Taking your child’s powered wheelchair on holiday: advice from disability charity Designability, creators of Wizzybug powered wheelchairs
Taking your child’s powered wheelchair on holiday can be a rewarding experience but it requires thoughtful preparation to ensure both you and your child have an enjoyable and stress-free time away. Whether it’s a theme park trip or an international holiday abroad, knowing how to manage a powered wheelchair during your holiday is key.
Here are some practical tips on travelling with a child’s powered wheelchair from Designability, the charity behind Wizzybug powered wheelchairs for children aged 14 months upwards.

Before Travelling:
- When booking flights, hotels, or accommodation, tell your travel provider about your child’s powered wheelchair.
- At least 48 hours before you travel, we recommend you inform your airline operator about the battery type and how to ensure it is safely switched off.
- If travelling by car, some powered wheelchairs, such as Wizzybugs, can fit into a car boot for easy transportation.
Preparing your powered wheelchair:
- Before travelling, thoroughly check the wheelchair to ensure it’s in good working order.
- Fully charge the wheelchair battery before travel. If you’re flying, make sure the battery complies with airline regulations.
- Pack the charger and any required power adapters.
Considerations for international travel:
- Different countries have different plug shapes and voltage systems. A portable power converter may be necessary for charging.
- Some countries have specific regulations regarding medical devices or mobility aids, so check ahead to ensure your wheelchair is allowed without complications.
- Ensure that your insurance covers any potential issues that may arise while travelling, such as accidents, repairs, or medical emergencies.
The benefits of travelling with a powered wheelchair:
Despite the extra preparations, there are countless benefits to taking your child’s powered wheelchair on holiday. It allows them to:
- Explore new places with greater independence, comfort and confidence
- Enjoy family time without the need for extra assistance or limitations.
- Engage in activities that might be difficult with a manual wheelchair
What is a Wizzybug?
- Wizzybug is a powered wheelchair for young disabled children under 5.
- It offers children fun, independence and freedom of movement, often for the first time in their lives.
- Suitable for children aged from 14 months to around 5 years (a maximum weight of 20kg) to explore indoors, outdoors and off-road.
- Wizzybug helps children with any condition or developmental delay that affects their ability to walk, including those who do not yet have a diagnosis.
About the Wizzybug loan scheme:
- UK Charity Designability, loan Wizzybugs free of charge to families in the UK.
- They are fully funded by donations which enables us to give them to young children to use until they outgrow it.
- Once a child has outgrown it, the Designability refurbishes the Wizzybug, ready to go to a new family. · Families can apply online at designability.org.uk.
- Each application is reviewed by the in-house clinical team and arrangements are made for a handover appointment.
To find out more about the FREE Wizzybug Loan scheme, or to apply online, visit designability.org.uk



Many thanks to Designability for this wonderful guest article