The Millennium Forum is delighted to announce that its seasonal events brochure is now available in Braille format. This will come as good news to Braille users who previoulsy were unable to directly access the Forum's event information in this format.

Coinciding with the launch of the spring 2010 seasonal brochure, the introduction of the Braille brochure will allow blind patrons a further opportunity to access the arts.

Jennifer Doherty, a local Braille user, is greatly encouraged with this new development. She said:

"I have been a Braille reader all my life, but getting information in Braille in public places rarely happens, so it is a novelty for me. Reading Braille is more personal and I find that I retain information easier by reading this way. I can read at my own preferred speed, and easily reread information without having to ask someone to repeat it. The fact that a venue has made an effort to provide information in an accessible format, demonstrates a welcoming attitude towards people with disabilities. Hopefully many other venues will follow this approach."

This latest improvement sees a further addition to the Millennium Forum's access which offers auxiliary aids to patrons of pan-disabilities. The Millennium Forum provides eight wheelchair spaces in the auditorium; a Loop Induction System operates thoughout the auditorium and at Box Office; accessible toilets; tactile and Braille signage; a beacon alarm system; a text phone and a wheelchair friendly public phone.

The Forum provides a Large Print Format, both of its seasonal brochure and its Encore Brasserie menu, for visually impaired customers. It is also committed to providing four BSL and ISL signed performances per year.

Shauna McNeilly, the Forum's Education & Outreach Officer said the Braille brochure is part of ongoing improvements to ensure that the Forum is accessible to all:

"We highly value our disabled patrons and therefore we continue tomodify our services to make the Forum as accessible and welcoming as possible. The Braille brochure is just one of many developments we have on our disabled action plan and we hope that Braille users will avail of this service."

Access is set to further advance in 2010. Following discussions with the N.I. Roads Service, a dedicated disabled drop-off point will be created in 2010 at the Newmarket Street entrance to the Forum, allowing easier access for wheelchair users and those with mobility problems.

The Braille events brochure is currently available for reference at the Millennium Forum Box office; open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm.