Accessible Europe
Foot-loose and fancy-free is not so easy if you have a disability. Which countries take better care of travelers with physical limits, and how? Any practical tips for those dreaming of travel but concerned about mobility?
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Italy in a wheelchair
I found a blog that lists wheelchair accessibility in Florence, and they are starting with other cities. http://naturalitaly.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/italy-in-a-wheelchair/
Samantha J
Phoenix, AZ USA 12/22/2011
London Accessibility 2011
I recently returned from an accessibility site visit in London for my company, TravelinWheels, that produces accessibility guides. While not perfect, I was thrilled to see the improvements made in light of the recent anti-discrimination legislation and London 2012 movement. Many hotels now have lovely accessible rooms (especially Holiday Inns), and some even have built in Hoyer lifts! Bathrooms were great, and I was able to find many, even in Central London. While the Tube is still difficult, improvements have been made in several sections of London to be step-free. If you would like to read more, I have a blog with lots of details at: http://www.travelinwheels.com/bgtest.aspx?uid=131
Michell Haase
Schaumburg, IL USA 12/01/2011
wheelchair accessibility
Wheelmap.org, outlines the wheelchair accessibility of countless places around the globe. Originating in Germany, there is alot of info about Europe.
Ruth
Grafenwoehr, Bayern Germany 10/24/2011
Rail travel with a wheelchair
When traveling by rail with a wheelchair in Europe, be aware that most railroads require at least 24 hours notice to accommodate you. In France they require 48 hours. Most countries now have a dedicated phone number for disabled travelers to arrange their trips. Some have websites. If you don't speak the language well enough to talk on the phone, you may need some help. In France they set up a client account for you on the first call, which takes some time. After that they take GREAT care of you.
Caroll
Kirkland, WA USA 12/14/2010
Assessible Acropolis
For those of you who have, like me, dreamed of exploring the Acropolis, don't despair, it is handicap assessable!! My husband discovered online that they have installed a small elevator on the back of the Acropolis that is not visible when you approach it from the front. I am disabled and use a small travel scooter when we travel. The elevator is small, only enough room for me on my scooter, my husband and the lift operator and it is slow, but it worked! I never thought that now that I am disabled that I would be able to see more than just a street level view Acropolis!! It was wonderful!!
Joanne
Sutter Creek, CA USA 11/05/2010
Don't be afraid to ask to use the elevators.
My very arthritic knee went really wonky while recently traveling in Germany. I ended up needing to wear a brace and use a walking stick. I found that most places were very accommodating when we expressed the need for an elevator; even at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau and Herrenchiemsee Castles. A personal guide will take you to the elevator. I took the horse drawn wagons, too – yes, there is a little extra cost.
Nancy
Seattle, WA USA 10/26/2010
Great Blind Spots!
My husband is blind and I am sighted. We have found many European museums and art galleries have hands on sections - Musee D'Orsay in Paris, and the Vatican in Rome are most notable - and entry is often free. Also, we have begun to slow down a little and stay in a city for a week or more at the same hotel. The sense of familiarity deepens the experience. And we always use a white cane as it lets everyone know we are coming and are proud!
Valerie and Vangelis
Ottawa, Ont Canada 09/12/2010
Visually Impaired Tourism
I am sighted and my husband has almost no vision. We love traveling in Europe. We even took his guide dog along with us one year. Unfortunately we found it to be very stressful for his dog and decided to leave the pup at home for any future overseas trips.
Our site-seeing is different from those who are sighted. We plan one or two activities a day and do them extremely well. We use our Rick Steves' guidebooks and do our own walking tours at our own pace. Guided tours are simply too fast for us. I describe anything that I think my husband will find interesting. I also read Rick's guide book descriptions aloud to him. Many of the museums have audio guides available that are also very helpful.
Think of choosing only one church to visit that is of interest to you. Sit quietly and listen to the echoes of footsteps and soft voices. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to hear the organist practicing for the Sunday service. Slow down and really absorb the spirituality and atmosphere of the church. Put yourself in the place of the pilgrims from hundreds of years ago who stood where you stand today.
We take our time, listen to the local languages, interact with the locals, eat and drink the regional cuisine, and most of all enjoy absorbing everything that each region has to offer us. We have found that the Europeans are gracious, and helpful, and as interested in us as we are in them.
Give yourself plenty of time to make train connections, etc. Ask for help if you need it. You can arrange for help from the DB train people ahead of time if you need assistance at any of the stations.
As far as any "must see" tourism...anything that you are interested in is a "must see". Just don't try to do too much in any one day. Again, take your time and use all of your senses to enjoy your trip and the people you meet along the way.
Don't be afraid to enjoy European travel...with or without disabilities!
Ann
Phoenix, AZ USA 08/08/2010
Great accessible hotel in Amsterdam
The Crowne Plaza hotel in Amsterdam was renovated in 2009 and now has three very w/c-accessible rooms, including roll-in showers. The only downsides are that it is pricey and the front entrance ramp is steep.
Daniel Sullivan
Portland, OR USA 07/01/2010
Disabled travel in Eurpe
First of all I would say the high point for me was being able to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I am a history buff so I enjoyed the museums very much. I had an Ipod touch that had apps that helped me navigate the public transit very easly
Rich
Littleton, Colora USA 06/10/2010
gadgets?
Rick, thanks for your comment -- it's encouraging to know that you can get by while traveling with low vision.
I've just been diagnosed as legally blind and I'm planning a big Europe trip to see as much as I can before the rest of my sight goes. That said, two questions: 1) What would you recommend as a must-see, and 2) Can anyone suggest any travel gadgets for those with low vision?
Tracy
Salem, MA USA 06/07/2010
Blind in London and Paris
I am a legally blind person who traveled to London and Paris in November of 09 without any real problems. While I do not have any mobility issues I do have a hard time reading signs. I used public transportation in both cities without any trouble. I even rode the Eurostar on my own. The only time I ever rode anything other the public transit was on the way to CDG. I would recommend the travel experience to anyone who has the will to do so and play to go back to Europe this year.
Rich
Littleton, CO USA 03/30/2010
Accessibility Information
Just FYI, I am in a wheelchair and was able to visit London without any major issues in December. Nearly all the busses are accessible and Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and the Cabinet War Rooms were all wheelchair accessible. I found a lot of useful information at http://www.sagetraveling.com that helped me out before the trip.
Don Koffee
Baton Rouge, LA USA 03/08/2010