Wheelchair Accessible Adventure Travel

Helsinki

Scandinavia is known as a world leader in the integration of disabled people, and Helsinki is no exception. Standard access for people with limited mobility (wide entrances and ramps instead of steps) is often in place, and sensory problems are also often catered for (for example, there are gloves in the Museum of Modern Art allowing a 'hands-on' approach to the items on display). This all makes spontaneous decisions easier, and for those who like to research and plan their travels, information about access is also readily available.

Getting around

By Air
Helsinki-Vantaa airport declares itself 'designed to facilitate the independent mobility of disabled travellers'. Disabled toilets and spacious lifts can be found on every floor, information desks are equipped with induction loops and staff have been specially trained to cater for passengers needing assistance.
By Bus, Tram and Metro
Many older and all new buses in Helsinki have low floors and ramped access for wheelchairs. There are also 'service lines' using minibuses adapted for disabled and older people. Inner city routes with accessible buses are shown in colour on timetables, and adapted inter city vehicles are shown with the letter 'M'.
Trams with lowered floors can be entered only if the stop has a platform.
All Metro stations are wheelchair accessible and for visually impaired people there are timetables in Braille.
Information about buses, trams and the Metro service can be obtained on telephone number 0100 111, from Monday to Friday 7am-7pm, and on weekends 9am-5pm. At all other times there is an automated service giving timetable information.
By Train
Travellers with visual or mobility impairments who need assistance should inform VR about one week before they plan to travel.
VR telephone service, tel: 0600 41 902
Helsinki station disability service, tel: 0307 21 421 (day) or 0307 20 539 (night)
Trains have various accessibility features, including wider doors, accessible toilets, grab-handles, call buttons, Braille seat numbers, complementary colours and induction loops for people who use hearing aids.
By Taxi
The following four companies advertise as being able to accommodate wheelchair passengers.
Helsingin Invakuljetus, tel: 09 350 5200
Invataxi Iiro's Taxi Service Ltd, tel: 09 4114 2070 or 040 500 6070
Helsingin Palveluauto, tel: 020 743 2150
Iros Taxi, tel: 040 050 6070

Accommodation
Many (far too many to list here) lodgings and hotels in Helsinki have at least some degree of accessibility. An excellent starting point for researching this subject is http://esteeton.teho.net. Here you will find hotel listings with contact details, a short description of disability features and a small street plan.

Activities
A large proportion of Helsinki's attractions are perfectly accessible for disabled visitors, with lifts, ramps and widened doorways commonplace. It is not only mobility problems which are catered for, the Museum of Modern Art has white gloves available for visually handicapped people to feel the objects.
An extremely well researched list of restaurants, shops, museums, galleries and theatres can be found on http://esteeton.teho.net. Every establishment has been rated according to its accessibility, and details as fine as height of steps in centimetres is available.

Health
Although Finnish healthcare is of a high standard, you must understand and be able to explain your own particular medical requirements. If possible, take all necessary medication and equipment with you, and it is advisable to pack this in your hand luggage during flights in case your main luggage gets lost.

Security
Stay aware of who is around you and where your bags are, especially during car transfers and similar. Helsinki is a relatively safe city, but these activities create easy pickings for an opportunist thief and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.

More information
www.hel.fi - Helsinki's web portal, with English translation and information for disabled people.
http://esteeton.teho.net - 'Accessible Helsinki'. Gives detailed information about everything you'll need, from location of accessible public toilets and disabled parking to accommodation and contacts for further information.
www.accessibletravelling.fi - advice for travellers with disabilities about Finland in general.