Country Living’s ‘Access for All’ campaign champions everyone’s right to enjoy Britain’s green spaces and follows research carried out by the brand into the barriers disabled people face when getting out to the countryside.
Country Living interviewed more than 1,000 carers of people with physical disabilities and mobility issues, and while 80% of respondents described the countryside as their “green dopamine”, nearly 70% said they don’t have easy access to green spaces.
Physical Barriers
The survey found that 68% of respondents said they have trouble accessing the countryside due to transportation issues, 93% said they need to make detailed preparations before heading out, and 71% said they carefully research their route beforehand. 52% said they rely on maps to find accessible routes, with Google Maps being the most popular.
When asked which terrain was the most difficult, hills and mountains were the biggest obstacles [63%]followed by forest [45%]Stiles was the biggest obstacle. [70%]along with instructions [69%] Cattle fence [48%]Gates and bridges also posed problems.
Respondents said planning breaks was essential – 92% looked for pubs, cafes or other rest areas and 87% researched the facilities in advance – and 46% cited a lack of disabled-accessible toilets as an issue.
The benefits of the countryside
Despite the restrictions, 80% of respondents said they had visited the countryside for mental health reasons. [32%] They cited birdwatching as their favorite pastime, and 72% said they simply enjoy being in nature.
Support to drive change
Just over one third [38%] They said they struggled to find useful information from major countryside organisations, with the National Trust named as the most helpful. [43%]Next, a local park run by the city. [17%]and R.H.S. [16%].
To mark the launch of its ‘Access for All’ campaign, Country Living has created an interactive map showcasing the UK’s most accessible countryside walks as recommended by disabled people. The accompanying guide will also appear in the July issue of Country Living, on sale from 30 May.
The Access for All campaign is supported by these notable ambassadors:
Mark Lane, TV gardening presenter, author and gardening expert on BBC One’s Morning Live Bethany Handley, poet, author and disability activist Amar Latif, chairman of Ramblers, TV presenter and blind explorer Chloe Fuller, TV pet expert, pet nutritionist and wheelchair user
Louise Pearce, editor in chief of Country Living, said: “Of the 140,000 miles of footpaths in England and Wales, only a few hundred are accessible to everyone. Country Living’s mission is to be a destination for the disabled community, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the countryside. Over the coming months we will roll out useful and engaging content across our platforms, including guides to accessible beaches, gardens and parks, and interviews with top Paralympic athletes in 2024. Together we will campaign for more information, better facilities (such as benches along routes and wheelchair hire), greater awareness of the issues experienced by people with mobility impairments, and a national forum where affected people can share their knowledge.”
Mark Lane says: “Having a disability shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the countryside. Since my accident, the word ‘no’ has disappeared from my vocabulary, but I can’t pretend it’s easy. I plan every journey in detail and look for accessible routes. No one wants to ruin the countryside – we just want to open it up so everyone can enjoy it. Small changes can make a big difference.”
Bethany Handley says: “When I became disabled and a full-time wheelchair user, it wasn’t my ability to walk that I mourned, but my access to outdoor spaces. And without them, I would lose one of my greatest sources of happiness and strength in life – or at least that’s what I thought. It’s not my body that limits me outdoors, it’s the barriers to access, many of which are easily removable.”
Amar Latif says: “People ask why we would want to go out to the countryside if we are blind – what’s the point? But we love using all our senses to bring the countryside to life. Being blind gives us the opportunity to see the world.”
Chloe Fuller says: “The cost of a wheelchair to get to fields, beaches and woods can exceed £15,000, but being able to get into the countryside with my beloved wheelchair dog is essential for my wellbeing.”
Click here for more details about the campaign.