Brasilia - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Brasilia is a newer city so it has pretty good infrastructure in general, i.e. good roads, some drainage, sidewalks where the expats live, etc. It could be much, much worse based on many other post reports for other countries that I've read. - Jan 2024
Overall in Lago Sul, it is not bad. Lots of sidewalks with ramps most of the time and most parking areas do have a handicapped section. - Oct 2021
In places yes. The sidewalks are not designed very well. - May 2020
A wheelchair would be difficult (not impossible), as the handicap access is usually an afterthought. At restaurants, bathrooms are usually located either on the second floor or in the basement. Overall, though, I think once you figured out what works for you, it would be easier than other cities. Also, Brazilians are extremely helpful, so if you need help, just ask. - May 2017
The city would not be easy to navigate in a wheelchair due to the poor quality of side walks. - May 2017
They do have wheelchair ramps and elevators, but they are not standard or required in all buildings. - Mar 2017
Yes. There are few side walks and fewer ramps, nothing for the visually impaired, narrow doorways into shops and often steps. The few sidewalks are narrow and adjacent to the street. This place would be VERY DIFFICULT for those with physical disabilities. - May 2016
This is a tough city for that. Sidewalks disappear, bike trails are disjointed, public transportation is not very user friendly. - Aug 2015
I've noticed a lot of the curbs are high and the ramps are steep, so yes, there would be many circumstances where a physically disabled person might have difficulties. - Aug 2015
Apartments have elevators, and some sidewalks and stores are accessible, although not everything. - Aug 2015
Yes, depending on the disability. One has to drive everywhere here - public transport is not safe, and/or it doesn't go to all of the places one is likely to go to. It was not designed as a walkable city - and in certain areas, sidewalks are very uneven/rough or non-existent. - Jun 2014
You need a car to get around in Brasilia, so someone with a disability (or even an able-bodied person, for that matter) needs to make sure they have to have access to a vehicle. The Metro is wheelchair accessible, but it only goes to a few places. I don't remember buses being wheelchair accessible. Within the apartment block communities of the north and south wings, sidewalks are wheelchair friendly, and an individual could find just about anything they need and enjoy the outdoors by circulating around their Superblock, but they wouldn't be able to leave it because Brasilia's sidewalks don't connect one Superblock to the next (remember how I mentioned there were flaws in the city's design?) - Sep 2012
Not many sidewalks, and even hotels have very limited wheelchair access. - Dec 2011
Mixed. Non quite up to ADA standards, but ramps and such are most everywhere I visit. - Aug 2011
A LOT! If trying to navigate a few blocks with a stroller is any indication, you'd be in very big trouble. Most sidewalks don't have ramps; many sidewalks have steps; and sometimes there's no sidewalk. - Dec 2009
None - Jun 2009
