Tips for Travelers with Special Needs

Travelers With Disabilities

Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling. There are more options and resources out there than ever before.

The old center of Amsterdam -- filled with narrow cobbled streets, steep humpback bridges, zillions of little barrier pillars called Amsterdammertjes, and bicycles parked all over the place -- can be hard going. But many hotels and restaurants provide easy access for people with disabilities, and some display the international wheelchair symbol in their brochures and advertising. It's always a good idea to call ahead to find out just what the situation is before you book; in particular, bear in mind that many older hotels have no elevator and have steep, narrow stairways. Many, but not all, museums and other sights are wheelchair accessible, wholly or partly, and some have adapted toilets. Always call ahead to check on accessibility at sights you wish to visit.

The Netherlands Board of Tourism issues a Holland for the Handicapped brochure. Schiphol Airport has a service to help travelers with disabilities through the airport. Not all trams in Amsterdam are easily accessible for wheelchairs, but the new trams being introduced on some routes have low central doors that are accessible. The Metro system is fully accessible, but that's not as good as it sounds because few Metro stations are near places where visitors want to go. Taxis are also difficult, but new mini-van taxis are an improvement. Or, call ahead to book with Boonstra Taxis (tel. 020/613-4134), which has wheelchair-accessible cabs. There's comprehensive assistance for travelers on Netherlands Railways (tel. 030/235-5555) trains and in stations. If you give them a day's notice of your journey by visiting a station or calling ahead they can arrange for assistance along the way.

Two good sources of information in the Netherlands are NIZQ (tel. 030/230-6603), and ANWB Disabled Department (tel. 070/314-1420).

Many travel agencies offer customized tours and itineraries for travelers with disabilities. Flying Wheels Travel (tel. 507/451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com) offers escorted tours that emphasize sports and private tours in minivans with lifts. Access-Able Travel Source (tel. 303/232-2979; www.access-able.com) offers extensive access information and advice for traveling around the world with disabilities. Accessible Journeys (tel. 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com) caters specifically to slow walkers and wheelchair travelers and their families and friends

Organizations that offer assistance to disabled travelers include MossRehab (www.mossresourcenet.org), which provides a library of accessible-travel resources online; SATH (Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality) (tel. 212/447-7284; www.sath.org; annual membership fees: $45 adults, $30 seniors and students), which offers a wealth of travel resources for all types of disabilities and informed recommendations on destinations, access guides, travel agents, tour operators, vehicle rentals, and companion services; and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (tel. 800/232-5463; www.afb.org).

For more information specifically targeted to travelers with disabilities, the community website iCan (www.icanonline.net/channels/travel/index.cfm) has destination guides and several regular columns on accessible travel. Also check out the quarterly magazine Emerging Horizons ($15 per year, $20 outside the U.S.; www.emerginghorizons.com); and Open World magazine, published by SATH (see above; subscription: $13 per year, $21 outside the U.S.).

The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), Unit 12, City Forum, 250 City Rd., London EC1V 8AF (tel. 020/7250-3222), publishes three holiday "fact packs" for £2 each or £5 for all three. The first one provides general information, including planning and booking a holiday, insurance, and finances; the second outlines transportation available when going abroad and equipment for rent; the third covers specialized accommodations.