Topeka Zoo Introduces New Service for Guests Living with a Visual Impairment

The Topeka Zoo is pleased to announce that it is introducing a new service, now available to zoo guests who are blind or visually impaired. These tours are provided through the Education Department, who utilize a cart specially equipped with biofacts to allow guests who cannot experience the zoo through sight alone, to experience the animals of the zoo through other senses including touch, smell, or sound.

Following training provided to zoo staff by the Kansas State School for The Blind, each tour utilizes bio-facts representing animals from around the world and can be provided to enhance the zoo experience throughout the zoo, or in selected portions of the zoo, based on guest wishes.

Persons who are blind or who are living with a visual impairment may request a tour through the zoo’s Education Department by contacting Dennis Dinwiddie at the Topeka Zoo at ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org, or at 785-368-9134. Reservations are required, and tours are restricted to people who are blind or visually impaired and their immediate family. Tours are provided by the zoo at no cost to guests other than regular zoo admission.