Information for the disabled and application forms for the Disabled Person's Card, are available from the local Town Hall (ayuntamiento).
Note:  You must be a Spanish resident to qualify for the card.

Most larger towns have suppliers of mobility aids and other equipment for the disabled which can be bought or rented: wheelchairs (silla de ruedas), mini-lifts, mobility scooters, walkers and general orthopaedic equipment. Ask at an English-speaking pharmacy or look in the Páginas Amarillas (Spanish yellow pages) under the heading "discapacitado" or "minusválido".

Town Halls do make sure that most beaches have areas adapted for the disabled. Good examples are the Calpe beaches, which also offer specially adapted chairs for use in the water. Some beaches are equipped with wheelchair accessible board walks and toilets. 

Spanish Associations for the Disabled and Mobility Reduced

• Organización Nacional de Discapacitados (National Organisation for the Disabled)
  At: Covadonga, 5 - 1º E, Oviedo 33002 Asturias
• APSA: Asociaciones de Discapacitados (Disabled Association) 
  At: Zarandieta ,7 03005 Alicante
• COCEMFE: Association for the disabled for their integration in the work place.
• ONCE Spanish organisation for the blind (website in English)

Spanish International Airports

The European Parliament passed a regulation which will facilitate air flights for people with reduced mobility. This should be put into practice in 2008. The regulations establish that people with reduced mobility should have free, special assistance when needed in airplanes, airports, baggage check in and with flight connections.

Responsibility has been passed to the airports to accommodate the needs of the disabled traveller. Air companies will still be at liberty to provide services to people with reduced mobility.

Vehicles adapted with ramps are available from local companies for transport to and from international airports.

Parking

Cars parked in disabled spaces must display the disabled sticker or blue badge in the window. A Spanish resident may request a disabled sticker and information on applying for a blue badge from their local Town Hall.

The blue badge is a standardised European Community disabled person's parking permit which provides parking entitlements to badge holders in all complying European countries - a blue badge from one country is valid in another. A person coming to Spain from another EU country can apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking.

• Disabled spaces in car parks reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol
• Do not park if the space is marked with a vehicle registration number
• Some car parks allow vehicles displaying a disabled parking sign to park free of charge
• There are no concessions for disabled drivers on roadside parking
• Full details from the ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport): Click here

Driver's with a blue badge from another European country may display this Spanish translation beside a badge written in another language (text from the UK Automobile Association):

• See the UK Automobile Association website for more information: Click here

• To see a sample badge: Click here (PDF)

Disabled Services in Valencia

The disabled in Valencia are well catered for. The generalitat Valenciana has information in Spanish and English. 

• See the website: Click here then click on "Thematic Directory" and then select "disabled"

Valencia Sports Federation for the Physically Disabled (Federación de Deportes Adaptados de la Comunidad Valenciana) has information on sports, events and accessible beaches.

• At: Monasterio de Poblet, 30, 46015 Valencia
  Tel: 963 465 726
  Fax: 963 483 756
  Website (in Spanish)

Beaches

Within the Valencian Community there are a number of specially adapted beaches for physically disabled and wheelchair bound. These are known in Spanish as Playas Accesibles.

Facilities include:

• ramps
• walkways to the seashore
• amphibian chairs
• a rest area with sunshades and special furnishings
• adapted bathing-huts
• toilets and showers with bathing chairs
• For a list of adapted beaches and the facilities offered by each: Click here  
• For a map of Playas Accesibles: Click here 

Universitat de València Estudi General (UVEG)

The University of Valencia was the first university in Spain to provide a counselling service for disabled students. The foundation ensures that education and facilities are openly available to all students.

FUNDAR

The Fundación de la Solidaridad y el Voluntariado de la Comunidad Valenciana comprises a number of associations and organises events in order to support and raise awareness for those in need. There is a network of centres across the region which is growing every year.

• For more information: Click here (in Spanish)

Day Centres

The Generalitat Valenciana runs day centres for the disabled focusing on education, rehabilitation and integration into society.

• For more information: Click here (in Spanish)

Other associations

Calibre Audio Books: UK charity, Calibre, supplies audio books in English on cassette or disk to visually impaired and disabled people. The free service is available to members (registration can be made via the website). Free postal service is available to anywhere in Europe. 

• Calibre
  Tel: + 44 1296 432339
  Fax: + 44 1296 392599
  e-mail 
  Website

Article includes contribution by Anette Kelf of Jacks Lifts
Tel: 965 831 021 / e-mail  
Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved

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