It's easier for a disabled person to get around in northern Europe than in the south and east, which is not surprising given the fact that this part of the Continent is more developed in every other way. Wheelchair access to public buildings is, however, far from easy in many countries, as is wheelchair accessibility to public transport - indeed, the only big-city underground systems that are accessible are those in Berlin, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Helsinki, with the rest lagging far behind; buses, too, are in general out of bounds to wheelchair users, although airport facilities are improving, as are those on the cross-Channel ferries. As for rail services, these vary greatly: France, for example, has very good facilities for disabled passengers, as have Belgium, Denmark and Austria, but many other countries make little, if any, provision.
Your particular disability may govern whether you decide to see Europe on a package tour or independently. There are any number of specialist tour operators, mostly catering for physically disabled travellers, and the number of nonspecialist operators who cater for disabled clients is increasing. It's also perfectly possible to go it alone, either with your own helper or by hiring one if you require assistance while away, or by joining some kind of group tour for disabled travellers.
For more information on disabled travel abroad you should get in touch with the organizations listed below. As well as their publications, look out for The World Wheelchair Traveller (AA Publications), by Susan Abbott and Mary Ann Tyrrell, which includes basic hints and advice, and Access London and Access Paris, with information specific to those cities, published by Access Project in the UK.
Directions Unlimited, 720 N Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914/241-1700). Travel agency specializing in custom tours for people with disabilities.
Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, 3205 Place Alton Goldbloom, Chomedy Laval, PQ H7V 1R2 (514/688-9550, ext. 226). Guidebooks and travel information.
Mobility International USA, PO Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440 (Voice and TDD: 541/343-1284). Information and referral services, access guides, tours and exchange programmes. Annual membership $25 (includes quarterly newsletter).
Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped (SATH), 347 Fifth Ave, Suite 610, New York, NY 10016 (212/447-7284). Non-profit travel-industry referral service that passes queries on to its members as appropriate; allow plenty of time for a response.
Travel Information Service (215/456-9600). Telephone information and referral service.
Twin Peaks Press, Box 129, Vancouver, WA 98666 (360/694-2462 or 1-800/637-2256). Publisher of the Directory of Travel Agencies for the Disabled ($19.95), listing more than 370 agencies worldwide; Travel for the Disabled ($19.95); the Directory of Accessible Van Rentals ($9.95) and Wheelchair Vagabond ($14.95), loaded with personal tips.
BRITISH ISLES
Holiday Care Service, 2 Old Bank Chambers, Station Rd, Horley, Surrey RH6 9HW (01293/774535). Information on all aspects of travel.
Tripscope, The Courtyard, Evelyn Rd, London W4 5JL (0181/994 9294). A national telephone information service offering free transport and travel advice.
RADAR, 12 City Forum, 250 City Rd, London EC1V 8AS (0171/250 3222). A good source of advice on holidays and travel abroad; they also publish their own guide.
Disability Action, 2 Annadale Ave, Belfast BT7 3JH (01232/491011).
Irish Wheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3 (01/833 8241). National voluntary organization for people with disabilities, including services for holidaymakers.
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
ACROD, PO Box 60, Curtin, ACT 2606 (02/6282 4333). Can offer advice and keeps a list of travel specialists.
Barrier-Free Travel, 36 Wheatley St, North Bellingen, NSW 2454 (02/6655 1733). Fee-based travel access information service.
Disabled Persons Assembly, 173 Victoria St, Wellington (04/811 9100).