Big Lottery Award for Accessible Information

Supported by the National Lottery

The Sensory Trust is set to expand its innovative work plans thanks to an award by the Big Lottery. The Trust will receive £166,000 for a project that will help improve access to the natural environment and open spaces. People with learning difficulties, sensory impairments, literacy difficulties and physical disabilities, as well as young and older people, will help to plan and produce accessible information that can be used to make outdoor environments more accessible.

The Sensory Trust promotes and supports the creation and management of outdoor spaces that can be used and enjoyed by everyone regardless of age or ability. One of the biggest barriers preventing use of public open spaces is a lack of appropriate information.

Jane Stoneham, Director, Sensory Trust said: "The grant from the Big Lottery Fund is excellent news. Lack of accessible information is a problem for millions of people in this country and this grant means we can do something positive about it. Good information design is engaging, useful and accessible and we look forward to showing how this balance can best be achieved."

The project will include work with the Eden Project, Westonbirt Arboretum and Sheffield City Council to develop accessible information in attractive and involve users in this process.

Tony Kendle, Foundation Director, Eden Project said: "The Sensory Trust is a constant inspiration to Eden, motivating us to explore new approaches and reminding us that public communication that can't be appreciated by the widest audience is no communication at all".

See the press release (Word document 109k)