BootsnAll Travel Community

My friend wants to travel, prehaps in Europe. No idea were to go, but a huge desire to. Any favorite places, groups, people? Please help us out, this is a big dream and we need some advice and support. Much thanks to any one who can help!

Good on you. Don't let anything stop you and your friends from going for it. I found a link that maybe we of use:

Disability Travel

There is a company here in the states that specializes in rentals of wheelchair accessible vans. They are called wheelchair getaways and they have a website www.wheelchair-getaways.com. You may be able to contact them and see if they have any suggestions for Europe, maybe a partner company or something.

Another website that might be useful:

http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/disabilitylinks.html

Also, check out this archived thread on Rick Steves' site:

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/archives/disabilities.htm

On the ThornTree (thorntree.lonelyplanet.com), there's a branch dedicated to travellers with disabilities. I'm not sure how busy it is, but you might want to check it out.

Happy trails!
Randon

it seems goodlookinrebel had some info on this. or i know there was a thread once on this topic.
good luck.
zopa

ps
i always think it would be cool to see the paraolympics which occur a few wks after the olympics in the same city.

If your friend comes to Austria, let me know. I have quite a few friends who work with teenagers that are in wheelchairs. I can always ask them for info and pass it along.

This summer I took my mother, who has Multiple Sclerosis and is in a wheelchair, to Central America (which is much less accessible than Europe) and found that not a lot of planning was required. Actually, I don't think we did any pre-booking at all. The only problem in Europe might be that many hotels are on the second floor of buildings but aside from that, just go! If she/he has other special needs that might complicate things. I met a woman in Barcelona who had Lue Gerrigs disease and was completely dependant on others. She just hired a young woman and they travelled the world together. In my eyes, the challenges presented by this kind of travel makes it all the better and rewarding. Good luck. If you have any specific questions, let me know, I'll try to answer them. Good luck...