The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) launched yesterday its Barrier Free Access Guide providing detailed information on obstacle free access to the city’s tourist attractions.
According to an MGTO statement, people with special needs can use the information when planning their visits. The guide was designed to foster the development of an inclusive local community in line with the government’s plan to optimise the city’s urban environment in terms of greater accessibility, the statement said.
According to the statement, MGTO commissioned the Catholic social service organisation Caritas Macau to carry out a consultancy study on accessible tourism facilities in Macau. Caritas conducted site inspections at major local attractions and evaluated their level of accessibility. The Barrier Free Access Guide is based on the data compiled by the consultancy study.
The guide encompasses information on tourist attractions, border checkpoints, convention and exhibition venues, and shopping malls and hotels, involving close to 150 tourist spots, the statement pointed out.
“It not only covers their locations, opening hours and transport facilities, but also includes information on elevators, restrooms and other wheelchair-friendly facilities at these local spots.
“Users can learn more about the barrier-free facilities available at their destinations from the illustrations of the guide,” the statement said.
The Barrier Free Access Guide is using a web accessibility design. Users with special needs can view the website through screen readers or other means. There are videos with auditory and visual guidance for visits to certain tourist spots, enabling wheelchair users to access the actual situation along the routes for better planning of their visits. The website is available in traditional and simplified Chinese characters, English and Portuguese, the statement noted.
MGTO is striving to provide an accessible urban environment for Macau residents and visitors in line with the government’s vision to build a barrier-free city, the statement said, adding that MGTO will continue to optimise the guide and provide a wider range of useful information for people with special needs. The Barrier Free Access Guide is available on https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/barrier-free-access-guide.
This Barrier Free Access Guide image was released by MGTO yesterday.
