. Fortunately, organisations like Woodlarks exist to enable everyone to have access to camping and outdoor activities, no matter their disability.
If you’re looking elsewhere, you should consider checking a campsite's specific facilities and seeing if they cater to your disability. Top factors to consider include wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, level pitches, and close proximity to medical facilities.
Additionally, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has some excellent resources for finding campsites suitable for those with disabilities, with 168 different sites offering suitable modifications.
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I'm Alice and I live with a dizzying assortment of invisible disabilities, including ADHD and fibromyalgia. I write to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental and chronic illnesses of all kinds.
