Tourism is carried out, essentially, with a keen sense of citizenship and respect for diversity.  Some of the state’s tourist attractions offer complete accessibility so that people with special necessities can take advantage of the best of Minas Gerais’ with safety and comfort.

 

Check out the information below about the accessibility of some of the states attractions.

 

BELO HORIZONTE

 

LAGOA DA PAMPULHA ARCHITECTURAL COMPLEX

Lagoa da Pampulha (Pampulha Lake) is an artificial lake built in Belo Horizonte, under the tutelage of former mayor, Otacílio Negrão de Lima. Years after being built, when Juscelino Kubitschek was the mayor of Belo Horizonte, the Minas Gerais state capital, Oscar Niemeyer spearheaded a series of projects on the edge of the lake, which came to form an important part of the city.  With the passage of the years, these works ceased to be taken advantage of in the way that it was originally planned, but they continued to be recognized as the city and state’s most celebrated architectural landmarks.

 

CASA DO BAILE (DANCE HOUSE)

There aren’t any uneven points in the Casa do Baile, which helps people in wheelchairs move about.  This attraction has a special bathroom for people with physical disabilities, with grab bars on the toilet, a lowered sink, and a tilted mirror.  For the blind and visually impaired, there are songs and interviews that may be made available.  Some of the expositions also have items that can be touched by visitors.  Guide dogs are welcome here.

 

Free entrance.  Tuesday through Sunday, and holidays, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Avenida Otacílio Negrão de Lima, 751, Pampulha. Telephone:  (31) 3277-7443.

 

IGREJA SÃO FRANCISCO DE ASSIS (SÃO FRANCISCO DE ASSIS CHURCH)

 

Access for people in wheelchairs should be made through the front door, the opening of which must be requested at the visitor center. There aren’t bathrooms for tourists.

 

There’s a half-priced entry for students and senior citizens (60+).  Tuesday through Saturday, and holidays. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Av. Otacílio Negrão de Lima, s/nº, Pampulha. Telephone:  (31) 3427-1644.

 

ZOO-BOTANICAL FOUNDATION

For the visually impaired, a folder about the foundation, with a map in Braille, have been made available at the administrative headquarters. The map, however, needs to be returned after the tour.  It is still possible to schedule a guided visit, in which it's okay to touch some of the animals, explore some of the trails, as well as listen to the sounds and smell the fragrance of the local flora and fauna.  There are employees trained in sign language, but it's recommended that you schedule a special tour designed for the hearing impaired.  Visitors between the ages of 8 and 64 shall pay normal price.

 

There is free entry on the first Saturday of each month.  Tuesday through, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Av. Otacílio Negrão de Lima, 8.000, Pampulha. Telephone:  (31) 3277-7100 / 3277-7284.

 

 

PAMPULHA ART MUSEUM

All employees pass through a training program to properly tend to people with disabilities.  Access and movement is made via ramps.  For the visually impaired, there is a book in Braille on the history of the museum made available, in addition to a folder with instructions for the scheduling of visits.  When you call the museum's Art and Education Center, you can schedule a specially designed visit for the visually impaired, during which the touching of some of the pieces is permitted.  Guide dogs are welcome here. The museum has employees trained in sign language.  There aren’t adapted bathrooms. The entrance is free entrance.  Tuesday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Av. Otacílio Negrão de Lima, 16.585, Pampulha. Telephone:  (31) 3277-7996 / 3277-7946.

 

MERCADO CENTRAL

 

Complete access for the visually and physically impaired, with free adapted bathrooms, access ramps, elevators, as well as a ramp and parking spaces.

 

Visits are scheduled via telephone: 3274 - 9434

 

ABÍLIO BARRETO MUSEUM

Access is made via ramps, the bathroom is adapted and the elevator has its information in Braille. The house was built in the 19th century, and having been declared a historical heritage site, adaptations are not permitted. Despite this, receptionists and employees are trained to help people who experience difficulty moving about. They are also trained to guide and instruct them to best take advantage all of the museums facilities.  The visually impaired are authorized to touch objects from the collection, and there's also a Braille folder available for use.  More information can be obtained at the Abílio Barreto Museum:  www.cafedomuseu.com.br. The entrance is free.  Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Café do Museu (Museum Café) Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to Midnight.  Av. Prudente de Morais, 202, Cidade Jardim. Telephone:  (31) 3277-8573

 

ART AND HANDCRAFT MUSEUM

Wheelchair access is made via a lateral ramp, given that the main door has a big step, and the inside of the museum has elevators for the physically disabled.  Bathrooms have support bars set upon the toilets and lowered sinks.  It is worth noting, however, that in the bathroom near reception one of the support bars is mobile, which could be a concern.  The visually impaired may schedule visits in which special tactile friendly models are made available and which visitors may touch the pieces.  Guide dogs are welcome here. Two employees are trained in sign language.

 

There’s a half-priced entry for students and senior citizens (60 or older).  Entrance is free on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m..  More information can be obtained at the museum’s web site:  www.mao.org.br,  Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Rui Barbosa, s/nº, Centro. Telephone:  (31) 3248-8600.

 

 

PALÁCIO DAS ARTES

In 2008, these spaces experienced reforms that improved the accessibility, with the construction of ramps, elevators and bathrooms for the physically disabled.  Starting with these reforms, it was possible for the person in the wheelchair to have access to all areas within the Palacio das Artes. The bathroom has support bars on the walls, enough space to move about in the wheel chair, in addition to a lowered sink.  There is, still, a wheelchair available to borrow for people who have issues with locomotion.  There are specially reserved wheelchair spaces in the theaters and cinema, to which Palácio das Artes employees are prepared to show visitors.  There are four reserved spots in the Grande Teatro (Great Theater) for hearing impaired visitors who are adept in lip reading.  It’s necessary to request these services at the time of purchasing tickets.  Guide dogs are welcome here. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until the last show; Sunday, starting at 2:00 PM.  Av. Afonso Pena, 1.537, Centro. Telephone:  (31) 3236-7400.

 

Source: http://www.brasilparatodos.com.br/destinos/BELOHORIZONTE/

 

PRAÇA DA LIBERDADE (LIBERTY PLAZA)

MUSEUM OF MINING AND METALLURGY - EBX

 

This museum has adapted bathrooms on all floors, a ramped wheelchair entrance, as well as an elevator.  Some exhibitions are comprised of a hearing piece used for the visually impaired.

 

PALÁCIO DA LIBERDADE (LIBERTY PALACE)

 

Here there are access ramps and an elevator.

 

Praça da Liberdade, s/nº - Funcionários – Tel.: 3217-9543.

Open for visitation the last Sunday of every month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bus Number 4111 - Dom Cabral / Anchieta -

Bus Stop Address:  Av. Afonso Pena between R. Espírito Santo and R. Tupis – parallel side.

 

Source: PALÁCIO DA LIBERDADE (LIBERTY PALACE)

 

 

ESPAÇO TIM UFMG DO CONHECIMENTO (TIM UFMG SPACE FOR KNOWLEDGE)

Here there are elevators, adapted bathrooms and wheelchairs are made available for visitors.

 

Praça da Liberdade, s/nº - Funcionários – Tel.: 3409- 8350

 

PARQUE MUNICIPAL AMÉRICO RENNÉ GIANNETI (MUNICIPAL PARK AMÉRICO RENNÉ GIANNETI)

Access and movement around the park can be made via ramps. It is recommended that people using wheelchairs take one of the lateral entrances.  There is, additionally, the Francisco Nunes Theater, a locale geared toward a broad array of cultural presentations. At the Francisco Nunes Theater you can find easy access to its bathroom, with an adapted toilet, support bars, in addition to the lowered sink.

 

Av. Afonso Pena, 1.377, Centro. Telephone:  (31) 3277-4161/ 3277-4882. Telefone: (31) 3277-6325 (Francisco Nunes Theater)

 

Source: http://www.brasilparatodos.com.br/destinos/BELOHORIZONTE/

TELECOMMUNICATION MUSEUM (OI FUTURO)

 

It has access ramps for all areas, a loan-out wheelchair, an adapted bathroom, parking spaces in front of the museum reserved for people in wheelchairs, and an employee trained in sign language.

 

Visits from Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Av. Afonso Pena, 400 - Mangabeiras

Information: 031 (31) 3229 3131

 

Source: TELECOMMUNICATION MUSEUM (OI FUTURO)

UFMG MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

 

There’s a project called “Jardim Sensorial” (Sensorial Garden) in which visitors can touch, as well as smell the plant aromas. Additionally, the museum employees accompany the visually impaired throughout the visit throughout the locale. However, one must schedule this beforehand. While it does have adapted bathrooms, it's important to note that the ground is covered with stone tiles that may inhibit full locomotion around the museum.

 

New telephone for scheduling:

(31) 3461-4204

Source: www.mhnjb.ufmg.br

 

 

CASA FIAT DE CULTURA (FIAT CULTURAL CENTER)

Universal accessibility is offered here as well, catering to people with special needs, with access ramps, elevators and adapted bathrooms.  All in all, the Fiat Cultural Center boasts around 3650 m² of space.

 

Address: Rua Jornalista Djalma Andrade, 1.250 - Belvedere - Nova Lima MG

Telephone:  3289.8900 -  Fax: 3289.8920

Administration Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Exhibitions:  Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays:  From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Source: :http://www.casafiatdecultura.com.br/museus_centros.php

 

OURO PRETO – Maria Fumaça Train Trip from Ouro Preto to Mariana.

 

Stations in both cities are accessible, offering adapted bathrooms, access ramps to the adapted car, which has space reserved for wheelchairs and an adapted bathroom. This is an experience you can’t miss.

 

Source: http://www.bhlegal.net/passeios. php

CONGONHAS - SANTUÁRIO DO SENHOR BOM JESUS DO MATOSINHOS (SANCTUARY FOR THE GOOD LORD JESUS OF MATOSINHOS)

 

The Sanctuary is comprised of the Basilica, Prophets and Steps, with accessibility to the church in the back part. Given that the visitor has access to the churchyard (where the prophets are located), focusing on the six prophets in the front, the access is given through the stairs, but the person in the wheelchair is given a good view from just a few meters away.  The person in the wheelchair has access to six other prophets.  However, the visit to the Capelas dos Passos (Chapel of the Steps) is compromised due the fact that the other side of the paved part has a stairway entrance.

 

Source:  The Association of Minas Gerais Historic Cities

ASSOCIATIONS/ RELATED ENTITIES

 

Paraplegic Association of Mining - AMP

Avenida do Contorno, 2.655.

Santa Efigênia.

Tel: (31) 32 41-52 94.

 

Belo Horizonte Independent Living Center - CVI/ BH.

Rua Paraíba, 697 – sala 125.

(UFMG Arquitecture School).

Tel: (31) 30 82-53 35.

E-mail: cvibh@hotmail.com and cvi_bh@yahoo.com.br

 

Disabled Integration and Support Center and “Rogéria Amato”- CIRA SESI/Fiemg System

Rua Lindolfo Caetano, 10 - Gameleira (Behind PAM Campos Sales).

Tel: 33 78-24 52 e 33 72-93 72.

E-mail: cira@fiemg.com.br

www.fiemg.org.br/Default.aspx?tabid=3996

This center caters to people with physical, sensory and mental disabilities with the aim of integrating them into the job and dentistry market.

 

CREA/MG- Accessibility Commission

Av. Álvares Cabral, 1.600 – 8º. andar.

Tel: (31) 32 99-88 07

acessibilidade@crea-mg.com.br

Accreditation:  To monitor, facilitate and spread accessibility standards in buildings and the provision of appropriate equipment in urban areas.

 

Belo Horizonte Paraplegic Union- UNIPABE.

Rua Paulo Arbex, 123 - Jardim América.

Tel: 33 73-40 27 e 33 73-42 65.

E-mail: unipabe@yahoo.com.br.

 

PUC/Minas- Inclusive Society Program

Pontifícia Universidade Católica of Minas Gerais.

Avenida Dom José Gaspar, 500 - Prédio 30.

Coração Eucarístico.

CEP 30535-610.

Fax: (31) 33 19-49 77.

Website: www.sociedadeinclusiva.pucminas.br.

Training courses for people with disabilities are offered.