Show to be more accessible after series of changes
DEVON County Show organisers have announced a series of new inclusive features at this year’s event for improved accessibility.
The measures have been planned with Chloe Hammond, a wheelchair user, and her assistance dog Ocho.
Chloe and Ocho were invited by show manager Lisa Moore to do a site audit at last year’s event.
New initiatives recommended by Chloe, and which are to be implemented, include a high dependency mobile disabled toilet unit equipped with a hoist.
They will also ask traders with raised stands to bring ramps to facilitate accessibility for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
There will be dedicated accessibility stewards on hand to offer help, and a ban on retractable dog leads.
There will be on-site signing students from the Deaf Academy for the deaf community and signing by a
BSL interpreter in the accessible viewing area located alongside the public grandstand next to the main arena, on at least one day of the show.
Chairs will be placed outside all accessible toilet facilities and there will be a new award for the best ‘accessible’ trade stand. Disability awareness training will be provided for all show staff, volunteers and stewards.
In line with its commitment to inclusivity, the show has also announced a number of new and inclusive features for this year. A quiet zone will be made available for the exclusive use of neurodivergent children and their parents/carers where they can be calm and decompress if they find it too overwhelming. The zone will offer a relaxed setting with comfy seating, sensory lighting and toys.
A sensory garden in the crafts & horticulture marquee is being designed and installed by Devon in Sight, an Exeter-based charity providing support to those living with little or no sight. The planting will focus on specimens with recognisable textures and scents, a water feature will provide the sound of calming, trickling water, a shed will deliver sounds of birds and summer cricket matches and potpourri in jars will offer a variety of different scents.
A jungle garden in crafts & horticulture will provide Ned Riley, a 20-year-old who is autistic, with the opportunity to share his passion and knowledge of reptiles and bugs.
Lisa said: “We have always prided ourselves on being an accessible show with several elements already in place to facilitate access for everyone, regardless of their ability. But as a constantly evolving show, we recognise there’s always room for improvement. It has been incredibly useful having Chloe working with us and giving us such a detailed insight into the show from her perspective.”
As a thank you to Chloe, the show is donating £1,000 towards Ocho’s upkeep this year.