Zbarazh Castle in Ternopil region is equipped for people with disabilities

Ksenia Omelchenko

Zbarazh Castle is equipped with ramps, tactile overlays for paths, sound beacons so that visually impaired people can walk through its courtyard and halls.

This was reported to Ukrinform by the communicator of the "Touch – Feel – Know" project, Deputy Director-General of the Ternopillia Castles National Reserve Tetiana Dumska.

"We want to create the necessary conditions for people with visual impairments to visit Zbarazh Castle. That is why we are installing ramps, tactile overlays on paths, extra signs, sound beacons, mnemonics of the castle territory," Dumska said.

Photo: Ternopillia Castles National Reserve

According to her, special indexes and information materials about the castle, printed in Braille, have already been prepared for visitors with special needs. The tactile model of the castle is currently being completed. Touching the three-dimensional model will allow the visitor with special needs to imagine the architectural grandeur of the castle.

Natalia Adamovych, coordinator of the "Touch – Feel – Know" project, researcher at the Ternopillia Castles National Reserve, notes that there are more than 20 exhibition halls in the casemates and the palace.

Photo: Ternopillia Castles National Reserve

The "Touch – Feel – Know"  project will be the first in the field of inclusion in the Ternopil region, which will allow inclusive tourists to participate in various cultural, artistic, and educational projects.

As reported, thanks to a project supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation under the "Inclusive Art" competition program, Zbarazh Castle should become a space for cultural and social interaction with people with special needs.

Photo: Ternopillia Castles National Reserve

In general, according to the initiators of the project, its slogan "Touch – Feel – Know" reveals the essence of the life of people with visual impairments, awareness of the world through touch, and a call to everyone, at least for a moment, to reflect on the challenges faced by blind people.