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Information for the disabled and application forms for the Disabled Persons Card, are available from the centre communal d'action sociale, at your local Mairie, or COTOREP (commission technique d'orientation et de reclassement professionnel). The card provides for discounts and assistance in various areas. Most large towns have a pharmacy or medical supplier for purchase or rental of equipment for the disabled and elderly: wheelchairs (fauteuils-roulants, manuel/électrique), mini-lifts, walkers and general orthopedic equipment. Ask at an English-speaking pharmacy or look in the Pages Jaunes (French yellow pages) under the heading "Handicapées: matériel et services pour".
Note: Most of the information for the disabled is in French.
National French Associations for the Disabled and Mobility Reduced
Local associations
Other associationsCalibre 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. Wheelchair Accessible BeachesHandiplage: Several beaches of the Côte d'Azur and Monaco cater specifically for wheelchair bound people or those with reduced mobility. They are usually well signposted "Handiplage". There are beaches in St-Laurent du Var, Cagnes sur Mer, Antibes, Nice, Cannes, Cap d'Ail and Monaco.
CCAS (Centre Communal d'Actions Sociales)An organisation which provides practical assistance and social interaction for elderly and disabled people.
UlysseUlysse Transport provides seven day a week transport service catering specifically to helping those with mobility problems. Easy wheelchair access and experienced staff. Also cater to transporting the elderly and infirm, the polyhandicapped, the blind and disabled children to and from school.
Nice International AirportThe following special facilities are available for people with reduced mobility: Reserved parking, wheelchairs, toilets with special access, access ramp, escalators, lift, specially equipped minibus and car. Bus with elevator, elevator platforms, rest area.
TrainsSNCF, the French railway system, caters to the hearing and sight disabled as well as physically disabled and wheelchair bound passengers by providing designated spaces and facilities in the carriages. In some areas, adapted transport service to the station can be provided. For more information regarding SNCF's accessibility service for passengers with disabilities, see the SNCF website.
S.N.C.M.The ferry-boat service between Nice and Corsica make allowances for disabled passengers. The ferries have lifts and travelators to facilitate access for wheelchairs.
Car HireEuropcar and Hertz have adapted cars with brakes and acelerator on the steering wheel, available for hire to paraplegic drivers. Car must be reserved seven days in advance.
ParkingCars parked in disabled spaces must display the GIG - GIC disabled sticker or an EU blue badge in the window. 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 France from another EU country may want to apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking. It is recommended to check locally at the town hall (hotel de ville) or with the municipal police (police municipal) for disabled parking regulations. Things to keep in mind:
Driver's with a blue badge from another European country may display this translation beside a badge written in another language (text from the UK Automobile Association):
Adapted Airport Ferry ServiceVehicles adapted with ramps are available for transport to and from Nice International Airport from the following organisations.
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This is the "Notes for the Disabled on the Côte d'Azur" INFOrmation Page at AngloINFO French Riviera. AngloINFO French Riviera's INFOrmation Pages provide an online encyclopaedia covering all aspects of "Life on the Côte d'Azur, in English!". AngloINFO French Riviera is your French Riviera information source, for everyone living in the Côte d'Azur or moving to the Côte d'Azur, covering everything from the French Riviera property and real estate contacts you need before and during your move to France, to all aspects of everyday life in the French Riviera international community for those living their lives in France. » Find out more about AngloINFO in France | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||