In
spite of Amsterdam's particular building structure, with winding narrow streets
and canal houses standing a few feet above the street level, the city is pretty
much prepared to receive and please visitors with disabilities. Not only does
it offer facilities in public areas, but it also grants special measures in closed
spaces you might visit, such as cinemas or theatres, and there is even a specific
phone number to call for information on these services.
The
problem you will always have to face has to do with the untouched past: cobbled
streets in the older areas of Amsterdam may present a difficulty, therefore the
handicapped have special discounts on public transport as well as free parking
around the city, though this last facility might be limited.
In addition to
the discounts, at the different means of public transport you may find certain
special amenities for the use of disabled travellers. At the metro stations there
are lifts, eliminating the headache of ascending stairs, and most of the trains
feature wheelchair access. At the train stations, as well as many public buildings,
toilets for the disabled are available, and the timetables for trains arriving
and departing are published in Braille for the comfort of blind people. However,
the tram may not be a good choice for visitors on wheelchairs, as they have really
high steps and no special conditions to allow their accommodation.
There
is also a wheelchair-taxi service, if you decide not to use the public means,
which is available on the telephone number +31 (0)20 6333943, during the whole
week, between 7am and midnight (try to book in advance because this service is
used for school transport as well; Garskamp, the firm in charge of the taxis,
can be reached by e-mail too, at info@garskamp.nl,
or at the address Disketteweg 10). The Taxicentrale Amsterdam also provides this
kind of service on request (Wisseloordplein 2, phone: +31 (0)20 6777777).
Once
you have got off any of these transports, you will find reasonable facilities
at the general outings. Wheelchair access is available at practically every large
museum, though they don't always guarantee facilities for the partially sighted
or deaf tourists. At cinemas and theatres the same attitude towards the handicapped
will be shown, though for popular performances it would be advisable to check
the access facilities in advance. As regards lodging in Amsterdam, take into account
that many hotels are established in what used to be original buildings of the
city; therefore, some don't have lifts and access to the rooms is available only
through steep staircases. In the same way, most restaurants are located on the
ground floor, but you should bear in mind that "ground" may sometimes
mean "after a few steps", specially along the city's canals.
For
more information, before your plan your visiting agenda, check the brochures provided
by the Amsterdam Uitboro (AUB) and the Amsterdam Tourist Board: this material
lists the facilities for the disabled at accommodation, restaurants and museums,
along with all sort of tourist attractions and boat tours.
AUB
- Amsterdam Uitburo
Leidseplein 26 or Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 21
Phone:
0900 0191 (for information and ticket reservations)
Phone: +31 (0)20 6211311
E-mail:
aub@aub.nl
Afdeling
Gehandicaptenvoorlichting van de ANWB (Information office for the disabled)
Contact
centre: +31 (0)88 2692222
Informatiecentrum
GGz Friesland
Offers information on holidays in the Netherlands
and facilities for people with impairments.
Harlingertrekweg 53, Leeuwarden
Phone:
+31 (0)58 2137138
Landelijk
Bureau Toegankelijkheid (National Bureau for Accessibility)
It
belongs to the Dienstverleners Gehandicapten (Netherlands Foundation for Rehabilitation),
which specialises in the promotion of accessibility, mobility and technology for
the disabled. Located in Utrecht, you may contact:
Churchilllaan 11, Piet van
Dommelenhuis.
Phone: + 31 (0)30 2916600
SGOA
- Stichting Gehandicapten Overleg Amsterdam (Amsterdam Forum for the Disabled)
Plantage Middenlaan 141
Phone: + 31(0)20 5777955
Vakantie
Informatie Punt (VIP) in 'Het Dorp' in Arnhem, provides general information
for the disabled travelling and doing tourism around the world. It is a free service
and most of the members of the staff are handicapped too.
Phone: +31 (0)26
3706161
