Today we’re excited to launch new guidance that brings together a series of resources to support disability-inclusive, multisensory nature experiences. It is designed for anyone involved in the design, management and/or interpretation of a nature setting.
It shares learning and case studies developed within and beyond the ‘Re-Storying Landscapes for Social Inclusion’ collaboration. This was a project funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (2020 – 2022). It was led by Dr Sarah Bell at the University of Exeter, in collaboration with Art Shape, Zoe Partington, Andy Shipley of Natural Inclusion, Clare Hickman of Newcastle University, Westonbirt – The National Arboretum, Access Lizard Adventure and the Sensory Projects.
The overall aim of the project was to inform landscape decision-making that reflects and respects the diverse ways in which landscapes are sensed, valued and experienced over time.
Through the project, we explored creative, collaborative opportunities to dismantle disabling barriers to participation in landscape interpretation and decision-making; to make unseen or rarely felt qualities of nature more compelling across varied backgrounds, histories and life circumstances.
The guidance, available to download below as an illustrated pdf and a large-print word document, shares varied understandings of disability, before discussing opportunities to enable and co-create physical, sensory, intellectual, social and institutional qualities of nature access and experience. It draws on examples from within and beyond the Re-Storying Landscapes project and signposts wider resources of relevance.
Download the illustrated guidance
Download a large print version in PDF
Download a large print version in Word
If you find the guidance useful or would like to feedback on the content, do get in touch with Sarah Bell at Sarah.Bell@exeter.ac.uk – we’d love to hear from you!
