Summary
Disability and equality
There are over 8.6 million disabled people in Britain. This group is very varied, and includes people with hearing, sight, speech and learning impairments as well as those with physical impairments. Finding ways to ensure equal access and enjoyment of the outdoors for all groups of people is an important aspect of the diversity and equality agenda which is supported by the Equality Act 2006 and the amended Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
Enhancing and promoting access for disabled users
In order to respond to this legislation it was important for the Forestry Commission to review the information held by staff and services about the needs of different disabled users, conduct accessibility audits to learn lessons and understand how best to promote disabled access, and undertake a training needs assessment to identify how best to equip staff to continue to promote equal access for disabled people.
Research objectives
The specific objectives of this project were to:
- Assess the duties placed on the forest sector by the 1995 and 2005 Disability Discrimination Acts and other legislation and policy
- Understand the knowledge and skills that forest recreation staff have promoting disabled accessibility
- Develop new guidance, tools and case studies applicable to forest and woodland managers
- Create a digest of contacts representing disabled people
- Develop training materials to promote equal access for disabled people.
Key findings
The research showed that there was:
- A high level of awareness in the sector concerning the need to promote disabled access
- Awareness of the features of woodlands valued by disabled users, and the need to design access features appropriate to woodland surroundings
- A need for advice on how best to contact and work with disabled individuals and organisations
- More knowledge and greater appreciation of physical disability issues and options for enhancement compared to the needs other disability groups
- A difference in the needs of the sector in rural and urban locations.
Outputs
Summary of research, findings and recommendations (PDF-644K)
Research report
Bell, S., P. Travlou, et al. (2007). Enhancing the Forest Sector's contribution to equal access for disabled people to recreation goods, facilities and services in Scottish Forests. Task 2. Qualitative and quantitative research with forest recreation managers to collate knowledge and skills related to disability accessibility (PDF-528K). Edinburgh, OPENspace report for the Forestry Commission: 40.
Guidance documents
Bell, S. (2007). Accessibility and Disability: Making Woods More Accessible (PDF-859K). Edinburgh, OPENspace report for the Forestry Commission: 13.
Bowman, E. and S. Bell (2007). Enhancing the Forest Sector's contribution to equal access for disabled people to recreation goods, facilities and services in Scottish Forests. Task 1. Accessibility and Disability: A Guide to the Application of Disabled Access Legislation to Scotland’s Woodlands (PDF-177K). Edinburgh, OPENspace report for the Forestry Commission: 23.
OPENspace (2007). Enhancing the Forest Sector’s contribution to equal access for disabled people to recreation goods, facilities and services in Scottish Forests: Good practice examples of access to forests or countryside (PDF-905K). Edinburgh, UK, report for Forestry Commission Scotland: 33.
OPENspace (2007). Enhancing the Forest Sector's contribution to equal access for disabled people to recreation goods, facilities and services in Scottish Forests. Task 3. Collation and Review of Guidance, Tools and Case Studies of Good Practice (PDF-485K). Edinburgh, OPENspace report for the Forestry Commission: 40.
Learning about disability
Three different research projects were commissioned to provide information about disability access issues. In addition to this project the others were:
- Assessing the contribution of forestry grants to equal access for disabled people to recreation goods, facilities and services in Scottish woodlands
- Exploring disabled peoples’ perceptions and the role of forest recreation goods, facilities and services in Scotland, England and Wales
Forestry Commission’s diversity and equality policies
The Forestry Commission is committed to promoting equality to the users of its goods and resources, its services and public functions, as well as amongst its employees:
- Forestry Commission Equality and Diversity Strategy (PDF-343K)
- Forestry Commissions Disability Equality Scheme (MS Word®-154K)
Funders and Partners
Funded by the Forestry Commission Scotland, this project commissioned and managed by Forest Research was undertaken by the OPENspace research centre in Edinburgh.
Status
This project was completed spring 2007.
Contacts
Bianca Ambrose-Oji
Forestry Commission Wales Office
Gwydyr Uchaf
Llanrwst
Conwy
LL26 0PN
Tel: 0300 068 0162
Email: bianca.ambrose-oji@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
The Diversity Manager
The Forestry Commission
Silvan House
231 Corstorphine Road
EDINBURGH
EH12 7AT
Tel: 0131 314 6531
E-mail: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
