Notes for the Disabled in Swiss-German Switzerland

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Notes for the Disabled in Swiss-German Switzerland

• See the AngloFILE listings for Zürich Support Groups

Travel & Transport in Switzerland

The Swiss railways (SBB) has comprehensive information on their website for physically disabled, hearing and sight impaired passengers.

The SBB Call Center Handicap is open daily for information:

• Open: 06:00-22:00
  Tel: 0800 007 102 (toll free from Switzerland)
  Tel: +41 51 225 71 50 (from outside Switzerland)
  Fax: 051 225 70 90
  e-mail 
  Website (see the menu options to the left beneath heading "Passengers with a handicap")

Swiss International Airports

The European Parliament passed a regulation facilitating air flights for people with reduced mobility. The regulations establish that people with reduced mobility have free, special assistance when needed in airplanes, airports, baggage check in and with flight connections. Responsibility has been passed to the airports to accommodate the needs of the disabled traveller. Air companies are at liberty to provide services to people with reduced mobility.

Parking

Cars parked in disabled spaces must display a disabled person's sticker or EU blue badge. This allows parking in designated spaces. Parking authorisation cards are valid throughout Switzerland for both Blue Zones and metered parking.

Parking authorisation cards or blue badges are issued to disabled drivers and passengers by the disabled person's canton of residence. A medical certificate must be shown on application as proof of disability. A variety of cards reflect the different circumstances.

Cards may be issued to: 

• a driver with a physical handicap
• a disabled person regularly transported by another person
• a person frequently transporting physically disabled people

The card must contain the following information:

• the type of authorisation card
• driver identification details and/or full name and address of the beneficiary
• cantonal issuing office and/or issuing authority's stamp
• year of validity
• authorisation number and/or vehicle number;

The card allows: 

When there is no public or private parking space free:

• Up to four hours parking in a 20 minute zone
• Up to two hours parking in a no parking zone (provided the car is not causing an obstruction)
• And in some cities, free parking in metered zone (the police will be able to provide information)

The blue badge 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 Switzerland from another EU country may wish to apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking.

• Disabled spaces in car parks reserved for disabled people are marked with a yellow line and wheelchair symbol
• Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number
• Parking may be allowed for up to 6 hours in areas where parking is restricted by time; check with local authorities
• Parking is sometimes allowed for up to 2 hours in ZTL areas (roads where traffic is restricted); check with local authorities
• Parking and driving may be allowed in pedestrian zones; check with local authorities
• Check signage or with car park attendants as some car parks offer free parking for the disabled

Driver's with a blue badge from another European country may display these translations beside a badge written in another language (text from the UK Automobile Association):

• See the UK Automobile Association website for more information: Click here

• More information from the International Transport Forum: Click here

• To see a sample badge: Click here (PDF)

Transport services for the disabled in Zürich

• Behinderten-Transporte Zürich 
  Tel: 044 444 22 11 (24 hours service)
  Website (in German)
• TIXI 
  Tel: 0848 00 20 60
  Website

Transport services for the disabled in Lucerne

• Behinderten-Transporte Luzern 
  Tel: 041 240 37 37

Transport services for the disabled in Basel

• Behinderten-Transport beider Basel 
  Tel: 061 666 66 66
• BFT Behinderten-Fern-Transport 
  Tel: 061 331 34 34
  Website (in German)

Transport services for the disabled in Berne

• Easy Cab 
  Tel: 031 302 35 40
  Website (in German)
• Betax 
  Tel: 031 990 30 60
  Website (in German)

Transport services for the disabled in Zug

• TIXI Zug 
  Tel: 041 711 84 84
  Website

Equipment

Most large towns have outlets selling or hiring equipment for the disabled and elderly: wheelchairs (Rollstuhl in German), mini-lifts, mobility scooters, walkers and general orthopaedic equipment. A pharmacy will be able to provide further information.

• See The AngloFILE for English-speaking Pharmacies, Medical Supplies & Services 

Blind/Visually Impaired

The Swiss National Association for the Blind has information on all aspects of Swiss life and support for the blind and visually impaired. See the Website.

Library and Resource Centre for the Blind and Visually Impaired will post books, videos and audio books (in English) anywhere in Switzerland. They may be borrowed for up to four weeks without charge. The games library has over 500 tactile games and books available. 

• Swiss National Association of and for the Blind (SNAB) 
  Library & Resource Centre 
  At: Schützengasse 4, CH-9000 St.Gallen
  Tel: 071 223 36 36 
  Fax: 071 222 73 18 
  e-mail
  Website
• SNAB Games Library
  At: Kirchlindachstrasse 49, CH-3052 Zollikofen
  Website

Deaf/Hearing Impaired

The Gehoerlosenzentrum is an association for the deaf and hearing impaired. The aim is to improve the quality of life of those with hearing impairment and to provide support. It organises regular meetings and social activities. 

• Gehoerlosenzentrum 
  At: Oerlikonerstrasse 98, 8057 Zurich
  Tel: 044 312 77 70
  Fax: 044 311 77 04
  Website (in German)

Disabled Sports

Plusport is the umbrella organisation for disabled sports in Switzerland. The aim is to promote the integration of those with disabilities through sports activities. The website has information on sports clubs in Switzerland, sports events for the disabled and sports camps.

• Plusport website

Organisations for Disabled in Zürich & Switzerland

• Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO)
• Agile (French and German)
• Independent Living Centre in Zürich specialises in personal assistance policy (French and German)
• Eurokey: protection of facilities for disabled

Mobility International Switzerland (MIS) specialises in tourism and information for the disabled to and in Switzerland

• Mobility International Switzerland (MIS) (Mobility International Schweiz)
  At: Froburgstrasse 4, Postfach, 4601 Olten
  Tel: 062 206 88 35
  Fax: 062 206 88 39
  Open: Monday to Friday 08:30-12:00 and 13:15-17:00
  e-mail 
  Website (in German)

The Ski 2 Freedom Foundation is a non-profit company providing a growing extensive directory of information on the facilities available at snow and winter sports stations and resorts for people with special needs and disabilities.

• Ski 2 Freedom Foundation
  Tel: 076 466 14 17 
  e-mail
  Website

Other associations

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: +44 129 643 2339
  Fax: +44 129 639 2599
  e-mail 
  Website

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Related reference INFOrmation on AngloINFO Zürich:

· Death & Dying in Switzerland

· E112 Form: Obtaining Medical Treatment in Other EU Countries

· Emergency Telephone Numbers

· EU Factsheets: Social Security in Switzerland

· Having a Baby in Switzerland

· Medical Terminology Glossary

· Support Groups: Alcoholics Anonymous, Drug, Cancer, HIV

· Termination of Pregnancy/Abortion in Switzerland

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