Increasing accessible outdoor spaces is good for everyone

Activity Alliance is passionate about working together with partners to create more meaningful and lasting change for disabled people. Our manifesto released in April 2024 outlines our top asks for the next government and policy makers across the country. One of these asks is to Increase accessible outdoor spaces: Take a leading role in promoting and legislating design standards that ensure accessibility in local and national spaces.

Everyone deserves the right to access the places and spaces near them. Most of us walk, wheel or cycle for our daily journeys and making active travel more accessible will play an important role in reducing wider inequalities including employment. Design and active travel standards must be informed by disabled children and adults’ barriers to outdoor spaces, sports and recreation facilities, public rights of way and local green space. The government should make a long-term commitment to address the inaccessibility of blue (water), green (land) and grey (urban open) spaces in local communities and reduce barriers to active travel.

A stark disparity exists between disabled and non-disabled people in accessing outdoor spaces. Our Annual Disability and Activity Survey 2023-24 shows only 14 percent of disabled people report that “nothing stops me from being active in outdoor spaces,” compared with 29 percent of non-disabled people. This gap highlights systemic challenges that disproportionately affect disabled people, limiting their freedom, mobility and quality of life.

The Survey 2023-24 showed three barriers as the most common reasons disabled people feel prevented from going outdoors. Lack of motivation (21 percent), lack of confidence (21 percent) and seasonal inaccessibility, especially in winter (19 percent). These three barriers rarely exist in isolation. Disabled people are often impacted most by environmental neglect, social misunderstanding and policy gaps.

For a disabled person, repeated encounters with uneven pathways, inaccessible facilities or poorly maintained trails can quickly reduce the desire to venture outside. If the first few attempts to enjoy a park lead to frustration or disappointment, it’s understandable why you would not try it again.

Confidence to access outdoor spaces relies on them meeting standards. That could be for a person with a visual impairment needing clear signage and tactile cues. Someone with limited energy or high levels of fatigue needing benches at regular intervals. When these essentials are missing, the risk of injury or insecurity increases. By embedding universal-design principles, including ramped access, smooth pathways, consistent lighting and resting points, it builds trust and empowers more people. Winter presents unique challenges, including rain, snow or ice covering accessible paths, making surfaces hazardous.

Transforming Mobility is a Sustrans project with Transport for All, funded by the Motability Foundation, understanding how to better include disabled people in transport planning. Through research and engagement in the UK and Belgium, it's exploring how cities can improve accessibility by involving disabled people in decision-making.

Their report show disabled people are being left out. Over half (53%) of disabled people say the government isn’t doing enough to help them be active or access nature. Nearly the same number (48%) say transport isn’t affordable, and half feel that both local and national governments aren’t prioritising accessibility.

Among our increased engagement in active travel and outdoors spaces, we are part of Outdoors for All which consists of 51 organisations that believe access to nature and the outdoors is good for our minds and bodies. We believe it makes sense for our economy, prosperity and the future of our natural environment. We are proud of our rich and varied landscapes – from rivers, canals and lakes, to mountains, crags, coastlines and urban green and blue spaces. Sadly, research tells us that the UK ranks lowest of 14 European nations on nature connectedness.

We recently submitted evidence into the APPG Outdoor Spaces and Access to Nature consultation. It is crucial to us to keep supporting policy with evidence and ideas for change. Working in partnership with others allows us to do this more.

Ben Seal, Head of Access & Environment, Paddle UK said:

“The disparities shown in the Activity Alliance survey work reveal how systemic barriers – from uneven pathways to a lack of inclusive design – prevent too many from enjoying the amazing physical and mental benefits of being out in nature.

“None of these barriers are insurmountable. With some careful consideration of how we design new spaces or improve existing,  as well as provision for better information on what to expect from out outdoor spaces, more people can be given the confidence to get out outdoors.

“It's time for greater action, with disabled people at the heart of designing solutions, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to connect with our natural world."

You can read more in Outdoors for All.

There are some practical solutions Activity Alliance would like to see.

• Co-created and universal design in action. Disabled people need to be at the heart of designing outdoor spaces and places. Accessibility needs to be built in as mandatory, not with voluntary guidelines, and hold regular audits with disabled-user feedback. Community groups can partner with council departments to host “accessibility days” that bring designers, officials and disabled people together to co-create solutions.
• Inclusive design must be backed by strong policy. Local governments should embed accessibility standards in park planning and allocate dedicated funding for maintenance or build.
• Supporting infrastructure by installing accessible toilets, drinking fountains and seating at regular intervals. Provide tactile maps, signage and app-based guides that alert users to accessible features and temporary closures.

Our vision sees a future where disabled people feel they belong in sports and activities. Outdoor spaces belong to everyone. More inclusive parks and greenways mean healthier communities, stronger communities and richer lives. By tackling inequalities and reducing barriers, we can ensure that fresh air and open spaces are truly for all.