Facilities in Italy aren't particularly geared towards disabled
travellers, though people are helpful enough and progress is gradually
being made in the areas of accessible accommodation, transport and
public buildings. The historical and, in some cases, crumbling fabric of
many of Italy's cities and villages presents particular problems.
The Italian State Tourist Office can supply you with detailed
information about facilities and accommodation in Rome and Florence and
a booklet in English, Servicing for Disabled People , published by the
Italian State Railways, listing their services. Cooperativa Sociale has
a useful Web site - www.coincociale.it - with some pages in English and
a wealth of information, tips and links in Italian. If you do not use a
wheelchair all the time but your walking capabilities are limited,
remember that you are likely to need to cover greater distances while
travelling (often over rougher terrain and in hotter temperatures) than
you are used to. And if you use a wheelchair, have it serviced before
you go and carry a repair kit.
Read your travel insurance small print carefully to check that pre-existing
medical conditions are not excluded. And use your travel agent to make
your journey simpler: airline or bus companies can cope better if they
are expecting you, with a wheelchair provided at airports and staff
primed to help. A medical certificate of your fitness to travel,
provided by your doctor, is also extremely useful; some airlines or
insurance companies may insist on it. Finally, don't forget any
medication you may require - carried with you if you fly - and a
prescription, including the generic name, in case of emergency.
Contacts for travellers with disabilities
To begin, select a topic in the navigation bar to the left
|
