Galina International Battlefield Tours
16 Bridge Street Row
Chester
CH1 1NQ
Tel : (01244) 340 777 Fax : (01244) 319 555
www.wartours.com e-mail:
PASSENGERS WITH WHEELCHAIRS & DISABILITY POLICY
In the event that a group has a request for one or more disabled passengers to take part in a Galina tour, we would ask that the Group Leader refer to the following guidelines in order to help us with the organisation of the tour. The Group Leader should find out as much information as possible about the person’s needs in the early stages of the tour organisation and relay this to Galina, prior to confirming the tour. Once the accommodation has been confirmed and a coach has been booked following receipt of a tour deposit, it may not be possible to change the arrangements without incurring extra costs (e.g. loss of deposit paid to the supplier/s by Galina).
Points to consider
1. Does the person require a wheelchair at all times / occasionally?
2. If wheelchair-bound:
a. Limited seating on coach, typically 44 seats instead of 49. For youth groups, maximum numbers will also be dependent on the number of carers needed as well as accompanying staff.
b. Higher coach cost for a specially adapted vehicle, resulting in a higher cost to the group.
c. Is it an electric wheelchair? If so, Galina will need to check on power points at the accommodation and on the ferry as applicable. The disabled person would have to provide adaptors for using sockets abroad.
3. Does the person need one or more carers?
a. If so, check on room arrangements: will the person share a twin with a family member, a friend or a carer, or will they need separate adjacent rooms and what type?
4. Does the person have other requirements, e.g. special diet?
Galina will
· Request a hotel/hostel room with wheelchair access and a suitable bathroom.
· Try and source an adapted coach and advise the extra cost for this vehicle.
· Advise the Group Leader about the suitability of the venues in the itinerary.
· Endeavour to adapt the itinerary with regards to venues that do not provide disabled facilities but without compromising the tour for the group.
· Advise the Group Leader of the extra costs involved for the provision by its suppliers of disabled facilities, and for adapting the tour if applicable.
Please note
Galina will endeavour to source suitable suppliers but cannot guarantee the provision of the facilities required for disabled passengers as it may be out of its control (e.g. availability). Once the Group Leader has been made aware of any potential difficulties with regards to transport, accommodation, itinerary and venues Galina cannot be held responsible for the decision of the disabled passenger to take part in the tour.
Our Policy
Galina is keen for disabled passengers to take part in its tours. We will always endeavour to accommodate the needs of disabled passengers provided we are given all relevant information by the Group Leader and we are able to source suitable wheelchair-adapted transport and accommodation on your group’s travel dates.
Please note that Galina:
· Has no control over disabled/wheelchair access to venues and some battlefield visits to cemeteries may not be possible.
· Relies on local regulations for the suitability of disabled accommodation/provision. We will be happy to forward any queries or special requests to hoteliers/venues on behalf of the client.
Before booking a tour with Galina, the Group Leader should inform us at the earliest opportunity of any disabled person who may be taking part in the tour and read the document entitled ‘Wheelchair-bound passengers’ for any additional information.
Company No. 07106143 Registered in England and Wales
VAT Registration Number: 983 2164 08
A division of Galina International Study Tours Ltd