Two years’ work was brought to fruition in March 2025 with the launch of our new Navilens codes at the museum (Click here to find out more).
The technology was introduced at two special events attended by blind and visually-impaired visitors, some of whom were members of the Steering Group which was instrumental in defining how the system should be set up. There were also representatives from Blandford Town Council and other organisations with an interest in improving accessibility. After installing the Navilens Apps on their smartphones, the visitors set off to find the exhibits detected by the App and listen to the audio tracks describing them. Several volunteers, including Flick Baker and the Reaching out With Sound team, were on hand to give guidance, answer questions, and collect valuable feedback on how the experience could be improved.
Local caterer Justine from Spoons of Dorset provided a great selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones, and on the second launch date the weather was fine enough for these to be enjoyed in the Museum’s Victorian Garden.
Here are a few photographs from the events; if you have any that you would be happy to share, please contact us.
Following our successful launch events we were delighted to receive a visit from Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset.
After being shown around the Museum by director Sylvia Hixson-Andrews, Mr Hoare said “It was great to revisit Blandford Town Museum today. Every time you visit you learn something new about the town and its history. Museums must always be looking to the future and the innovative use of digital technology to allow blind or partially sighted people to really experience all the museum has to offer is to be applauded. Where Blandford leads I am sure other museums will follow.”
Later that day, we also had a visit from BBC Radio Solent who named the Museum their Workplace of the Week! Their interview with Sylvia was broadcast on the Steve Harris Dorset Breakfast show on April 2nd; click here to listen on BBC Sounds. Karen Wye from the Bournemouth-based community radio station Hope FM also spoke to several of the people involved in the project and other volunteers, and you can hear her interviews here.
