The city of Florence has made lots of efforts in recent years to ensure that it is more and more accessible to all, no matter their needs or requirements. This “Florence Without Barriers” initiative has put measures into place for those with limited mobility, the blind, and others with special requirements in order to make sure that any and everyone in your group can enjoy a vacation in Florence. If you or someone among your party falls into one of these groups, know that you can find a holiday rental in Florence and expect to be catered for. With that in mind, we have been listing some of the special services that you can avail of. Here are more of those initiatives....
3. Traversing the city with a wheelchair
As Florence is an old city with a beautiful but not consciously planned historic quarter for those who may have mobility issues, there may be some difficulties for those with reduced mobility. However, in order to deal with this reality and best navigate narrower sidewalks, uneven surfaces, and more, there has been a special App created to show the best routes through the city center, in order to avoid the architectonic barriers. Called Kimap, it can be downloaded on the Apple Store and Google Play.
3. Traversing the city with a wheelchair
As Florence is an old city with a beautiful but not consciously planned historic quarter for those who may have mobility issues, there may be some difficulties for those with reduced mobility. However, in order to deal with this reality and best navigate narrower sidewalks, uneven surfaces, and more, there has been a special App created to show the best routes through the city center, in order to avoid the architectonic barriers. Called Kimap, it can be downloaded on the Apple Store and Google Play.
4. Public Transport & Special Car Rentals
If you need to get around the city at large and go longer distances, you'll need to know about accessibility in public transport. All of the buses from ATAF Transport Company serving the urban area of Florence can be accessed by the disabled and have a low-floor platform for entering and special area designated for those who may need room for a wheelchair or scooter etc. As for the trams, there is no gap between the platform and entrance so wheelchair users can comfortably board and there are also “loges paths” (loges stands for orientation, guide and safety lines) along the platform for blind or partially sighted users. Two of Florence's taxi companies have 8 equipped cars for wheelchairs and offer a 15% discount on the common fares. Contact them at the following numbers to reserve a taxi: So.Co.Ta. (+39 055 410133) & Co.Ta.Fi (+39 055 4390). There are also two car rental companies that have transport equipped for disabled people and you can avail of rentals with drivers, if required. Contact them at the following numbers: Autofficine Poggesi: tel.+39 055 4564826 (offering car rental for disabled people and aids for disabled people) & FIBORENT CapCosepuri Tel. + 39 055 4361900 (rentals with a driver).
For more information about other essential services offered to visitors to Florence with special requirements, please read on to the final post in this series, which covers specific attractions and what they offer, as well as information about public restrooms.
If you need to get around the city at large and go longer distances, you'll need to know about accessibility in public transport. All of the buses from ATAF Transport Company serving the urban area of Florence can be accessed by the disabled and have a low-floor platform for entering and special area designated for those who may need room for a wheelchair or scooter etc. As for the trams, there is no gap between the platform and entrance so wheelchair users can comfortably board and there are also “loges paths” (loges stands for orientation, guide and safety lines) along the platform for blind or partially sighted users. Two of Florence's taxi companies have 8 equipped cars for wheelchairs and offer a 15% discount on the common fares. Contact them at the following numbers to reserve a taxi: So.Co.Ta. (+39 055 410133) & Co.Ta.Fi (+39 055 4390). There are also two car rental companies that have transport equipped for disabled people and you can avail of rentals with drivers, if required. Contact them at the following numbers: Autofficine Poggesi: tel.+39 055 4564826 (offering car rental for disabled people and aids for disabled people) & FIBORENT CapCosepuri Tel. + 39 055 4361900 (rentals with a driver).
For more information about other essential services offered to visitors to Florence with special requirements, please read on to the final post in this series, which covers specific attractions and what they offer, as well as information about public restrooms.