Flanders is introducing 50 specially designed selfie spots at 24 tourist locations, allowing blind and partially sighted visitors to take photographs of themselves with landmarks and scenery in the background. The initiative, called Selfie for All, was officially launched on 13 October 2026 in Mechelen and is billed by Visit Flanders as a world first.
The tactile tiles indicate where visitors should stand and which direction to point their smartphones to capture both themselves and the attraction behind them.
Using NaviLens technology, visitors with visual impairments can locate the tiles from a distance. Audio descriptions then explain what is around them and why the location is special.
Although designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind, the selfie spots can be used by anyone.
Developed with people with visual impairments
The project was developed in collaboration with people with visual impairments and organisations representing them, including Symfoon, the Braille League and Licht & Liefde. Accessibility consultancy PBTconsult also contributed to the design and implementation.
The partners advised on the tactile design, digital support and audio descriptions of the surroundings.
Lore Casselman, a visitor with a visual impairment, welcomed the initiative. “For blind and partially sighted people, taking a selfie with a beautiful background is certainly not straightforward. I’m glad that Selfie for All is drawing attention to this. If I come across one of these selfie spots, I would definitely take a selfie and share it straight away with my mum, friends and colleagues.”
Part of Flanders’ wider accessibility strategy
The initiative builds on Visit Flanders’ work to make tourism more accessible, which has been under way for more than 25 years. The organisation aims to improve the entire holiday experience, from travel information and transport to accommodation and activities.
Selfie for All applies that approach to a familiar holiday ritual: taking a photograph to remember a visit. By allowing visitors with and without disabilities to use the same facilities, the project aims to make tourist attractions more inclusive.
