Accessibility: City & Travel Resources

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City of San Francisco

Paratransit Services (www.sfparatransit.com). San Francisco Paratransit service is available to persons with disability who, because of their disability, cannot independently use the regular MUNI bus/rail service. Certified visitors needing Paratransit service while in the city should prearrange with the San Francisco Paratransit Broker's Office in advance of their arrival by calling the office (415) 351-7000, or by e-mailing to: sfparatransit@veoliaparatransit.com. Paratransit does not service trips to/from area airports.

Large Print Map. To order a large print map of San Francisco, send $5 to: Blind San Franciscans, 1591 Jackson St. #8, San Francisco, CA 94109; 415/563-4896

Medical. Should you need medical assistance while in San Francisco, please contact:

San Francisco On-Call Medical Group
490 Post Street, Suite 710 415/732-7029
Available 24-hours and offers house calls

Travel

San Francisco International Airport (SFO). In general you will find good accessibility throughout the airport. SFO is located 14 miles south of San Francisco. All of the major airlines have ramped jetways from the plant to the terminal. Smaller commuter aircraft may require boarding by accessible lift or by stairs from the tarmac. Check with the individual airlines regarding their boarding policies for personals with special needs. Information/Traveler's Aid booths to assist travelers are located on the upper and lower levels of all terminals. Booth personnel can provide accessibilty information. TTY's are located at these booths and throughout airport boarding areas. Visual paging systems are in place throughout the terminals. Public telephones accessible to people in wheelchairs are located in the airport terminals and parking garages. For additional information, contact 800/I-FLY-SFO, www.flysfo.com.

Oakland International Airport (OAK). Smaller than SFO, the Oakland International Airport is easy to navigate. All the major airlines have ramped jetways from the plane to the terminal. Direct access to downtown San Francisco is available via the BART system. www.oaklandairport.com

Car Rentals. The following car rental companies can provide hand controls for rental vehicles in the San Francisco area. Advance reservations are required. It is advisable to reconfirm your equipment request 24 hours prior to your arrival.

Avis          800/331-1212        www.avis.com
Budget      800/526-6408        www.budget.com
Dollar        800/800-4000        www.dollar.com
Hertz        800/654-3131        www.hertz.com

Accessible Taxis. The companies listed below offer ramped minivans; call several hours in advance. Many of these taxi companies serve the airport. The average round-trip fare from the San Francisco Airport to downtown San Francisco is approximately $40.

Checker     415/206-1900
Bay Cab     415/206-1908
National     415/648-4444
Yellow       415/626-2345
Town Taxi 415/401-8900

Wheelchair and Motorized Scooter Rentals. The ASA will have a small inventory of scooters for use by registrants who need them for specific activities/events. However, if you prefer to rent your own wheelchair or scooter, feel free to make arrangements with Scoot Around North America; 888/441-7575; www.scootaround.com

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). BART train service in San Francisco primarily serves the downtown, Mission District, and San Francisco Airport. It also serves the Oakland Airport. All BART trains are accessible. BART tickets can be purchased at all stations; however, if you want a Disabled Discount Pass, you must order the pass online or go to the Customer Service Center at the Lake Merritt, Montgomery, or Civic Center stations.

All BART stations are equipped with elevators. There is level access onto all trains; however, there can be a large gap between the platform and the train. This may be a problem for some wheelchairs with small front wheels. You may wish to back on and off the trains. All platforms have tactile edges for detection by people who are blind or visually impaired. Announcements are made informing riders which train has arrived. Conductors also announce each stop on board the train.

888/235-3828     General Information
510/834-5438     Elevator Updates
510/839-2220     TTY
www.bart.gov

Municipal Transit (MUNI). MUNI operates buses, streetcars, light rail, and cable cars. All lines are accessible except the 41. The MUNI metro system is accessible at all underground stations and at numerous surface key stops at major destinations and transfer points. Buses are boarded using lifts, while light rail vehicles may be boarded on the surface from high station platforms, mini-high wayside platforms or wayside lifts.

MUNI's streetcar line, the F-line, is wheelchair accessible at most stops. All other cable cars are not wheelchair accessible. Manual wheelchair users who are accompanied by someone who can load the wheelchair onto the cable car may ride.
Please note: Cable car operators are not required to assist with wheelchair loading.

415/673-6864     General Information
415/701-4485     Accessible Services
415/701-4730     TTY
www.sfmta.com/access