People with disabilities
WYD Lisbon 2023 is an unique event in the life of the Church of Lisbon, it is an unparalleled opportunity for the Church of Lisbon to show its potential for welcoming, faith and dignifying people with disabilities. An opportunity to open doors to people who are outside the Church, but who want to enter, to build true access ramps to the heart of Christ who is always waiting for us.
Central Events
In all Central Events, there is a reserved zone for registered pilgrims with disabilities or limited mobility. This space aims to meet the accessibility and comfort needs of these pilgrims. The area benefits from an accessible route from the entrance of the venue to the reserved zone, drinking water points, and adapted restrooms.
In the reserved zone, there will be a health area that provides a protected space free from stimuli where pilgrims can access if needed. There will also be a repair point for manual or electric wheelchairs. In this space you can also find a shaded area, chairs and camp beds.
At the entrance to the reserved areas, you can find tactile maps of the enclosures.
Volunteers assigned to this area have received specific training in caring for people with disabilities.
The reserved zone has limited capacity, so each registered pilgrim with a disability or limited mobility can only have one companion. People with disabilities register as participants of WYD Lisbon 2023 together with the group to which they belong, through the official registration platform - during the registration process, the group leader indicates the number of people with disabilities in the group and for each of them fills out a specific registration form.
All central events will have interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language and International Sign Language.
Rise Up Encounters
Pilgrims with disabilities can and should accompany their groups during the Rise Up Encounters. A survey of accessible spaces where these gatherings will take place has been made. There will be a space reserved for pilgrims with mobility requirements in all accessible locations.
City of Joy
The City of Joy will have a tactile map at the entrance and an accessible route that will guide the pilgrim from the entrance of the venue to the accessible confessionals.
The stands of the Vocational Fair are accessible and there are adapted toilets on site.
At the Reconciliation Park, you can count on Confessions in Sign Language in the following languages: Portuguese, Spanish, British, Italian, French, and International Sign. Schedules will be available soon in the official app “Lisboa 2023”.
There will be a magnetic induction loop in one of the confessionals at the Reconciliation Park, which will improve the listening conditions for people with hearing aids.
Youth Festival
Most events are accessible for people with reduced mobility, all information is available on the official Youth Festival program - consult the official "Lisboa 2023" App.
Communication for All
We were able to prepare some materials on Communication for All in partnership with the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria:
Audio Description
During the WYD week there will be live audio description at the Opening Mass, Welcome Ceremony to the Holy Father, Way of the Cross, and Missioning mass.
The audio description begins an hour before each event with a detailed description of the space. During the event you can access audio description through the radio frequency that will be provided in the venue.
In each venue you will find a tactile map accompanied by audio description, through a QR code.
Signage / Symbology
Confirm the accessibilities and services available in the different programs according to the following symbology:
There is an email dedicated to specific issues related to the participation of people with disabilities in WYD Lisbon 2023: pilgrimswithdisability@lisboa2023.org
