Libraries Accessibility Films Project
In 2024, as part of the Wigston Library Multi-Sensory SEND Project, our working group proposed the concept of an accessibility film designed to offer a short, welcoming tour of Wigston library. Its purpose: to help reduce barriers that individuals may face when visiting our libraries for the first time.
That original film – and all subsequent films – aims to support neurodivergent audiences, autistic individuals and people with learning disabilities or anxiety, by providing a clear, site-specific visual guide of what to expect.
Working with our original partner, Little Hill Primary School, and a dedicated group of Go Learn Adult Learning students, we produced the first film with professional film maker Bill Newsinger. To ensure all the films meet the needs of their intended audience, we consulted a wide range of partners, including staff and pupils from mainstream and special schools, Go Learn tutors and students, Local Area Coordinators and families of Children in Care. Their feedback helped shape key elements such as content, language and subtitle size.
During the second stage of the project, we were fortunate to secure Microgrant funding from Libraries Connected, enabling us to produce films for libraries in Loughborough, Melton, Ashby, Hinckley and Oadby. Following positive feedback, we are now in the latter stages of completing films for the remaining nine Leicestershire Library sites, working with additional groups of Go Learn Adult Learning students and pupils from Maplewell Hall School and Post 16. Their input has been amazing!
Feedback so far from NHS partners and other organisations suggests the films are already providing reassurance and reducing anxiety for people preparing to visit a library for the first time, and in some cases, organisations are able to now use libraries as a meeting point with autistic service users. We couldn’t have made the films without our wonderful participants and our amazing filmmaker Bill, to all of whom we are incredibly grateful.
We invite you to explore the films below and share them with anyone you think may benefit from them😊.
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