ABC's Access GuideLINES - What THEY contain and why it's important

The ABC is the Association of British Climbing, and its mission is to promote the professionalism, safety, growth and diversity of indoor climbing. As a climbing wall owner or a coach, the ABC provides important resources and guidelines to guide your work. 

The recently released accessibility guidelines covers multiple areas including:

• Pre Visit Information and Access

• Bookings, Pricing and Online Support

• Facility design and sensory needs

• On the wall support and coaching

• Feedback and engagement 

• Funding and grant opportunities. 

The guide is free to download and can be a great companion to the Access Guide we have made with UK Paraclimbing Collective. Our guide is also free to download! 

When using either our guide or the ABC guide it’s important to remember changes to your wall or the way you work don’t have to be expensive! We understand that building adaptations such as permanent ramps and lifts can be expensive and it may be tricky to get these things approved if you reside in a listed building. 

There are, however, still things included in ABC’s guide and our own that will improve the experience of your disabled and neurodivergent climbers.

One great thing about ABC’s Access guidelines is that they have a template for an Access Statement that you can put on your website! As disabled people, we are more likely to visit somewhere if we know it meets our needs before we set off! Submitting your wall to Access to Climb by emailing us is also a great, easy step. 

We personally love the easy-to-understand and easy-to-apply structure. It provides walls with options and actions that can improve the space, and provides ways to address certain challenges.

We also love that ABC have created accessibility guidelines for indoor walls! It gives a signal that accessibility is something that should be thought of in climbing spaces. We hope that the guide helps walls become more inclusive and welcoming to disabled people!

You can download the Accessibility Guidelines here: New Accessibility Guide for Indoor Climbing Walls - Association of British Climbing Walls - ABC Walls

And for our Access Guide, created in collaboration with UK Paraclimbing Collective, click here: Access Guide | Access to Climb