The Accessible Waterways Association secures support from UnLtd –
delivering social change in our community
The Accessible Waterways Association (AWA) secures funding and support from UnLtd to help build lasting social impact.
AWA is proud to announce our award and support from UnLtd, the UK’s foundation for social entrepreneurs. The award’s funding and tailored business support will significantly help AWA to widen the positive social impact in making Britain’s Inland Waterways accessible for all.
The aims of AWA are:
- to be a hub of information, support and assistance to disabled people who want to enjoy the canals and rivers
- to work with the various waterways authorities (Canal and River Trust (CRT), Environment Agency (EA), Broads Authority and many others) and other organisations to do whatever is possible to make the UK’s network of canals and rivers, and their surrounding environments, accessible for everyone.
- to be the administering body of the Boaters’ Blue Card Scheme
- to offer consultancy services to ensure that accessibility needs are fully and properly considered when new build, remedial or upgrading works are carried out on the waterways
Tracey Clarke, founder of AWA, said: “The financial award means we can set up on a professional basis. But the additional support from UnLtd, along with the mentorship and guidance they offer will be absolutely invaluable.”
AWA is a totally independent organisation from any of the Waterways Authorities.
Much of the navigable network was built over 200 years ago when the needs of disabled people were simply not a consideration. Indeed, they were designed and developed for the transport of industrial goods. They were a very tough environment, worked by equally tough fit healthy people and horses.
Many of the structures and buildings are listed or subject to conservation orders. That heritage presents challenges to adaptation and development.
However, AWA believes that it is high time for history to give way to progress, but in such a way as to retain and enhance that precious heritage so that everybody can enjoy and appreciate it equally. There is a big need to find ways to work within, around and in sympathy with that heritage instead of dismissing adaptations as impossible because of its constraints.
Tracey is registered as Severely Vision Impaired and lives afloat with husband, Tim (who has a hearing impairment) and two furry crew members; Loki; Tracey’s yellow Labrador Guide Dog, and Ozzie; Tim’s Pug mix who is in training to be his hearing assistance dog.
Tracey says: “Living with an impairment among such a sociable community as that of the boating world, inevitably leads to discovery of ever more people who are also in a similar situation. This accumulation of knowledge led me to set up a series of meetings and then a Facebook group called IWAF (Inland Waterways Accessibility Forum).”.
The aim of IWAF is to be a forum for discussion among fellow disabled people who want to enjoy the waterways in any way, but who face extra challenges because of disability.
This, in turn led to the setting up of regular online meetings, every two months, between disabled boaters and relevant members of Canal & River Trust (CRT) staff. These meetings have become popular and constructive, leading to some progressive action.
This includes the designing of some new mooring bollards that will be installed by CRT at strategic sites around the network, where designated ‘accessible moorings’ will be created.
Out of these meetings has also come the idea of a Boaters’ Blue Card scheme. This, in turn, has led to the birth of AWA, initially to be the administrative body for the Blue Card Scheme. From there, the concept of the organization has developed and will no doubt continue to evolve.
Tracey adds: “AWA would also like to acknowledge the support we are receiving from the Canal & River Trust (CRT) and their generous offer in funding the initial print run of the Boaters’ Blue Cards.”
The Boaters’ Blue Cards are 15cm square durable cards for optional display in the windows either side of a boat. They will serve to inform passers-by (both on other boats and on the towpath) that there is a person aboard who may perhaps be less aware of, or able to react to approaching hazards etc.
They have a clear, neutral logo that simply states: ‘Disabled Boater Aboard’. It does not identify the person’s impairment. That is entirely up to the individual if they wish to display an additional card or sticker that shows an emblem appropriate to them.
This card will not (yet) grant any entitlement to mooring concessions or any other benefits. It will, however, serve to tell others that there is a person aboard who might appreciate a little extra consideration and/or assistance. This would include informing lock keepers and other staff of the various waterways agencies that the bearer might need or be glad of some extra assistance in working the locks or other structures.
Membership of AWA is open to all who live with disabilities, impairments, or accessibility issues, and who want to enjoy the Inland Waterways and their surrounding environments.
This may be as a boater (either living aboard or holidaying), a hire-boat owner, an angler, a cyclist, a gongoozler, a walker/wheeler on the towpaths, or a volunteer or staff member of the many waterways authorities.
Members will get a membership card which will entitle the bearer to some benefits and discounts. These will be added to and announced in the Members Only section of the website as we continue to negotiate affiliations with shops, pubs, restaurants, chandleries, marinas, and other organisations.
There is also an option for Corporate Membership, which is open to businesses and other organisations and will include a comprehensive directory entry to publicise the services they offer. This can be enhanced by subscribing at different levels.
The Accessible Waterways Association will be officially launched at The Canalway Cavalcade festival in Little Venice, London over the Mayday bank holiday weekend.
Tracey says: “If you’re in the area please do pop along and look for the giant yellow duck! We will be there to formally launch the Association and will have literature and membership application forms at the ready. Please do come and chat.”.
UnLtd is currently working hard with partners from both the public and private sectors to deliver social impact by harnessing the huge potential of social entrepreneurs to solve society’s biggest challenges.
Notes:
For more information and images, please contact Tracey on: tracey.clarke@awa-uk.org.uk.
Any UnLtd questions should be directed to Ruth Coustick-Deal, ruthcoustick-deal@unltd.org.uk or Anny Ma annyma@unltd.org.uk
About UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs
UnLtd funds and supports passionate and committed social entrepreneurs who are determined to tackle the key issues facing society today.
UnLtd began in 2002 and since then has given out over 20,000 awards of support and funding, direct and through partners, to social entrepreneurs to start up and scale their impact. It supports individuals running ventures firmly rooted in delivering positive social change.
UnLtd has developed a vibrant network of supporters in the UK and across the globe and is at the heart of a thriving movement for social change. Social entrepreneurs have solutions to some of the most pressing issues faced by society. UnLtd brings together insight and innovation from across the world so that social entrepreneurs can fulfil their potential to change the UK for the better.
For more information about the support offered by UnLtd go to www.unltd.org.uk
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I wish you every success in your ventures. Myself and my husband, attended meetings with C&RT at their HQ in support of disabled boaters. We finally passed the baton onto a younger generation, when the journey became too great for my own disability.
Good Luck in making changes in the future.
Thank you so much for your very kind words! It really is appreciated.