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Notes for the Disabled on the Costa de la Luz

Information for the mobility, sight or hearing impaired living in or visiting the Costa de la Luz, including contact details for Spanish organisations and facilities.

Information and application forms for the Disabled Person's Card, which holders can show to receive discounts on train fares and other services, are available from the local Town hall (ayuntamiento). Note: cards are only available to residents of Spain.

To find contact details of the local Town Hall: Click here

Most larger towns have suppliers of mobility aids and other equipment for the disabled which can be bought or rented including 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 make sure that most beaches have areas adapted for people with disabilities. Some beaches are equipped with wheelchair accessible boardwalks and toilets.

For a list of beaches and marinas with disabled access: Click here

Spanish International Airports

All Spanish passenger airports are equipped to provide services for passengers with reduced mobility. Passengers should notify their airline as well as the Spanish airports entity (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea - AENA) or the airport to request assistance. This should be done prior to the day of travel. The AENA website has an online assistance request form that can be used to request help at any AENA Spanish airport.

AENA Assistance for Passengers with Disabilities
Tel: 902 404 704 / 913 211 000
e-mail
For information on services for travellers with disabilities: Click here

Driving and Parking

Mobility reduced drivers may request a reserved parking space outside or near their home by applying to the town hall.

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

Drivers 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):

Tarjeta de aparcamiento para minusválidos.

La persona que muestra esta

tarjeta de aparcamiento es un

visitante minusválido procedente de

otro pais europeo, y tiene derecho a

los mismos privilegios de

aparcamiento que un minusválido

residente en su pais.

Modelo de la Comunidad Europea

Spanish Associations for People with Disabilities and Reduced Mobility

The Organización Nacional de Discapacitados (National Organisation for the Disabled): An organisation that assists people with disabilities through research, job training and advocating for social inclusion.

Organización Nacional de Discapacitados
At: Covadonga, 5 - 1º E, Oviedo 33002 Asturias
Tel: 985 207 011

COCEMFE: A confederation of associations that advocates for the rights and interests of people with disabilities in Spain.

ONCE: An organisation that works to improve standards of rehabilitation and help blind people gain independence and confidence.

CERMI (Spanish Committee of Representatives of Persons with Disabilities): An umbrella organisation that represents, defends and acts on behalf of people in Spain with disabilities and their families.

FEDMF (Federación Española de Deportes de Personas con Discapacidad Física): The Madrid-based Spanish Sports Federation for People with Physical Disabilitites works to promote sports and competitions for people with disabilities in Spain.

Fegadi (Federación Gaditana de Personas con Discapacidad Física y Orgánica): An umbrella organisation whose members work to promote the rights of people with disabilities in the region.

Fegadi - Headquarters
At: C/ Aurora 44, 11300 La Línea de la Concepción
Tel: 956 171 423 / 956 172 020
e-mail
Website (in Spanish)
Fegadi - Algeciras
At: Bda. San José Artesano, Avda. Italia Bl. 4 bajo 3 y 4, 11204 Algeciras
Tel: 956 650 812 / 956 650 961
e-mail
Fegadi - Cadiz
At: Plaza Tres Carabelas bajo, 11004 Cádiz
Tel: 956 222 515 / 956 214 647
e-mail
Fegadi - Puerto Real
At: Pol El Trocadero, C/ Alemania Parcela C-23, 11513 Puerto Real
Tel: 956 472 988
e-mail

Age Concern España: A non-profit organisation that provides information and advice for those whose mobility has been affected by age.

Age Concern España
At: Apartado 7, 07180 Santa Ponsa, Mallorca
Tel: 902 003 838 / +34 971 718 794
e-mail
Website

RADAR (Royal Association for Disability Rights): A British disability network that provides information and contacts to members travelling in Europe.

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.