DAYSOUT
Sensory Adventures cont... and toddler climbing frames, a nest swing and loudspeakers, which are excellent for fostering challenging, creative and sociable play.
With detailed maps available on their website, visitors can plan their routes ahead of time, and with easy access pathways leading from the car park to The Green Cafe and play areas, all facilities such as the toilets and cafe are fully accessible from the ground floor. Manor Park Country Park features 284 metres of surfaced path that forms a circular route between the play area, lake and cafe; despite some steep gradients, this route can be easily navigated by those with mobility aids such as walking sticks, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Owl & Animal Experience Days, The Kent Owl Academy, Maidstone kentowlacademy. com
Children with autism spectrum disorder( ASD) often find it easier to communicate with animals rather than humans, so why not take them on a trip to The Kent Owl Academy this April? With knowledgeable and friendly staff who provide a diverse range of experiences for guests to meet the animals up close and personal, education is at the heart of this family business.
Opening their doors to the natural world of owls, raptors and other small animals, The Kent Owl Academy offers Owl & Animal Experience Days for visitors to have fun, educational and interactive sessions with their feathered friends. With full access for disabled participants across the grounds, their team can accommodate for most medical conditions on their experience days, with client safety in mind during all activities.
ROCKITS
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham thedockyard. co. uk
Presented with the prestigious Accessible and Inclusive Gold Award at the 2024 / 25 Beautiful South Awards, The Historic Dockyard Chatham’ s commitment to accessibility is unparalleled through initiatives such as regular audio-described and British Sign Language( BSL) tours, relaxed openings and adapted sessions, as well as the recent introduction of sensory support backpacks.
As part of the Curating for Change initiative, the dockyard currently offers a Disability Trailblazers trail that uncovers the hidden lives of disabled people through time from sailors to craftspeople. Also available in braille format, visitors can collect their Disability Trailblazers Guide upon arrival from staff. In collaboration with AccessAble, the dockyard has also created individual access guides to their galleries and spaces which can be found on their website, allowing visitors with different access needs to plan their day ahead of time.
Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford rarebreeds. org. uk
A conservation farm park in one of Kent’ s most picturesque stretches of countryside, the Rare Breeds Centre is home to populations of horses, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits, as well as grazing cattle, sheep, ducks and aviary birds. Attractions at the centre include a discovery garden, play parks and woodland walks, with wildlife preservation and conservation at the forefront of everything the Rare Breeds Centre team does.
FESTABILITY
Wheelchair access is in some parts limited by the terrain, though the main farmyard, picnic benches and trailer rides are all accessible for those in wheelchairs. With a first aid room, accessible toilets and parking bays as well as children’ s play equipment, a day at the Rare Breeds Centre is sure to be enjoyed by all, regardless of individual mobility.
Turner Contemporary, Margate turnercontemporary. org
An iconic gallery inspired by the life and work of the celebrated artist, J. M. W. Turner, the Margate-based Turner Contemporary opened its doors in 2011. Featuring stunning and thought-provoking art exhibitions, tours and activities, as well as a cafe overlooking the harbour, the Turner Contemporary is well worth a visit for artlovers and the art-curious alike.
Purpose built with accessibility in mind, the gallery is completely free to enter and showcases world-class exhibitions with an ever-evolving calendar of events. Visitors will find the Access Station located next to the lift on the ground floor, with large print wall texts, a gallery map, ear defenders, wheelchairs and stools available to borrow during their visit. The Turner Contemporary is fully wheelchair accessible with step-free access and a lift serving both floors, and also offers relaxed hours for those with additional needs to enjoy the gallery in a more comfortable environment.
On 3 May 2025, the Turner Contemporary will hold a BSL Tour of their current exhibition, Resistance, with Jason Tennant to welcome deaf participants, BSL speakers and those learning BSL.
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