Here we delve into what Accessibility Mark really means to provide a better understanding and explain everything you need to know.
Accessibility Mark – Everything You Need to Know
As Accessibility Mark continues to march forwards, the revolutionary scheme is helping more and more disabled people to get involved in sport and activities.
Accessibility – Accessibility Mark is opening up more opportunities making horse riding more accessibility to a wider group of people.
Centres – There are currently 42 centres across the country.
Confidence – Riding has many benefits for both physical and mental health as well building confidence that can transfer into other areas of life through increased social interaction.
Equipment – Centres can take advantage of specialist or modified equipment to ensure the safety of both horse and rider.
Support – Centres receive on-going support from a Support Officer.
Synergy – The aim of the scheme is for both RDA Groups and Accessibility Mark centres to work in synergy together to provide the most productive strategy for every rider.
Inclusion – Accessibility Mark is actively encouraging inclusive equestrian sport.
Business Growth – In a tough economic climate, Accessibility Mark is providing equestrian centres with another avenue of revenue.
Involved – Through Accessibility Mark disabled people are being encouraged to get involved in sport and activities.
Learning – Integrating disability sport helps others including staff members and volunteers learn about the challenges faced by disabled people in everyday life.
Instructors – All instructors wishing to teach Accessibility Mark lessons are qualified to at least UKCC Level 2 or equivalent.
Training – All centres have to undergo training and assessment with the RDA. During the practical training there is a focus on different mounting and dismounting techniques, and lesson planning, to ensure instructors tailor the lessons to an individual’s needs.
Yes -get involved – Accessibility Mark would like more centres to say ‘yes’ and get involved. With RDA groups massively over-subscribed the scheme is helping bridge the gap.
Marketing – All centres are offered marketing support to help promote their accreditation and raise awareness of the scheme.
Accreditation – Upon meeting all the criteria and completing the training, centres receive an accreditation to officially recognise their Accessibility Mark status.
Riding – The physical benefits of riding can help improve posture, balance and coordination.
Knowledge – As centres form an affiliation with such a well-respected organisation as RDA, they benefit from the knowledge gained over 40 years of providing life-changing activities.
Riding for the Disabled Association, in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation’s participation programme, launched the revolutionary scheme to work with commercial riding centres with the aim of getting more disabled people to participate in riding.
To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.