People with disabilities can better follow the Holy Blood Procession

Patrick Bonte, Christine Van Royen and Lieve Dossche are part of a think tank of experts by experience that should make the Blood Procession of Bruges more accessible for everyone. Lieve Dossche: “It’s great that they asked us and used their expertise and that we were allowed to think along from the start.” (read more below the photo)

This year there will be two zones for people with disabilities and their supervisors. On the Markt and in the Hauwersstraat with accessible toilets and assistance. There will also be an app with audio description and Flemish sign language. Patrick Bonte: “Imagine: you see a procession passing but you hear nothing. You only see something. That is not interesting to come to. Now we are going to work with an app, there will be videos on your mobile phone in sign language.”

People who cannot attend on May 26 can also follow the procession on television on Focus & WTV. William De Groote, chairman of the Holy Blood Procession: “A lot of people have ended up in a residential care center due to corona and will no longer be able to come. That is why the initiative to stream the procession on Focus & WTV and actually worldwide, so that everyone can experience it.”

The Holy Blood Procession receives money from the National Lottery for this project. By 2025, the procession should be fully inclusive.