How will a person with a disability participate?

The pilgrim with a disability needs to make it clear that s/he desires differentiated accomodation and the specific nature of his/her need must be indicated during the registration process. The event organization understands that the groups of people who do not select this option are going to provide,for the needs of each person in their group who will use a wheelchair during WYD.

More than 200 volunteers will complete training to work with pilgrims with disabilities during WYD. However, it is worth emphasizing that the volunteers will not be companions, but will aid specific needs.


Note the following directives:

- Information centers will be available as of July 22nd at the entrance for pilgrims with disabilities by the airports and bus station in Rio de Janeiro.

- The transfer from his/her place of arrival to the place of accomodation is the pilgrim’s responsibility.

- The pilgrim is going to get his/her kit at the delivery points, which will be disclosed at the time of confirmation of registration. The person responsible for the group will have to obtain the kits and report the type of disability.

- The kits will not be delivered at the accomodation sites.

- Transportation for Campus Fidei (Guaratiba) will only be for people who use wheelchairs and who, at the time of registration, request special accomodation. All other people with disabilities will use the city’s public transportation.

- To be in the area reserved for people with disabilities at Campus Fidei (Guaratiba) and at Copacabana, it is obligatory for each pilgrim with a disability to note that they have a disability and what type of disability during the registration process.

- At Campus Fidei (Guaratiba) and Copacabana, there will be an area for People with Disabilities. Each pilgrim with a disability will be able to take 1 (one) companion.

- At Copacabana Beach and Campus Fidei (Guaratiba), there be will signal posts with the international disability symbols (visual, auditory, physical and intellectual). This will facilitate so that the registered pilgrim knows where to be directed.

- There will be a support team (volunteers) to help guide the pilgrims with disabilities identified by means of a red button on their T-shirts.

- All pilgrims with disabilities who wish to participate in the Vigil (Saturday, July 27th) at Campus Fidei (Guaratiba) will have to participate in the walk of around 13 km. On average through one of the 3 access roads. During the pilgrim’s walk, teams of volunteers, medical centers and hydration centers will be installed throughout the route.

- Every pilgrim with a disability, whether s/he uses a wheelchair or not, will not have the possibility of returning to his/her lodging from Saturday to Sunday. Thus, s/he will have to stay overnight at the Vigil site anticipating the Closing Mass (Sunday, July 28th) at 10:00 A.M.

- Sleeping bags will have to be taken for the overnight stay at Campus Fidei (Guaratiba).

- At the Main Events, in Copacabana and Campus Fidei (Guaratiba), big screens with interpreters will be transmitting only in ‘LIBRAS’ (the acronym for Brazilian Sign Language).

- During WYD, the Youth Festival and Vocations Fair will also take place. In the pilgrim’s kit will be attached the handbook with the program and the indication with the international disability symbol indicating the accessibility or the presence of interpreters of ‘LIBRAS’ (the acronym for Brazilian Sign Language).

- Special lodging will only be for people who use wheelchairs who request this type of housing at the time of registration.

- The person who uses a wheelchair who requested special lodging and had transportation for the Vigil at Campus Fidei (Guaratiba) (Saturday, July 27th) will only have transportation to return on Sunday, July 28th after the Mass.

- We will not have any type of sleeping accomodation at Campus Fidei (Guaratiba). It is necessary to take a sleeping bag.

- At the Main Events, on Copacabana Beach and at Campus Fidei (Guaratiba), audio-description equipment reserved for the blind will only be available in Portuguese.

- The person who uses a guide dog will have to bring the dog’s food ration. WYD will supply the container for water and dog food.

- We ask that the person who uses a guide dog carry the dog’s updated vaccination card.

- The pilgrim with an intelectual disability will be able to take 1 (one) companion to the reserved area.

For more information about questions of accessibility and communication, send an e-mail to disability@rio2013.com.

* WYD : World Youth Day

Source : Rio2013 , 20th  June 2013