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Italy Travelers With Disabilities

Those with disabilities should inform airlines and hotels of their disabilities when making reservations; some time may be needed to prepare special accommodations. Call ahead to restaurants, museums, and other facilities to find out if they are wheelchair-accessible. Guide-dog owners should inquire as to the quarantine policies of each destination country.

Rail is probably the most convenient form of transport for disabled travelers in Europe: many stations have ramps, and some trains have wheelchair lifts, special seating areas, and specially equipped toilets. All Eurostar, some InterCity (IC), and some EuroCity (EC) trains are wheelchair-accessible, and CityNightLine trains and Conrail trains feature special compartments. For those who wish to rent cars, some major car-rental agencies (e.g., Hertz) offer hand-controlled vehicles. Look for pamphlets on accessibility from local tourist offices; a list of publications and where to find them can be found at www.coinsociale.it/tourism/services/guide.php. A good wheelchair accessible tour of Rome is available at www.slowtrav.com/italy/accessible/rome/index.htm.

  • Accessible Italy, V. C. Manetti 34, 47891 Dogana, Repubblica di San Marino (☎378 05 49 94 11 11; www.accessibleitaly.com). Provides tours to Italy for travelers with disabilities. Proceeds go toward improving handicap-access to attractions in Italy. Also organizes handicap-accessible weddings in Italy.
  • Accessible Journeys, 35 W. Sellers Ave., Ridley Park, USA (☎+1-800-846-4537; www.disabilitytravel.com). Designs tours for wheelchair users and slow walkers. The site has tips and forums for all travelers.
  • Flying Wheels Travel, 143 W. Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060, USA (☎+1-507-451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com). Specializes in escorted trips to Europe for people with physical disabilities; plans custom trips worldwide.
  • The Guided Tour, Inc., 7900 Old York Rd., Ste. 114B, Elkins Park, USA (☎+1-800-783-5841; www.guidedtour.com). Organizes travel programs in Italy for persons with developmental and physical challenges.
  • Mobility International USA (MIUSA), P.O. Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440, USA (☎+1-541-343-1284; www.miusa.org). Provides a variety of books and other publications containing information for travelers with disabilities.
  • Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH), 347 5th Ave., Ste. 610, New York, NY 10016, USA (☎+1-212-447-7284; www.sath.org). Advocacy group publishes free online travel information. Annual membership US$49, students and seniors US$29.


More Travel Concerns in Italy


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