| Getting around in the United States or Canada is hard
enough when a person is disabled, but it can be even harder
in a foreign country.
Handicapped and disabled persons should find living in Costa
Rica not much of an obstacle. Presently, some places have
wheel-chair access. A few hotels such as the Hampton Inn in
Alajuela and the Hotel del Sur in San Isidro, have fully equipped
rooms for disabled persons.
During the rainy season, the terrain can sometimes be hard
to negotiate. Recently the government has increased the construction
of sidewalk ramps, special marked parking spaces and telephones
for people with physical limitations. In 1998, the Costa Rican
Law for the Equality of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
went into effect. It mandates every public space in the country
to be wheelchairaccessible by 2008, thus improving accessibility
for the disabled.
As we mention in Chapter 3, medical care is affordable in
Costa Rica and should not be a problem. Also, keep in mind
that taxis are inexpensive and the best way to travel for
people with physical impediments. Since hired help is such
a bargain, a full-time employee may be hired as a companion
or as a nurse for a very reasonable price. We even know several
men confined to wheelchairs who have found love and married
in Costa Rica. There is a social club for disabled veterans
that meets once a month. Call 443-9870 for more information.
We suggest you pick up the book, Access to the World:
A Travel Guide for the Handicapped, by Louise Weiss, published
by Chatham Square Press, 401 Broadway, New York, NY 10013.
This book contains good information and suggestions for disabled
travelers. Also check out http://www.disabilitytravel.com/independent/accessible-costa-rica.html.
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