Solution

Contact with nature and outdoor recreational activities are essential for having a good quality of life. But people with disabilities (PWDs), face a great number of difficulties trying to access outdoor areas and activities. Inaccessible trails, inadequate service and a very limited accessible offer ends up with PWDs being excluded from having quality experiences in the great outdoors.

Hiking Without Limits offers a fast and concrete solution for PWDs or reduced mobility, and for organizations that provide outdoor products and services. With the help of the Hiking Unicycles—a one-wheeled transportation designed for carrying one person by the help of two operators—numerous inaccessible areas become accessible without needing major intervention of nature. 

In addition to the use of the Hiking Unicycle, several inclusive activities like Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) or conscious breathing exercises are part of the Inclusive Hikes.  Also, Hiking without Limits offers training for outdoor tourism and recreation-related organizations and workers on providing inclusive experiences, as well as training and job opportunities to beneficiaries on becoming Inclusive Hike Guides. 

With these actions, Hiking without Limits addresses outdoors accessibility challenges through a multidimensional approach, working together with multiple members of the local community.

Senderismo sin Límites started in the Santiago metropolitan region and has been replicated in eight of Chile’s sixteen provinces as well as in Paraguay, where the practice is run by the Sendero de Chile Foundation, a local NGO.  The program is also expanding this year in Guatemala, in collaboration with the Rotary Club La Reina Alta, and has started training activities in Bolivia with the Comité Impulsor del Turismo Accesible de Bolivia (CITAB). 

Impact

200+ beneficiaries have participated in Inclusive Hikes performed by Fundación Eres. 90% of beneficiaries feel satisfied with the program and are willing to participate again, according to our surveys.

50+ workers have received training, and more than 150 volunteers participate actively in Hiking without Limits activities.

Hiking without Limits had delivered more than 45 Hiking Unicycles for public and private parks and natural areas in 8 out of 16 regions of Chile.

Goals

We are looking to reach more than 10 natural areas in 2 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean before 2023, as a first stage, and more than 25 areas in 5 countries around the globe before 2025, as a second stage. We are aiming to benefit 200 and 700 users with disabilities for each stage, respectively.

Needs

We would like to bring Hiking Without Limits to every community or natural space that needs it. We are looking for partner organizations to implement and expand the programme in their communities. Any organization that offers outdoor products and services can be a partner of Hiking Without Limits. This includes Non-profit organizations, Parks administrations, Outdoor Tourism and Recreation-related companies, Public Institutions, among others. 

Funding for a direct implementation of the program by Fundación Eres across areas and communities are also welcomed.

Transfer Model

We propose a partnership model for replication. 

Potential partners will receive a:

• A quick and affordable solution for outdoors accessibility with minimal to no-intervention of nature.
• Training on providing inclusive outdoors products and services.
• Training on designing and implementing Inclusive Hikes.
• Training on providing training services to other organizations.

Further Info

Contact person: Glenda Durán Caro

Email: direccion@fundacioneres.cl, senderismosinlimites@fundacioneres.cl 

Website: www.fundacioneres.cl/senderismo-sin-limites/ 

Other links: www.instagram.com/fundacion.eres , www.facebook.com/fundacioneres, www.twitter.com/fundacioneres