New College Worcester (NCW) is proud to share that Emma Williams, Teacher of Activities for Daily Living, continues to play an important role in helping shape accessibility at the new Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Centre for Eye Health.
With just over a year until the new centre opens, the Oriel programme team is working closely with people who have lived experience of vision impairment to ensure the building is as welcoming, accessible and easy to navigate as possible.
As part of this work, Emma was invited to attend a furniture showcase event hosted by furniture specialists Wagstaff in London. The event gave accessibility advisers the opportunity to review and test a range of furniture options for public reception and patient waiting areas before a formal procurement process begins.
The feedback gathered during the event will help inform decisions about the furniture that will be used throughout the new healthcare facility, ensuring accessibility remains at the heart of the project.
Emma has been involved with the Oriel programme for several years, providing valuable insight into how blind and vision impaired people experience healthcare environments and helping to influence decisions that will affect future patients and visitors.
Speaking about her involvement, Emma said:
“It has been a privilege to continue contributing to the Oriel project and to know that the voices of blind and vision impaired people are being heard throughout the design process. Accessibility is about much more than meeting regulations. It’s about creating spaces where people feel confident, comfortable and able to navigate independently.”
She added:
“The furniture showcase was a great opportunity to look closely at how different designs work in practice. Details such as colour contrast, shape, comfort and positioning can make a real difference to the experience of someone with a vision impairment. It was encouraging to see that feedback from people with lived experience is helping to inform these decisions.”
As the national specialist school and college for blind and vision impaired young people, NCW is committed to promoting accessibility, independence and inclusion beyond the classroom. Staff regularly share their expertise to help improve opportunities and environments for blind and vision impaired people across the UK.
The new Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Centre for Eye Health is one of the most significant developments in eye care and vision research. By involving accessibility advisers throughout the planning and design process, the Oriel programme is helping to create spaces that are easier to use, more welcoming and more inclusive for patients, visitors and staff alike.
Emma’s continued involvement highlights the value of specialist knowledge and lived experience in creating truly accessible environments. Everyone at NCW is proud to see her contributing to a project that will benefit thousands of blind and vision impaired people for many years to come.
