World Youth Day officials plan ways to help pilgrims with special needs

12 July, 2013 - More than 200 World Youth Day volunteers will be dedicated to helping pilgrims with special needs during the July 23-28 event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cesar Bacchim, who is working on accessibility for World Youth Day, said pilgrims with audio, visual, intellectual and mobility deficiencies will have a special place at the front of main celebrations "so that they can participate in the celebration and not be a mere spectator." The local committee has prepared special structures to receive disabled pilgrims at the main events at Copacabana beach and vigil at Campus Fidei, in Rio's Guaratiba neighborhood, including special bathrooms and food stands with braille menus. A team of mechanics will be on hand at the vigil site in case of wheelchair malfunctions, but pilgrims will be expected to walk or be pushed on their wheelchairs along the 8-mile route to get there. "All of this information will be provided to the pilgrims in their Pilgrim Kit, which will include a map of where we have reserved a special area for those who need a little more help to participate," Bacchim said. He added that areas reserved for pilgrims with disabilities will be marked by a tall pole with the universal disability access symbol. (Source: CNS)