Language Of Nature
Language of Nature focuses on how best we can connect people with disabilities with nature conservation and restoration, with a focus on the role communication plays on a person’s engagement with nature. We joined the two-year programme in 2021 and we are responsible for the delivery of the initiative in London, having received comprehensive training on sensory engagement with nature for children with special needs, disability awareness, and what causes language barriers. We have focused on BSL, Braille, Makaton, Widgit, and Easy English, and have been assessing how we can utilise these communication tools as part of our community engagement and school workshops.
Our engagement with communities across the UK demonstrates how language can be a barrier to connecting with nature and the outdoors for people with disabilities. This project has been a great opportunity to create more inclusive and meaningful experiences for the communities we work with.
Across the 22/23 planting season, Trees for Cities delivered planting workshops for SEN schools and colleges, with more signup requests for the upcoming season based on positive feedback.
On the ground we have organised more accessible planting events: we had a BSL interpreter at our Victoria Park community planting day, which we'll look to include at future events upon request. We share accessibility information online, ensure accessibility-trained staff for our planting days, and do a thorough post-event review. We’ve also created new resources for community workshops and events, which we continually evolve based on feedback.
We are working to ensure that accessibility is becoming more integrated into every step of our programmes. Planting 'Urban trees for all, by all' underpins everything that we do, including striving for better accessibility practices.
