Call to people with a visual impairment, parents, partners, children, or close acquaintances: What are your biggest frustrations when planning and going on outings?
Whether it's a museum visit, a walk in the forest, a day at an amusement park, or an evening at the movies – people with a visual impairment want to enjoy the same experiences as everyone else! Unfortunately, not all activities and locations are equally accessible, which often leads to the need for adjustments. By sharing your frustrations, you help the Bartiméus Fund advocate more effectively for better accessibility of outings for people with visual impairments. And who knows, you might win one of the 10 sets of 4 free tickets and a gift card worth 100 euros for De Efteling.
Why your story matters
Leisure time should be something you can enjoy without any worries, but that’s not always a given. Locations may not be accessible, information could be hard to find, or it might simply be difficult to organize activities that everyone, with or without a disability, can enjoy. This not only frustrates you but also the people around you.
This is your chance to speak up and contribute to concrete solutions that can improve the lives of both you and others. Whether it’s small inconveniences or major barriers, every frustration counts. With your input, we can kick-start solutions that lower obstacles, remove barriers, and ensure that your leisure time is as accessible and enjoyable as anyone else’s.
What exactly are we looking for?
We want to know which frustrations you encounter when planning and undertaking outings. We’re especially interested in activities you want to experience with others, where you aim to share the same experiences and talk about them together.
Examples of possible outings include:
- Museum visits
- Attending theater performances
- A day at the zoo or an amusement park
- Walks in nature areas or local parks
- Trips to playgrounds or petting zoos
- Playing sports or attending a sports event
- Watching movies at the cinema
- Going on vacations
- Visiting (multi-day) festivals
Frustrations may arise regarding the accessibility of locations and amenities, difficulties finding adequate information via websites, apps, or booking systems, or even limited opportunities to undertake activities independently without needing constant assistance. There may also be frustrations concerning insufficient adjustments at sporting or cultural activities, or poor communication about the available provisions.
Even the small, everyday frustrations that are often overlooked or accepted can provide valuable insights for developing new solutions. That’s why we ask you to be as specific as possible: what exactly is frustrating, and why?
What can you win?
The top 10 biggest or most recognizable frustrations will win 4 tickets to De Efteling *and* a 100-euro gift card, which can be spent at De Efteling! Holland’s most beloved amusement park has been working for several years to improve its accessibility for visitors with a visual impairment. This is a great opportunity to experience firsthand how they handle inclusivity.
How can you participate?
It's very easy to join.
Describe your biggest frustration as concretely as possible in a maximum of 1 to 2 A4 pages (or 2 to 4 slides). What exactly is the problem, and why is it so frustrating? If possible, you can clarify your submission with a visualization, such as a photo or video, so we can get an even clearer picture of the situation.
The submission can be sent in any form (presentation/slide deck, letter format), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4) with a maximum size of 30MB. Videos, example websites, etc., can also be included via links.
Who is this challenge for?
We invite everyone affected by visual impairments to participate: people who are visually impaired themselves, as well as their parents, partners, children, family, or friends. Together, we can make leisure time more fun and accessible for everyone.
Judging Criteria
We will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:
- Recognizability: How many people will recognize this frustration?
- Impact: What difference could solving this frustration make in everyday life?
- Concrete description: How clearly is the frustration described and explained?
If there are similar submissions, we will select the best-developed entry, and in the case of equally strong submissions, we will use a first-come, first-served basis.
Timeline
- Monday, November 11 – Challenge launch
- Thursday, January 16 at 17:00 – Challenge deadline
- Thursday, February 20 – Announcement of the 10 winners
About us
The Bartiméus Fund pulls out all the stops to ensure that people who are visually impaired or blind can fully participate in society. Because it’s not about how much you can see – it’s about how much you can live. We believe in 100% living.
That’s why we support Bartiméus’ work. Additionally, we provide funding for innovative initiatives from third parties and develop our own projects within three themes: mobility, education and work, and leisure time.
More about the Bartiméus Fund: bartimeusfonds.nl/ons-werk/