Council installs further 'Map for All' signs
June 3, 2021
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has added three new ‘Map for All’ signs in its area.
The Department for Communities (DfC) Access & Inclusion Programme has funded additional signs at Aberdelghy Wood, McIlroy Park and Derriaghy Glen Linear Park.
Speaking about the installation of these ‘Map for All’ signs, Alderman Michael Henderson MBE, Leisure and Community Development Committee Chairman, said: “It is important to us that our parks and green spaces are accessible to everyone. The new signs demonstrate our continued commitment to supporting Access for All. We hope they will assist users with a visual impairment understand the ‘lay of the land’ and have an enjoyable and informative visit.
“Each map contains an overview of the park layout and can be read by sight or touch. They show how these three council owned parks are linked to each other via the Lagan Towpath, Oak Tree Walk and Conway Lane.”
Wallace Park, Moat Park, Moira Demesne and Castle Gardens already have a ‘Map for All’ onsite.
Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey said: “One of my Department’s key strategic objectives is the promotion of social inclusion across all Section 75 groups including people with a disability who have limited opportunities to participate in activities that many of us take for granted. Projects such as the ‘Map for All’ signs will help to promote a more inclusive society by improving accessibility at parks across the Lisburn and Castlereagh district for people with disabilities.”
‘Map for All’ is a product from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Key features of these innovative mapping solutions includes a mixture of layers, raised large print, braille lettering, tactile and visual symbols and a variety of colours and textures. This enables blind and partially sighted people to enjoy their surroundings independently.
RNIB NI Deputy Director, Robert Shilliday commented “Equality and inclusion in the design of outdoor spaces and ensuring the needs of blind and partially are taken into consideration, are really important to us. Thank you to the Department and to the Council for working with us and displaying very tangible commitment in this area.”
To find out more information about the RNIB’s Map for All, please visit www.rnib.org.uk