The first such initiative by Tourism Ireland, the range was launched at this year's World Travel Market in London and includes audio, Braille and large print versions of Tourism Ireland's brochures for the Great Britain market. Plans are also in place for audio versions accessible from the organisation's website, www. tourismireland.com
Great Britain is Ireland's largest tourist market and the new range will cater for the approximately two million people there with sight problems. Tourism Ireland aims to develop this project to produce similar versions for other markets following research on Braille formats for other languages.
Sinead Murray, Direct Marketing Manager said, 'Tourism Ireland has an entire suite of marketing communications across a range of media to promote the island of Ireland to overseas consumers. We are delighted to further extend our communications with the launch of this new range which will cater for the needs of those with sight problems who wish to holiday on the island of Ireland.'
Shane Logan, Director, Royal National Institute of the Blind Northern Ireland (RNIB) said, 'Blind and partially sighted people have the right to access information easily and at the same time as everybody else. This means that printed materials need to be available in audio, large print or Braille, as sight loss can make small print impossible to read. Tourism Ireland is to be commended on their progressive approach in this regard and I'd call on other organisations to follow suit.'
'Whether you're in need of a break or just fancy a week or two away from home, there's no need to abandon the idea just because you have a sight problem. The availability and accessibility of the 'Ireland Holiday Planner 2006' is therefore great news to people with sight problems planning to visit Ireland. RNIB looks forward to working with Tourism Ireland on future collaborations that will benefit blind and partially sighted people visiting Ireland,' concluded Mr. Logan.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Fiona Scott, Tourism Ireland.
Tel: 01 476 3429