Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
“The Lake District has always been my home, but for a long time, it didn’t feel like mine to explore.” With a more flexible power add-on, the author could reach places she had “only ever heard about” and travel “independently, on my own terms.” For People with Disabilities, crowds, terrain and lack of access still create a barrier, so quieter paths and space to breathe matter.
Attitude and adapted support turn possibility into practice. At Calvert Lakes near Keswick, staff “focused on how to make it happen,” and she descended the rope repeatedly while seated in her chair. The centre offers climbing, canoeing, horse riding, sailing, accessible cycling, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory spaces and accessible accommodation; what stood out most was the enabling attitude.
Step-free nature is real when design leads. Tarn Hows, a National Trust site near Coniston, has a smooth, mostly level loop with free Tramper hire and a designated accessible parking and viewpoint area. The Keswick–Threlkeld railway path is smooth, wide and fully step-free, with gentle gradients and benches, and “Miles Without Stiles” lists more than 40 accessible routes on the National Park website.
Inclusion must extend beyond trails. The article names an adapted motorboat on Coniston and arts venues that offer “accessible performances.” Community Builders: remove barriers first, design for independent use, and make spontaneity possible; belonging follows when access is the baseline.
Read the Full Article: I’m a wheelchair user from the Lake District – here’s how to explore it without limits.
By: Carrie-Ann Lightly
