Starting Monday, June 1, people with an intellectual disability of 33% or more, as well as people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, can walk for a limited time, safely and free of charge, around the facilities of the Jardí Botànic. This has been made possible following an agreement reached between the Regional Ministry of Health and the Universitat de València. 

In addition, since June 1st and after 79 days of confinement, the Jardí Botànic has been open to the public with the appropriate security measures, according to its director, Jaime Güemes. Next Friday, June 5, is World Environment Day, a perfect occasion to meet up again in the Jardí Botànic.

This initiative of UVdisability and the Jardí Botànic of the Universitat de València aims to provide a safe place for people with intellectual disabilities who may suffer from the aggravation of their situation as a result of being confined to their homes and the absence of daily activity that is being experienced by the pandemic caused by COVID-19.

Thus, the characteristics of the Jardí Botànic of the Universitat de València as a green space of 45,000 m2, enclosed by a perimeter wall and far from the neighbouring houses allow the development of this initiative promoted by the Vice-Principal’s Office for Equality, Diversity and Sustainability.

The Jardí Botànic, which is a university research centre and a cultural space open to the public, has large areas for walking without the crowds found in other gardens in the city.

Given these characteristics, the Regional Ministry and the Universitat consider it a very appropriate space for people with intellectual disabilities to be safe and calm, and to be able to walk around accompanied by a maximum of two people who will be responsible for their safety and assistance.

In order to access this program, a reservation must be made in advance, in order to adjust the capacity and facilitate access to the Garden. Security and distance measures will be guaranteed since the capacity of the Jardí Botànic has been reduced to 200 people while the de-climbing process is maintained.

It will be possible to reserve a visit per day from 10:00h to 21:00h, from Monday to Sunday. The telephone number for reservations is 963156800, and it will be available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

This initiative forms part of the lines of work that the Universitat de València has developed to support Valencian society within the framework of the exceptional situation produced by the COVID-19.