T-Mobile supports the publication of a unique Prague guidebook for the disabled
Public 16.12.2008 in category Press News / CSR and Sponsoring
- A unique Prague guidebook for disabled people has been published recently
- Ten tourist routes through Prague that can be managed by disabled people in wheelchairs
Prague 16 December 2008 - Disabled people who wish to explore the beautiful places and sights in the Czech capital may now use a unique guidebook titled Prague without Barriers, whose publication was supported by the T‑Mobile Fund. The book includes ten carefully selected routes that people in standard or electric wheelchairs can manage on their own without assistance.
"Although it is an excellent and useful project, it could not have been funded with any of the state subsidies provided to disabled people. We are really glad that it could be successfully carried out with our support," says Martina Kemrova, Senior Head Corporate Communication and spokeswoman for T-Mobile.
The guidebook was created in cooperation with disabled people, as they know best which terrain is accessible for them and which is not, and which obstacles they can overcome and which are too difficult for them. The guidebook respects the fact that people using wheelchairs have different disabilities and their ability to move around without other people's assistance varies.
The guidebook is unique in that it does not just list handicap-accessible buildings but suggests entire routes. Apart from interesting sights, it also mentions accessible restaurants, public toilets, etc. "Sights and buildings are often labeled as accessible when actually they are not. Healthy people often do not realize what can be an obstacle for a person in a wheelchair," says Petra Blahova, chairwoman of the Tourism Development civic association, which implemented the project. "When preparing the guidebook, we followed our own experience. Things are actually very different from what is written in other publications."
The Tourist Development non-profit organization has been helping disabled people for five years, and received the Humanity Award in 2006. It operates the www.praguecityline.cz portal dedicated to handicap-friendly tourism. T-Mobile has supported the project through the VIA Foundation, contributing half of the total costs of the Prague without Barriers project, which amounted to CZK 200,000. The guidebook will be distributed free of charge to all civic associations and other organizations providing help to disabled people. It will also be sent to the municipal authorities of Prague's individual districts and to hospitals, and copies will be provided to the General Health Insurance Company. "We will also send the free guidebook to individuals who request it," adds Petra Blahova.
The T-Mobile Fund has been operating for three years. Within this year's grant proceedings, 135 projects were selected out of 390 applications, which will receive CZK 8.1 million in total.
For more information, please contact Petra Blahova, e-mail: praguecityline@gmail.cz, tel.: 602 287 855, www.praguecityline.cz.
About the Company
T-Mobile Czech Republic has been operating in the Czech market since 1996. As of 30 September 2011, almost 5.4 million customers were using T-Mobile services.
T-Mobile operates a public mobile communications network on the GSM and UMTS standards. Since 1 January 2008, T-Mobile has been offering fixed data and voice telecommunications services. In 2009, T-Mobile extended its portfolio to include ICT services and, since November 2010, the operator also offers the T-Mobile TV satellite television service.
T-Mobile has always focused on the quality of offered services. Independent tests have repeatedly confirmed that T-Mobile is the quality leader in 2G and 3G (UMTS FDD) data services, as well as in GSM voice services.
Since its establishment, the company has placed emphasis on excellent customer service and proper conduct towards business partners, employees and the environment. T-Mobile has received, among other awards, the VIA Bona 2009 award for the involvement of its employees in philanthropic and volunteer activities.
T-Mobile is a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom. Thanks to the group’s international presence, customers can count on the worldwide availability of their favourite services and enjoy uniform, favourable prices of calls when abroad.
For more information about the company, please visit t-press.cz or www.t-mobile.cz.
