-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Survey of Provision for Disabled Users of Museums,Archives and
Libraries
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 16:34:43 -0000
From: Mike Heyworth <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Mike Heyworth <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
From: Emma Wright [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 22 November 2001 10:26
For Immediate Release
Contact: Emma Wright
020 7273 1459
Survey of Provision for Disabled Users of
Museums, Archives and Libraries
London, 21 November 2001 -- Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives
and Libraries has published the Survey of Provision for Disabled Users
of Museums, Archives and Libraries. The survey was conducted by SOLON
Consultants. A sample of 340 organisations throughout the UK took part
in the survey.
Caroline Lang, Resource's Access Adviser, said: "We welcome the report
as an essential component in developing our access and inclusion work.
Disabled people are among the most excluded in society and assessing
current provision is an important first step in developing a strategy
for helping to change this. The data also provides a baseline for
future evaluation.
"For the first time we have national statistics for all three domains
covering services and facilities for all disabled people. This has been
a considerable challenge and has been achieved by combining the
expertise of the consultants with advice from a steering group
representing the views of disabled people and of the sector, and with
the co-operation of the organisations who took part. Resource is very
grateful to everyone who contributed to the project and will continue to
use this successful collaborative approach in developing its future
strategy and action plan."
The survey shows that although there is a great deal of experience and
good practice to build upon, provision is clearly uneven and often
relies on committed individuals rather than being part of core activity
and integrated into organisational policy. The report identifies areas
where advice, information and training are needed in the sector to meet
the requirements of disabled people in an integrated and inclusive way.
It also shows where additional research is needed.
An action plan based on the key issues identified in the report will be
completed by December. The questionnaire survey is being used to inform
a new methodology for measuring the accessibility of museums, archives
and libraries, to develop strategy and to prepare a self-assessment
tool.
The full report and an executive summary are available on the Resource
website at http://www.resource.gov.uk. A copy of the executive summary
will be sent to all participants.
# # #
Notes to Editors: For further information on the report please contact
Caroline Lang on 020 7273 1417 or email [log in to unmask]
For further information on Resource or to interview Caroline Lang please
contact Emma Wright, Resource's Media and Events Manager, on 020 7273
1459 or email [log in to unmask]
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries is a strategic
agency working with and on behalf of museums, archives and libraries.
Resource has three main objectives, to provide strategy, advocacy and
advice. The organisation undertakes work in all three of these areas to
improve the context in which museums, archives and libraries operate and
to improve services for users and potential users.
SOLON Consultants started in business three decades ago. Since then,
the firm has built a strong client list and a reputation as a pioneer of
high added value research in a cluster of niche markets. Underpinning
SOLON's strategic success are unique research methods that are
intellectually robust, commercially sound and readily transferable. For
further information please contact Kay Renfrew, Senior Consultant, on
020 7242 2261 or email [log in to unmask]
35/01
Emma Wright
Media and Events Manager
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
16 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AA
Direct line 020 7273 1459
Switchboard 020 7273 1444
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.resource.gov.uk
Join the Resourcenews email list at
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/resourcenews.html
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
16 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AA
Tel 02072731444
Website: http://www.resource.gov.uk
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