Visually-impaired tourists and residents visiting Abu Dhabi, UAE, are now being offered information on the destination in braille – the tactile writing system used by the blind and the visually-impaired.

A concise brochure outlining ‘Ten Things to Know about Abu Dhabi, its Al Gharbia Western Region and heritage heartland of Al Ain’ has been produced in both Arabic and English braille and will circulate through the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s (TCA Abu Dhabi) 10 overseas offices, its visitor centres in the emirate and will be available at its key events.

The braille collateral is the result of a six month co-operation project with the Abu Dhabi-based Zayed Higher Organisation for Human Care and Special Needs. It is the first initiative to provide special products for the blind and visually-impaired in the Arabian Gulf’s tourism promotion sector.

“This is the start of a proactive corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative which we hope to expand to offer a great service to the blind and visually-impaired as well as other physically challenged individuals,” said Mouza Al Shamsi, acting executive director marketing and communications, TCA Abu Dhabi.

The braille collateral will be updated twice-yearly to reflect the evolving nature of Abu Dhabi’s tourism offering.

“The Zayed Higher Organisation is keen to participate in all social activities that focus on integrating people with special needs into society. Providing publications that convey cultural and tourist messages in braille is key to this process and improves accessibility for the blind and visually impaired,” said Naama Al Mansouri, director of the Blind Printing Press, the specialist printing press operated by the organisation.

Plans to roll-out braille into other Abu Dhabi destination promotional activities and stakeholder participation are currently being investigated. – TradeArabia News Service