Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Travellers with Disabilities
Norway is generally well set up for travellers with disabilities and all newly constructed
public buildings are required by law to have wheelchair access. That said, like in most
countries, the situation remains a work-in-progress. As a result, anyone with special needs
should plan ahead.
Most Norwegian tourist offices carry lists of wheelchair-accessible hotels and hostels,
but your best bet is to contact the Norwegian Association for the Disabled (see below).
Nearly all street crossings are equipped with either a ramp or a very low kerb (curb), and
crossing signals produce an audible signal - longer beeps when it's safe to cross and short-
er beeps when the signal is about to change.
Most (but not all) trains have carriages with space for wheelchair users and many public
buildings have wheelchair-accessible toilets.
Organisations & Tours
Access-able Travel Source (
www.access-able.com
)
US information portal with 25 list-
ings for Norway.
Accessible Travel & Leisure ( 01452-729739;
www.accessibletravel.co.uk
;
Avionics
House, Naas Lane, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2SN, UK)
Claims to be the biggest UK
travel agent dealing with travel for the disabled and encourages the disabled to travel inde-
pendently.
Flying Wheels Travel ( 507-451 5006;
www.flyingwheelstravel.com
;
143 W Bridge
St, Owatonna, MN 55060, USA)
Runs hosted six-day 'Highlights of Norway' tours as
well as helping to organise independent travel in Scandinavia.
Norwegian Association for the Disabled (Norges Handikapforbund; 24 10 24 00;
www.nhf.no
; Schweigaards gate 12, Grønland, Oslo)
For information on disabled travel
and sites of special interest to disabled travellers in Norway.
Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality ( 212-447 7284;
www.sath.org
;
347
Fifth Ave, Ste 605, New York, NY 10016, USA)
Although largely concentrated on the
USA, this organisation can provide general information.
