Exploring parks for blind or vision impaired visitors
Walk in the Park Program
A partnership program between Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria and Parks Victoria
The Walk in the Park program provides group walks in parks for visitors who are blind or vision impaired. This is made possible through the provision of volunteers trained as park companions, to assist visitors with park orientation, sign reading and to provide verbal descriptions of the surrounding natural environment. The program operates in selected parks in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The program also provides organised group camps in some of Victoria's iconic national parks.
The Walk in the Park program enables participants to experience the benefits associated with visiting parks such as:
A partnership program between Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria and Parks Victoria
The Walk in the Park program provides group walks in parks for visitors who are blind or vision impaired. This is made possible through the provision of volunteers trained as park companions, to assist visitors with park orientation, sign reading and to provide verbal descriptions of the surrounding natural environment. The program operates in selected parks in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The program also provides organised group camps in some of Victoria's iconic national parks.
The Walk in the Park program enables participants to experience the benefits associated with visiting parks such as:
- Assisting individuals in maintaining a healthy level of fitness and general wellbeing.
- Providing an opportunity for social interaction in a park setting through the provision of trained volunteer park companions and group park visits.
- Building individual knowledge and understanding of the recreational opportunities that parks offer through participation in walks and camps in parks.
For further information about the Walk in the Park Program, contact Maurice Gleeson at Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria on (03) 9822 8876, or email info@blindsports.org.au or visit www.blindsports.org.au.
Exploring parks independently with the BlindSquare GPS-app
Parks Victoria has partnered with Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) to facilitate the installation of BlindSquare at Jells Park, Albert park and Yarrabend park. The BlindSquare self-voicing app is the world's most widely used accessible GPS-app for people who are blind or with low vision.
Through Customised Location Services (CLS), BlindSquare describes where a user is in the park and aids them in finding their way around, including areas not covered by standard GPS like walks, public toilets, picnic areas and barbecues. This app enables visitors who are blind or who are vision impaired to explore the park safely and independently and to receive the many health benefits. A free version of the BlindSquare app is available called BlindSquare Event .
For further information, visit the BlindSquare or Guide Dogs Victoria.
For further information, visit the BlindSquare or Guide Dogs Victoria.