On Friday 17 June 2011, Derry central Library took the first step in striving for the Sensory Engagement Programme [SEP] Model of Excellence award.
The Sensory Engagement Programme is an innovative cross-border project, which received £1.86 million worth of funding through the EU's INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The project brings together four of the largest organisations providing support services for deaf and blind people across Northern Ireland and Ireland; The Royal National Institute of Blind People [RNIB NI], Action on Hearing Loss [formerly RNID], the National Council for the Blind of Ireland [NCBI] and Deafhear.
One of the three strands of the SEP is to create Models of excellence in banks, colleges and libraries.
This covers various areas including, ease of access to buildings, access to information, recruitment and Sensory awareness training.
600 staff will be trained and 6 staff champions will be identified when all the awards are fulfilled
David Mann, RNIB NI's Campaigns Manager said, "Models of excellence are a great way to promote the inclusion of blind and partially sighted people. It's easier to work with enthusiastic service providers rather than enforcing the legal requirements on them".
Maura Craig, Libraries Ni Area Manager said, "Everyone within the library is committed to working towards the model of excellence. We want the services we provide to be totally accessible and inclusive to all".
Derry Central library is striving to be the first in achieving the SEP model of excellence. All the staff in the five libraries in Derry City have already been trained in Visual Awareness. In addition there is currently a Book Club for blind and partially sighted people supported by the library.
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Notes for Editors
For any further media inquiries please contact Thomas Quigley
TEL: 02890 334121, MOB: 07909 647272
thomas.quigley@rnib.org.uk
SEUPB - INTERREG IVA Programme
The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU structural funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IV designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.
The INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme, funded though the European Regional Development Fund, is worth €256 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It has two distinct priority measures to create co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable cross-border region.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu