15th June 2023 • My Family Our Needs
Outdoor adventures can be hugely beneficial for children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities. Spending at least two hours in nature every week boosts mental health and happiness. Family days out and trips away can be a little more challenging when family members have additional needs. Here are three handy tips for embarking on an accessible outdoor adventure the whole family can enjoy.
Photo by Nayeli Dalton on Unsplash
1. Avoid remote areas and look for accessible parks and forests
Some remote outdoor areas can be difficult for people with disabilities to access due to poor public transport links, limited parking, and rough terrain. To make your adventure as seamless as possible, look for park and forest locations that have added facilities such as dedicated parking, a visitor centre, toilets, and a café or canteen. These are more likely to have hard-surface paths, ramps, and other accessible routes throughout their grounds. Plus, they’re likely to have staff on site to offer additional support when necessary. Do plenty of research ahead of time to figure out if a location is suitable for your family. Disability Grants have a handy map with reader submitted locations of accessible parks and play areas in the UK.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
2. Contact venues ahead of time to communicate your needs
Venues and events must ensure that disabled people aren’t disadvantaged under the Equality Act 2010. You’re within your rights to ask for reasonable adjustments if your family member’s access to a space is limited. If you have specific accessibility needs and it isn’t clear from your research if a destination is suitable, get in touch with the organisation that owns or manages it. Be as specific as possible about your requirements. Consider things like food and drink availability, access to toilets, access to water for assistance dogs, and availability of quiet spaces for those with autism and ADHD.
32% of households in England have at least one disabled adult or child, which goes to show just how important accessibility is. By communicating your needs clearly, you can not only make your family trips accessible, but you could help venues to become more inclusive for other families that visit in future.
Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash
3. Save money with family passes and carer discounts
Visiting outdoor spaces can be expensive when there are entrance fees, particularly if you have a large family. Many venues offer family passes that cover two adults and two children for a cheaper overall price than buying each ticket individually. It’s also common to find discounts for disabled visitors or for their carers. For example, the National Trust offers free entry for up to two companions or carers (To save having to ask about this when you arrive, you can apply for their Essential Companion Card which makes it simple for one or two carers to enter free of charge. To apply, email enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk) You can also look out for discounted or free public transport for disabled people to make your day out more affordable. For longer adventures, look out for charities that offer holiday grants to families who have children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Plan your accessible outdoor family adventure
The key to a successful, accessible outdoor adventure is strong planning. Provided that you do plenty of research to assess the suitability of an outdoor venue, communicate your needs ahead of time, and get savvy to find the best deals and discounts, you can look forward to a fun trip that’s inclusive for every member of the family.
About the Author
James Gower is a teaching assistant who specialises in primary education. In his spare time Chris enjoys volunteering with his local Scouts group, and regularly leads expeditions and camps.