Blind and visually impaired individuals in Olomouc have models of other monuments

Olomouc - Models of other monuments in Olomouc allow people with severe visual impairments, including the blind, to get to know the historical sites in the city more closely. These are wooden models of the Church of St. Gorazd and the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Svatý Kopeček, which visually impaired individuals can touch directly in the locations, said Barbora Tkadlecová from TyfloCentrum Olomouc.
     "The models are made of wood, which is a high-quality material resistant to damage and very pleasant for tactile exploration. The blind can thus gain an idea of the size, shape, and possibly the peculiarities of the entire structure. The partially sighted, who have difficulty seeing far and high in reality, can examine the monument closely from all sides and thus get to know it better," Tkadlecová stated.
     Both models are located in the respective churches and are supplemented with captions and guides in enlarged print and Braille. The model of the Church of St. Gorazd was made by students from the Secondary School of Woodcarving in Tovačov, and the model of the basilica at Svatý Kopeček was created by Lubor Děrda from Oskava. The project was financially supported by the city of Olomouc.
     Both models were created as part of the second phase of the project. Previously, models of three cultural monuments in the center of Olomouc had been made accessible. These include the historic town hall building in the Upper Square and the nearby churches of St. Maurice and St. Michael. "We have received very positive feedback on the first phase; many blind and visually impaired people have viewed the models, not only from the Olomouc region but also from various parts of the country and even from abroad. The project is fulfilling its purpose; it is a step in the right direction," said Jiří Příborský, director of Tyflocentrum.
     From this autumn, a so-called Sensory Garden in the Botanical Garden of the Flora Exhibition Center will also serve blind and visually impaired people in Olomouc. In a raised bed, visitors can perceive about 80 species of plants using their sense of smell, touch, and hearing, with their names displayed on labels in Braille.
     Approximately 900 clients, not only from the Olomouc region but also from the outskirts of neighboring regions, utilize the services of TyfloCentrum. The organization helps people with visual impairments integrate into society.