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A new initiative in Cascais aims to make museums more accessible and inclusive. These cultural venues are joining the Sopradores de Imagens project, a scheme designed to broaden access to culture for people who are blind or partially sighted, through personalised support during visits to cultural spaces.
The project began with a training session for museum professionals, led by mentor Fátima Alves at the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães. The initiative now also extends to the Museu da Música Portuguesa – Casa Verdades de Faria, the Museu da Misericórdia, the Museu da Vila and the Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos, strengthening the municipality’s cultural programming.
Registrations are now open for volunteers who wish to take on the role of “sopradores” or “whisperers”. Their task is to accompany blind or partially sighted visitors from an agreed meeting point outside – such as a bus stop – into the cultural venue, guiding the visit and describing the space and the artworks according to each visitor’s interests. The mediation is direct and tailored, aiming to ensure a complete cultural experience.
"Sopradores de Imagens" draws inspiration from the French service "Souffleurs de Sens", which has been running the Souffleurs d’Images programme in France since 2009. In Portugal, the initiative began in September 2024 at the Teatro Ibérico, in partnership with Locus Acesso and with the support of APDP – Associação Protectora dos Diabéticos de Portugal.
Applications are open until 1 November 2026 and the project will run throughout the year across the municipal museums. Those interested can register via the Cascais Participa platform and obtain further information from the municipality’s volunteering service by calling +351 214 815 419 or emailing voluntariado@cm-cascais.pt.