A Braille Trail for all: Inclusive design in the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden

Abstract

Background: Disability-inclusive public green spaces are vital for universal accessibility and for enhancing accessible tourism. Integrating multisensory stimuli with information and communication technologies fosters inclusive, sustainable, interactive, and site-specific tourism experiences.
Objectives: The objective of this article is to present the development of the Braille Trail in the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden (KDNBG), South Africa, highlighting how participatory design, inclusive multisensory gardens and locative literature foster accessible tourism experiences, while addressing gaps in the literature on sensory and wellbeing gardens from a Global South perspective.
Method: A qualitative, practice-based, and participatory approach was adopted, grounded in principles of collaborative, community-based research. Semi-structured interviews, guided by a thematic framework, elicited insights from participants directly involved in the project. The authors’ practice-based contributions complemented these findings.
Results: The design and establishment of the Braille Trail involved collaboration between Garden management and staff, visually impaired persons, service organisations, institutional partners, and creative contributors. This inclusive process ensured that the trail reflected the needs, experiences, and expectations of its intended users.
Conclusion: The Braille Trail integrates sensory garden design, accessibility, and diverse communication technologies – including digital platforms and locative literature – while incorporating indigenous elements to enrich visitor experiences. Continued community engagement, together with lessons drawn from successes and challenges, provides guidance for sustaining and extending inclusive design in future projects.
Contribution: This study offers insight into multisensory gardens and accessible tourism in a Global South context, demonstrating the application of universal and inclusive design, co-design, slow tourism, accessible communication technologies, and collaborative approaches to create engaging and accessible visitor experiences.