Yasmina Kattou, edited by Laura Laplaud 08:35, July 19, 2022
One out of two visually impaired people has already given up going on vacation because of their disability.
For good reason, 70% of them have problems booking online and say they are restricted in their choice of destination.
Whether it is the choice of hotel or the activities to do on site, everything becomes complicated for a visually impaired person wishing to go on vacation.
In France, there are about two million visually impaired people, according to figures from the Federation of Guide Dogs.
70% of visually impaired people have problems booking online and say they are restricted in their choice of destination due to mobility problems they may have on site, according to a survey by the French Federation of Guide Dog Associations. blind.
Leaving on a whim?
Impossible
Packing his suitcase and leaving on a whim with friends is no longer possible for Pierre-Marie.
He lost his sight ten years ago and with his companion, also visually impaired, they resigned themselves to going on vacation.
"I've been wanting to go on vacation for three years, but I can't. We would like to go to Florence, Italy," he says.
"I try to have assistance on site because when you can't see, walking in a city you don't know is still complicated."
"At the end of the month, we go to my parents, so we stay in the family cocoon. We can't completely make independent holidays," he regrets.
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To leave as a couple, Karine chose the organized trip.
But before crossing the hiking trails with your guide, you have to go through the reservation stage.
"There are things that will not necessarily be accessible. When we book plane tickets, we will use the internet. We have a calendar to select our departure and arrival dates. It's a real hassle", she explains.
"In stations and airports, it's so big that to find the exact location of the stairs, you have to ask for help. We have no choice."
Karine would like more sound alerts and Braille signage in train stations and airports so that we no longer depend entirely on passers-by each time you go on vacation.