Accessibility is a basic right—not a luxury, a standard—not an exception. We value the opportunities that come from embracing diverse perspectives. We aim to promote and raise awareness about accessibility, making the world and everyday life more welcoming and inclusive.
When we define accessible tourism, we go beyond traditional frameworks. We think of it more broadly than just providing proper facilities or infrastructure. It’s not only about improving access for people with physical disabilities, but also for parents traveling with small children, seniors, people with allergies, or those with specific needs. Accessible tourism is an investment in the future for all of us.
Accessibility Audits:
For years, Gdańsk Tourism Organization (GOT) has been running a project aimed at providing information on the accessibility of venues for people with disabilities.
Project Objectives:
After the audit is completed, profiles of the audited venues with key accessibility information are published on www.visitgdansk.com. All audits are based on a standardized questionnaire, adapted to the specifics of the audited venue. The questionnaire consists of six thematic sections:
Since 2022, we have completed over 100 accessibility audits in Gdańsk tourist venues, as well as in Tourist Information Points and Gdańsk Resident Card offices operated by GOT. In 2024, this mission continues, with 36 more audits planned.
The list will be regularly updated with new venues.
Communication Guide for Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Communication Guide for Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. The guide fits on an A4 sheet and features thematically arranged pictograms, each with space for a response or to clarify the question. The back side allows for free communication, either in writing or drawings, between the people involved in the interaction.
The guide enables both parties to exchange information effectively. It helps deliver and receive messages by eliminating language, cultural, and other barriers that may arise in traditional verbal communication.
One of the key advantages of the communication guide is its versatility. While it was originally developed to support communication with Deaf and hard of hearing people, its use goes far beyond this group. It can be used by foreigners who do not speak any known language, people who rely on Easy to Read (ETR) communication, people with speech difficulties, and even young children who are just learning to communicate.
The strength of the communication guide lies in its simplicity and flexibility. By using symbols and graphics, it allows users to convey a variety of messages without using words. Simply pointing to a pictogram, combined with a gesture, can serve as both a question and an answer. Additionally, the guide can be personalized and adapted to the specific needs of users and venues, making it even more effective.
The communication guide is currently in the prototyping phase. We are gathering feedback from auditors and staff at tourist venues on its functionality, ease of use, the relevance of the pictograms used, and whether additional symbols should be included. The guides are also being translated into other languages.