Alternative Travel Methods for Disabled Persons.
The alternatives for renting a suitable car may be either very limiting or
expensive:
1. Organized tours and cruises are not suitable for business,
scientific meeting, family event etc. You are confined to very specific
programs and timetables designed for some average (or heavily) disabled
persons. There is a risk of having to live several days with annoying group
members... On the other hand, you are free from driving, navigating,
planning and making decisions during the trip. The Internet is full
of offers related to adapted cruises.
2. Public trasportation is a good idea if you concentrate in a
single metropolin. You should pick an hotel close to most of your
destinations. You depend mostly on
taxies, which may not be available when you need them most.
It is advisable to prepare a list of taxi phone numbers. Some companies
keep the caller on-line so much time that the call (e.g. from mobile phone)
costs more than the
taxi ride. Check your exact location (street, building name/number)
before calling them.
My recent experience in Rhodes (Rodos, Greece)
is that drivers of old large taxies are OK. The others
tend to refuse taking wheelchairs with all kinds of excuses
(actually they are afraid to damage the cab's paint, of course).
There are no taxies with roof-racks.
On the other hand, I have a phone number of a woderfull family of
taxi operators, that will take you both in Rhodes town and
around the island. For a group of 3 or 4 persons a whole day tour
in a taxi may be cheaper than organized bus tour!
Other drivers refuse loading large bags inside the cab, thus forcing
families to split to 2 taxies.
I am informed that in Florence (Italy) there are wheelchair-adapted taxies.
More info may be retrieved by searching in
Access-Able database.
In some places there are adapted busses (e.g. in London, New-York).
You should learn their routes and timetables. Recently I experienced
the New-York buses and they seem to be very effective. An important advantage
(compared to taxies) is that the wheelchair user remains seated, no need
to transfer to vehicle seat. On the other hand,
heavy luggage makes you totally dependent on help
in train and bus stations.
In New-York there is a tendency to adapt some metro (underground) stations
to wheelchairs. My impression is that at least in Manhattan one may use it
relatively safely only if he knows exactly which platform in each
station is accessible. The maps are misleading. Some elevators are not working
or in very bad condition. My conclusion for NY: buses are slow but most
comfortable for wheelchair users.
In the USA there are also trains with adapted access and cabins.
3. Taking your car with you may be a good idea for a long trip.
It has it's own risks and costs, unless you live and travel
between counries that are not separated by oceans or large distances.
Consider insurance matters, the general condition of your car and
possible need for modifications. Check also avaiability of
services for your specific car model (e.g. American cars are not
popular in Europe).
Some use the opportunity to buy a car in
cheaper market and bring it home. Check local regulationsand other considerations
before attempting such adventure!
4. Taking a non-disabled person to help seems to be the usual
concept in Europe. If you have no alternative, or that person
needs to travel to the same destinations for his/her own purpose,
than it is OK. With a helper you may have more expenses and less
opportunity to decide and act independently. If there is no other
option, there are some
hired escort services. In some locations
it is possible to rent pick-up trucks/vans with ramps/lifts
for the wheelchair.
5. Renting a car with a driver is possible in some places.
It may be very expensive in Western countries and cheaper in
other locations. Remember that in addition to the rental price,
the driver will have to eat, sleep etc. on your expense when you
are far from his/her home. Again, it is not like independent
travel. It has some advantage where there is a serious language
problems. See also the story on Rhodes above.
6.
RV's (motor homes) with lift, hand-controls and all facilities are
available in North America and Germany. An advatage of an RV is that there is
no need to look for adapted accomodations. It has drawbacks also.
7. A disabled driver may buy and sell a car at the destination country.
It may be reasonable to do if one travels for several weeks or
there is a reliable friend there to help with it. Check legal aspects,
customs regulations.
8. Scooter rental (USA).
For long distances in a city it may help very much those who are able
to walk short distances on crutched or wheelchair.
CONCLUSION.
Remember that with a car you have maximum flexibility and
almost no dependence on strict time-tables. If the show is
late you will not be pressed to catch the last bus/metro to
the hotel. If a museum is closed (e.g. reconstructions),
you take the car to the next destination without waiting
again to taxi/bus etc. Car-rental is almost the only
option for business, conference, personal missions etc.
Beware only of major cities known to have severe parking shortage.
If you have no choice, browse for alternatives at
''Candy & Charles Creative Concepts''.
Last revision: 6/2004.
Address: 
.