Unlocking South West heritage for Deaf and disabled people

Unlocking South West heritage for Deaf and disabled people

Seaton Tramway is one of 18 sites taking part
Seaton Tramway is one of 18 sites taking part
Thanks to National Lottery players, accessing heritage sites and stories in the South West is set to get much easier for Deaf and disabled people.

Nerys Watts, Head of HLF South West, said: “Our heritage is something that all of us should be able to access and enjoy. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re delighted to support this fantastic partnership of heritage sites and Deaf and disabled people to remove the barriers to the stories, the adventures and the heritage that the South West has to offer.”

[quote= Diana Crump, CEO at Living Options Devon] "We can’t wait to work with our amazing partner sites to help disabled people enjoy and marvel at their beauty and history.” [/quote]

Heritage Ability

Led by Living Options Devon, the Heritage Ability project will work with a team of Deaf and disabled volunteers and heritage sites across the region.

The scheme includes:

  • Introducing ‘Trampers’ all-terrain mobility scooters, to enable visitors with physical disabilities to access areas that would otherwise be off limits to them
  • Improving guide information to meet different needs and enable people to plan ahead for a visit, which can be crucial for people living with a disability
  • Recruiting volunteers to create British Sign Language film guides for each site which will be available onsite and to download to personal devices

By developing tailored ways of working for each site, and providing training for staff, the project aims to make significant and long-term changes to the accessibility of heritage in the South West.

Castles, parks and tramways join the scheme

Cornwall

  • Geevor Tin Mine
  • National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
  • National Trust Godolphin
  • National Trust Tin Coast
  • Wheal Martyn Museum

Devon

  • Cockington Country Park, Torquay
  • Kents Cavern, Torquay
  • National Trust Castle Drogo / Woodland Trust Fingle Woods
  • National Trust Killerton
  • Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter
  • Seaton Jurassic
  • Seaton Tramway
  • Seaton Wetlands

Dorset

  • Durlston Country Park, Swanage
  • Lulworth Estate
  • Moors Valley Country Park

Gloucestershire

  • Forest of Dean

Somerset

  • National Trust Prior Park, Bath

Diana Crump, CEO at Living Options said: “We believe that disabled people and those from the Deaf community should have the same life chances as everyone else – this includes being able to access beauty spots and enjoy the scenery, learn about their local wildlife and the history of old and interesting buildings through accessible information. We can’t wait to work with our amazing partner sites to help disabled people enjoy and marvel at their beauty and history.”

To get involved or to find out more about the project, visit the Heritage Ability website and follow @HeritageAbility on Twitter.

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