Athens Local Reference INFOrmation
Overview of where to go and what to do if you are mobility, sight or hearing impaired - a wheelchair or cane user - and living in or visiting Athens and the region of Attica. Information on the Greek organisations and facilities.
Perhaps the most obvious problem for mobility, hearing or sight impaired people in Athens is getting around. The pavements and buildings were not built with easy access in mind; there are many steep streets, uneven walkways and flights of steps in the city, and entrances are often blocked by parked cars and motorbikes. There have, however, been improvements in recent building works, such as the accessible Metro and the level paths around the Acropolis. There are also some resorts and tours that cater to people with reduced mobility. This reflects the progress that has been made in recent years, largely due to pressure from the Greek disabled community. Information for the Disabled in GreeceAn excellent source of information is Disability NOW. This non-profit organisation provides support, advice and assistance in English, by telephone, e-mail and online; it produces newsletters and a regular print magazine, and maintains an online resource centre with many articles in English. Disability and employment lawGreece has ratified most of the major international conventions in terms of access to education and employment for people with special needs and disabilities.
Disability and educationStudents with disabilities may attend mainstream schools although an accessible school must be found. Separate schools exist for visual and sight impaired students, and for students with other physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
Disability benefitsFinancial support is available for the disabled through benefits and pensions.
Telephone ServicesA number of services are provided for disabled clients by the Greek Telecommunications Company (OTE). These include reduced-cost telephone sets with screen and keyboard, and an operator service for hearing impaired clients, rebates for the visually impaired and those with severe motor disabilities, and discounted Internet packages for people with severe disabilities. For information on the different services available contact OTE:
Getting Around Athens with Visual or Physical DisabilitiesAthens is a very hilly city with many steep slopes and steps. Pavements often have trees or lampposts blocking them and surfaces can be uneven. Newer pavements are being built wider, more even, and with tactile paving. Most buildings in Athens have steps, the only exceptions being those built very recently. With current legislation, however, any new building must be accessible to a wheelchair. Trains and the MetroFacilities for the disabled are available in the Metro, including lifts and areas adapted for those with reduced mobility. There are designated seats on the train and metro, and disabled passengers are served first at train stations.
BusesMost buses are equipped with ramps allowing easier access for those with motor disabilities. The Athens Urban Transport Organisation provides free transport for the disabled. The service must be booked by telephone 48 hours in advance.
AirportsFacilities include designated parking spaces near the terminal, wheelchair ramps, lifts, waiting areas, telephones and Internet access at wheelchair level and accessible toilets.
The European Parliament has introduced regulations to facilitate air travel for people with reduced mobility. The ruling requires that people with reduced mobility have free, special assistance where required on airplanes, at airports, at check-in and with flight connections. Responsibility for accommodating the needs of the disabled traveller lies with the airports. Airline companies can still provide additional services to people with reduced mobility.
Parking for the DisabledDisabled parking spaces in Athens are clearly marked in plain blue with a wheelchair sign. An EU Blue Badge must be displayed on the windscreen. Unauthorised parking in disabled spaces is strictly prohibited. Some car parks allow vehicles with the Blue Badge to park free of charge. Check the car park notices.
Applying for a disabled parking permitTo obtain a disabled parking permit, contact the Ministry of Transport. This allows the holder to park in designated spaces; it does not necessarily guarantee free parking or a permanent parking space near one’s home. Holders of a disabled badge also allows reduced rates on toll roads. Applicants should provide certification of their disability; this is usually issued by the Regional Health Commission. Contact the Department of Welfare at the regional authority of the place of residence. In some cases, people with disabilities are entitled to reduced rates for the annual car tax and tax relief on the purchase of a car. Associations for the Disabled in Athens
Further Information
1002cr With contributions by Disability NOW
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