CAMBRIDGE.- Imperial War Museum Duxford announced that it is the proud recipient of the Digital Access Onsite Award in the Jodi Awards 2009. The annual Jodi Awards are given by the Jodi Mattes Trust for accessible digital culture.

Imperial War Museum Duxford shares this valuable award with Antenna Audio. It recognises and celebrates the innovative audio guide that is offered to blind and partially sighted visitors within AirSpace, Imperial War Museum Duxford’s stunning exhibition gallery which tells the story of British and Commonwealth aviation.

The potential for an audio guide to form part of the interpretative process for blind and partially sighted visitors was identified at the concept design stage for AirSpace. The exhibition itself contains many opportunities for tactile and sensory engagement, which the audio guide enhances and complements. The guide has been designed specifically for blind and partially sighted people and was created with the dedicated support of focus groups consisting of visually impaired people who were actively involved in the project from conception to completion. IWM Duxford is extremely grateful for the support provided by these groups, which included the Saffron Walden-based Support 4 Sight Charity and Fighting Blindness - the British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society.

The audio guide empowers blind and partially sighted people to visit AirSpace alongside their family and friends on equal terms. It integrates with a full range of access provision at IWM Duxford, including RNIB Map for All, designed for sight and touch in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People. All access facilities are available free of charge.

Peter Bosher, Jodi Awards Assessor, whose enthusiastic visit to IWM Duxford lasted a full five hours, said: “I have rarely enjoyed a visit in such depth. I shall return with my family.”

Richard Ashton, Director of IWM Duxford, said: “My congratulations go to all staff in IWM Duxford’s Interpretation and Collections Department for whom winning this award is a fantastic testament to their skill and dedication. I hope that this accolade will encourage blind and partially sighted people to bring their families to IWM Duxford for a fun day out.”