Natural Resources

BSL

What is Natural Resources hub?

Led by Michelle Fowler and Dr Whitney Fleming (Bangor University), the Natural Resources hub aims to make natural spaces in Wales accessible to deaf individuals. Many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest lack information in BSL, limiting engagement. This hub hopes to bridge that gap by providing inclusive resources and fostering greater accessibility to outdoor spaces.

Accessible Information

We are making Wales’s green and blue spaces more inclusive by translating information about outdoor sites into BSL videos and visual guides, helping deaf people access and enjoy these environments. 

Deaf Outdoor Content

We are creating a platform that highlights and promotes outdoor spaces and activities that are welcoming to the deaf community. 

Community Engagement

We’re listening to deaf people across Wales to understand what outdoor resources they want and need and sharing these via our website and the Circle Community. 

Promoting Wellbeing through Nature

We support and promote deaf-led outdoor events that help improve mental and physical health through connection with nature.

What are we doing?

Collaborations for Accessibility

We are co-producing BSL content with organisations that manage Wales’s landscapes and natural heritage.

Making the Outdoors More Navigable

We are working with Ramblers Cymru to make their Navigation Guide accessible in BSL.

Exploring Barriers & Motivations

We’ve developed research questions to understand why deaf people do or don’t engage in outdoor activities, and how we can remove those barriers.

Highlighting Health Benefits of Nature

We are raising awareness of how time in green and blue spaces can improve mental health, sleep, physical activity, and wellbeing, especially for deaf people.

Facts & Figures

Wales is rich in green (land) and blue (water) spaces, including national parks, forests, rivers, and coastlines, ideal for promoting health and wellbeing.
Access to nature improves mental and physical health, cognitive function, blood pressure, sleep, and physical activity.
Health benefits from green spaces are greater for people from low-income backgrounds, non-white communities, and men.
Many of Wales’s environmental and heritage sites are inaccessible to deaf people, especially where BSL support is lacking.
Deaf people in Wales face barriers that limit access to positive wellbeing activities in nature.

Tell us what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to see.

Whether you’ve got feedback, an idea, or just want to explore the outdoors in new ways, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make Wales’s natural spaces more welcoming, accessible, and empowering for the deaf community.

FAQs

Does the hub provide outdoor training courses?

No, but we collaborate with training providers to make their courses accessible to the deaf community.

How can deaf individuals get involved?

Tell us what you need from the outdoors! Share accessible resources you’ve found useful, and we’ll host them on the website.

Are there deaf-friendly hiking and outdoor activity guides?

We are working with organizations to develop and promote deaf-friendly guides. Check our website for updates.

Do you have any resources available now?

Check back here for updates on available resources.