NEWS FLASH – UCAN Go to Cardiff Central Library!

UCAN Productions, has received from The People’s Health Trust, Active Communities Fund. This award is to run an exciting new two year project for vision impaired people in Cardiff. Firstly, the grant will provide Cardiff Central Library with the indoor way-finding app, UCAN Go.

Designed by young people who are vision impaired, UCAN GO is a personal guide that will help people to get their bearings and find their way with ease.

Nesta and The Arts Council of Wales co-funded the initial R&D project, which saw UCAN Productions and Bristol Tech company, Calvium, join forces in order to develop something that solves a real issue.

The App provides overviews and route directions. The overviews help the users build a mental map of the building so that they can prepare for their visit. The routing feature gives you step by step instructions to get you to your chosen destination. It can take you to your seat, the nearest toilet, or other services, such as departments or shops within the building. It also offers user-friendly colour contrast options to easily change the look of the app.

The UCAN Go App has been a great success and is currently available in the Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven and The Hackney Empire, London. However, this exciting new initiative will be the first time a building other than a theatre has been mapped.

Jane Latham Co-Founder Development Director of UCAN: ‘This grant will help us expand our work with the sight loss community and enable us to support blind and partially sighted people whilst they navigate the building. We are thrilled to announce that we will be holding a wide range of user-led activities over a two year period.  Cardiff Library has some fantastic facilities which we are looking forward to making full use of.’

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the UCAN Go navigation app is being built for Cardiff Central Library Hub.  It is fantastic that technology is being used to improve the accessibility of the wide range of services that are offered in the building.  The app will not only help customers who are blind or partially sighted, but it could also assist those living with dementia, dyslexia and mental health conditions.”

John Jume, Chief Executive of People’s Health Trust:   ‘This Project brings real value to the health and well being of the local vision impaired community and we are delighted to be supporting it.’