At the Botanical Garden of Naples, a path for the blind has been created which allows everyone to learn about natural resources!
THE Botanical Garden of Naples, thanks to the precious work done by Dr. R. Muoio and Prof. B. Menale, has realized a path dedicated to the blind, so that they too can learn about the natural resources, present inside the garden, through the sense of smell, touch and reading in Braille.
The idea came to mind in the nineties to Dr. Muoio and after some discussions with the Blind Association, an agreement was reached. Along the way, some had to be installed stoneware tiles equipped with LOGES symbols, handrail and signs in braille with directions.
Thanks to this, visitors, after having listened to the necessary explanations, will be able to move freely, touch and smell the plants present and read the information of each individual plant thanks to the Braille tags. The visit to the Botanical Garden will take place only his prenotazione.
The Botanical Garden is a partner of the project "Naples in his hands” which has been fighting for years to ensure that every citizen has the right to culture. This project was born from the collaboration of the University Service for Activities of Students with Disabilities (SAAD) of the Suor Orsola Benincasa University with the Capodimonte Museum, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, the La Paranza Social Cooperative, the Botanical Garden , the Regional Museum Center of Campania, the Underground Bourbon Association, the Deputation of the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro and some associations of people with disabilities such as the DPI, the UICI, the UNIVoC and the ENS-Campania.
The path for the blind is divided in two parts: the first will take place inside a building called the Chalet, the second in the outdoor area adjacent to the Chalet.
First itinerary
In the Chalet have been placed panels and wooden cases for the presentation of various exhibitions. In the upper part of the case, where the various plant materials are exhibited, the visitor, through a forum, can feel the characteristics of the vegetable to the touch and smell its scent through the sense of smell. On the side, compared to the hole, a text was placed in Braille characters that shows the information of the vegetable touched. In the lower part of the panels four cork stoppers impregnated with essential oils have been arranged. The visitor can lift the cap, feel the scent and read the information in braille placed next to each cap.
Second itinerary
At the end of the visit to the Chalet, the visitors, helped by the handrail on which engravings have been made indicating the presence of plants, will be able to go to the outdoor area. At the side of the building, some examples of plants whose characteristics are illustrated are arranged in two rows. On the steps, behind the Chalet, the aromatic plants of the Mediterranean cuisine and an exhibition of plants that are easy to recognize by touch and smell.
These are fragrant and pubescent plants such as absinthe, lemon balm, yarrow and some plants belonging to the Pelargonium characterized by an intense scent. In the rear part of the Chalet some specimens of climbing roses without thorns and some plants belonging to the Buxus sempervirens have been arranged, pruned in order to reproduce geometric shapes. Of course, each plant will have its own braille identity tag.
Information on the Path for the visually impaired
When: every day of the week
Where: Botanical Garden, via Foria n. 223
Timetables:
- every day from 09: 00 to 14: 00
- Tuesday and Thursday from 09: 00 to 16: 00
