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The Acropolis now accommodates persons who are blind or have low vision. Donated exclusively by the Onassis Foundation, in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece

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The Acropolis is now more accessible than ever, with culture placed in everybody’s hands. Thanks to a new tactile tour, persons from across the world who are blind or have low vision are being offered a series of tools and aids that allow them, quite literally, to touch the Acropolis and trace its history.

Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

The Acropolis – the beating heart of Athens, and an everlasting symbol of democracy – shines as a beacon over daily life in the Greek capital, and forms an inextricable part of Athenian cultural heritage and identity. Today, the archeological site of the Acropolis is being handed over to all, giving persons who are blind or have low vision the chance to come in contact with its history through their sense of touch.On Thursday, November 24, the Onassis Foundation – in partnership with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports – delivered an exemplary accessibility initiative at the archeological site of the Acropolis, specially designed to offer the best possible tour experience for persons who are blind or have low vision. This tactile tour was launched by the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, in the presence of the President of the Onassis Foundation, Anthony S. Papadimitriou, and the Board of Directors President of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece, Maria Tzevelekou.

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“This new Onassis Foundation initiative – ‘Accessibility for persons with vision loss” – is the natural next step that complements our other ventures of the last two years, namely: the new lighting of the Acropolis, featuring a pioneering design by Eleftheria Deko that has garnered awards internationally; and new walkways for persons with disabilities that, taken together with the installation of an inclined elevator, have made the citadel of Athens accessible for all. This new and symbolic approach, bolstered here by improving access for persons who are blind or have low vision, impacts not just Greece but also interests international visitors since the large-print texts have been made available in six languages.

“For the Onassis Foundation, access to culture, healthcare, and education is of the utmost importance – it underlines that humankind is the measure of all things.”

– Anthony S. Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation

Following the handover of both the new Acropolis lighting and a state-of-the-art inclined elevator, this new initiative comprises 15 info stops, where visitors who are blind or have low vision can make use of universal access tools and aids. The project was designed to act as a model for how to implement accessibility activities at archeological sites across Greece, particularly those designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Highlights from the new tactile tour

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    Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

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    Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

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    Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

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    Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

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    Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

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    Photo: Stelios Tzetzias

Feeling your way around a tactile tour for persons who are blind or have low vision

In order to provide persons who are blind or have low vision with universal access to the archeological site of the Acropolis, the new tactile route around the citadel features a series of haptic tools and aids, specifically:

  • Twelve visitor stops and four info stations offering specially-designed tactile tools and aids.
  • A custom mobile app for touring the site’s monuments, available for Android and iOS. Visitors can download this app from the official website of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens (EFAPA), here.
  • Informative leaflets produced by EFAPA and the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA). Featuring details about the restoration of the Acropolis monuments in Braille and large print, these leaflets are available in six languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
  • An accessibility guide to the archeological site of the Acropolis for persons who are blind or have low vision, available in Braille and six languages.
  • A tactile map of the archeological site of the Acropolis with a key in Greek and English Braille.
  • A tactile Acropolis tour route sign with a key in Greek and English Braille.
  • A tactile 3D model rendering the archeological site of the Acropolis, designed especially for persons who are blind or have low vision, and with a key in Greek and English Braille.
  • Two signs presenting archeological and historical information about the Acropolis, in Greek and English Braille.
  • Model replicas of the columns that characterize the three orders of ancient Greek architecture: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.

Last but not least, site guards are being specially trained to make them proficient in the techniques and tools necessary for tending to visitors who are blind or have low vision.

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