British woman with disability: design, not disability, blocks access to natural areas

British woman Bethany Handley says her favourite scenic natural areas are inaccessible to her not because of her disability, but because of poor design. She describes how she has been literally locked out of her cherished landscapes. Handley argues that the design of public green spaces should take into account the needs of people with disabilities.

British woman with disability Bethany Handley describes how she has repeatedly been literally locked out of her beloved natural locations — not because of her health condition, but because the design of these areas has failed to take people with additional needs into consideration.

According to Handley, the problem is systemic: when planning natural areas, parks and green corridors, the needs of people who use wheelchairs, mobility aids or who face other physical limitations are often overlooked. She emphasises that disability itself does not prevent people from enjoying nature — thoughtless infrastructure does.

Natural areas frequently feature narrow gates, high thresholds, uneven paths and missing toilet facilities, making independent movement impossible. Handley's case is one of many highlighting a growing demand for more inclusive design in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

Disability advocates have long called for developers of green spaces and local authorities to involve people with disabilities from the earliest stages of the planning process. According to experts, most obstacles could be removed at relatively modest cost if sufficient attention were paid to them.

Handley hopes that her story will raise awareness and encourage decision-makers to create natural areas that are open to everyone — not just those without mobility restrictions.