MOTABILITY WAVs
Owning or hiring a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is life-changing.
It represents the ultimate freedom – the ability to hit the open road without the constraints of public transport schedules, or the anxiety of wondering if a taxi will show up with a working ramp. However, as any wheelchair user knows, having your own accessible vehicle is only half the battle. The true challenge often begins the moment you arrive at your destination.
Is the parking bay accessible for your WAV? Does the restaurant have a step-free entrance? Are there facilities nearby that cater to complex needs?
At Brotherwood, we believe that accessibility shouldn’t end with the journey. To help you maximise your independence, we have curated a guide to our top five accessibility resources. These digital tools are essential companions for any WAV owner, ensuring that every journey you take is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
1. Euan’s Guide: The “TripAdvisor” for Accessibility
Website: www.euansguide.com
One of the greatest hurdles for wheelchair users is the “technicality” of accessibility. A venue might claim to be accessible on its website, only for you to arrive and find a heavy manual door or a “disabled” toilet being used as a storage cupboard. Euan’s Guide was created to solve this exact problem.
Founded by Euan MacDonald, Brotherwood client and powerchair user, this site is a peer-to-peer review platform where disabled people, their friends, and their families share honest accounts of their experiences at venues across the UK and beyond.
Why it’s essential for WAV users:
Before you set your SatNav, you can search Euan’s Guide for your destination. It covers everything from hotels and cinemas to post offices and nature reserves. The reviews often include specific details about parking – crucial for WAV users who need extra space to deploy an access ramp. If a review mentions that the accessible parking is frequently abused or located on a steep gravel slope, you’ll know to adjust your plans before you even leave the driveway.
2. Tourism for All: Your Gateway to Inclusive Travel
Website: www.tourismforall.co.uk
If you are using your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for a staycation, or want to hire a wheelchair car in the UK for a holiday, Tourism for All (TFA) should be your first port of call. TFA is a national charity dedicated to making the UK a world-class destination for accessible tourism.
Unlike simple directory sites, TFA provides an Information Service that helps travellers find accommodation and attractions that meet their specific requirements. They work closely with the tourism industry to improve standards, meaning the information they provide is backed by a deep understanding of what “inclusive” really means.
Why it’s essential for WAV users:
Long-distance road trips require more planning. TFA allows you to find “Accessible Beacons”—destinations that have gone above and beyond to ensure they are welcoming. Whether you are looking for a cottage in the Cotswolds with a ceiling hoist or a coastal hotel with a level-access balcony, this resource helps you build an itinerary that caters for your mobility rather than limiting it.
3. Changing Places: Beyond the Standard Disabled Toilet
Website: www.changing-places.org
For many people with limited mobility, a standard accessible toilet is simply not enough. Thousands of people with disabilities or complex needs require extra space for carers, as well as specialised equipment like height-adjustable changing benches and hoists. The Changing Places campaign has been revolutionary in this regard, and their website features an invaluable interactive map of Changing Places locations.
Why it’s essential for WAV users:
The fear of not finding a suitable toilet leads to “social isolation” – you stay home rather than risk a trip out. With a WAV, your range of travel might increase, but your biological needs remain the same. The Changing Places map allows you to plan your route based on where these facilities are located – frequently found in motorway service stations, large shopping centres, and major landmarks. By knowing exactly where you can stop for a safe and dignified break, you can venture further afield with total peace of mind.
4. Snowball: The Power of Community in Your Pocket
Website: https://company.snowball.community/
Snowball is a rising star in the accessibility world. Often described as the “world’s most inclusive app,” Snowball is a community-driven platform that allows users to “Snowball” (rate) the accessibility of places they visit. The app is easy to navigate, and designed with a mobile-first mindset, making it the perfect companion for someone on the move in a WAV.
Why it’s essential for WAV users:
Snowball’s strength lies in its data-driven approach to kindness and community. It encourages users to upload photos of entrances, bathrooms, and – importantly – parking. For a WAV user, seeing a photo of the parking area is worth a thousand words. It tells you if there’s a height restriction or if the bays are tucked away in a corner. It turns accessibility into a social movement, where every review you leave helps the next person in a wheelchair travel more easily.
5. Google Maps: Accessible Places Feature
Website: Google Maps Accessibility
While specialised apps are fantastic, sometimes you need information integrated into the tool you’re already using for navigation. Google Maps has made massive strides with its “Accessible Places” feature. When turned on, this feature displays a wheelchair icon to indicate an accessible entrance and provides information on accessible seating, restrooms, and parking.
Tip: Turning on Accessibility Info
Accessibility information of Google Maps places may not appear as standard. To turn on accessibility info, follow this guide, or click on your profile in the top right select “App and display” and toggle on “Emphasise accessibility info”.
Why it’s essential for WAV users:
Integration is key. When you are behind the wheel of your WAV, you are likely already using Google Maps for traffic updates and directions. By enabling the accessibility layer, you get real-time information. If you decide to make a spontaneous detour for coffee, you can glance at the screen and see if the shop has a level entrance before you go through the effort of parking and unloading. It’s about making accessibility a standard part of your digital landscape, not an afterthought.
Empowerment Through Information
The journey to true independence is paved with reliable information. By utilising Euan’s Guide for peer reviews, Tourism for All for holiday planning, Changing Places for essential facilities, Snowball for community insights, and Google Maps for day-to-day navigation, you are equipping yourself with a digital toolkit that matches the physical freedom of your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
At Brotherwood, we are proud to provide the vehicles that get you from A to B. But we are even prouder to support a community that is constantly working to make “B” a more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible place for everyone.
Ready to start your next adventure? Download these apps, bookmark these sites, and take your WAV out to explore the world with confidence!
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Ford Tourneo Connect
Mercedes Benz V-Class
Vauxhall Vivaro e
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