Getting a 'feel' for orienteering

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 18 December 2019 11:52

This story proves two great statements: “Never say never” and “Orienteering is truly a sport for all.” Barbara Hill and her Bold Horizons team spent time recently with a truly inspirational and adventurous group of people.

Vision-impaired adventurers from Blind Citizens Australia, with guide dogs and carers, navigated a course through the Chatswood Mall and shopping district using a map created especially for them.

Printed in 3D, the map provided a basic idea of the area with activity bases and instructions provided in braille. Touch, smell, sound, taste, games and other activities, combined with visits to T2 Tea, the Chatswood Library and Gelatissimo along the way made for an extremely entertaining day.

Barbara reports: "I worked closely with Blind Citizens Australia to develop the event. It was designed as an enjoyable team-based activity with the primary object of having some fun but also to build confidence and mobility skills in the Chatswood area. 

"There were activity bases spread around the Chatswood CBD that teams of visually impaired participants could navigate to.

"We were able to have all the directions printed in braille and the map transferred to a 3D print with braille labels. Of course all the activities relied on non-visual skills: sound, taste, touch, smell and lots of laughs.

"It was a highly enjoyable, inspiring, yet humbling day that was terrific to be involved in. Overwhelmingly positive feedback has been received on the event." 

Participant Graeme Innes (pictured, far left) was Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner from December 2005 to July 2014.

To view all the photos, see the Facebook article about the event. We also have a small Braille permanent course at Hughes Park in Lane Cove. See here for details.