Protective glass on Braille panel sparks concern at cultural site (video)

A video circulating on social media shows a Braille sign installed for visually impaired visitors at the Sheikh Jalil Baba Mausoleum in the Karauzak district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan being covered with a sheet of glass. The Cultural Heritage Agency has commented on the situation.

According to the agency, its Department for the Republic of Karakalpakstan reviewed the matter and clarified that the Braille inscription was temporarily covered with glass to protect it from rain and early morning moisture. The protective cover has since been removed and the sign relocated to an area shielded from humidity.

For reference, paragraph 9 of Appendix I to the Presidential Resolution “On Measures to Develop and Promote Barrier-Free Tourism Infrastructure in the Republic of Uzbekistan,” dated January 12, 2024, mandates the installation of ramps, plinths, and elevators at cultural heritage sites. It also requires the creation of scaled models of cultural landmarks for the visually impaired and the placement of informational signs in Braille.

The Sheikh Jalil Baba Mausoleum, reconstructed in 2004, is a significant cultural site frequently visited by both local and international tourists. It is currently under the management of the Karakalpakstan branch of the “Vakf” Charitable Public Foundation, operating under a free-use agreement.