Cape Town, South Africa: On World Braille Day, Love Cape Town has shared a throwback post related to the launch of ‘Limitless Cape Town’.
While considering the iconic Yellow Frames, Love Cape Town wrote, “It’s World Braille Day! This important day not only pays homage to the inventor of Braille, Louis Braille but also raises awareness among people about the importance of Braille. It is also a tactile reading and writing system for individuals blind or visually impaired.”
They asked, “Explore Cape Town’s iconic Yellow Frames, now equipped with Braille plaques to assist the visually impaired.”
Reportedly, Cape Town Tourism unveiled a technology for the first time, ‘Limitless Cape Town’, a vision of inclusivity, in South Africa on July 13, 2023.
Cape Town Tourism is the officially worldwide globally acclaimed Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMO) for the City of Cape Town.
The ‘Limitless Cape Town’ is a first-of-its-kind universal access movement. The movement ensures that all people should get equal opportunity and access to Cape Town’s tourism landscape to make the city more inclusive to all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
As per the sources, the movement also introduces city-wide braille touchpoints and South Africa’s first ever qualified blind tour guide. It creates a tourism environment that allows anyone to embark on unforgettable and exhilarating adventures across the city. It makes sure not to face any barriers or discrimination.
The CEO of Cape Town Tourism – Enver Duminy, said that the movement reflects Cape Town Tourism’s commitment to providing accessible and welcoming experiences. The CTT inspires people to explore new horizons, break barriers and create unforgettable memories.
Duminy mentioned that they ignited an evolution of universal access. It leads up to Mandela Day and serves as a reminder of Madiba’s legacy of committed peace, social justice and, most importantly, equality by shattering barriers, unveiling opportunities and empowering every visitor.
“That’s why our goal with this movement is to drive limitless possibilities for everyone. No matter what their abilities, transforming Cape Town into an accessible destination for all,” said Duminy.
Member of Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town – Alderman James Vos said that accessible tourism is about making it easy for everyone to enjoy tourism experiences.
James Vos added that they launched this exciting and inspiring movement that will pave the way for universally accessible tourism in Cape Town.
“We are showing that we care and cooperate to make our city a destination that puts the needs of people first to ensure that our products and places are accessible when it comes to functionality and features,” mentioned Alderman James Vos.
Notably, Cape Town Tourism officially installed braille touch-points on street art murals in Salt River and Cape Town’s iconic yellow frames at tourist attractions across the city for the first phase of the project.
The DMO installed the QR codes that also included audio content and described the views and art murals by voice so that all visitors could enjoy the experience.
The locations where the iconic yellow frame installed were:
- V&A Waterfront
- Signal Hill
- Blouberg – Eden on the Bay
- District Six
- Silo District
The Chairperson of the Cape Town Tourism Board and MD of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway – Wahida Parker, said that the new yellow frame braillie touch-points ensure visually impaired guests enjoy every aspect of the Mother City experience.
They capture every detail of the scenery through that specific frame and the awe-inspiring sight of the magnificent flat-topped Table Mountain.
The CEO of CTT Duminy said that they are looking at developing more enhanced audio guides via QR codes for menus in restaurants, artwork in hotels and guesthouses.
“We’re committed to supporting kids with disabilities as our future leaders in tourism activities and programmes that challenge all DMOs and industry associations in Africa to also commit to promoting universal access,” said Duminy.
World Braille Day is celebrated internationally on January 4 to make people aware of the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights of blind and visually impaired people.