A total of 400 participants from different groups of people with disabilities will enjoy a new edition of the “Nature without barriers” program in the surroundings of the Camino Verde del Alhama. This year the activities will take place between June 17 and 28 and, for the first time, will take place in the Biosphere Reserve of the Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Valleys. The general director of Natural Environment and Landscape, Ignacio Sáenz de Urturi, presented this Monday the “Nature without barriers” program, an initiative that is developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Policies and that seeks to promote contact with nature of all people with disabilities.
This program has been developed for thirteen years now, in which the Government of La Rioja, in its work of managing natural spaces, has always had as a priority objective to facilitate the approach to these environments for the entire population, eliminating obstacles. and promoting sustainable public use.
This year the activities will take place between June 17 and 28 and, for the first time, will take place in the Biosphere Reserve of the Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Valleys, specifically the surroundings of the Contrebia Leucade site and the Camino Verde del Alhama in Aguilar del Río Alhama, whose City Council has collaborated in the organization of the activity. In total, the participation of 392 people is planned, including people with disabilities and companions, belonging to different groups and entities in the region that work with people with different abilities.
In total there will be nine days in which various groups from ASPRODEMA Rioja, the Day Care Center (CAD) of Nájera, the Association of Deaf People of La Rioja, ASPACE, ARPA Autismo Rioja, the Igual a Ti Association, the Centro de Recovery of People with Physical Disabilities (CRMF) of Lardero, La Rioja Sin Barreras and the La Rioja Mental Health Association.
On the Alhama Green Path, next to the riverbed, you can imagine how the ancient inhabitants of these lands satisfied their basic needs, inviting you to reflect on the way they do so today. Days full of coexistence, sensations and stories where attendees carry out leisure and awareness activities to promote a rewarding approach to the natural environment that contemplates the enjoyment of users and the transmission of values of love and respect for nature, both in the rooms in natural settings and in attitudes applicable to daily life.
The team of environmental educators of the Government of La Rioja is in charge of energizing and developing the activities of the program that includes free bus travel. In addition, “Nature without barriers” includes differentiated days with specific activities for each group and their needs depending on whether they are people with visual, hearing, mental or physical disabilities.
Bet on accessibility
The “Nature without Barriers” program is part of the work that has been carried out for years to eliminate obstacles and facilitate access for all citizens to our network of protected natural spaces.
The multiple intrinsic conditions of natural spaces (heterogeneity, orography, fragility, extension…) demand particular solutions that respond to the needs of different disabilities. Tactile models, sound applications, texture games, Braille plaques, tactile elements, walkways, recreations, dioramas… the resources used are adapted in each case to the unique values of each protected space.
The actions that have been developed during this time begin with the adaptation of nature interpretation centers, which are often the entrance door or the first contact with a natural space.
