The colourful guide, which was launched today by Down syndrome Ireland, has been designed to help young people with Down syndrome to easily navigate their way through the streets of our historic capital. 

The Smart Tourism Guide has been written, designed, edited and tested by 16 people with Down syndrome as part of a pan-European project aimed at promoting greater independence and quality of life.

The easy-to-read, 88-page fun guidebook is both a visual and written guide to the city of Dublin featuring text and imagery, which make sightseeing in our capital city a fun and informative experience. 

The comprehensive guide is much more than just a tourist’s aid, it is packed with interesting historical facts, information on the Irish climate and culture as well as tips on the top things to do in Dublin.

It details Dublin’s traffic issues; advises readers on the correct type of clothing to wear while visiting the city and even details public transport costs.

It is specifically tailored to suit a young adult with Down syndrome from Ireland or overseas visiting Dublin city.

It is one of three, easy-to-read, European city guides produced by Down syndrome associations in Dublin Rome and Lisbon under the Grundtvig’s Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP).

The guides are designed to improve the quality of life of people with Down syndrome while simultaneously promoting greater independence.

Although primarily aimed at people with Down syndrome, it is envisaged the easy-to-read guidebooks will also be of use to other groups including; people with a low level of English and the broader community of people with an intellectual disability.  

In recent times Ireland has evolved into a nation of ‘globetrotters’ with young adults travelling the globe meeting their peers and experiencing different cultures.  

David O’Brien, Chair of the National Advisory Council, Down Syndrome Ireland said: “When you live in Dublin you think it’s very big but when you see it on a map of Europe it’s very small and you understand it better.”  

Pat Clarke of Down Syndrome Ireland said: “Down Syndrome Ireland is committed to ensuring that young people with Down syndrome experience the same life opportunities as their peers in the general population. In order to realise this goal we are committed to leading the way in providing the necessary supports to empower our members to avail of life’s opportunities through various projects and initiatives.”  

“The Smart Tourism project has empowered our members to avail of life’s opportunities similar to those opportunities afforded to their peers in the general population,” concluded Mr Clarke.

Grainne Murphy, Director of Policy, Ethics and Independence at Down Syndrome Ireland said: “Smart Tourism is about making travel more accessible for people with Down syndrome. Providing adults with accessible information when travelling allows them to make choices about the type of trips and places they may wish to visit. Often times information in simply not accessible which leads to an individual with Down syndrome becoming entirely dependent on family members and guardians when it comes to make decisions in relation to travelling. This guide is aimed at overcoming those obstacles.”

The guide can be downloaded at www.downsyndrome.ie