Exorbitant childcare costs are hurting parents of disabled children and denying them time off during the holidays, charities have warned.
One in three parents of disabled children last summer could not afford holiday childcare, a survey of more than 1,000 parents across England found.
The survey by disabled children's charity Kids and disability support group Mencap also found one in 10 disabled children were refused childcare places because of their impairments.
About 19% of respondents said they faced up to £11,700 per year in childcare costs, compared to the national average of £5,028.
While 19% of those surveyed were able to maintain a full-time job while caring for their disabled child, nearly half (41%) said they needed childcare to be able to work.
The lack of affordable and appropriate childcare was cited as the main reason why 43% of parents were unemployed.
Mencap spokesman David Congdon said local authorities have a duty to help families with disabled children.
"Too often families of disabled children are let down during the holidays because of the inability of local authorities to provide suitable childcare for a fair price," Mr Congdon said.
