According to the last report published by WHO, 15 percent of the world’s population constitutes people with some or the other kind of disability. Though they have special needs, but this would not dampen their spirit to travel and see the world. Wish the world was flat; they would have seen it all!

A growing trend of special needs travellers who want to experience the world first hand, travel to places without much help, almost independently, emphasises the need to bring accessible features into the infrastructure to facilitate and encourage tourism.

We give you a list of cities around the globe that give equal chance to everyone to explore the locales, by providing such barrier-free infrastructure for those with restricted mobility, yet a never-dying passion to travel.

1. Salzburg

The beautiful town of Mozart gives a fair chance for everyone to explore its local culture and world heritage monuments. Salzburg is better known as a ‘city without barriers,’ because its infrastructure is designed especially for differently-abled visitors and residents. All these amenities and more, enable specially-abled visitors to practically see the quaint town independently.

2. London

London happens to be one of the best cities to holiday in Europe for people with restricted mobility. The infrastructure is wheelchair-friendly, since the sidewalks are paved and have manoeuvrable curbs. Also, the public transport has ramps and other facilities to meet all the requirements for all special needs travellers, to experience the city at its best.

3. Vienna

Also known as ‘accessible Vienna’, this city welcomes one and all with a warm heart and open arms. Here, you get a smooth cobblestone street experience; even the trams are quite accessible. You can easily hire electric wheelchairs and other disabled gear in Vienna.

4. Paris

Getting around this large city and it’s maze-like streets hadn’t been easy, had the public transport initiatives to make the city accessible not been in place. Specially-abled tourists can overcome accessibility challenges with adapted car parks, accessible public transport and bus lines.

5. Berlin

This city boasts of its world class disabled access infrastructure, owing to which you can say that Berlin is quite flat. Door-to-door access for differently-abled from all famous monuments to hotels via the accessible public transport is one feature that makes Berlin stand out as an obvious choice to visit.

6. Singapore

Though it hasn’t been long that this Asian city started its initiatives towards developing a barrier-free accessibility environment, but it’s doing pretty well in this sphere. Major train stations and other public amenities are equipped to accommodate the special needs.

7. San Francisco

Wondering how we could claim that a city with an irregular terrain, be wheelchair-friendly? But, the fact remains the same. The beautiful city with Victorian houses is quite accessible given its major transit providers are completely barrier free. The subways, the stations, airport, the railroad coaches are all facilitated to provide a ride that’s free of any obstruction.

8. Vancouver

This world-class city is a must visit if you are looking at an accessible, walkable city. Vancouver is well equipped with ramps for wheelchairs to all its transit modes. The city has also arranged to provide adapted recreational activities for those with disabilities. Major shopping areas and other attractions adhere to the universal code on barrier-free accessibility and are wheelchair-friendly.

We are excited to know your side of story on what caught your eye while travelling to these and other cities. If you found the infrastructure up-to-mark for a differently-abled to manoeuvre through, if the hotels were good enough to accommodate, if the public transport was easy to hop in and get off. Drop your remarks in the comments box below.

Deepti Ahuja Balani

People professionally know me as a copy editor, correspondent and a writer, but writing is something I do even when I am not professionally engaged. I like to visit new places, explore, experience different cultures and share my perspective through words. Writing for food, travel and books is something that comes naturally, and is close to my heart.

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