Webinar: Creating more accessible green and blue spaces for people with visual impairments

Join Natural England as they host an insightful webinar focused on enhancing the accessibility of green and blue spaces (including forests, allotments, lakes, and the sea) for individuals with visual impairments. Our speakers and panellists will delve into the findings of a recent report, share innovative pilot projects, and discuss strategies for overcoming barriers to nature experiences for people who have visual impairments and disabilities more broadly.

Thanks also to our partners Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC), Oxfordshire County
Council, Fight for Sight/Vision Foundation, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs,
Disabled Ramblers, The Ramblers, Open Country, Reading Association for the Blind.

Agenda

10:30-10:35 am | Introduction and housekeeping

10:35-10:55 am | Findings from report ‘Creating More Accessible Green & Blue Spaces: Understanding the experiences of people with visual impairments that visit green and blue spaces'
Dr Louise Montgomery, Natural England
Dr Anant Jani, University of Oxford
Anita Lightstone, MyVision Oxfordshire

10:55-11:15 am  | MyVision Oxfordshire Green Walks Pilot Project: Implementing the Recommendations
Anita Lightstone, MyVision Oxfordshire
Devante Claridge, MyVision Oxfordshire
Claire Merritt, MyVision Oxfordshire

11:15-11:45 am | RNIB and RSPB Northern Ireland Pilot Project: Exploring the barriers to nature experiences on RSPB reserves for people with sight loss and improve access for all
Fiona Joyce, RNIB Northern Ireland
Dawn Hopper, RNIB
Anne Cahill, RSPB Northern Ireland
John Dowswell, RSPB UK

11:45 am -12:00 pm | Discussion Panel & Attendee Questions 
Kerry Frith, Fight for Sight & Vision Foundation
Dr Anant Jani, University of Oxford
Anita Lightstone, MyVision Oxfordshire
Devante Claridge, MyVision Oxfordshire
Claire Merritt, MyVision Oxfordshire
Fiona Joyce, RNIB Northern Ireland
Dawn Hopper, RNIB
Anne Cahill, RSPB Northern Ireland
John Dowswell, RSPB UK

*the webinar will be recorded*