On August 13, the picnic structure at Pella Crossing in Longmont was filled with a group of NoCo Places agency staff, two expert outdoor accessibility consultants, 4 wheelchairs, a mobility device, 2 white canes, and 7 pairs of vision impairment simulation glasses.
The second annual NoCo outdoor accessibility training was ready to roll!
This session focused on accessibility principles, terminology, and disability etiquette, paired with
hands on experiential learning. Leading the group were Kelsey Devereaux of Every Body Outside Consulting and Topher Downham of Omni Accessible.
hands on experiential learning. Leading the group were Kelsey Devereaux of Every Body Outside Consulting and Topher Downham of Omni Accessible.
This workshop helps NoCo agency staff gain a deeper understanding of the challenges people with disabilities face and translate that awareness into actionable steps for more inclusive outdoor spaces.The training goals included gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges people with disabilities face, and translating that awareness into actionable steps for more inclusive outdoor spaces. The course combined the Foundations in Accessibility training with the Inclusive Design Workshop led by people with disabilities. Participants began by building a shared understanding of accessibility principles, terminology, and disability etiquette. The session then shifted to small group, experiential learning, where participants use adaptive equipment—such as wheelchairs, white canes, and visual impairment simulators—to experience common barriers firsthand.
Thank you to Kelsey and Topher for presenting and demonstrating for the group! Everyone learned a lot, and there’s nothing like hands-on, experiential learning to change perspective.
Group at Pella Crossing
Vision impairment simulation glasses
Using wheelchairs on a crushed gravel trail
Topher Downham leads the group
Kelsey Devereaux leads a group using vision impairment glasses
Using vision impairment glasses and cane
Using vision impairment glasses and cane
Topher Downham instructs a participant on a mobility device
Using vision impairment glasses and cane
Using vision impairment glasses and cane with obstacles on the trail
