Tours help visitors with special needs experience The Royal
WindReach Farm leads guided tours at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Nov. 7-16
TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Hundreds of people living with disabilities or special needs will be able to experience all the excitement The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair offers next month, thanks to its long-running arrangement with WindReach Farm.
The Royal is committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy The Fair, which runs from November 7-16, 2014 at the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, regardless of their abilities or mobility issues.
WindReach Farm is once again providing an assisted tour program at The Royal for groups of individuals with special needs, allowing them to enjoy The Fair's animals, activities and exhibits up close.
"We're extremely grateful for the generosity of staff and volunteers at WindReach Farm, who make the tour program possible," said Sandra Banks, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal. "The partnership fits in with the educational goals of both organizations really well. WindReach and The Royal share a passion for helping families connect with farming and fresh food in fun interactive ways."
For 25 years, WindReach has provided educational programs and activities designed to give people of all ages with disabilities or special needs opportunities to experience agricultural life on a fully accessible working farm north-east of Toronto in Ashburn.
WindReach, which has been offering complimentary guided tours at The Royal for more than 10 years, expects to take up to 300 visitors on tours during this year's fair. Nearly 100 volunteers and staff will be helping out over the course of 10 days.
"Our whole mission at WindReach is to knock down barriers facing people with special needs and help them enjoy the outdoors and learn about agriculture," said Kate Bird, Chief Executive Officer at WindReach Farm. "The tours we provide at The Royal are a natural extension of what we do on our own farm."
WindReach's guided tours at The Royal must be booked in advance, either by visiting windreachfarm.org or calling 905-655-5827. The guided tours are open to people of all ages with any type of disability or special need, including mobility issues.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is supported, in part, by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.
About The Royal:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, The 92nd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 7-16, 2014 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.
About WindReach Farm:
As a registered charity, WindReach Farm officially opened its doors on June 16, 1989. Specially designed to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of disabilities, WindReach Farm includes fully wheelchair accessible pathways, trails, buildings, barns and stables. Offering five (5) Core Programs, WindReach welcomes both the special needs and able-bodied communities. For more information, please visit www.windreachfarm.org.
SOURCE: Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
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