Freedom Drive 2007

Well, I am waiting to have my train tickets confirmed but I am going again to the Freedom Drive in Strasbourg this year. I was there in 2005. It is funny to see the photo I sent to Fergal Scully two years ago used in the publicity this year.

Here is the ENIL blog for it. Bente Skansgård is now the President of ENIL (European Network on Independent Living). Congratulations, Bente!

Bente Skansgård

And for those who might be going from the UK and need to sort their train tickets out - you might be interested in this notice -

Eurostar, SNCF and other major European Rail Operators welcome customers with specific needs or who require extra assistance when they are travelling by train. We strongly recommend that all bookings for access with wheelchairs or assisted access are made through our Customer Call Centre:

Telephone Number 08708 371 371

Mon to Fri 8.00am-9.00pm, Sat 9.00am-6.00pm, Sun 10.00am-5.00pm

Rail Europe customer services are happy to help with:

• Rail information
• Request mobility assistance
• Reserve seats and wheelchair spaces

For post booking assistance, please call Rail Europe customer services on 08708 302000.

from Raileurope

If you are flying - the best way is to go with Ryanair to Karlsruhe Baden and get a taxi to the Baden Baden train station. Actually there are not many taxis if you land in the evening or that many train services connecting you. If you drive, you can hire a car. Here is the airport information. You can also fly Easyjet and arrive at Mulhouse and take the train to Strasbourg.

Hotel rooms are scarce because not only are there over 100 Freedom Drive attendees, it also happens to be European parliament week. Many of the hotels are booked solid.  Including the ones in neighbouring German town Kehl. There are youth hostels in Strasbourg - Rene Cassin has not got accessible facilities although I met several Freedom Drivers who stayed there in 2005. It is accessible through the tramway.