Taiwan University Hosts Unique 'Cross-Sensory' Tour for Hearing-Impaired Led by Visually Impaired Guides

National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taiwan has pioneered an innovative guided tour that bridges sensory and communication barriers, offering a unique exploration of the Luchuan River for hearing-impaired individuals. This "cross-border" initiative pairs visually impaired guides with participants who are deaf or hard of hearing, facilitated by sign language interpreters and live captioners.

The program, part of NCHU's Social Responsibility (USR) project, "Green Drought Twin Veins, Xing Shui Unity – River Basin Protection Laboratory," aims to create a "multi-sensory experience." Participants engage with the river environment through smell, touch, and other senses, guided by the visually impaired guides' non-visual directions. This approach allows attendees to connect with the river's ecosystem in a profound way, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

A key highlight of the tour is the practical application of "non-visual guiding." Two guides, trained last year, led the exploration, with sign language interpreters and live captioners ensuring seamless communication. This setup not only allows hearing-impaired individuals to experience the environment but also transforms individuals with disabilities from recipients of services into active providers of multi-sensory information. The university plans to offer further training for hearing-impaired guides in the latter half of the year.

Beyond the guided tour, participants engaged in hands-on activities like plant dyeing and painting, using natural materials from the river basin. These creative workshops allowed the hearing-impaired participants to further connect with the environment and learn about ecological knowledge. Many participants reported feeling empowered, experiencing themselves as "river guardians" for the first time. NCHU emphasizes that this USR project aims to build an inclusive and sustainable river basin platform for all citizens, regardless of their background or abilities.