FIA-ITF website: Travel Opportunities for Motorists with a Disability
FIA - Disabled Motoring - Travel Opportunities for Motorists with a Disability
The FIA–ITF website on Travel Opportunities for Motorists with a Disability provides essential travel information on accessibility, parking, and driving regulations across borders. It also includes guidance on motorsport for people with disabilities. The data is drawn from ITF member countries and FIA member clubs worldwide.
The website was launched in 2021 by the International Transport Forum (ITF) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). It aims to improve international travel for motorists with special needs by centralising key regulatory and practical information.
In 2022, the website was presented at the ITF 2022 Summit by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim (Media event).
An updated version, launched on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities in 2024, includes expanded content on accessibility and motorsport opportunities.
Prior to this joint ITF-FIA initiative, the ITF and its predecessor organisation, the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT), have provided extensive information and policy analysis regarding the travel needs of people with mobility impairments.
In 1978, the ECMT Council of Ministers agreed that all ECMT Member Countries would grant the same parking concessions to people with disabilities as they offered to their own nationals. These concessions usually allowed special parking in areas reserved for people with disabilities, or allowed longer parking periods or exemptions from charges.
This Resolution (PDF) was updated and extended in scope in 1997 to include not only ECMT Member Countries, but also ECMT Associate Countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and United States), with the condition to display a badge showing the international wheelchair symbol.
In 1998, the EU adopted a Resolution (PDF) along the same lines for the EU Member States. The badges to be displayed were standardised as the EU Blue Parking Badge (PDF) to facilitate recognition and to avoid difficulties at the local level.
In 2009, to facilitate the implementation of these decisions, ITF provided information on Parking Cards for Disabled People (2010) (PDF) to help people visiting various countries understand the local rules.