Fact-Finding Trip to Prague: Enhancing Accessibility for Your Travel
Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. However, for wheelchair users, Prague can pose some challenges when it comes to accessibility. Despite the city’s efforts to enhancing travel accessibility, there are still several issues that wheelchair users may face.
First and foremost, Prague’s historic architecture poses a significant challenge for wheelchair users. Many of the city’s buildings were constructed centuries ago, long before accessibility was a priority. As a result, many of the buildings in Prague have steps and narrow doorways, making them difficult or impossible for wheelchair users to enter. Even some of the newer buildings may not be fully accessible, as retrofitting an existing structure to accommodate a wheelchair can be a challenging and expensive process.
Another issue that wheelchair users may encounter in Prague is the city’s cobblestone streets. While these streets are picturesque and add to the city’s charm, they can be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. The uneven surface of the cobblestones can cause discomfort, and in some cases, even pain, for wheelchair users. Additionally, the cobblestones can make it challenging to maneuver a wheelchair, particularly for those with manual chairs. We were able to manage but it was slow going and Evan had to go onto two wheels in some places.
Public transportation in Prague can also pose challenges for wheelchair users. While the city has made efforts to improve accessibility on its public transportation system, many of the trams and buses are still not fully accessible. Some of the older trams, in particular, have steps that make them impossible for wheelchair users to board. While newer trams and buses have low floors and wheelchair ramps, these vehicles may not be available on every route.
Finally, Prague’s public spaces can also present challenges for wheelchair users. While many of the city’s parks and public areas are accessible, some may have uneven terrain or steep hills that make them difficult to navigate. Additionally, some of the city’s tourist attractions may have limited accessibility, such as narrow walkways or stairs. The drop kerb situation is also challenging and we are lucky that Evan can drop off kerbs and I was there to lift up.
Despite these challenges, Prague is working to improve accessibility for wheelchair users. The city has made progress in recent years, including the installation of wheelchair ramps and lifts in some buildings and public spaces. Additionally, the city has added more accessible vehicles to its public transportation system and has launched an accessibility hotline to help wheelchair users navigate the city.
