NEWS UPDATE
Graz & related subjects
In mid April, June and David spent an extremely interesting week in Graz, a delightful small city in the southeast of Austria. They went to meet Ann Linhart-Eicher, with whom they'd been put in contact by Denise from Gothenburg. Ann arranged a very busy programme for them, exploring the city and many places beyond. But the main part of their time was spent meeting a wide variety of Government and NGO representatives to learn what is being accomplished for disabled access in the area. There are some very interesting innovations and regulations, which formed the basis of discussions. By the end of the week, plans have been set in motion to consider four different projects:- An EU project for historic cities to exchange ideas on access
- A cultural holiday for UK VIPs to the south Austrian area and Slovenia
- A cultural and historical tour of London for VIPs from Graz
- A fact-finding tour to UK for Graz University access officers
We will keep you updated on how these develop.
London Walks
At the end of April, June and David organised a walk around Southwark for people with a visual impairment. Kevin Flude, from 'And did Those Feet' who is a very knowledgeable London guide, led the walk for about twenty participants. This was a trial effort to see how it would go and whether it was a worthwhile activity. The feedback has been very positive and more walks are planned for the future.
The London canal Museum June and David ran the third one-day workshop on disability awareness for MLA at the London canal Museum in June. The Chair of this museum, Martin Sach, was interested in encouraging VIPs to visit his museum and, on hearing of our London walks with Kevin, offered to arrange one along the tow-path from the museum to Camden. This is booked for 7 September and can include a pre-walk tour of the museum, which in itself is very interesting and accessible.
Imperial War Museum and The National Portrait Gallery
IWM work & NPG testing. Following our work with the Imperial War Museum last year, we have been asked back to advise on the presentation and contents of a handling box for visually impaired visitors and also upon how to present touch opportunities of some of the large vehicles in the main collection. This will be a wonderful opportunity for visitors once it's up and running and we will keep you updated on the projects progress. Earlier in the month, June went as a 'guinea-pig' tester to the National Portrait Gallery with two other people to assist with their training of front-of-house volunteers and staff to become describers. Once this training has been rolled out, it will be possible for casual visitors to turn up and get a companion for their visit. Visit the NPG website later in the year for further information.
Breathe in....That'll Help!
"Topografik" - Our collaboration with Loz Simpson is continuing and we are pleased to assist him in his innovative projects. In March, John Slade introduced us to Stephen Chantler of EFF-Ware - a company that makes durable smells. We believe that adding these to some products, including signage systems, could be very useful, not only to blind people but also to those with needs to have aide memoirs. We connected Stephen and Loz and already a current Topografik piece is using two of the smells. June was also pleased to assist one of Loz' students at Goldsmiths College by providing some Braille captions for her exhibition piece, which was shown at the British Library at the end of May. Loz' latest invention is a secure activity handling box for museums and galleries which would be a fantastic addition to any collection.
FLORENCE
Following the fantastic reception in Graz, we visited Florence, where we met with the president and Vice-President of the Blind association. They have agreed to work with JBC and Graz on the new EU project. The 'band' has been joined by Ljubljana and Gothenburg to make up the requisite numbers and now the planning process is well underway.
UPDATE - Sept. 2008
Although we have been busy over the past two months, the majority of the work ahs been updating or continuing existing work or preparing new projects. We are still waiting to hear about next call dates for our EURO project but this is looking increasingly slow to start, despite enthusiasm from our European partners. Annabel attended the international tactile conference in California at the end of August and returned with new contacts and new ideas. Watch out for new links appearing on our website in the next few months. June and David were delighted to run a training session for FOH staff at the Imperial War Museum in early September and hope to continue working with them to improve access to this fascinating museum. Walks for visually impaired people - The proposed visit to the London canal Museum and subsequent canal walk was postponed from the beginning of September due to so many people being on holiday. It is now set to go ahead on 28th. and we expect it to be a good day.
JBC-London continue their collaboration with FWD
Thursday 25 September saw the opening of Cabot Circus, Bristol's biggest regeneration project in over 60 years.
With input from JBC, FWD have again created a wayfinding solution, now installed at the £500m open-air retail and leaisure destination.
