Bolton Abbey event aims to attract disabled visitors

Fiona Evans

A free event for people with sensory impairment aims to encourage more people with disabilities to visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Visually or hearing impaired visitors to the Bolton Abbey Estate on September 4 can take part in guided walks, practical conservation tasks and family nature activities, designed and interpreted with them and their enablers in mind.

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Sense the Dales is a pilot and is being organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and Natural England.

YDNPA outreach officer Catherine Kemp said: “The aim is two-fold – to enable people with a form of sensory disability to experience a range of activities that are suitable for all and to give us and Natural England an opportunity to learn from the day.

“We’ll be asking how well participants think ideas worked and were delivered, and then we will use the results to shape our work.

“We want to see a countryside that is accessible to everyone and we are aware that, at present, there are limited opportunities for people with disabilities to fully access the national park. “

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Sense the Dales will take place at the Cavendish Pavilion, Bolton Abbey Estate, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

YDNPA access development officer Rachel Briggs said: “There has been a great deal of work on increasing the length of rights of way suitable for people with limited mobility, and we have complemented this with a suite of leaflets describing points of interest and trails.”

People can turn up on the day or pre-book before August 27 and receive 50 per cent car parking fee back. Contact Ms Briggs on 01969 652300 or e-mail Rachel.briggs@ yorkshiredales.org.uk.