Each year, the Devon County Show welcomes well over a thousand visitors with accessibility issues through its gates and this number is increasing year on year.
Recognising the importance of creating an inclusive experience for all, Show Manager, Lisa Moore has announced the introduction of several new initiatives for the 2024 Show. These have come about as a result of a site audit carried out at the 2023 Show by Chloe Hammond, a wheelchair user, and her assistance dog, Ocho.
The new initiatives recommended by Chloe, and which are to be implemented, include:
- A ‘High Dependency Mobile Disabled Toilet Unit’ equipped with a hoist.
- A call out to traders with raised stands to bring ramps in order to facilitate accessibility for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
- Dedicated ‘Accessibility’ stewards.
- A ban on retractable dog leads.
- On site signing students from the Deaf Academy for the deaf community.
- Chairs placed outside all accessible toilet facilities.
- Signing by a BSL interpreter in the ‘Accessible Viewing Area’ which is located alongside the public grandstand next to the main arena, on at least one day of the show.
- A new award for the best ‘accessible’ trade stand.
- Disability awareness training for all Devon County Show staff, volunteers and stewards.
In line with its commitment to inclusivity, the show has also announced a number of new and inclusive features at this year’s show.
A Quiet Zone sponsored by toy retailer, Hippychick, will be made available for the exclusive use of neurodivergent children and their parents/carers where they can chill out and decompress if things become too overwhelming. The zone will offer a calm setting with comfy seating, sensory lighting and toys.
A sensory garden in the Crafts & Horticulture Marquee is being designed and installed by Devon in Sight, an Exeter based charity providing support to those living with little or no sight. The planting will focus on specimens with recognisable textures and scent, a water feature will provide the sound of calming, trickling water a shed will deliver sounds of birds and summer cricket matches and pot pourri in jars will offer a variety of different scents. Visitors will be able to wear glasses as they navigate the garden that simulate different types of visual impairment – an exercise designed to build empathy and understanding with those with sight loss. They will also have the opportunity to speak with people who are living with sight loss including Guide Dog user and former Mayor of Torbay Mandy Darling, Blind Artist Barry Goodfellow MBE and Andrew Hesser, The Blind Gardener.
A jungle garden in Crafts & Horticulture, will provide Ned Riley, a 20-year-old who is autistic, with the opportunity to share his passion and knowledge for reptiles and bugs with the Devon County Show-going audience. Full details to follow shortly.
Lisa Moore commented: ‘We have always prided ourselves on being an accessible show with several elements already in place to facilitate access for everyone, regardless of their ability. But as a constantly evolving show, we recognise that there’s always room for improvement. It has been incredibly useful having Chloe working with us and giving us such a detailed insight into the Show from her perspective. She recognises that we can’t reinvent the wheel in year one, and many of her recommendation have been small steps but ones which, I’m convinced, will make a really big difference to Devon County Show goers living with a disability.
As a thank you to Chloe and her assistance dog Ocho, the Devon County Show is donating a cheque for £1,000 towards Ocho’s upkeep this year.
Further information from: Heloise D’Souza, Press Officer, Devon County Show, Tel: 07770 988 612
Note to editors:
About Chloe Hammond
I am the only disabled nurse in the UK who works clinically in my wheelchair with my assistance dog, Ocho.
About me: I graduated from the university of West London 10 years ago with a letter of Recommendation from the Dean and went on to win the “recent graduate” award in 2022. This hasn’t stopped me facing discrimination and prejudice during my career, but I am a nurse and nursing is what I do. This year I have started to use my voice and try and initiate changes. I am trying to make accessibility better for not just me but other people with disabilities too. This could be things like Devon County show or could be careers in health and social care. Being disabled is hard work, and there are things people can and should do to make that easier. We shouldn’t have to fight for our disabled rights. Disabled people are people, with so much to offer. I hope to be seen, be heard and be someone who makes a difference. This year I was a finalist for the nursing times “nurse of the year”, and I won the stars of social care “exceptional home care nurse” award. I am a proud disabled nurse, and I can and will make a lasting difference. @wheelie.nurse.with.a.dog
About Ocho: I am a 3-year-old yellow Labrador. I am Chloë’s best friend and mobility assistance dog. I have been trained by Chloë since I was about 8 weeks old, and then assessed by a small charity called Dog Assistance in Disability (DogAID) thanks to their volunteer trainers. I have been highly trained to behave properly in public and do tasks that help to mitigate her disabilities, such as loading/unloading the washing machine, picking things up from the floor and low shelves and even opening/closing doors. We rely on sponsorships and donations to cover the additional costs of having a living, breathing, eating mobility aid. I have given Chloë back her independence and allowed her to continue to do all the adventures and things she loves. She needs me. And I need her. We are an inseparable team. @watchochogrow
Picture caption: Lisa Moore (right), Show Manager Devon County Show presents Chloe Hammond with a cheque for |£1,000 towards the upkeep of her assistance dog, Ocho.