The Max Card is the UK’s leading discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs. Families can use their Max Card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission.

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) provides life changing experiences for disabled children and adults. They provide fun activities and therapy at 500 RDA centres all over the UK.

There are about 1000 toy libraries in the UK where families can borrow toys, often for free, but occasionally for a nominal charge. Some of the libraries also offer play sessions and a place for parents or carers to have regular meetings.

A charity providing mobility, learning and sensory impaired people of all ages with independent access to activities such as powerboating, nature watching, pleasure boating and angling in our uniquely designed wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboats.  There are wheelyboats projects on inshore waters, lochs, lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals all over the UK.  Visit their website to find one near you.

Merlin, who run theme parks including Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds, runs its own charity to make it easier for families with disabled children to visit its attractions. You can apply to Merlin’s Magic Wand for up to five tickets for your child and their immediate family members to have a day out at one of their attractions. You’re eligible if your child is disabled or has a serious illness and is aged between 2 and 18 years of age. The application needs to be made by a parent/guardian or an organisation that works with your child. It can take up to 13 weeks to receive your tickets so plan well in advance.

The National Trust has a wide range of properties, beauty spots and historical sites that are well worth a visit and a great adventure for the whole family. They also offer free entry for carers where a disabled visitor is paying the usual admission fee for the attraction. To save having to ask about this when you arrive, you can apply for their Essential Companion Card which makes it simple for one or two carers to enter free of charge. To apply, email enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk

The Wildlife Trust have listed all of their nature reserve sites that have wheelchair and buggy accessible paths on their website.

The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card is a cinema card for disabled children over the age of 8 that gives a parent or carer a free adult cinema ticket whenever they accompany a disabled child to the cinema. To qualify for the CEA card, you must be receiving Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, or be registered blind. Except for a small processing cost (£6), the CEA card gives you cinema free tickets so you can help your disabled child go to the movies.

Cycling for All runs inclusive cycling sessions where you can try different accessible bikes and trikes and get advice.

Disabled access reviews for cinemas, theatres, days out etc.

Accessibility information for trails in the countryside. Every trail has photos of every potential hazard and details on surface, gradient and facilities so you can ensure the trail is suitable before you go.

SeatPlan is a website featuring user friendly access guides and reviews for London’s most popular theatres, including interactive maps to show people exactly where they will be sitting in each venue and what the view is like.

The Amber Trust aim is to enable children and young people with a visual impairment to fully experience the joy of music.

 

Have we missed anything? If you’d like to recommend an organisation or resource please let us know.