Accessibility

Our Aims and Objectives

Kitchen: Featuring low work tops for accessibility.
Kitchen: Featuring low work tops
for accessibility.

Casa Aguia and Casa Coruja were developed to provide high quality villa accommodation, such that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a holiday in the Alentejo - regardless of personal mobility.

It is essential that everyone, particularly guests who are wheelchair users, can function as independently as possible, both inside and outside our villa accommodation.

Any extra assistance, that is required to access any area, reduces the independence of the guest and thereby reduces the quality of their holiday experience.

Questions that we asked ourselves were:

Can a guest who is a wheelchair user, or has other issues regarding mobility...

It was necessary to ensure that we could answer ‘yes’ to all the above questions.

Design Features That We Have Included

  1. All doorways and terraced areas are either level or gently sloping
  2. Front doors are 90cm wide, patio doors are 1m wide and all internal doors are 80cm wide
  3. There is a 2m2 hard standing outside the front door with space for a vehicle to draw alongside and a paved terrace beyond the patio doors
  4. All rooms include 1.5m turning circles
  5. All bedrooms measure 4.9m x 3.5m (16’4” x 11’9”)
  6. All bathrooms measure 2.4m x 2.3m (8’ x 7’6”)
  7. Bathroom Facilities.
    Bathroom Facilities.
    Both bathrooms in Casa Coruja and one of the bathrooms in Casa Aguia are ‘wet room’ style shower rooms and include a level floored shower area with grab rails and an adjustable height thermostatically controlled shower. There is also a static or wheeled shower chair or shower stool available.

    The WC’s in our villa bathrooms are 41cm high and have a 1m space beside, plus grab rails. Toilet seat raisers or commode chairs are available if required.
    The washbasins have open spaces beneath with low level mirrors over and are fitted with monobloc taps.    

    Wheelchair-friendly Kitchen.
    Wheelchair-friendly Kitchen.
    Note: To comply with current Portuguese building regulations, the second bathroom in Casa Aguia includes a low level bath with shower over, washbasin, WC and bidet. We are aware that this may be unsuitable for some guests and if you need to include the use of this room, we would ask that you discuss your requirements with us in advance. A bath lift can be arranged.
  8. The kitchen areas include a low level work surface and hob, both with open spaces beneath and a further open space beneath the sink unit. 

    The oven is set at 50cm above floor level and all crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils etc. are stored within large pull out drawers with space to the side.  

    Swimming pool featuring a wheelchair-friendly ramp.
    Swimming pool featuring a
    wheelchair-friendly ramp.
    Fire blankets and extinguishers can all be accessed from a seated position.
  9. The swimming pool includes a gentle exterior slope along one of the long sides and a raised pool wall. At the bottom of the slope the edge of the pool is then 50cm above ground and this continues along one of the ends of the pool also. The raised ’wall’ has a 60cm seating area on top.

    For guests who would prefer not to use the pool hoist, this design feature gives the option of side to side direct access to the water.

Furnishings

  1. All rooms have been furnished to allow ample freedom of movement ensuring that at least 1.5m turning circles are maintained in all cases.
  2. Lounge seating and all beds are currently 50cm high, but these can be raised if required. Dining tables and patio tables are a suitable height with open space beneath to accommodate a wheelchair. Dining chairs with arms are also available.

Other Aids To Your Comfort And Mobility

We also can provide any of the following items:

  1. Lap tray
  2. Pressure relieving air mattress topper
  3. Adjustable folding walking frame (Zimmer)
  4. Adjustable folding wheeled walker
  5. Over bed manual hoist (Monkey pole)

We can also hire the following items on your behalf:

  1. Electric wheelchair
  2. Scooter

The cost of hire for each of these items is 100 euros per week.

Important: Please advise at the time of booking your preferred bed and lounge seat heights and also whether you would like the use or hire of any other equipment mentioned on this page. A full list and order form can be found on our Aids To Comfort and Mobility page.

The Pool Hoist

When not in use our pool hoist is stored undercover for protection. Please advise us at the time of booking whether you would like it made available - such that it can be installed prior to your arrival.

Visitor Information

Both of our villas have a comprehensive selection of tourist information literature available that includes a publication called ‘Travel Without Barriers’. This book gives detailed information on accessible tourist attractions (places to eat etc.) throughout the Alentejo region of Portugal. It also states clearly the level of accessibility for each venue. There is also further information regarding accessible attractions in the Algarve and Lisbon, as well as more general information relating to the services and facilities available in and around Ourique.

Car Hire

To make the most of a holiday here a hire car is strongly recommended.
If you wish, we can arrange for a hire car to be waiting  for you at the airport.
Alternatively, if you would prefer only to drive locally, we can meet you at the airport and bring your hire car to Vale da Cegonha, for your use while you are with us. We will then also accompany you back to the airport at the end of your holiday.
If you require a hire car with hand controls please advise us at the time of booking.

For further information about other car hire options, please visit our flights and car hire page.

At Your Service

We are resident proprietors at Vale da Cegonha, our cottage and reception being a short distance away from our villas. We are here at all times, should you need us, for help, advice or just a friendly chat.