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Source:
www.zoo.com.sg |
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SINGAPORE ZOO ADDS
INTERPRETIVES FOR VISUALLY HANDICAPPED TO ITS LIST OF
DISABLED-FRIENDLY FACILITIES |
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Singapore Zoo, in its move to be an
all-inclusive organisation, has introduced Braille interpretives to 10
of the Zoo¡¯s popular exhibits, such as the white tiger and proboscis
monkey. |
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The Zoo has worked closely with the Disabled
People¡¯s Association and Singapore Association of the Visually
Handicapped (SAVH) to revamp the park to make it accessible for
everyone, including the physically and visually handicapped. |
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Today (17 Oct 2006), 40 members from the
SAVH were the first to experience these new installations, under the
guidance of 20 SPH Wildlife Buddies, or student conservation guides. |
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The specially guided tour included a
touch-and-feel session which introduced participants to animal
artifacts. This was followed by a visit to the exhibits with Braille
interpretives and replicas of certain animals that would heighten the
experience for the visually-impaired. |
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These special exhibits are the latest
addition to the Zoo¡¯s list of disabled-friendly facilities. In May this
year, the Zoo worked with the Disabled People¡¯s Association of Singapore
(DPA) to conduct a major audit of the park. |
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The following month, after incorporating all
the changes and suggestions, the DPA listed the Zoo in its website as a
disabled-friendly organisation (see
http://www.dpa.org.sg/access/db/in-zoo.htm) |
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Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of
Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, said: "Singapore Zoo aims to be an
all-inclusive organisation catering to all sectors of society. With the
tour, we hope to make the Zoo experience more meaningful and impactful
for the visually-handicapped. This initiative is also part of our
evolution to be a more disabled-friendly facility." |
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To cater to the visually-impaired, the Zoo
produced interpretive signboards featuring Braille and engraved drawings
of the animals at the exhibit. |
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At the proboscis monkey exhibit, six
life-sized models of the monkeys allow visually-impaired visitors to
imagine how the animals look through touch. It has also produced a
guidebook for the visually-impaired which contains a Braille version of
the Zoo map and introductions to some of the animals in Braille. |
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Copies are available for loan at the
Zoo¡¯s Visitors Services Booth. These will complement the
visually-impaired visitor¡¯s other sensory experiences of the Zoo
via sound, touch, smell and taste. |
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The Braille interpretive signboards
and life-sized animal models are found at the Asian small-clawed
otter, white rhinoceros, proboscis monkey, Elephants of Asia,
hamadryas baboons, kangaroo, pygmy hippopotamus, white tiger,
babirusa and Malayan tapir exhibits. |
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About 90 per cent of the park is
accessible by wheelchair. There are ramps and allocated wheelchair
areas for disabled visitors to view various exhibits and animal
shows. |
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At the Animal Friends Show, Shaw
Foundation Amphitheatre, Elephants of Asia exhibit as well as the
Sea lion and Polar Bear viewing galleries, wheelchair slots are
marked out to cater to disabled visitors. The wheelchair seating
capacity ranges from six to 15 persons. |
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Wheelchair services are available at
the entrance. Visitors may choose to rent a motorised wheelchair
at $25 or borrow the non-motorised wheelchair for free. Disabled
visitors affiliated to the National Council of Social Services¡¯
registered Voluntary Welfare Organisations enjoy free admission to
the Zoo. |
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The list of disabled-friendly
facilities is found on the Zoo¡¯s website (http://www.zoo.com.sg). |
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ISSUED By : Wildlife Reserves
Singapore |
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Source:
www.zoo.com.sg Press Release 17
Oct 2006 |
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Notice |
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FrontPage Edition: Wed 25 October 2006
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