Handicaching? Handicaching? I hear you all say, has Craig completely lost it? What the heck is handicahcing?!

I became aware of Geocaching last year through a friend, but to be honest, I would have had a similar reaction about handicaching until a few hours ago when I read a post by Liz Carr on the BBC Ouch blog. So to break it down, here’s a quick YouTube introduction from the friendly guys at Geocaching.com:

So, there you are, it’s all about a game to find hidden little treasures around the country using GPS devices and GPS enabled mobile phones! But what’s the difference between Geocaching and Handicaching?

Well, with Geocaching each cache that you look for (the hidden little treasure) normally have a star rating from one to five to indicate how difficult the terrain is with one star being the easiest.

The problem according to Handicaching.com is that the Geocache Rating System uses one star for caches that are wheelchair accessible. This idea is flawed in several ways which include:

• The rating system or the wheelchair aspect of the system is often overlooked by cache hiders, who can rate the terrain for caches higher or lower than they actually are
• A cache that may be wheelchair accessible may not be accessible to people with other types of disabilities, or even people who cannot use a wheelchair for anything other than short distances
• Many non-disabled people are unsure of what constitutes accessible and are therefore unable to rate or mark a cache accordingly

So basically, Handicaching decided to come up with their own system and make it truly accessible for disabled people.

Not only may Handicaching be fun for the participants but I can also think of lots of practical uses for disabled people such as marking disabled toilets, entrances to public buildings, safe crossings for roads, maybe even mark accessible routes along foot and canal tow paths. I think that Handicaching could really be a useful tool for disabled tourists wanting to get out into the great outdoors and have their own GPS map to help guide them through the countryside.

For further information please visit the Handicaching, Geocaching and Ouch! websites.

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The first time I came across the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) was when I was studying for my degree and have to admit that, firstly it has been a long time since I visited this attraction and secondly it was before my I was a wheelchair user.

CAT offer a visitors centre that has “Interactive displays show global issues such as energy generation and transport, and practical, everyday solutions for everyone.” It’s highly educational, fun and stimulating, not just for the children but also for adults.

CAT mainly give information and advice for wheelchair users on their access page:

“Information for wheelchair users

Access to the Visitor Centre from Easter to the end of October is via the cliff railway which has carriages that are adapted to receive wheelchairs.

When you arrive at the Visitor Centre you will see the reception area in the car park at the bottom of the cliff railway. Parking is free. There is a short low-gradient ramp to access the reception and railway. We offer free entry to the Visitor Centre for carers

During the winter months, the railway is closed and access to the Visitor Centre is via the Garden Steps. This is a stepped pathway, which takes about 10 minutes to walk, passing the eco-cabins, vegetable fields and shop. Parking is provided near the visitor circuit at the top of the South Drive for those who are unable to walk up.

As CAT is located in a rural area with steep gradients, it has not been possible to make all paths accessible. The Garden Steps and Woodland Walk leading from the lower car park to the Visitor Centre are not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.

The displays are located throughout a 7-acre open-air site. Most of the pathways around site are made up of compacted aggregates which are mostly level; however wheelchair users may require assistance in using these, particularly during periods of inclement weather. All the buildings have ramped or level access with doors, entrances and corridors wide enough for a wheelchair. There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the bottom car park reception building and near the shop at the top of the cliff railway.

We have electric mobility scooters and a wheelchair, either of which can be hired free of charge by calling 01654 705993 in advance of your visit.

Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs are permitted onto the Visitor Centre.”

As I mentioned, it has been a while since I’ve been to CAT, but as I’d really like to go again, maybe I’ll see you there soon.

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The Easter holidays are here and the kids are off school so from the 1st – 16th April we’ll be looking at some great days out across the UK that have facilities for disabled people.

First up is Whitby Abbey, managed by English Heritage and set in the picturesque North Yorkshire coastal town of, you guessed it, Whitby. With over 2000 years of history including the royal princess, Abbess Hild and Bram Sroker’s Dracula there’s something for all the family! The grounds are the perfect vantage point for picnics and views of the shoreline, Whitby and beyond.

The first thing people with mobility impairments may think when considering Whitby Abbey are the 199 steps to get to it! Never fear, it’s been tried and tested by OpenBritain’s very own blogger and wheelchair user, me. Assuming you have your own vehicle with you there’s a drop off point for disabled people at the main entrance and then there’s parking close by. There are also various buses that will get you to the abbey.

The English Heritage web site gives this information about access:

• Access to monument and grounds: Via visitor centre; lift up to the grounds.
• Grass paths around the ruins.
• Steps to enter the nave.
• Benches.
• There are changes in the level and cobbled surfaces throughout the site.
• It may become waterlogged in wet weather.
• WC adapted for wheelchair users.

And further information for deaf and blind people:

Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price. Subtitled audio-visual displays in the visitor centre.

Further information can be found on OpenBritain, on page 263 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage Whitby Abbey Website.

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This month the Civil Aviation Authority published its review on the implementation of European legislation on the rights of disabled and reduced mobility passengers in the UK.

The CAA concluded that there are some areas where it would be helpful for industry and People with Reduced Mobility groups to work together to consider possible improvements. These include:

• increasing consumer and industry awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the Regulation;
• increasing the capture of passenger needs at booking, and to ensure these are effectively passed on to airports;
• ensuring that airlines/tour operators/travel agents provide sufficient information so passengers can make informed choices about journeys;
• ensuring that airports are aiming at a service that covers all parts of the passenger journey (including points of arrival at airport and journey through airport after arrival by air);
• increasing the number of routes available for passengers travelling with assistance dogs; and
• making airports simpler and easier for PRMs to navigate themselves or with assistance from accompanying passengers, e.g. by better signage and provision of audible and visual information to assist blind and deaf passengers.

A full copy of the Accessible Air Travel Review can be downloaded at the CAA website.

Source: CAA

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Proven House provides self catering accomodation situated on a working farm near Alston, Lancashire, in the beautiful Ribble Valley and was converted to a very high standard in 2008. The property has been assessed and given awards for mobility, visual and hearing impairments under the National Accessible Scheme.

The house consists of a fully equipped kitchen/dining area with all modern amenities, comfortable lounge with digital TV/DVD, twin bedded room with adjustable beds and en-suite wet room with disabled facilities.

The Access Statement gives a summary of the provision for disabled people and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 281 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Proven House Website.

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Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens situated in South Walsham, Norfolk is “is 90% wheelchair friendly and our tea room, gift shop and plant sales are fully accessible. We have five mobility scooters which we are able to lend out to visitors (please book in advance).” They have also installed hearing loops in the tea room, gift shop and on the boat.

“With the help of grant funding our sensory garden has been created with our mobility and visually impaired visitors in mind. We have created a Braille guide for this part of the garden and hope to create guides for other parts in the coming months. Most of our information boards throughout the garden have Braille panels and we will soon be introducing audio tours.”

(Source: Fairhaven Woodlands and Water Park, “All for All” webpage)

The website also offers a free downloadable map, list of events and information about other facilities. More information can be found on the Fairhaven website and their contact details can also be found on page 205 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on OpenBritain where you can also post a review of this attraction.

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As the weather begins to get slightly better and stay a little dryer (0k, so maybe I’m being very optimistic), it’s time for us to start looking again at what we can do in the great outdoors, countryside and parks. Wrest Park in Silsoe, Bedforshire is one of the UK’s least known parks and yet is magnificent and information for disabled people.

English Heritage provide information for people with mobility, hearing and visual impairments on their website which includes:

Facilities Details:

Toilets: Disabled toilet inside the mansion. Please see access details below.
Shop: Within mansion.
Limited refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits, cold drinks, confectionary and ice creams) available from the shop. Currently no tearoom/café onsite.

Access:

Access to house: There are steps at the entrance, but an alternative level entrance is available to the garden. Unaccompanied wheelchair users should phone in advance to arrange for access. Buggies are available for disabled visitors.
Grounds and garden buildings: Access to the grounds is via mainly gravel paths and smooth grass. There are steps or a steep slope to the Orangery and steep steps to the Pavilion. There is a ramp to access the Bowling Green House. Benches are provided.

Parking:

Disabled visitors may park outside the mansion.

Visually Impaired Visitors:

Many garden ornaments and sculptures may be touched. There are also many trees and wild flowers.

Hearing Impaired Visitors:

Transcript of audio tour available. (Source: Wrest Park, English Heritage)

Further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 204 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage Website.

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The DisabledGo search engine is now available on OpenBritain in the left hand column. The engine allows users to search through over 50,000 venues and organisations that have facilities for disabled people. The venues listed include educational institutions such as universities and colleges, as well as health care centres such as hospitals, doctors surgeries and dentists. Libraries, post offices, community centres and local government and council services are also included.

In addition to this you can search for disability organisations and community groups in your area. You can also change the search radius from between 1 – 50 miles of a given location or postcode.

OpenBritain are proud to working with DisabledGo, so what are you waiting for? Why not try it today?

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Mystery surrounds this 5,000 year old monument in the centre of the World Heritage Site. Visit this prehistoric South West site near Salisbury in Wiltshire, and decide for yourself whether Stonehenge was a place of sun worship, a healing sanctuary, a sacred burial site, or something different altogether!

English Heritage also provide information and services for disabled people such as:

Access: On tarmac and grass path around outer circle (subject to weather conditions). One wheelchair available to visitors on request at entrance kiosk.

Parking: Reserved parking for disabled drivers is available close to entrance. Ticket office reached by short, sloping tarmac path.

Visually Impaired Visitors: Braille and large print guides are available on request. Touching Stones accessible at the main entrance.

Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop in ten languages (subject to availability).

Further information regarding facilities at Stonehenge can be found on OpenBritain, on page 126 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage website.

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Mortons House Hotel, an enchanting 16th Century manor house, now converted into an award-winning 21 bedroom luxury hotel and restaurant, is located in the picturesque village of Corfe Castle, which lies in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck.

Purbeck is a very special place. The World Heritage status of its ‘Jurassic’ coast, together with beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, history, geology, wildlife and so much more make it a ‘must-see’ location.

In recent years, Mortons House has been declared ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ and in addition received a Silver Award for ‘Accessible Accommodation’ (South West Tourism). The owners are equally proud of their ‘Gold Award’ status from VisitBritain. As well as this, the establishment, which has 4 rooms for disabled people, has been assessed under the National Accessible Scheme (NAS) and they also have a full Access Statement.

Further information can be found on the OpenBritain site, on page 110 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Mortons House Hotel webpage.

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