The Landscape Institute will host an event at the London Festival of Architecture using the cobbled space outside the Building Centre.
This will be an interactive session to experience the space as a partially sighted or disabled person might use it and as a chance to look at how it works as an accessible public realm.
Using 'SimSpecs' which simulate different eye conditions and a manual wheelchair, the event "˜Accessing the crescent – an inclusive design challenge' today (June 21) with inclusive design consultant Helen Allen CMLI, will lead visitors on a tour of the space.
There are 12 million disabled people in Britain but many face barriers in their everyday lives that prevent them from being full and active members of their community. But if places and neighbourhoods are designed to be accessible, they can confidently and independently participate in everyday activities.
The following week the Landscape Institute are hosting "˜Natural play in urban spaces"˜ with landscape architects, Davies White, who will share their experiences of engaging communities in the design and creation of natural playful landscapes in urban areas. They will illustrate how their schemes have helped foster local ownership and reconnect families with nature through play.
Paul Lincoln, deputy chief executive of the Landscape Institute, said: "Inclusive environments are a crucial factor in building stronger communities, transforming the way in which people with disabilities experience their environment. The Olympic park set a benchmark for quality of inclusion. Removing the obstacles that disabled people face is the responsibility of all of us.
"Play should also be at the heart of children's everyday lives and play space needs to be of significant quality and great design to attract children and families if it is to become a valued part of the local environment."
