Disabled Travel

The ease of travel around Italy for the disabled varies depending on region and city.

Venice, with its winding waterways and narrow streets for example, is recognised as being difficult and inaccessible, and because of this the tourist board has created a variety of organised trips specially designed for the disabled.

The capital city of Rome can be difficult in parts to walk through because of uneven surfaces and hills, but fortunately, its buses are designed for wheelchair accessibility. The ground surface at the Colosseum is also considered challenging for wheelchairs, but a lift has been provided for easy access to the top.

When travelling by air, it is always a good idea to inform the airline ahead of time about any special need. Practical facilities such as a wheelchair and porter are usually provided free of charge, and this should be noted along with your reservation.

Travellers on the Italian railways will find them to be well-equipped to
help the disabled and a good number of Italian railway stations offer disabled
travellers a reception service booked 24 hours in advance. There are seats
which are are reserved on all Italian trains for travellers with disabilities but the
traveller needs to be able to move from the wheelchair to the seat. Nominated compartments in first class special wagons are fully accessible with space for two wheelchairs and two companions and with an accessible toilet as well.

Some ships, such as Tirrenia's ferries on their scheduled daily lines to
Sardinia, have one or two cabins with easy accessibility for disabled travellers.

Resources for disabled travel in Italy

Accessible Italy
Accessible Italy is a private non-profit company that helps foreign tourists with disabilities plan their Italian vacation. Accessible Italy can help the traveller with
accommodation, tours, transportation, restaurants, disabled equipment and special needs, accessible weddings and other useful information.
www.accessibleitaly.com

Consorzio Cooperative Integrate (COIN)
The Consorzio Cooperative Integrate (COIN) is based in Rome and is an excellent resource for travellers with physical, sensory or mental disabilities.
COIN provides travellers with information on Rome and can help with transport, access, tours, vacations, architectonic barriers, guides and conferences. COIN can also assist the disabled traveller with contacts throughtout Italy.
www.coinsociale.it