Leisure

Outdoor leisure activities

Summary: Things to do outside the home, such as sports, and visiting museums and galleries.

• Sport and fitness
• Spectator sports
• Museums and galleries
• Cinema
• Theatre and music venues
• Royal Albert Hall
• Days out
• Rambling and countryside walks
• Leisure Link
• Sailing
• Further information

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RNIB is working hard to improve access for blind and partially sighted people – access to sporting, leisure, arts and entertainment venues – to help you get more out of life.

There are many places to visit and things to do if you enjoy getting out and about. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Sport and fitness

Many people with sight loss participate in a wide variety of sports activities – from bowls to cricket, and from water-skiing to tandem riding.

Some of these activities may require modest adaptations of rules and equipment to make them accessible – for example playing cricket with a size 4 audible ball, or using a sighted or audio guide to help guide you to the tee in golf. There are also sports such as "goalball", which are played by blind and partially sighted people only.

British Blind Sport governs most competition from local to international level. There is a sporting structure for competition in most sports. Blind and partially sighted people can gain the same enjoyment and benefits as anyone else; feeling good in mind and body, reduction in body fat and reduced risk of heart disease or stroke. Above all, fun and enjoyment!

For information on any sport and activity, please contact RNIB Helpline (email helpline@rnib.org.uk or phone 0845 766 9999 / 020 7388 2525 - some callers may find it cheaper to call a landline, so we have detailed both 08 prefixed numbers and landline equivalents where available)

British Blind Sport also give advice on athletics, football, swimming and many other sports.

Spectator sports

Many sporting venues are improving their access for disabled people. Always contact the venue concerned in advance to check their facilities and let them know your access needs.

For more information about spectator sports, please visit our sports pages or contact Eleanor Ellison on 01273 26 22 21.

Museums and galleries

Why not visit a museum, art gallery, stately home or historic castle?

Many of the thousands of museums, galleries and heritage sites across the UK have services to make a visit more enjoyable for people with a sight problem.

For latest updates, please check What's new in museums and galleries. This gives suggestions of venues which currently have events or services that are accessible to blind and partially sighted people.

Cinema

Have you ever sat in the cinema feeling frustrated because you couldn’t follow what was happening on the screen?

Many cinemas across the UK are now equipped with a system that delivers audio description through a headset, which is provided when you collect your ticket. Most popular films and blockbusters are now released with audio description. For more information visit our cinema pages.

Theatre and music venues

Audio described theatre performances are available at over one hundred theatres around the country. The description brings alive what is happening on stage for people with sight problems. It describes the action, scenery, facial expressions and costumes.

For more information visit our theatre pages. You can now also find out what’s on in the theatre with audio description.

Royal Albert Hall

RNIB has a box at the Royal Albert Hall, which holds five people.

For the majority of performances throughout the year tickets are available for people with sight problems at a greatly reduced rate of £10 per person.

Please note that tickets are not allocated on a first come first served basis – instead, new enquirers will be given priority.

For more information about the Royal Albert Hall Ticket Scheme please contact the RNIB Broadcasting and Talking Images team, telephone 020 7391 2063 or email royalalberthall@rnib.org.uk

Days out

The list of places you can go on a day out is almost endless. The most important thing is planning.

• Always telephone the venue or the local tourist information in advance.
• Specify your needs and check what can be done to help you.
• Are touch tours offered?
• Is there a large print, braille or audio guidebook?
• Any discounts for people with sight problems?
• Are staff members willing to guide you around?

All these questions are worth asking.

Many local societies organise days out.

The National Trust and English Heritage both provide information and services for people with sight problems.

You could also contact the local tourist board for the area you wish to visit, or go to the Visit Britain website.

Rambling and countryside walks

Rambling and walking are popular pastimes which can keep you fit and active – this doesn't necessarily have to be too strenuous. Walking is free, easy and can improve your general health and wellbeing. Some local societies for the blind have rambling clubs.

The Ramblers Association will be happy to put you in touch with a rambling group in your area. You can go on pre-arranged walks in the countryside or in towns and cities if you prefer.

The Sensory Trust can also give details of countryside sites which are accessible to blind and partially sighted people.

Leisure Link

Leisure Link was a pilot project based in East Sussex, which encouraged older blind and partially sighted people to participate in leisure classes alongside volunteer mentors or "buddies". The project used existing sites of learning such as Colleges, Community Arts and Sports venues.

Students were sponsored to undertake classes in a wide range of subjects, including painting, woodwork, salsa dancing, languages and others.

Transport to and from the venue was provided by the volunteers.

After the courses, the students' work and skills featured in displays and exhibitions. Participants were also encouraged to join in existing leisure groups or community clubs, or helped to run their own locally based sessions.

For more information contact Eleanor Ellison on 01273 26 22 21 or email eleanor.ellison@rnib.org.uk

A publication entitled "Leisure in Focus" describes the experiences of tutors and participants in the project, and gives a wealth of useful leisure ideas for people with sight problems and sighted tutors and activity organisers. More information on the "Leisure in Focus" publication.

Sailing

The “All at Sea in 2003” project, run jointly by RNIB and RYA Sailability, encourages blind and partially sighted people to have a go at sailing.

"Have a go" days and sailing breaks are being run as part of this project.

For more information contact Eleanor Ellison, telephone 01273 262221 or email eleanor.ellison@rnib.org.uk

Further information

For more information on anything listed here, or any other leisure activities outside your home, please contact us:

RNIB Helpline
105 Judd Street
London WC1H 9NE
Telephone: 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

Content author: helpline@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13