Armenia launches accessible travel app for hearing-impaired tourists

Armenia has launched a new app that offers guided tours in sign language for tourists with hearing impairments. The app, called Accessible Dilijan, is part of an initiative to make the city of Dilijan more inclusive and welcoming for visitors with disabilities.

Accessible Dilijan features sign language tours and videos

Accessible Dilijan is an app that allows tourists with hearing impairments to explore the city of Dilijan independently, without the need for an interpreter or a guide. The app features sign language tours and videos that cover various attractions and landmarks in the city, such as museums, churches, parks, and monuments.

The app is available in Armenian, Russian, and English sign language, and can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and the App Store. The app also provides information on the accessibility and facilities of the places visited, such as ramps, elevators, and restrooms.

Accessible Dilijan is supported by the Tourism Committee and GoToDili

Accessible Dilijan is an initiative of GoToDili, a destination management organization that promotes and develops tourism in Dilijan. GoToDili received support and funding from the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, which aims to make Armenia more accessible and attractive for tourists with disabilities.

The project is also part of the Dilijan Development Programme, which is a comprehensive plan to improve the infrastructure, services, and environment of the city. The programme involves various stakeholders, such as the local government, the private sector, the civil society, and the international community.

Accessible Dilijan is the first of its kind in Armenia and the region

Accessible Dilijan is the first app in Armenia and the region that offers sign language tours for tourists with hearing impairments. The app is expected to increase the number and satisfaction of visitors to Dilijan, as well as to raise awareness and appreciation of the city’s cultural and natural heritage.

The app is also expected to inspire other cities and destinations in Armenia and the region to adopt similar initiatives and to improve their accessibility and inclusiveness for tourists with disabilities. The app is also a model of collaboration and innovation among different actors and sectors in the tourism industry.