Sound and image trail for all

Educational garden / conservatory garden

Introduction

Audio-visual signage of the garden in different languages to enable the accessibility for blind and visually impaired people. The themes covered by the signs include the history of edible plants and horticulture, with a particular focus on the Pyrenees region.

Activity Topic

Environmental education, social cohesion

Organisation

CLAB – Conservatoire des Légumes Anciens du Béarn (Conservatory of Ancient Vegetables of Béarn)

Legal Status

Non-profit organisation (association under the 1901 law)

Year of Establishment

2013

The garden project was created in 2013 to support the training of adults who are in the process of reintegration and who wish to work in the field of vegetable growing. At the end of 2014, based on the work carried out, the association decided to transform this garden into an educational space for schools and the general public. In 2019, CLAB raised awareness of the importance of protecting plant diversity among almost 4,000 people through its activities. From five people who launched the project in 2013, CLAB has grown into an association with 386 members, including 30 active volunteers. The association regularly organizes various events and training courses on site and is part of other projects, such as the international Erasmus+ funded project Gardeniser. It is also a civil service placement and makes its own products from things grown in the garden, which are sold in its own store on the premises.

Activity Description

Aims and Outcomes

The short-term goal of this project is to make the garden more accessible because solidarity is one of the self-defined values of the CLAB association. In particular, the focus of this project is on providing blind and visually impaired people with access to knowledge about the garden and the history of garden culture and vegetables with a focus on the Bearn region. But also for people who do not speak French, the audios in different languages (French, Oxitan [the regional language], Spanish and English) make the information on the signage, which is only labeled in French, more accessible. Children or other people who cannot read or prefer to receive information by voice also benefit from the initiative. One of the long-term goals is to increase knowledge and awareness in all people visiting as well as contribute to an inclusive society. The result of this project was the installation of audio-visual signs in different sizes and on different topics in the garden, which can now be used by all guests. The signs contribute to CLAB’s educational activities.

“The links that unite plants and humans are inseparable: they have fed them, clothed them, cared for them, poisoned them too… They have allowed the manufacture of tools, wickerwork objects or musical instruments. All these stories are part of our cultural heritage and must be accessible to all.“

clab64.fr/a-propos/projets/pour-un-jardin-verger-accessible-a-tous

Implementation Steps

Assess the needs of the target group and goals of the garden group / association – Who is visiting the garden? Do we want / need audio-visual signs? If yes, what information do we want / need to give? What languages do we want to cover?
Concretize the idea and resources needed (money, time, knowledge etc.)
Divide responsibilities – who does what?
Develop a concept on how to get the needed resources – who could support? Maybe there are funding possibilities? You could also raise money by doing fundraisers or organize events to raise money
Detailed planning on the content of the signs and their location in the garden
Translation, recording, have the signs made
Putting the signs up in the garden
Announcement, introduction, inauguration event
(if applicable evaluate the impact)

Advantages and Benefits

The signs make it possible for different target groups to discover the garden and get knowledge about different related topics in a unique way. In comparison to signs with just written information, the signs with text and audio provide information in different forms and make it possible for people with visual impairment or speaking different language to receive the knowledge. It is a permanent thing and can therefore reach many people over the years, making it a rather cost-effective measure. In addition, it is a measure that supports inclusion and thus makes the garden accessible to a broader target group.

Required Competences and Skills

To create and install professional audio-visual signs, you need various resources (money, time, the motivation to carry out the project, knowledge or the will to gather the information that should be provided on the signs) and most likely a company to take care of the creation. For the information to be provided on the signs in writing and sound, knowledge from experts or the gardeners can be used, or research can be carried out. Apart from that the acceptance of all the members is needed and the long-term use and how people learn about the existing signs should be well thought out.

Evaluation

The success of the initiative can be measured in various ways. For example: visitors can be asked for their opinion (how did they like it) verbally or by using questionnaires (digital or analog), the number of visitors can be counted (how many and which people are reached by the initiative), the knowledge learned can be assessed (how much stuck with them). The long-term effect can be tested by sending questionnaires to visitors some time after their visit. Visitors can also be observed to see how they interact with the signs (do they just read the information, do they listen to the audios, are they not interested in the signs at all).

Conclusions

The “Sound and Image Trail for All” activity aims to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in an (educational) community garden by installing audio-visual signage in multiple languages. This initiative focuses on providing access to blind and visually impaired visitors, as well as those who do not speak French or prefer to listen to information. Through both audio and written information, the project educates visitors on the history of horticulture and edible plants, particularly in the Pyrenees region. The long-term goal is to increase awareness and knowledge of plant diversity while fostering a more inclusive society. The signage makes the garden’s cultural heritage accessible to a wider audience in a cost-effective and permanent manner.

Advice / Recommendation

To successfully replicate this activity, start by thoroughly assessing the needs of your target audience, including those with visual impairments or language barriers. Engage with your community early to gather inputs. Build partnerships with local organizations or experts to help with translations, recordings, content development and funding. Planning the signs’ content and placement carefully is essential to ensure they provide relevant, engaging information. Consider fundraising or applying for grants to cover the costs of creating professional audio-visual signage. Finally, organize a launch event to raise awareness and encourage visitors to use the signs, while also considering long-term evaluation methods to measure success.

Project Number: 2023-1-FR01-KA220-ADU-000153638

The objective of the Gardeniser Academy project is to support the development of community gardens in Europe by offering online training contents tailored to the needs and expectations of gardeners all over Europe.

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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