London's Museums, Archives and Libraries (LMAL) - Disability Access Grant
Programme 
(Closing date for applications: Friday 21 November 2003)

The LMAL Disability Access Grant Programme is open to any archive, library
or museum services in the London region. A total of £30,000 is currently
available to fund access projects and service developments costing up to
£4000. 

Applications to fund one or more of the following types of initiatives
(including joint applications from consortia or partnerships) are welcome:

Access initiatives:
*       Production of an access policy and action plan that sets out the
aims, objectives, targets and projected outputs for the
archive/library/museum service. The documentation should cover physical,
sensory, intellectual, emotional/attitudinal, cultural, social, financial
and technological access to collections and facilities for different groups
of current (and potential) service users. 
*       Funding to cover a disability access audit, carried out by a
professional access auditor / disability access consultant 
*       Funding to cover disability awareness and equalities training for
staff within an archive, library or museum service
*       Purchase of text-reading and/or text magnification software to
improve access to ICT facilities for blind and partially-sighted users
*       Production of an introductory leaflet or guide to the
archive/library/museum service in alternative, accessible formats (e.g.
Braille, audio tape, large print, etc.)
*       Purchase of adaptable furniture or equipment (e.g. height adjustable
tables and workstations)
*       Development of a programme of events or resources specifically aimed
at widening access to archive/library/museum services for disabled people
(e.g. hosting British Sign Language (BSL)-interpreted events or producing a
BSL-signed introductory video about the archive/museum/library service,
increasing the quantity and range of Braille, large print and audio books
within a collection, developing differentiated resources for visitors with
specific learning disabilities, designing and installing new signage and
facilities for a touch tour, etc.)
*       Funding to cover the setting up and administration costs associated
with organising a disability access focus group. The remit of the group
might include the evaluation of existing services, policies and outreach
programmes, but could also cover collection development issues -
particularly in relation to the positive representation and reflection of
disabled people's lives and experiences in the archive/museum/library
service's collections, learning resources, exhibitions/displays, web site
content and promotional literature.

Applications
Applications to the scheme should be no longer than 3 sides of A4 and should
include:
*       Name(s) of the organisation(s) and contact details (e.g. named
contact person, position, address, telephone number and email)
*       Project title and details of the access initiative(s) for which
funding is being sought 
*       A breakdown of project costs which make clear the grant requested
*       Proposed start and finish date for the access initiative(s), setting
out a realistic timetable for the completion of all the work
*       A brief 'make your case' as to why the access initiative(s) would be
of value to your archive, library or museum service. Applications that
provide evidence of consultation with appropriate local, regional or
national organisations specialising in disability rights and disabled access
issues will be favourably considered.

Applications should be returned to Carol Dixon, LMAL Learning and Access
Officer, LMAL c/o LLDA, 35 St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 7HP, or emailed to
[log in to unmask] by Friday 21 November 2003. If you would like to
talk through your application, or obtain advice about access auditors,
equalities trainers and consultants, please contact Carol Dixon on 020 7641
5276, or email [log in to unmask]

Assessment
Representatives from the LMAL partnership (London Libraries Development
Agency, London Museums Agency and London Archives Regional Council) will
assess applications during the week commencing Monday 24th November 2003.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment by post, by
Friday 5th December 2003 at the latest.

Evaluation
Successful applicants will be asked to complete an evaluation report
(approx. 2 sides of A4) about the access initiative(s) developed as a result
of the funding given. The report should cover the following information:
*       Title and brief details about the access initiative(s) for which
funding was granted (mentioning the start/finish dates and overall timetable
for the work, types of activities, details of collections used, new
resources produced, new purchases made, etc.)
*       List of those who worked on the initiative(s) - including details of
permanent staff, partners, volunteers, specialist consultants and
freelancers
*       Brief details of how the outcomes of the initiative(s) were
publicised (e.g. leaflets, newsletters, email lists, website, friends
groups, disability rights organisations, local disability support groups,
etc.)
*       Summary about the impact of the access initiative(s), including
feedback from staff and/or external partners involved in the work, as well
as comments from archive/library/museum service users who may have benefited
from the new developments. Where applicable, photographs showing members of
the public using new facilities and services, or quotes from new service
users, would be welcome but should only be included with the formal consent
of those individuals
*       Details of how the funded work on access has contributed to the
overall development of the archive, library or museum service
*       Information about any new contacts or partnerships established with
national, regional and/or local/community organisations as a result of
developing the access initiative(s).

Deadlines
The closing date for applications is Friday 21 November 2003 and all grants
must be claimed by Friday 27 February 2004.  

More detailed guidance about this grant programme is available from the LMAL
website: www.lmal.org.uk. Applications and/or enquiries to: Carol Dixon,
LMAL Learning and Access Officer, LMAL c/o LLDA, 35 St Martin's Lane, London
WC2H 7HP; Tel: 020 7641 5276; Fax: 020 7641 5266; Email:
[log in to unmask]