Disability charity Leonard Cheshire has been selected for a Silver Award by The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) for their Can Do programme with The Zoological Society of London.
The partnership delivered two projects with young disabled people.
TESTAMENT
The first, in April 2019, featured Can Doers from Lambeth College, the Camden Society and Roots and Shoots working collaboratively with the ZSL London Zoo’s design, marketing and interpretation team to create an inclusive and interactive Snowdon Aviary exhibit.
“This award is testament to our team and the young people who benefitted from it,” says Pete Donnelly, programme manager for Can Do about receiving the award.
INTERACTIVE
On the second project in August 2019, Can Doers recruited from the Royal Institute of the Blind and the Royal Society for Blind Children worked collaboratively with the ZSL London Zoo to create an inclusive and interactive experience for individuals who are blind or partially sighted.
Project components included tactile map development and exploration, digital, marketing and interpretation workshops, conservation presentations, animal experience visits and learning resource development for London Zoo guests and visitors.
CONFIDENCE
Mustafa, a student at Lambeth College who participated in the first project, enthuses: “I planned the trail map.
“I took pictures and videos of the animals and I learned more about marketing and advertising and how to grab people’s attention. I also made a poster and presented it with confidence.”
During Mustafa’s time on the project the team experienced a nature trail development and exploration, design workshops, interactive design implementation sessions, presentations, animal experience visits and learning resource development for ZSL London Zoo guests and visitors.
CAN DO
The Can Do programme is for skills development for people aged 10 to 35 with a disability or long term health condition.
Projects focus on skill development and confidence building through fun and engaging activities. If the project is attended and completed, you can get a City & Guilds certificate or an SQA Award.
Learn more about Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do programme by visiting their website here or email community@leonardcheshire.org