Braille tourism project launched
Victor Sibanda
VICTORIA FALLS- The Government has officially launched the country’s first ever Braille project named ‘The Braille Tourism, Inclusive Tourism product in Zimbabwe,” which seeks to ensure provision of tourism products and services to people with disabilities.
Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndlovu presided over the launch at the Victoria Falls International Airport on Friday.
Braille is a raised print which enables blind people to read documents. Visually impaired tourists can now visit the Victoria Falls with ease with brailles at their disposal.
Minister Ndlovu said persons with disabilities (PWDs) should get equal opportunities in accessing services from tourism players.
”As a government, we must be actively providing equal access, as enshrined in our constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” he said.
According to Ndlovu, the launch was a culmination of the Second Republic’s efforts to align the nation with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1 2021 – 2025).
“The Braille for Tourism, is a means through which we seek to afford all citizens equal opportunities to the top-class services that includes our tourism sector. It is one of our first products towards an all-inclusive tourism offering people with disabilities a chance to experience different tourism sites and attractions in Zimbabwe. We are launching this project in Victoria Falls, because it is our prime tourist resort.
I am most pleased that among our participants today, are the community with disabilities, which will be the norm in events and activities under my ministry,” said Ndlovu.
He thanked partners who assisted in making the event a success. “…Allow me to acknowledge Mobi Tech Smith Zimbabwe, through its partnership with Braille for Africa who are leading in this novel approach to our tourism,” he added.
The Minister said the visually impaired deserve a chance to access tourism facilities and the Government is committed to ensure that they get opportunities including participating in economic activities in the tourism sector. PWDs constitute at least 10% of the population.
Ndlovu acknowledged that for a long time, there have been promises to improve the welfare of the PWDs without much action as he called on the tourism players to come up with approaches which promote the welfare of PWDs.
“Despite decades of acknowledging the marginalization of the PWDs, we have not done enough to be all-inclusive. In our private and public places, we have only focused our interventions on putting physical access structures such as the access surfaces or rails for those who use wheelchairs. While I appreciate this effort, it is clearly not enough. We need to do more as tourism players to find approaches that are possible, and we must consult this important constituency,” said Ndlovu.
The Minister urged facilitators or managers of public and commercial spaces to be proactive in ensuring that people with disabilities are not only accommodated, but also welcomed. He added that the introduction of Braille Touring is reflective of the government’s commitment to uplift the destination.
On 9 June, 2021,President Emerson Munangagwa launched the National Disability Policy to empower PWDs towards the national agenda of inclusive development and growth.
The unveiling of braille plaques installed at the Victoria Falls International Airport and at the Rainforest was witnessed by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Matabeleland North, Hon. Richard Moyo, the ZimParks Director General and team, the CEO of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Ms Winnie Muchanyuka, Managing Director, Mobi Tech Smith Zimbabwe E. Mawema, among other dignitaries.
