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Published in Blog - News on 4th April 2025
Hi Kinnari, thank you so much for chatting with us today! You’ve been doing fantastic work with Metro Blind Sport, especially around climbing. Could you share a bit about your personal journey with climbing and what makes it so important to you?
Climbing has been a personal passion of mine for a while now. I’ve been involved in adaptive sports for many years, and climbing became something that really clicked with me. I’ve been fortunate enough to climb outdoors in places like the Lake District and Peak District, with the incredible charity Vision of Adventure, which gave me the confidence to take my indoor climbing further. It’s an activity that requires a lot of focus, and I find it both physically and mentally challenging, which I love. But what really drove me to push for more inclusive climbing spaces is that I know how much it can transform someone’s confidence and independence. When I started climbing, I didn’t realise how important it would become to me. Now, I want to make sure others have that same opportunity, especially those with visual impairments.
That’s amazing. You’ve mentioned before that there’s a bit of a barrier when it comes to accessible climbing for people with visual impairments. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
Absolutely. One of the biggest challenges is that many climbing gyms focus heavily on bouldering, which is great but can be more difficult for visually impaired climbers. The lack of a rope for security means that climbers don’t have that sense of safety or the ability to rely on the rope for guidance, which is really important for someone who can’t see the wall clearly. Top rope climbing, on the other hand, is much more accessible because the climber is securely tied to a rope, and they have the support of a belayer guiding them down. But, unfortunately, there are only a handful of places in London where top rope climbing is available for people with visual impairments.
You initiated a collaboration with Development through Challenge and we’ve been delivering a programme together for visually impaired or blind climbers to climb together at Mile End Climbing Wall. How has that been going?
It’s been incredible! I love the atmosphere at Mile End – the walls, the different textures, the variety of routes. The trainers are fantastic, and it’s just a really welcoming place for everyone. But what I’ve found especially important is how accessible everything is, from the layout of the gym to the support systems in place. Sometimes, just getting from the station to the climbing gym can be a challenge, especially if someone is visually impaired and not familiar with the space. But here, the staff go out of their way to make sure that there’s support every step of the way, and that really makes a difference.
And honestly, the climbers on the course with me are fantastic – whether they’ve been climbing for years or they’re complete beginners, everyone’s enjoying themselves, learning the technical aspects of climbing, and making progress.
That’s great to hear. You also led a training session with our instructors. What was that like, and what were some key takeaways?
The training session was fantastic. We divided it into two parts – one theoretical and one practical. For the first part, we focused on the visual impairment aspect, talking about the different needs of visually impaired climbers. A key takeaway was that it’s so important to ask what kind of support someone needs. Everyone’s experience is different, and you can’t assume that what works for one person will work for another. It’s all about clear communication and understanding the individual’s needs.
The practical part was really interesting – we had the instructors wear blindfolds to simulate climbing without sight. That gave them a real sense of what it’s like to climb without sight and how to guide someone. They had to learn how to use clock face terminology for handholds or body parts to describe where the next foot or hand should go. It was a real eye-opener for them – and honestly, it was a lot of fun too! It really helped everyone understand just how much sensory overload people can experience when climbing without sight.
Our instructors have told us that both the training session and the climbing programme itself has had a real impact on them too! What do you think climbing gyms could do to make their spaces more inclusive for visually impaired climbers?
There are definitely a few things that can be done. First, I think more gyms need to offer top rope climbing. It’s just about making it more accessible and being innovative with that – even exploring the possibility of small changes, like adding some rope fixtures to bouldering walls, could help.
Another big thing is creating a more supportive environment for visually impaired climbers. It’s not about excluding anyone; it’s about having the right tools and support in place to help people feel confident and safe. Having an instructor or guide available for someone who may need assistance can go a long way. And, just like Mile End does, making sure that people can get to the climbing gym without barriers is essential.
These are great suggestions. Finally, for anyone reading who’s visually impaired or partially sighted and might be interested in trying climbing, what advice would you give?
Honestly, just come along and give it a go! The staff at Mile End Climbing Wall are incredibly welcoming, and the courses are designed to teach you the fundamentals. Whether you’ve never climbed before or you’ve tried it and want to come back, there’s something here for everyone. Once you’re tied into the harness and you start climbing, you won’t want to stop. It’s an amazing sport, and it’s more accessible than people often realise – so just go for it and try it!
Thank you so much, Kinnari, for sharing your experiences and insights. We’re so inspired by the work you’re doing and the positive impact you’re having on the climbing community.
Thank you! It’s been great chatting with you, and I hope more people will be encouraged to get involved in climbing. The more we can make these spaces accessible and inclusive, the better it will be for everyone.
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Interested in getting involved? Whether you’re visually impaired or simply passionate about supporting inclusive sports, we’d love to work with you and get you involved in all the activities we run through Development through Challenge. Contact our CEO, Dean Straw, to have a chat (dean@mileendwall.org.uk)
There’s also numerous ways to participate with Metro Blind Sport. From signing up as a member or volunteer to joining one of our sports sessions, there’s a place for everyone in our community. Visit their website to find out more.
