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DISABLED
TRAVELLERS |
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Although disability is common in Nepal, it's a poor country without
the means to cater for disabled travellers. If you walk with difficulty,
you will find the steep slopes, stairs and uneven pavements hard going.
Open sewers, potholes, crowds and a lack of proper street crossings will
all make it hard for a blind traveller to get around.
With a companion, however, there's no reason why you can't enjoy many of
Nepal's activities, including elephant rides, scenic mountain flights,
and sightseeing by private car. Nepalis are also likely to be very
helpful. Guides are readily available and should be prepared to provide
whatever assistance you need. If you rent a taxi for the day, the driver
is certain to help you in and out, and perhaps around the sites you
visit.
Basic wheelchairs are available for use in the airport in the Kathmandu
airport, and the Pokhara airport is mostly at ground-level. Generally,
however, facilities for the disabled are nonexistent, so you should
bring your own wheelchair or other necessary walking aids or equipment.
Hotels aren't particularly geared up for disabled guests, though the
most expensive ones have lifts and ramps.
A safari in one of the Tarai wildlife parks should be feasible, and even
a trek, catered to your needs by an agency , might not be out of the
question. Try Himalayan Holidays, PO Box 5513, Kathmandu (tel 01/410482;
namaste@himhols.wlink.com.np).
Disabled organizations
Australia ACROD, PO Box 60, Curtin, ACT 2605 (tel 02/6282 4333); 24
Cabarita Rd, Cabarita (tel 02/9743 2699).
Canada Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, 3205 Place Alton Goldbloom,
Chomedy Laval, PQ H7V 1R2 (tel 450/688-9550). Guidebooks and travel
information.
Ireland National Rehabilitation Board, 25 Clyde Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin
4 (tel 01/668 4181).
New Zealand Disabled Persons Assembly, 173 Victoria St, Wellington (tel
04/801 9100).
UK Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), 250 City
Rd, London EC1V 8AS (tel 0171/250 3222).
USA Mobility International USA, PO Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440 (tel
541/343-1284); and Society for the Advancement of Travel for the
Handicapped (SATH), 347 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016 (tel 212/447-7284;
www.sittravel.com).
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