New National Guidelines promote Equality of Experience

The Sensory Trust has produced guidelines for making historic landscapes easily accessible for visitors with disabilities. The publication Easy Access to Historic Landscapes was launched in the grounds of English Heritage property Witley Court today (10th of October 2005).

Easy Access to Historic Landscapes was commissioned by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund to help the owners and managers of sites such as historic parks, gardens, cemeteries and urban squares to provide easy, dignified access for all visitors. It focuses on creating a better visitor experience, but also aims to help improve the skills of staff and volunteers and help conserve a site’s special historic interest. The publication includes a CD ROM of the Witley Court access project.

Jane Stoneham, Director of the Sensory Trust, said: "This project is an excellent example of government agencies working in partnership with a specialist organisation like the Sensory Trust to produce guidance that is timely, valuable and of practical use to the people who need it. Visitors to historic sites share the same interests regardless of age or ability. For a proportion of visitors to be denied access is unacceptable. These guidelines will improve the Equality of Experience for all visitors. Historic landscape presents specific challenges for access, and we are pleased to have produced guidance that will be invaluable to owners and managers of historic sites."

Jenifer White, Senior Landscape Advisor for English Heritage, said: "Historic landscapes are important national assets that are valued and enjoyed as places for relaxing and having fun. Access can often be made significantly better without any major intervention by improving knowledge, skills, training and awareness. This guidance aims to go beyond simply persuading people to meet legal requirements; it’s about thinking about the experience of each person who visits these inspiring and beautiful sites."

Tony Crosby, Policy Officer, Access & Disability, for the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "Over the past ten years the Heritage Lottery Fund has invested £400 million in 260 public parks, gardens and green spaces. We expect all the projects we fund to make inclusive access one of their top priorities. This new guidance will help owners and managers of our rich and diverse historic landscapes improve access for the millions of people who visit them every year."

Easy Access to Historic Landscapes is free and can be ordered from English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181. A PDF version is also available (requires Adobe Acrobat).

Download the PDF version (1.46 Mb)

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Easy Access to Historic Landscapes promotes an inclusive approach to design and management of access, addressing the needs of all people, regardless of age, gender, background or disability.

70 pages, colour illustrations

Download the PDF version
(1.46 Mb)

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