Last week, three people with disabilities were able to experience direct contact with the volcano for the first time on an outing that was carried out in all-terrain wheelchairs (Joëlette).
"It's the first time we've done this route with three people who had never been able to access a place like this. Our goal is to break down all barriers and achieve universal accessibility. Just for today, it's worth a whole year of work," explained Pascual Gil, director of the Timanfaya National Park, during the exciting walk among the lava fields.
"This initiative cannot be stopped: the rights of people with disabilities must be upheld every day," recalled Marci Acuña, councilor for the area of Social Welfare and Inclusion of the Cabildo de Lanzarote.
The adapted route was carried out at the proposal of the professional team of the Timanfaya National Park and thanks to the collaboration of the Cabildo and the work of a team of Red Cross volunteers, who were the assistants and carriers of the vehicles.
This pilot test, developed on one of the two interpreted routes offered by the Timanfaya National Park, was a success. It was carried out without difficulty thanks to the collaboration of the entire group, generating a deep sense of community among the participants and a bond with the geological nature of the area.
"The connection with nature and among the participants was healing. It has been a gift for everyone," said the park's director-conservator.
"I've always wanted to do something like this"
"I've always wanted to do something like this, but I didn't see it as feasible until I learned about the Joëelette and saw that yes, it can be done," said Naiara Arteaga, a social worker and psychology student, and resident of the municipality of Yaiza, during the excursion.
Naiara was born with a congenital malformation: "I'm missing both arms and one leg. And in the leg I have, I'm missing the fibula. Despite the challenges throughout my life, I have always been persistent on the path to my independence," she explains on her social media.
Her traveling companion, Pino Pérez, was also excited: "This is beyond words, I'm speechless," she said during this first inclusive interpreted walk through Tremesana. "Thanks to the Cabildo's idea of taking out the chairs to make trails, I can resume my life," she added.
Cristina Bernar, an experienced interpretive guide in the Timanfaya National Park, shared the feeling of gratitude: "It has been a very rewarding experience, a privilege. As we always do, we stopped to touch, smell, and feel the landscape, and Naiara, Gerardo, and Pino have been very receptive, they have responded with great enthusiasm and affection, always with a smile on their faces."
This initiative shares the spirit of the island's Accessibility and Inclusion Strategy, which aims to guarantee universal access to all natural spaces on the island.
The Tremesana route had been adapted on other occasions for blind and neurodivergent visitors. Thanks to the collaboration with the Cabildo of Lanzarote, this time it has been possible to overcome a new barrier and allow the experience to people with functional diversity. An indispensable step for an effective and real inclusion that could be expanded with more similar visits in the not too distant future.
This action by the Timanfaya National Park was possible thanks to the collaboration established with the Social Welfare area of the Cabildo de Lanzarote.
