Disabilities & Accessibility

London has a way to go in helping people with disabilities, but it's moving toward making the city more accessible. Many of the tourist attractions and hotels are updating facilities, although traveling around is a problem.

The organizations listed below can provide advice for travelers with disabilities. It's also worth checking out the book Access in London, which lists everything from the best bus routes for people who use wheelchairs, to the most accessible restaurant bathrooms. It's available through the Access Project, which requests a £10 donation to cover the cost of producing the guide.

Local Resources

Access Project (39 Bradley Gardens, Ealing, West Ealing, W13 8HE. www.accessproject-phsp.org). Artsline (020/7388-2227. www.artslineonline.com). Can Be Done (7-11 Kensington High St., Kensington, London, W8 5NP. 020/8907-2400. www.canbedone.co.uk). DIAL (01302/310-123. www.dialuk.org.uk). Holiday Care (7th fl., Sunley House, 4 Bedford Pk., Croydon, Surrey, CR0 2AP. 0845/124 9971. www.holidaycare.org.uk). Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR, 12 City Forum, 250 City Rd., Farringdon, London, EC1V 8AF. 020/7250-3222). Tripscope (020/8580-7021).

Lodging

If you book directly through Holiday Care, you may be able to get discount rates at some hotels with special facilities.

Best Choices

Copthorne Tara Hotel (Scarsdale Pl., Kensington, W8. 020/7937-7211). Novotel London Tower Bridge (10 Pepys St., The City, EC3N 2NR. 020/7265-6000).

Reservations

When discussing accessibility with an operator or reservations agent, ask hard questions. Are there any stairs, inside or out? Are there grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower/tub? How wide is the doorway to the room? To the bathroom? For the most extensive facilities meeting the latest legal specifications, opt for newer accommodations. If you reserve through a toll-free number, consider also calling the hotel's local number to confirm the information from the central reservations office. Get confirmation in writing when you can.

Sights & Attractions

Tour Guides Ltd. can tailor a tour for you. The London Tourist Information Centre has details of more easily accessible attractions. Suggested sights include the London Planetarium, London Zoo, National Portrait Gallery, and Natural History Museum.

Contact

Tour Guides Ltd. (020/7495-5504. www.tourguides.co.uk).

Transportation

London cabs have spacious interiors for wheelchair users. Many London buses have kneeling mechanisms and are wheelchair accessible. The free leaflet "Access to the Underground," available at some TfL Travel Information Centres and through the number listed below, provides information on traveling the Tube.

Transportation Assistance

"Access to the Underground" (020/7941-4600). Transport for London's Unit for Disabled Passengers (172 Buckingham Palace Rd., London, SW1W 9TN. 020/7918-3312). Wheelchair Travel & Access Mini Buses (1 Johnston Green, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 6XS. 01483/237668. www.wheelchair-travel.co.uk).