ColorADD: Beaches in Pieria Now More Accessible to Color-Blind People

Local authorities and staff at one of the beaches where the ColorADD code will be implemented. Photo source: Central Macedonia Region

The Regional Unit of Pieria has integrated the innovative ColorADD code on beach flags that indicate useful information to assist individuals with color blindness as part of its tourism development strategies.

The ColorADD code enables the color blind to identify colors.

By incorporating the use of the ColorADD code on beach flags, the regional authority aims to improve accessibility for citizens to 13 beaches in the municipalities of Katerini and Dion-Olympus.

According to an announcement, the initiative is part of the regional unit’s broader plan to promote accessible tourism.

“Committed to equality among all citizens… we implemented the internationally recognized ColorADD code for people with color blindness as part of our broader accessible tourism program,” said Sofia Mavridou, Vice-Regional Governor of Pieria.

The Regional Unit of Pieria, the Pieria Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion (P.O.T.A.P.), and the Department of Supply Chain Management at the International Hellenic University collaborated on the project.

Photo source: Central Macedonia Region

The university community began designing and manufacturing flags that incorporate the code, along with making minor modifications to tables and markings. Additionally, local authorities and staff will be trained to provide necessary information and assistance as needed.

“Our goal, as one of the first municipalities in Greece to implement this code, is to expand its use to more locations to better serve people with vision problems,” pointed out Evangelos Geroliolios, Mayor of Dion-Olympus.

It is noted that the 13 beaches in the municipalities of Katerini and Dion-Olympus are holders of the Blue Flag eco-quality label.

How ColorADD helps people with color blindness

Color blindness is the inability to distinguish between certain colors, and in rarer cases, individuals may see everything in black and white. Approximately 8 percent of men, or around 350 million people worldwide, are affected by color blindness.

Photo source: ColorADD

ColorADD is a unique, universal, inclusive and non-discriminative language that enables the color blind to identify colors, with a wide spectrum of use on companies/entities whenever color is a factor of identification, orientation or choice.

Miguel Neiva, the designer of the code, used five graphic symbols to represent the primary colors (blue, yellow, red) along with white and black. By applying the principles of the “Color Addition Theory”, these symbols can be combined to identify the entire color palette.

The code can be applied to textiles, educational materials and games, public transport, cities, public spaces, and sports and cultural activities. Additionally, it can be used in beaches to promote their more inclusive and accessible operation.

Disseminating and implementing the ColorADD code in beach flags is a crucial action that can help save lives.

“We support the principles of “accessible tourism” with the utmost sensitivity toward all our fellow human beings, without exception,” Mavridou added.

A few years ago Thessaloniki became the first city in Greece to adopt the ColorADD for equal access to tourism activities and everyday life for all its residents and visitors.