We were planning a week in the Austrian Alps, but the holiday company doesn't think it's suitable territory for my 11-year-old daughter. The reason? She uses a wheelchair.

Esprit specialises in "family fun holidays". But by family, I don't think they mean my family. The company said, with the best of intentions, they were concerned my daughter would "feel upsettingly excluded". They explained: "The very nature of the Alpine Sun programme is that children all experience the many activities together and for one child to be unable to fully take part in these activities would be difficult for that child and the rest of the family." So, the solution is simple. My daughter shouldn't take part in any of the activities.

The presumption is that all children with disabilities "have problems", even though I had made it quite clear that we would need no extra help and that if there was something she couldn't join in, she'd simply spend the time with us. My daughter is a good swimmer and enjoys horseriding (both activities the Alpine club offer).

Esprit, a well meaning small company, does try to accommodate customers with special needs but "encourages them to go off peak", so there are more staff to help. Does that mean that Tanni Grey-Thompson, winner of nine Paralympic gold medals, who wheels herself around, would also be told she'd "feel upsettingly excluded", and be asked to go low season only?

It's time that tour operators began to see our children not as a problem, but just part of a regular family. So we can all go on holiday - together.