Map for All launched throughout Lisburn & Castlereagh
May 2, 2018
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has recently installed 4 new ‘Maps for All’ in Wallace Park, Moat Park and Moira Demesne. A fifth ‘Map for All’ is also being commissioned for Castle Gardens due to be installed later this month.
The ‘Map for All’ is a new product from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and contains both visual and tactile elements ensuring that users can read the map by sight, touch or a combination of both. 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.
Speaking about the installation of the new ‘Map for All’, Alderman Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure and Community Development Committee commented “Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has introduced the Map for All into Wallace Park, Moat Park and Moira Demesne to support Access for All within Council parks. Each map contains an overview of the layout of the park and facilities available. This hopefully will assist users with a visual impairment understand the layout of the land while visiting.
He continued “As a council we want to ensure that all visitors feel part of the community in which they live and find that their experience visiting our parks is as enjoyable and informative as possible.”
Paula Beattie, Policy and Campaigns Manager from the Royal National Institute of Blind People Belfast added "Tactile maps and touch installations enhance the experiences that people with sight difficulties have, making their visit more engaging, informative and stimulating, allowing greater independence and inclusion.
She continued “Well done to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for their vision and leadership in this matter, we look forward to other councils across Northern Ireland following their example."
To find out more information about the RNIB’s Map for All, please visit www.rnib.org.uk
