Access All Areas Podcast (Episode 1 – Preparing to travel)

Access All Areas Podcast (Episode 1 – Preparing to travel)

Access All Areas Podcast (Episode 1 – Preparing to travel)

In this episode aims to soften any anxieties about travelling abroad by exploring a mixture of lived and professional insights to planning and preparation that can help to reduce the barriers to successful travel.

Listen to our Access All Areas podcast on YouTube Music

 

The podcast aims to share lived experience of planning and preparation to support successful travel, be it abroad or closer to home. We will hear about lived experience from one of our members with spinal cord injury plus we will hear from an experienced travel agent who specialises in holiday travel for disabled customers. We will talk about planning and preparation to help reduce barriers to successful travel. Topics include how to prepare and what to take, booking tips and tricks, general preparation, wheelchair preparation, and other equipment.

 

Transcript

To find a transcript open in YouTube, locate the video description, click “More”, scroll to the bottom, and look for the “Show transcript” button.

 

Meet our guests

My name is Rosie Mayes and I sustained a spinal cord injury in 2009, which left me quadriplegic when I was 20 years old. Following my injury, I spent 9 months in hospital in the Sheffield spinal injuries unit. I have always tried to make the best of every situation, even the difficult ones. I wanted to continue pursuing my interests and ambitions from before my injury, as well as working on new projects. I returned to university to complete my degree after leaving hospital.

 

I love music, films, books and travelling. I enjoy going to gigs as well as being sociable and spending time with my family. In 2023, I moved into a new self-build home in Sheffield and continue to rent out a fully accessible villa in Spain, which I adapted and renovated several years ago.

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Hi, I’m Paula Hansen. My journey into accessible travel was inspired by my son who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair. We’ve experienced the highs and lows of travelling with a disability, from incredible adventures to frustrating challenges. After years of navigating these experiences, I founded an accessible travel business, driven by a mission to make holidays inclusive and affordable for all.

 

When I’m not planning accessible holidays, I love speaking about the need for change and sharing practical tips with others. Travel is about freedom, connection, and possibility—something I aim to make a reality for every client. Let’s make that happen together!

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Disclaimer: Please note, the content of this podcast reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the speakers. It should not be considered medical advice. For professional guidance consult with a relevant expert. SIA has no affiliation to any commercial entities spoken about or highlighted as part of the content of this podcast series.  SIA is not in a position to endorse or recommend individual products or entities. Participants views are based entirely on their own experiences and they are speaking as separate entities.

 

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