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Notes for People with Disabilities

Resources for the wheelchair-bound and hearing or sight-impaired in Cyprus, including information on transportation, parking, tours and non-profit organisations.

Though most towns and cities in Cyprus have a flat layout, getting around by wheelchair can be a challenge as pavements are often blocked by shrubs, trees or cars, ramps can be inadequate and paving is uneven. But, more useable ramps are being built and people in Cyprus are generally quite willing to help.

Mobility Impaired: Transport and Travel

Driving

Differently abled vehicle owners may be exempt from paying road tax in Cyprus. Application for the exemption must be made at the Inland Transport Department & Licencing Authority (Ministry of Communications and Works) Nicosia offices.

Ministry of Communication and Works
At: Acheon 28, 1424 Nicosia
Tel: 22 800288
Fax: 22 776266
For more information about road tax in Cyprus see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Buying and Registering a Car in Cyprus

Parking

There are generally a few parking bays marked for disabled drivers in municipal car parks (though they are often occupied with vehicles belonging to non-disabled drivers).

The EU Blue Badge is recognized in Cyprus. It 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 Cyprus from another EU country can apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking.

To apply for a Blue Badge, contact the Service for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Disabled (Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities).

Service for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Disabled
Tel: 22 406 406
e-mail
Website

Things to keep in mind about parking in Cyprus:

Disabled spaces in car parks reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol
Do not park or drive in pedestrian zones unless there is a sign stating that vehicles with disabled stickers or badges are allowed
Do not park on roads where parking is not allowed
Most car parks allow vehicles displaying a disabled parking sign to park free of charge
Disabled drivers may park without time restrictions on roads with parking time limits
Disabled parking is free on roads where payment is required

Drivers 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):

Car Hire

Unfortunately, rental cars with hand controls are not available in Cyprus.

Hire Transport

C&A Taxi specialises in disabled transport (including airport transfers) and can accommodate electric wheelchairs as well as power scooters. Transport must be booked ahead of time.

C&A Taxi
Tel: 99 485976
Fax: 26 322856
e-mail
Website

Oberon Explorations specialises in disabled transport (including airport transfers) and can accommodate wheelchairs and 3-wheeled scooters. Transport must be booked ahead of time.

Oberon Explorations
Tel: 26 941528 / 99 376886
Fax: 26 941834
e-mail
Website

Leisure Time

Travel and Tourism

C&A Taxi and Oberon Explorations offer day trips and excursions in Cyprus in wheelchair adapted vehicles.

C&A Taxi
Tel: 99 485976
Fax: 26 322856
e-mail
Website
Oberon Explorations
Tel: 26 941528 / 99 376886
Fax: 26 941834
e-mail
Website

There are numerous choices of accommodation that has been modified for disabled guests in Cyprus. Modifications vary from establishment to establishment and it is therefore recommended to contact them directly to find out if they meet requirements.

For a searchable database from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation of accommodation for the disabled: Click here
For a list of hotel establishments offering facilities for disabled: Click here (PDF)

Larnaca and Paphos airports offer assistance for reduced mobility passengers.

Both airports (Larnaca and Paphos) have wheelchair hoists. Advance notification is advised.

For more information, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Cyprus Airports

Nature Trails

There are two nature trails for the disabled in Cyprus. Livadi Trail in the Troodos area is a 1.5km circular trail. It starts and ends at Kampos tou Leivadiou picnic area.

Mandra tou Kampiou Trail in the Machairas forest is a 1km circular trail.

Wheelchair Accessible Beaches

There is a summer wheelchair ramp over the sand to the sea at Polis Beach (the ramp is removed in the off-season).

Wheelchair Accessible Archaeological Sites

Several archaeological sites are partly accessible to wheelchairs. These are the Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement in the Larnaka district, the Amathous Archaeological Site, Kato Pafos Archaeological park, and the Tombs of the Kings in Pafos. Kourion Archaeologial Site in Lemesos is almost completely wheelchair accessible.

For more information from Accessible Cyprus: Click here (PDF)

Libraries

Calibre 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.

Calibre
Tel: +44 1296 432339
Fax: + 44 1296 392599
e-mail
Website

The English Language Library for the Blind in Paris provides books on tape in English to English-speakers all over the world by post. The selection of available audio books is quite large.

English Language Library for the Blind
At: 35 rue Lemercier, 75017 Paris
Tel: +33 1 42 93 47 57

Organisations

Cyprus Paraplegic Organisation, Nicosia
Tel: 22 496494
Fax: 22 423540
e-mail
The Pancyprian Organisation for Disabled Persons
At: 50, Pendelis Street, Strovolos, Nicosia
Tel: 22 426301
Fax: 22 313250
Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Persons
At: 30, 28th Octovriou Street, Strovolos, Nicosia
Tel: 22 871 300
Fax: 22311 176
Pancyprian Organization of the Blind, Nicosia
e-mail
Agios Varnavas School for the Blind
At: 30, 28th Octovriou street, Nicosia
Tel: 22 403300
Fax: 22 403340
Cyprus Deaf Federation
At: 21 Makedonitissis Street,1512 Nicosia
Voice: 22 464197
Fax: 22 464197
e-mail
Cyprus School for the Deaf
At: 21, Makedonitissis street, Nicosia
Tel: 22 305422 / 25
Fax: 22 305423
e-mail
MK Prosopsis Special Education Greece
Cyprus-based company provides a wide range of toys, tools and "assistive technology" to help special needs children and adults with special requirements
Website

Related Information

For information on disability benefits offered by the Cyprus government, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Social Security Insurance Services in Cyprus
Accessible Cyprus Brochure (PDF)
See The AngloFILE directory for Opticians & Hearing Technology
Freedom Mobility: rental of wheelchairs and scooters in Limassol
GC Paraquip Cyprus: rental of wheelchairs, hoists and scooters
Evas Tourist Apartments: fully equipped disabled access holiday accommodation in Polis