I use a wheelchair, just returned from Vienna, Austria and I can assure you that things are much more accessible there than anyplace I’ve been in the United States.
As a wheelchair user, I will sadly never return to Lisbon. 12 months ago I arrived in Lisbon by bus at the main Terminal. Local bus drivers angrily denied me boarding even though I had folded my wheelchair and can walk a bit. I don't understand Portuguese and they didn't understand English... so they slammed the doors on me. I went to the metro a few meters away and looked for an Information center; there was none. The police and security guards on duty were helpful and showed me the lifts to reach the metro below. Out of around 10 lifts, 3 worked - going up only. I was stressed, tired and even cried out of frustration. Then a lady approached and helped me carry my small suitcase, a young man carried my wheelchair and we all descended downstairs to the metro. I purchased by ticket, got on the train and wheeled myself 5 min to my hotel. Lisbon streets were mostly smooth but almost all footpaths were tiled/cobblestoned and my wheelchair rides was less than pleasant. I noticed people getting off the footpaths, choosing to walk on the smooth roads. Lots of hills to manoeuvre as well. Had I known this beforehand I would not have gone at all. Biggest surprise was how LOVELY everyone was to me, locals and tourists alike.
This can’t be the world’s coverage. I traveled to Japan and France as a disabled person in an electronic scooter. Japan has the best service and accessibility for people with disables. I world say much better service than in the U.S. and I’m living in the U.S.
were they just Tourist main business area that you were in or they local places like local neighborhoods areas where there’s no tourist at all and no expats
Surprised to hear this. My Japanese mother-in-law uses a wheelchair and most public transportation in Tokyo isn’t accessible to her. The subway/train stations have long stairways, and only a few stations had a single elevator off in a hard-to-find locations. In practice she has to use taxis and have someone with her to fold and stow the wheelchair (drivers won’t do so). I live in the US and now have my own mobility issues, so doubt we can move back to Japan.
Canada is not wheelchair accessible. Most towns/cities don't clear their sidewalks of snow in the winter. When I last lived in Kingston, they only had TWO wheelchair accessible taxis (not taxi companies, taxis). Montreal's sidewalks have massive potholes. In Ontario, the Ford government decided they're not going to enforce the AODA after all (which was supposed to require all businesses to be fully accessible by 2025). If you roll down the streets of Toronto, the vast majority of restaurants/stores are not wheelchair accessible. Canada's a s*** show when it comes to accessibility.
I have a friend who lives in France. She says that it's not very wheelchair friendly. I heard that Japan is wheelchair friendly, and I think Argentina is fairly wheelchair friendly.
I am so very sorry fot what i am going to say and i promise i ma not nitpicking... Have you ever been to Portugal? Are you a wheelchair user? I live in Portugal and I ama. wheelchair user and this country is a true NIGHTMARE in every possible sense for a disabled person. Cheers.
Immigration Rules Immigration to the United States of America is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)Under INA §212(a)(4), an applicant who is likely to become a public charge at any time is excludable. The INS looks at the totality of circumstances in making its determination including their age, capacity to earn a living, health, family circumstances, employment history and whether or not they have ever received public assistance. Most immigrants must submit an affidavit of support as evidence that they will not become a public charge. The affidavit is required of all family based immigrants. The affidavit of support creates an enforceable legal obligation and the US government can sue to recover any public benefits provided in the first five years of residence.
@@renelambert218 I am permanently on a wheelchair, so I have all the legitimacy to say this: someone such as me IS handicapped or disabled or crippled or whatever you want to call it. There is no shame on that so you really don't need to use fluffy names and sugarcoated adjectives. As a retarded person is not «special» in any sense, so aren't we... Damned noviliguæ fever...
