The island’s foundation Sporen in het Zand, and the Stadsbosbeheer are looking at ways to ‘show’ blind people the islands topography
Translated by Thomas Ansell
The viewpoint will be specifically designed for those hard of sight, and will be called ‘Tastbaar Terschelling’ (Tangible Terschelling). It will be installed at the Kaapsduin, and it is hoped that the work will mean that non-sighted people will be able to orient themselves on the island. The point will take the form of a carved and built-up panel, where visitors can ‘feel’ their way around the island, as reported in the Omrop Fryslân.
The Kaapsduin has been chosen as the location thanks to its multi-sensory offering: it provides the perfect place to hear the waves booming and crashing onto beaches, whilst also being able to taste salt-spray, and smell the fresh coastal air.
All of the paths surrounding the location for the Tangible Terschelling point must be improved so that partially-sighted people can find the new point. Every year, around 100 to 150 blind or hard of sight people come to the Island of their own accord, whilst around 500 more people with reduced vision come as part of groups or families.
The foundation Sporen in het Zand has already made the sand dune accessible for people in wheel-chairs or mobility scooters. Part of the Tangible Terschelling point will include scannable codes, so that visitors can access online stories of the island.
The plan requires investment of around 50,000 Euros to succeed, and various groups involved are hard at work gathering the funds. Once these have been secured, the panel and point will be delivered within two years.
Image: the island of Terschelling by Flickr user Heribert Bechen. License here
