Accessible Travel

Disability Resources for Europe

By Tracy Scharn

The most frequently heard advice from returned exchange participants with disabilities is: 1) plan ahead and 2) be flexible. Disability organizations abroad are the best places to begin looking for country-specific disability information. They may also be able to assist with accommodations arrangements (including homestays); provide referral to local resources, locate personal assistants, sign interpreters, and orientation guides; and advise program participants on accessibility and what to expect in the destination country.

The following European regional secretariats for key international disability organizations can refer you to local disability organizations in the European country you are interested in. They also have lists of national contacts on their web sites.

European Regional Contacts

Rehabilitation International, RI-ECA c/o CRPF, BP 34, F-77792 Nemours Cedex, France; 011-33-1-644-51841, fax 011-33-1-642-90517; ri-eca@wanadoo.fr, www.rehab-international.org.

World Blind Union: The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), 224 Great Portland St., London W1N 6AA, England; 011-44-171-388 1266, fax 011-44-171-388 2034; helpline@rnib.org.uk, www.rnib.org.uk or umc.once.es.

World Federation of the Deaf (Central European Regional Secretariat), Czech Union of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Karlinske Namesti 12, 18603 Praha 8, Karlin, Czech Republic; fax 011-420-2-24-816-829, www.wfdnews.org.

Disabled Peoples’ International (Headquarters Office), DPI, 101-7 Evergreen, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2T3, Canada; 204-287-8010, fax 204-453-1367; dpi@dpi.org, www.dpi.org.

Student Organizations

SKILL, The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Ln., London SE1 3JW , England; 011-44-171-450-0620 (toll-free in England) 0800-328-5050, or TTY 011-44-171-450-0620 or (toll-free in England) 0800-068 2422, fax (in England) 020-7450-0650; info@skill.org.uk, www.skill.org.uk.

Useful Web Sites

Many of the organizations above have web sites that list their worldwide member organizations. Also try the following sites:

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has an extensive database of deaf resources in England and around the world, including deaf clubs and organizations and places to learn different sign languages: www.rnid.org.uk/html/info_directory.htm.

Accessibility and Transportation

Accessibility varies widely throughout Europe. Contact local disability organizations for specific information. National tourism offices sometimes have guides for travelers with disabilities, and local transportation departments can advise on their policies. Exchange participants with disabilities have found taxis to be a good option in some countries where public transportation is not accessible.

Parking placards for people with disabilities from foreign countries, including the U.S. and Canada, are honored in some European countries. For information see the web site for European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) at www.oecd.org/CEM or contact them directly: 2 rue André Pascal, F-75775 Paris Cedex 16, France; 011-33-1-45-24-97-10, fax 011-33-1-45-24-97-42 / 01 45 24 13 22; ecmt.contact@oecd.org.

Contact: The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, P.O. Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440; 541-343-1284, fax 541-343-6812; clearinghouse@miusa.org, www.miusa.org.

TRACY SCHARN is Clearinghouse Project Assistant at the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE), an organization that provides information and referral to individuals with disabilities interested in participating in international programs and also advises exchange programs on how to accommodate participants with disabilities. The NCDE encourages people with disabilities to explore the many ways their international interests can be fulfilled through study, research, and community service overseas. Its information and referral services are free, but please note that the NDCE does not provide information on leisure travel programs.