Playing sports is a fantastic activity for all ages, helping to improve fitness, social skills, and general wellbeing. However, the sports and leisure industry isn’t accessible to everyone. A report from The National Autistic Society highlights that some barriers and perceived challenges in accessing sports for people on the autistic spectrum. These include anxiety in a new location and feeling uncomfortable in changing areas. For people with additional needs, feeling involved in the sporting world can be a challenge.

Virtual tours are a welcoming and cost-effective way to create accessible leisure centres and sporting activities, so let’s take a look at how they can help. 

Create a familiar environment 

In using a virtual tour, your customers can familiarise themselves with the leisure centre before their visit. For those feeling anxious about visiting somewhere new, this online experience removes the barrier of asking for specific facilities and allows them to discover the environment for themselves. In doing so, this tool can promote independence and decrease anxiety for visitors with additional needs.

Experience activities virtually 

You can offer your customers a sense of what sporting activities are like to participate in with an interactive virtual tour. If a person with additional needs is interested in a new sport, they can familiarise themselves with your space and the activity to decide if it’s right for them. 

Help customers make an informed decision 

A variety of factors can influence a person’s comfort in a new environment, from the texture of the floor to the colour of the lights. In providing a detailed interactive map of your facility online, your customers can make an informed decision about whether your leisure centre is suitable for them. For example, if a customer is physically disabled and discovers a barrier that could hinder their participation in sport, they will know ahead of time and can ask for help. 

If you’re interested in creating a virtual tour for your leisure centre or sports venue, then get in touch with our team today at iRoam Tours. We specialise in creating interactive virtual tours across a range of industries, with accessibility in mind. Reach out today for more information.