AirZim launches braille safety card
it was a first for the national carrier as air Zimbabwe launched a braille safety card and a braille version of the in-flight magazine,
in line with government’s inclusivity policy of leaving no one and no place behind.
The braille safety card and skyhost magazine in braille were launched on october 14 2022 on-board flight um324 Harare-Bulawayo on the iconic B737- 200 affectionately known as “mbuya nehanda”.
speaking on arrival at Jm nkomo international airport, air Zimbabwe vice-board chairperson ruth Hungwe-rukarwa said the visually impaired also deserve in-flight entertainment for a wholesome feel of Zimbabwean hospitality in the skies.
“disability always puts you on the back foot, but what we find is that we want to help them (the visually impaired passengers) come through and enjoy our service. The braille safety card and magazine will also be available on every aircraft in service,” she said.
as an organisation that is on a trajectory of
We are now able to access a lot of information on our own during flights, the same information which the passenger sitting next to me can read, now I am also able to access it
rebuilding its brand image and perception, this initiative seeks to tailor an additional inclusive on-board experience for the visually impaired passengers. The first passenger to experience and enjoy this initiative was desire mutekiwa who expressed joy with this development.
“We are now able to access a lot of information on our own during flights, the same information which the passenger sitting next to me can read, now i am also able to access it,” he said.
This initiative is a culmination of a partnership between air Zimbabwe and Braille for africa represented by its director enock mawema.
mawema applauded the national flag carrier for such an inclusive initiative and for embracing the national disability policy, which seeks to empower people with disability towards the national agenda of inclusive development and growth, leaving no one and no place behind.
“it transforms the entire tourism sector in such a way that it becomes people driven tourism,” he said.
“it is positive and reinforces our mantra where nds1 says no one is left behind.”
The second republic led by president emmerson mnangagwa seeks to grow Zimbabwe to be an upper middle-income economy by the year 2030 and air transport through the exploits of the flag carrier, plays a critical role in enabling this endeavour facilitating trade, investment and tourism.