An important step toward inclusive coastal access was marked on 11 February 2026 with the launch of Braille environmental education signage at Blaauwberg Nature Reserve.
The initiative, led by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), introduces accessibility-focused coastal signage designed specifically for blind and partially sighted visitors. The signs feature Braille text, clearly structured descriptive content and materials durable enough for outdoor coastal conditions.
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve was selected as the launch site as it is South Africa’s first Green Coast site, making it a fitting location to pilot the project before it is expanded to other Green Coast and later Blue Flag sites along the country’s coastline.
Bridging an accessibility gap
WESSA says the initiative addresses a longstanding gap in public environmental education.
While beaches and nature reserves are open to all, environmental interpretation has largely remained inaccessible to people with visual impairments. The new Braille signage is intended to enable blind and partially sighted visitors to engage more independently with coastal ecosystems.
The project also aims to embed accessibility into conservation and education infrastructure, demonstrate how inclusive design can be integrated into environmental programmes, and create a scalable model for future roll-out along South Africa’s coastline.
WESSA emphasised that the signage forms part of a longer-term accessibility pathway within its Coastal Programme, rather than being a once-off intervention.
Partners behind the project
WESSA is leading and implementing the initiative through its Green Coast programme, with Nedbank supporting the pilot as a strategic funding partner. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to accessibility, inclusion and environmental responsibility.
The City of Cape Town, as the authority responsible for Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, is hosting the project and supporting efforts to make public conservation spaces more inclusive.
Accessibility expertise was provided by Blind SA and the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), which contributed lived-experience insight and technical guidance to ensure the signage is meaningful and genuinely accessible.
The Ford Wildlife Foundation, which has worked with WESSA for more than 30 years, is also acknowledged as part of the broader programme network supporting coastal conservation initiatives.
Inclusion and conservation go hand in hand
According to WESSA, the pilot demonstrates how environmental protection and social inclusion can be advanced together. By integrating accessibility into coastal conservation efforts, the organisation hopes to set a precedent for more inclusive environmental programmes nationwide.
If successful, the model could be rolled out at additional Green Coast and Blue Flag sites, helping to ensure that more South Africans, regardless of ability, can connect with and learn about the country’s coastal environments.
