The project was implemented by the Kyiv Tourism and Promotion Department together with the creative team, which included people with visual impairments. This was reported on the Official Portal of Kyiv.
"The publication will be interesting and useful for both children and adults to read. Thanks to this project, visually impaired people not only know more about the historical sights and tourist locations of the capital, but also literally feel them by touch. According to the Kyiv City Center for Medical and Social Expertise, in 2024 alone, 555 adults became disabled due to diseases of the organs of vision, more than 180 of them due to complete loss of vision. In addition, there are more than 30 children in Kyiv who have lost sight in both eyes. Therefore, creating affordable products is extremely important. The guide is developed taking into account the needs of people with reduced vision and with complete loss of vision. It will become a part of educational and rehabilitation programs aimed at comprehensive rehabilitation," said Maryna Honda, deputy head of the KMDA for the exercise of self-governing powers and the person responsible for accessibility issues in Kyiv.
.jpg)
She stated that the publication contains information about the most significant tourist locations of the capital — 30 pearls of Kyiv, including historical monuments, churches, parks, theaters, bridges and other city buildings. In particular, we are talking about the 11th-century St. Sophia Cathedral, the Azov Wave Bridge, the main sports arena of the country, the Mother Motherland monument and other popular objects without which it is impossible to imagine Kyiv today.
"The promotion of tourist locations during wartime is not only a matter of preserving our cultural heritage, but also an effective tool for the restoration of domestic tourism. The guide offers a unique opportunity for people with visual impairments to get to know the most popular places of the capital through a tactile experience.
This initiative expands access to tourist attractions to a wider range of people and demonstrates that Kyiv continues to be one of the main tourist centers of the country. The publication shows that even in the most difficult times it is important and possible to implement new inclusive projects that contribute to the social integration of society and strengthen the tourism potential of the city," said the head of the Kyiv Tourism and Promotion Department, Maryna Radova.
She stated that the publication was the first of its kind in Ukraine, created according to the principles of universal design, which combines flat-printed enlarged font, relief color images and Braille font.
Some of the books will be donated to the capital's rehabilitation centers and libraries. Profile and specialized institutions that work with people with visual impairments can apply for the guide at the e-mail address: tourism@kyivcity.gov.ua The number of copies is limited.
.jpg)
