Accessible Tourism (AT) is a growing market in the tourism industry. Businesses are beginning to recognise the spending power of disabled people. However, for people with more complex needs, the choices are still limited. There are only a handful of self-catering properties for rent in Scotland that provide wet-floor shower rooms, ceiling tracking hoists and other vital equipment necessary to ensure a hassle-free break. Fife is recognised as a top Accessible Tourism venue due to having the greatest number of Changing Places in any region in Scotland.
Lundin Links charity, Homelands Trust-Fife (SC027281), has just opened a unique, new, accessible, self-catering facility and recently welcomed their first guests on a ‘test run’ short break’.
The buildings are specifically designed and equipped to meet the needs of people with a range of disabilities and/or long-term health conditions. Their family members and carers are also able to access the facilities, with or without the cared for person. Three of the cottages sleep four people (six with a lounge sofa-bed) and the fourth sleeps eight.
Overlooking Largo Bay, the cottages are equipped with ceiling tracking hoists, profiling beds, Clos-o-Mat toilets (in 2 cottages), riser/recliner chairs and a range of other specialist equipment to ensure that visitors’ with disabilities have their needs met.
Sitting alongside the cottages there is a drop-in centre, to be known as the Paxton Centre after local lady, Miss Isabel Paxton, whose generous legacy has made the whole project possible. It will be open to people affected by disability from across Fife and the surrounding areas as well as to visitors to the cottages. The centre will offer a variety of group and individual activities such as self-management courses, alternative therapies and health walks.
The cottages will be open for business from 13th September 2014 and the Paxton Centre later in the autumn.
Sir Menzies Campbell, MP and the Trust’s Patron, will perform the Official Opening ceremony on 22nd September.
