Clubmates Travel
Can Supported Group Travel Build Communication Skills for Adults with Disability?
Posted on August 28, 2026 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 11 minutes
Supported group travel can create valuable opportunities for adults with disability to practise communication in real situations.
On a ClubMates trip, those opportunities often happen in ordinary moments. A passenger might order their own lunch, ask what time the group is leaving, tell the crew they need a quieter space or start chatting with another passenger on the coach.
These are not communication exercises built into the itinerary. They happen naturally because travel involves new people, new places, decisions and changing situations.
With the right support nearby, those everyday interactions can give passengers more opportunities to express themselves, make choices and build confidence communicating outside their usual routine.
Why does travel create natural opportunities to communicate?
At home, the people around us often know our routines.
A family member may already know what someone likes to eat. A regular support worker might recognise when they need a break. Familiar environments can also mean there is less needed to ask questions or explain preferences.
Travel changes all of that very fast!
Hotels, restaurants, attractions and transport all create reasons to communicate. There are decisions to make, questions to ask and new people to interact with.
For some passengers, this can mean using communication skills more often than they normally would at home. The aim is not to pressure someone into speaking more or behaving differently. It is to make sure they have genuine opportunities to take part in what is happening around them.
What does communication practice look like on a real ClubMates trip?
The best examples are usually the simplest ones.
Ordering a meal
A restaurant might mean looking at an unfamiliar menu, deciding between different options and speaking with a waiter the passenger has never met.
One person may want their travel support worker to read through the menu with them first. Another might know exactly what they want but need a little encouragement to order for themselves.
Someone else may need help explaining a dietary requirement or asking for a meal without a particular ingredient.
Good support does not automatically mean ordering on someone’s behalf because it is quicker. When a passenger can make the choice or communicate it with assistance, the crew can give them the time and support to do that.
Across several days of breakfasts, lunches and dinners, those small interactions add up to a lot of real-world practice in a strange new environment different to home.
Asking for information
Travel also gives people plenty of genuine reasons to ask questions.
A passenger might want to know when the group is leaving, where breakfast is served or whether they can buy something from the gift shop.
At a hotel, they may need to ask someone about a room key or request another towel. At an attraction, they might ask where the bathroom is or what time an activity starts.
The answer matters to them, which gives the conversation a real purpose.
Rather than providing every piece of information in advance, a support worker may sometimes encourage the passenger to ask the question themselves.
Expressing a preference or asking for help
Communication is not only about starting conversations.
Being able to tell someone what you want, what you do not want or when you need help can be just as important.
A passenger might say they would rather sit somewhere quieter, choose not to take part in an activity, ask for a break or tell the crew they are becoming overwhelmed.
In our supported tours, we create room for passengers to communicate their preferences rather than expecting everybody in the group to participate in exactly the same way.
What have we seen with real ClubMates passengers?
Some of the strongest examples come from what our crew have seen over repeated trips.
One passenger who regularly joins ClubMates Gold Coast trips lives with an intellectual disability and experiences social isolation at home. Travelling ggives him opportunities to spend several days around other people, take part in shared activities and communicate outside his normal routine.
Joanne had a different experience with us. She was extremely anxious about travelling without her family and being around people she did not know. She did not suddenly become confident on the first day.
With gentle support and time to become comfortable, she began joining activities, talking with other passengers and forming new friendships.
Neither passenger was pushed to become more social. They were simply placed in an environment where conversations and connections could happen naturally, with support available when it was needed.
Readers interested specifically in that social side of the experience can also explore our article How Group Travel Helps Adults with Disabilities Build Friendships.
How do travel support workers help without taking over?
This is one of the important differences between simply doing something for a passenger and supporting them to participate.
Sometimes a crew member needs to step in. A passenger may be overwhelmed, having difficulty understanding a question or need help communicating what they need.
At other times, good support means waiting and being silent and patient for an answer.
A crew member might ask, “Do you want to tell them what you’d like?” rather than immediately speaking for the passenger.
They might help someone work out what they want to say before approaching hotel reception, then stay beside them while the passenger has the conversation.
The goal is not independence at all costs. It is providing the right level of assistance while still leaving room for the passenger to communicate, choose and participate wherever possible.
This balance is part of what makes specialist travel support different from simply accompanying someone on holiday. Our article What Makes a Travel Support Worker Different? explains more about the role our crew play while away.
What if someone is shy, anxious or communicates differently?
You do not need to be confident or outgoing to join a supported group trip. We get all types!
Some passengers are so excited they start talking to everyone straight away. Others are more nervous and prefer to watch what is happening until they feel comfortable. Some communicate verbally, while others use different methods to express their choices and needs.
Travel support workers receive training to observe everyone during group tours and even meet one on one with individuals for private trips.
For someone who finds unfamiliar people stressful, support might include reassurance about what is happening next and extra time to settle into the group.
Someone with sensory sensitivities may need support communicating when an environment becomes too busy or noisy.
For a passenger who does not communicate verbally, the crew learns to understand how that person communicates choices, discomfort and support needs.
There is also no expectation that every passenger needs to make friends or join every social activity. A good group travel experience leaves room for different personalities and communication styles.
Can communicate goals relate to NDIS supports?
They can, depending on the participant’s individual plan, goals and disability-related support needs.
It is important to separate the holiday itself from the support provided while travelling. The NDIS does not fund ordinary holiday costs such as holiday packages, accommodation, airfares, meals or tourist activities. Current NDIA guidance does state that when a participant goes on holiday, they can usually continue using their plan for NDIS supports they need while they are away.
Whether particular supports can be funded depends on the person’s plan and circumstances. Our NDIS Travel Support information explains how ClubMates separates personal travel expenses from disability-related support costs.
Could supported group travel be the right fit?
The best place to start is with the person, not the destination.
Tell us how you or the person you support communicates, what they enjoy, what situations make them anxious and the type of assistance they need. We can then help you consider whether one of our supported group holidays for people with disability may be a good fit, or whether an individual supported trip would suit them better.
ClubMates has been supporting adults with disability to travel since 1988. To talk through your support needs and the type of experience you are looking for, contact our team on 1300 158 003.
China is one of those countries that keeps surprising people—especially when you see the landscapes that don’t even look real. Towering rainbow mountains, glass walkways over steep cliffs, mist-covered peaks that inspired movies like Avatar—China’s natural wonders feel like stepping into another world.
And guess what? With the right support and planning, these mind-blowing places can be explored by people of all abilities. At ClubMates Travel, we believe that accessible travel should be more than just getting from A to B—it should be about awe, wonder, and saying “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Here are a few incredible spots in China that look out of this world—and why they might just end up on your travel wishlist.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – The Real-Life Pandora
Ever seen floating mountains? Well, you’re about to. Zhangjiajie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration behind the flying mountains in Avatar. Giant stone pillars rise up through misty clouds—it’s so surreal it feels like CGI.
There are cable cars and glass elevators that take you up into the peaks, and accessible walkways in many areas, making this a great option for travel for people with disabilities when paired with the right support crew.
The Rainbow Mountains – Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Imagine layers of red, orange, gold, and green rock stretched across rolling hills. These colourful formations look like someone took a paintbrush to the land. They’re even more breathtaking in person.
The Rainbow Mountains are best explored in daylight hours when the colours shine brightest. Some viewing platforms and paths are paved and can be navigated with mobility assistance. Like all our accessible holidays, having specialist travel support makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces – A Living Mirror
At sunrise or sunset, the rice terraces of Yuanyang reflect the sky like an enormous mirror. It’s peaceful, dreamlike, and incredibly calming—perfect for travellers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and just take it all in.
This spot is especially powerful for people who are working toward NDIS goals like mindfulness, emotional regulation, or confidence in new environments. With supported travel, it’s more than sightseeing—it becomes a sensory and emotional experience.
The Glass Bridge – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
If you’re feeling brave, there’s a 430-metre-long glass bridge suspended over the canyon. Yes—it’s see-through. But it’s also safe, sturdy, and absolutely unforgettable. For those not afraid of heights, this is an epic moment that will stick with you for life.
We understand that thrill-seeking looks different for everyone. At ClubMates, our support crew are trained to encourage, not push—so passengers can take part in activities at their own comfort level.
Jiuzhaigou Valley – China’s Fairytale Water World
Think turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou is a dreamscape—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. It’s also one of the more accessible nature parks in China, with eco buses and walkways that help make the journey smoother.
This kind of environment is great for building confidence, promoting social participation, and feeling part of something beautiful.
Why China? Why ClubMates?
Travelling to a country as big and bold as China might feel impossible—but that’s where we come in. As one of Australia’s most experienced NDIS holiday providers, we specialise in international supported travel that opens up the world for people with disabilities. We design every itinerary to work toward common NDIS goals—things like independence, community access, resilience, and joy.
Our team handles everything: accessible hotels, ground transport, daily activities, and of course, personal support workers who are trained specifically for disability travel.
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Great Wall, watching lanterns float across the sky, or standing in a place that feels like another planet—then maybe it’s time to get curious.
ClubMates makes accessible travel across the globe achievable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
Talk to our team about our upcoming tours to China or ask about designing your own supported adventure. We’ll help you figure out how your supports work with your NDIS funding and what out-of-pocket costs you can expect.
Because no one should miss out on the wonders of the world—especially you.
