Following the successful delivery of Project Neptune, the HLF funded project which saw WW2 buildings restored from derelict conditions to accessible world class exhibition spaces, Bletchley Park is striving to improve its offer to its visitors with disabilities.
Currently the site is completely wheelchair friendly and visitors with mobility issues will benefit from the increased seating that is being installed.
Three-year targets were set in 2015 to tell the Bletchley Park story in a more suitable way to both deaf and visually impaired visitors, while striving to reduce barriers to on-site amenities.
Following consultation and training on the subject of deaf awareness, working with Action on Hearing Loss, Bletchley Park now offers guided tours scheduled twice a day, every day. These tours use specialist equipment named ‘Williams Sound’, which allows a user to either use the ‘T’ setting on their hearing aid or alternatively a standard headset.
In addition Bletchley Park invested in purchasing equipment for its Multimedia Guide, which allows the user the same function of use and can be adapted to work alongside the hearing aid or with a standard headset.
Offering specialist hearing equipment within the standard tours ensures that a group with one or more people who are deaf or hard of hearing can all enjoy the tour experience together.
Bletchley Park is working towards both a BSL interpreter and subtitles to be present on each permanent display screen on site. In December 2015 Bletchley Park revealed the first of these screens, featuring an animation telling the story of HMS Petard and the pinching of vital intelligence during WW2, which was the first of its kind to show a BSL interpreter. A prerecorded audio description of the exhibition will be available within the space in 2016.
In addition to improving physical access Bletchley Park has published content online, which engages with visitors who may not be in a position to visit the real location.
Although induction loops have been installed at the admissions counters since 2014, plans have been made to introduce additional loops to other areas providing easier access to the shop and catering outlets for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.
Selected members of staff received training in audio description delivered by Vocaleyes. Audio tours and a tactile room have been established which will cater for blind and visually impaired group visits. Led by a specially trained guide around the site, the group tour will end in a private room within the iconic Hut 3 where visitors will be given the opportunity to handle relevant objects including a replica Enigma, kindly donated to the project by Enigma-Hut.co.uk.
The tour has been set to last one hour and is currently in a testing phase, working with pre booked groups to collect feedback. Collapsible dog bowls are available from the visitor centre for guide dogs.
Large format and braille guides are currently being developed to be located within the exhibition spaces to assist in delivering content to blind and visually impaired visitors. A Braille guidebook, which replicates the standard content, is available for purchase in the retail outlet with various other formats planned for production.
Sarah Kay, the digitisation and exhibitions officer at Bletchley Park says: “The exhibitions team are working hard to integrate access within exhibition design right from the start of the creative process. Finding new, imaginative and tactile ways of interpretation not only caters for blind and visually impaired visitors but also engages families and young audiences. In addition it has the potential to suit visitors who may have learning disabilities or varying learning styles.”
The effects of the Access Project are already being seen, with an increase in queries and bookings for groups with special requirements. Evaluations will provide accurate information by which to finalise the product on offer.
A selection of Bletchley Park employees have been nominated as ‘access champions’ and an committee has been established with a member of each department meeting on a quarterly basis to discuss issues around access and implement positive change.
As a result staff know their point of contact when any queries arise, increased understanding of the organisation goals in this area, increased skills and investment in people and increased confidence and understanding within the organisation of visitors needs. The champions work collaboratively to ensure uniformity in communications both internally and externally.
Bletchley Park has worked to challenge obstacles and as a result is beginning to engage with new audiences and is continuing to research and grow its offering for the future.
Currently the site is completely wheelchair friendly and visitors with mobility issues will benefit from the increased seating that is being installed.
Three-year targets were set in 2015 to tell the Bletchley Park story in a more suitable way to both deaf and visually impaired visitors, while striving to reduce barriers to on-site amenities.
Following consultation and training on the subject of deaf awareness, working with Action on Hearing Loss, Bletchley Park now offers guided tours scheduled twice a day, every day. These tours use specialist equipment named ‘Williams Sound’, which allows a user to either use the ‘T’ setting on their hearing aid or alternatively a standard headset.
In addition Bletchley Park invested in purchasing equipment for its Multimedia Guide, which allows the user the same function of use and can be adapted to work alongside the hearing aid or with a standard headset.
Offering specialist hearing equipment within the standard tours ensures that a group with one or more people who are deaf or hard of hearing can all enjoy the tour experience together.
Bletchley Park is working towards both a BSL interpreter and subtitles to be present on each permanent display screen on site. In December 2015 Bletchley Park revealed the first of these screens, featuring an animation telling the story of HMS Petard and the pinching of vital intelligence during WW2, which was the first of its kind to show a BSL interpreter. A prerecorded audio description of the exhibition will be available within the space in 2016.
In addition to improving physical access Bletchley Park has published content online, which engages with visitors who may not be in a position to visit the real location.
Although induction loops have been installed at the admissions counters since 2014, plans have been made to introduce additional loops to other areas providing easier access to the shop and catering outlets for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.
Selected members of staff received training in audio description delivered by Vocaleyes. Audio tours and a tactile room have been established which will cater for blind and visually impaired group visits. Led by a specially trained guide around the site, the group tour will end in a private room within the iconic Hut 3 where visitors will be given the opportunity to handle relevant objects including a replica Enigma, kindly donated to the project by Enigma-Hut.co.uk.
The tour has been set to last one hour and is currently in a testing phase, working with pre booked groups to collect feedback. Collapsible dog bowls are available from the visitor centre for guide dogs.
Large format and braille guides are currently being developed to be located within the exhibition spaces to assist in delivering content to blind and visually impaired visitors. A Braille guidebook, which replicates the standard content, is available for purchase in the retail outlet with various other formats planned for production.
Sarah Kay, the digitisation and exhibitions officer at Bletchley Park says: “The exhibitions team are working hard to integrate access within exhibition design right from the start of the creative process. Finding new, imaginative and tactile ways of interpretation not only caters for blind and visually impaired visitors but also engages families and young audiences. In addition it has the potential to suit visitors who may have learning disabilities or varying learning styles.”
The effects of the Access Project are already being seen, with an increase in queries and bookings for groups with special requirements. Evaluations will provide accurate information by which to finalise the product on offer.
A selection of Bletchley Park employees have been nominated as ‘access champions’ and an committee has been established with a member of each department meeting on a quarterly basis to discuss issues around access and implement positive change.
As a result staff know their point of contact when any queries arise, increased understanding of the organisation goals in this area, increased skills and investment in people and increased confidence and understanding within the organisation of visitors needs. The champions work collaboratively to ensure uniformity in communications both internally and externally.
Bletchley Park has worked to challenge obstacles and as a result is beginning to engage with new audiences and is continuing to research and grow its offering for the future.