Barton Boardwalk at Neatishead, built by the Broads Authority specifically for the pleasure of people with disabilities, has won a major award for the outstanding way it informs and involves the public.
The Interpret Britain and Ireland Award was presented to Karen Sayer, Head of Information and Design, by TV personality and heritage campaigner Loyd Grossman in Bristol.
The awards recognise the very best examples of interpretation ñ the art of sharing the stories and significance of natural and cultural heritage. Winners had to score high marks against a range of rigorous criteria including imagination and innovation, good interpretive planning and a clear commitment to accessibility, training and maintenance.
"It is extremely gratifying to see such excellent interpretive practice being put in place by organisations large and small,"
says Loyd Grossman.
"It is also exciting that so many people are working to encourage diversity by making their sites and interpretation accessible to everyone."
The needs of people with disabilities were central to the design of the 600m wheel chair friendly boardwalk which traverses a wild swamp woodland to reach a viewing platform on the brink of Barton Broad, which was previously accessible only by boat.
Ten of the 20 beautifully illustrated signs discreetly sited at wheelchair height along the route are in Braille which not only translate what is on the visible text signs but describe what people can touch, smell and hear. Two large carved wooden tactile signs, attractively surrounded by animals, can be found in the main and disabled car park at the boardwalkís entrance.
The Broads Authority has also produced an information pack containing a large print brochure, its equivalent in Braille, maps with information about the surface and gradient of the boardwalk, and facilities.
A CD and audio cassette paint a vivid sound picture of the reserve, take the listener on a guided walk around the boardwalk and explain the complex science of the restoration in words of only two or three syllables. They also describe water sport opportunities on the broad for people with disabilities, sailing on the broad, and the precarious experiences of the people who built the boardwalk in the swamp.
More than 30 people advised on the pack and signs, including the Barton Liaison Group, (the Broadís owners, neighbours and users), Norfolk Disability Awareness Trainers, and a blind consultant from the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind.
"We wanted to interpret without ruining the experience of being in this wonderful wilderness and we knew that few countryside organisations provide media accessible to blind and partially sighted people,"
said Karen Sayer.
"These two factors persuaded us to go for discreet onsite signage and the access pack which together would give them the confidence to explore the boardwalk for themselves. Blind or partially sighted people will enjoy the sounds of the birds and the wind in the trees, the smells of the swamp and open water. You can just feel the tranquillity of the place."
The packs can be borrowed for a deposit of £5 from any of the Broads Information Centres or by post from the Broads Authorityís head office at 18 Colegate, Norwich. Tel: 01603 610734. They can also be viewed at Norwich, Wroxham and North Walsham libraries.
The awards scheme, now in its 22nd year, is run by the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI), with support from English Heritage, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales.
Reproduced by kind permission of
Broads Authority.
