The More Accessible Hobby Approach project is coming to an end, and it’s time to share what has been done and what might come next. The project has focused on developing a new way of working to help hobby organisers make their activities accessible for all, and for everyone to be able to join and enjoy the benefits of hobbies. In simple terms, the goal has been: to make sure everyone can find a hobby that suits them, no matter what kind of support they might need.
Some of the tools in the More Accessible Hobby toolkit are available in English:
- 18 Recommendations for More Accessible Hobbies to guide activities towards accessibility
- Traffic Light Tool for Accessible Hobbies to assess the current state of accessibility
- More Accessible Hobby Label, which can be used as a communication tool.
In addition to the above, there is also a More Accessible Hobby- Online Training and Information Cards, which provide practical guidance and tips on how to improve accessibility. At this moment these are, however, only available in Finnish.
Good accessibility is a cornerstone of high-quality leisure activities. It’s important to remember that efforts to improve accessibility do not take anything away from others. On the contrary, they enable more people to participate in arts and cultural activities, enriching the experience for everyone.
Recognising diversity and ensuring accessibility are not optional. International human rights agreements and national legislation oblige hobby organisers and facilitators to eliminate barriers to participation and promote equality. These include, but are not limited to, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and various national laws in many countries.
Expanding the Model Across Europe
The work has drawn attention from international audiences. The project and its tools were presented at the ENCC International Congress in June 2024 in Riga. Over 30 participants from different parts of Europe attended a workshop on accessibility and inclusion. Active discussions took place, and new ideas were shared for making hobbies and leisure activities more accessible.
In October a webinar was organised at the ENCC Inclusion and Accessibility in Sociocultural Centers working group. Around 20 participants joined to discuss how the tools and recommendations could be applied in their environments.
In November, the More Accessible Label was introduced at AMATEO’s annual conference in Prague, Czech Republic. Later that month, the More Accessible Hobby approach was presented at the ACEnet meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, to a network of European policy members. The initiative attracted significant interest.
In November, the More Accessible Hobby approach was also showcased at a French-speaking Erasmus+ contact seminar for schools and organizations working with special needs pupils. During the seminar’s showcase of good practices, participants exchanged inclusive teaching tools and practices. The More Accessible Hobby approach garnered substantial interest, sparking lively discussions and uncovering new perspectives and strategies to further advance accessibility in education and leisure activities.
Plans are now being made to continue the development of the More Accessible Hobby Approach through a new project under Creative Europe. The aim is to adapt and test the model in other European countries while further improving it to suit different settings and cultural contexts.
Join Us
We are looking for arts and culture professionals, hobby organisers, and community leaders who are interested in working with us. Together, we can make hobbies accessible to more people, no matter their background or needs.
Please contact us if you want to learn more or discuss how to collaborate. Let’s work together to make hobbies open to everyone—across Finland and beyond!
Photo: Reinis Oliņš
