Handicap Access in Rome

As one might imagine, the sampietrini streets of Rome are no place for a person in a wheelchair. As it is, I often wonder how Roman women navigate the historic center in their high heel designer shoes. Now that my mother is in a wheelchair our outings are usually either about a doctor visit or a trip and vacation. But when I saw an ad for a plant sale event at the botanic gardens in the Trastevere neighborhood I had to investigate. 

Sheeba and Maureen

You might be thinking that I have a handicap parking permit so that would make things easy. Um, no. We have been waiting since December for the medical clearance for Maureen’s request of handicap status with the government. You can’t even get a temporary handicap parking permit without that other approval. So for anywhere we go I have to know that I can pull up in the car, unload wheelchair and Maureen with my helper, and go find parking nearby. Next problem is figuring out whether where we want to go has handicap access. For example, we thought of visiting the Niki de Saint Phalle Tarot Garden in Capalbio on our way to the beach this summer, but there is no paved road and only partial access on a gravel pathway. You also need to know if there is a handicap bathroom on site.

 

Beautiful palms in the Orto Botanico

For the Orto Botanico in Rome, the website said all walkways inside the park were wheelchair accessible, and there was a handicap bathroom, and from Google I could see what the entrance looked like to know the car could pull right up to the gate. Rain and thunderstorms were in the forecast, but then the sun came out and I decided to get tickets and go. 

On Sunday the traffic restrictions on the city are lifted so I was able to drive through the tiny bumpy streets of Trastevere up to the entrance, but we still had to navigate a bit of sampietrini. Miraculously, I scored a parking spot on that same street (I can be quite Roman when it comes to claiming a spot others are trying to maneuver into when you got there first). Green Pass and ticket check, and right away there’s a problem. The bar to the right of the entrance has placed a few tables and chairs on the paved sidewalk, and the gravel pathway is too deep with gravel for a wheelchair to navigate safely. Strollers can do it because they weigh a lot less. Someone suggests going over the grass on the other side but we still have to drag the chair through some gravel to cross back to the sidewalk. I let one of the personnel know that this is not exactly accessible, when suddenly a young man appears and offers help. At this point we’re okay, but he insists that he’s working at the bar, and if we need help at any point, to come get him. His charm and kindness wipe away my frustration and off we go. 

 

Hot chilis called Goats Weed

Along the gravel path and adjacent sidewalk are various plant vendors, each with a specialty. There’s one with hot peppers from all over the world, and I recognize the Mexican ones we’ve grown on our terrace this summer. Beautiful orchids, air plants, herbs, and another vendor with hoya plants (I have one of these too). Maureen is having a bumpy ride because there is some gravel on the sidewalk but overall we manage to navigate the crowds, strollers, tour group, and we get to the central fountain. Gravel. So we turn around and go back the way we came.

 

At least we did not encounter another wheelchair on the narrow sidewalk. It didn’t rain, and we had fun for the most part. I think Maureen was glad to get out for a change, even though getting in and out of the car is not exactly easy for her, she’s a good sport about it. 

 

But Rome, you can do better.