Letters | Hong Kong should explore the potential for visual impairment-friendly travel
Readers discuss how to help the visually impaired experience culture and art, what Old Master Q means to Hongkongers, and things to be thankful for
For many people – whether they are older, or have mobility or sensory challenges – travelling can be complicated. In Hong Kong, efforts to improve accessibility have grown, but most still focus on mobility.
Let’s widen the conversation: think about the last time you travelled. How much of that depended on sight?
At Beyond Vision International (BVI), we use tactile graphics with audio descriptions to help the visually impaired explore culture, art, architecture and communities.
For the visually impaired, accessibility is not just about reaching a destination, but experiencing it on equal terms. From appreciating a building’s history to noticing a painting’s smallest details, many travel experiences rely on sight – yet few attractions or guides address this gap.
Over the past two years, BVI partnered with Kaifong Tour to create visual impairment-friendly guided tours of two local communities. The experience showed us that making Hong Kong more VI-friendly requires much more professional collaboration and resources: guide training in accessibility and description, accessible tactile materials for visualisation, community education and more.
When we brought the model to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, it attracted visually impaired travellers from abroad. Statistics show that in some developed countries, two-thirds of people with disabilities are able to travel – along with their companions, they represent tremendous market potential.